I first heard of the notion of an underwear subscription box when my daughter Jane told me she’d treated herself to one. This was actually a monthly subscription that sent her a pair of panties and a bra or bralette.
She knew that it was time to replace her underthings when she realized that she hadn’t bought new ones since she went away to college years ago. Sure, she could have gone to Target or whatnot and just stocked up.
However, she liked the idea of that monthly gift arriving in the mail. Plus, within a year’s time, she would have completely replaced everything in her intimate drawer.
Damn, what a cool concept. Now I wanted to try it out for myself.
So, I was thrilled to learn that Wantable, an online styling service I’ve used in the past to get work-from-home wardrobe staples as well as activewear clothing, now offers an underwear subscription.
Well, technically, they call it the Sleep and Body Edit, because it includes underwear and pajamas or lingerie. Every clothing subscription that Wantable offers has the word “Edit” in it.
Anyway, last week I ordered my box, and it arrived yesterday. I waited to open the box and go through it until I knew I was ready to write this review. So, here goes.
Underwear subscription box from Wantable
Like with every other online clothing service I’ve used, the Wantable Sleep and Body Edit starts with a quiz. However, this time around it focuses on underthings. In fact, it tells you that this edit provides lingerie and sleepwear, in sizes XS-3X.
First, the quiz wants to establish your size. So, it asks that you fill in the following:
- Height
- Weight
- Bra size (it ranges from 32A to 44G)
- Bralette size
- Panty size
- Top size
- Bottom size
- Robe size
- Slipper size
After that, it asks you to select color swatches that match your version of “nude.” These range from a pale ivory shade to a dark cocoa color.
Next, Wantable asks which kind of underwear, pajamas, etc. you’d like to receive. Your choices include:
- Bras
- Panties
- Lingerie (the line drawing is of a one-piece bodysuit bustier)
- Sleepwear
- Loungewear
- Robe
- Socks/Slippers
The next part of the quiz is devoted to bra styles that you like, love or dislike. You have three choices:
- Underwire
- Unwired
- Bralette
You can also select bra padding (none, light, full).
Now you move onto panties with three styles to choose from:
- Full (think briefs)
- Moderate (bikini bottoms)
- Minimal (thongs)
Thumbs up or thumbs down on outfits and prices
At this point, the Wantable algorithm starts showing you sleep sets, bra and panty combos and more, and you choose whether you love, like or dislike them.
You’ll also choose colors you like (or dislike) as well as fabric patterns.
Finally, the quiz wraps up with two final questions. One, how do you feel about premium items (i.e. more expensive things). And two, if you want to write the stylist a note about your preferences, now is the time.
Opening my Wantable box
FedEx delivered my Wantable box
I love that when you open the Wantable box, you see a personalized sticker with your name on it.
Also, the box reminds you how Wantable works.
One, you have five days to try on your seven items.
Two, keep only what you love.
Three, checkout online. (You’ll have paid a $20 styling fee, so that will be applied to whatever you buy.)
Four, use the prepaid shipping bag that’s included to send back anything you don’t want for free.
FYI, even though FedEx delivered the box, that prepaid shipping bag or envelope has a USPS Priority Mail label attached. So, it’s easy to put it in your mailbox or bring it to the post office.
Contents of my Sleep and Body Edit
Whenever opening a subscription box, I always read the note from the stylist. One of the nice things about Wantable is that the note also includes what I’d written to the stylist about my preferences, as I mention in the last step of the quiz above.
Here’s what I wrote:
“Please don’t send any minimizer bras. Also, I run hot at night so please send only pajama sets with tank tops or sleeveless tops.”
Well, she listened. Of the tops I received, all are sleeveless.
In fact, my box had two tank and short sets, two bras, one short and two tank tops. I didn’t receive any underwear in my subscription box, which was a bit disappointing.
Also, I realized soon after I’d submitted the quiz that I should have said send me sleeveless tops with a built-in shelf bra. I tend to prefer those. Oh, well, I’ll have to remember that for next time.
However, one of the bras I received is really a bralette and it matches one of the tank tops in the box. So, if they fit, I can wear them together, and it will be almost like I have a built-in bra for that top.
Three of the four brands I received I discovered you can buy at Nordstrom. Most of the items were from PJ Salvage.
Another brand I received that you can buy at Nordstrom is Curvy Couture.
Finally, you can also get Flora Nikrooz pajamas at Nordstrom.
Trying on all the Wantable clothing
Now comes the fun part–trying everything on. As I’ve learned since starting to get clothing subscription boxes in 2015, you have to try everything on. Really.
