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I recently took a bit of a risk and ordered a $100 rescue box of size small tops from ThredUp*.
The box promised to contain 50 tops that ThredUp had rejected (either because they didn’t meet ThredUp’s standards or because they’d been listed too long).
*ThredUp is an online consignment store.
I suspected that this box would contain a lot of very…interesting items.
I was not wrong.
There were some real doozies in here, and at first, I wondered if there would be anything for us to keep at all.
But here’s the saving grace…between Sonia, Lisey, and me, we cover a range of styles and sizes.
This meant that there were many more keeps in the box than there would have been if I was on my own!
Since I have a LOT of photos to share, I’m going to break this up into two posts. Today, I’ll show you the winners that we kept.
And on Wednesday, I’ll share the many, many things we didn’t keep. 
One note: the shirts did not arrive in a wrinkled state. Some of them just became that way while sitting in a pile at my house, waiting to be photographed.
Sonia’s keeps
Basic black. Too small for me, but it fits Sonia!
This one is completely, completely not me, but it works great for Sonia!
And it pairs pretty nicely with this real leather jacket.
I saw this next flowered top in the box and recoiled, imagining it on me.
But it looks great on Sonia.
This button-down is a departure from Sonia’s usual style, but she likes it and is keeping it!
And she’s also keeping this peplum top.
Lastly, this fuzzy jacket with a very, very oversized zipper has been worn by Sonia on an almost daily basis since we got the box.
So