Even if you hold something up and go “ew” or “no way,” try it on. You just may surprise yourself with what you like once it’s on you. Trust me on this.
Overview of the Wantable Sleep and Body Edit
Here are the basics you need to know about the Wantable Sleep and Body Edit:
- Cost: $20 styling fee
- Number of items you received: seven
- Days to try on: Five
- Free shipping and returns: Yes
- Frequency: Order on demand
- Gender served: Women (However, Wantable has something called a Men’s Active Edit that can include sleepwear or loungewear for men.)
- Where to go to sign up: Wantable website
Other underwear subscription box options
As I mentioned at the top of this article, I first became aware of the notion of an underwear subscription box when my daughter told me she’d signed up for one. The company she’s using is called Meundies.
Therefore, I’ve included Meundies in this section, about other underwear subscription options, along with a few others that have good reviews online. These are subscription services that provide underwear, bras, boxer shorts and shirts for men and women.
Sometimes you’ll find that the same company offers both. In other instances, they provide women’s lingerie only.
MeUndies
MeUndies works similarly to the Fabletics model. That is, you get a membership and get a set number of underwear items each month. If you don’t cancel by a certain day, you are billing and it’s shipped. However, you can skip a month if you’d like.
Finally, when you sign up, you’ll let MeUndies know what you want to receive. Your choices?
- Men’s undies
- Women’s undies
- Bralettes
- Socks
MeUndies basics
- Cost: Monthly subscription under $20.
- Number of items you received: One to three, depending on membership level.
- Days to try on: 45 days to make returns
- Free shipping and returns: Yes
- Frequency: Monthly
- Gender served: All
- Where to go to sign up: Meundies.com
Savage X Fenty lingerie subscription
In case you didn’t know, Savage X Fenty is Rihanna’s lingerie company. With the Xtra VIP membership, you get an automatic shipment each month.
According to the FAQ, here’s how you sign up:
“Just select “VIP Add to Bag” as you shop and opt in to the Xtra VIP Membership at checkout. The New Xtra VIP Member discount will automatically be applied to your first purchase. Upon placing your order, you will immediately be enrolled into the Xtra VIP Membership.”
Savage X Fenty basics
- Cost: $59.95 monthly
- Number of items you received: Varies, depending on if you choose a single item, a box or a bundle
- Days to try on: 90-day fit guarantee
- Free shipping and returns: Yes
- Frequency: Monthly
- Gender served: Men and women but primarily women
- Where to go to sign up: Savage X Fenty website
Basic Woman Subscription
Through Cratejoy, you can sign up for the Basic Woman Subscription box. Each month, you receive a cute top, classic bikini cut undies and pair matching of socks that are sustainably made. That is, Basic Woman stocks mostly items made with bamboo fabric.
You can sign up for a one-month, three-month, six-month or 12-month subscription. The longer your subscription, the less you’ll pay per month for your box.
Basic Woman Subscription basics
- Cost: Ranges from $19.99 to $24.99 per months
- Number of items you received: Each box includes a top, underwear and a pair of socks.
- Days to try on: 90-day fit guarantee
- Free shipping and returns: Yes to free shipping; doesn’t seem like returns are possible
- Frequency: Monthly
- Gender served: Women
- Where to go to sign up: Cratejoy.com
Basic Man Subscription
I first learned about the Basic Man subscription box when I was writing this article on the best monthly boxes for men. In fact, Basic Man was the first service I discovered that sent men’s “basics” (t-shirt, underwear, socks) on a subscription basis.
I liked that my big-and-tall husband could sign up, since sizes go up to 4XL. It’s rare for companies to stock necessities on a subscription basis for men who wear bigger sizes. Thank you, Basic Man!
Anyway, you can sign up for it through Cratejoy. Each month, you get a high-quality t-shirt, performance boxer-briefs and a pair of socks.
Like Basic Woman (which is owned by the same company), you can sign up for a one-month, three-month, six-month or 12-month subscription. The longer your subscription, the less you’ll pay per month for your box.
Basic Man Subscription basics
- Cost: Ranges from $19.99 to $24.99 per months
- Number of items you received: Each box includes a t-shirt, boxer briefs and a pair of socks.
- Days to try on: 90-day fit guarantee
- Free shipping and returns: Yes to free shipping; doesn’t seem like returns are possible
- Frequency: Monthly
- Gender served: Men
- Where to go to sign up: Cratejoy.com
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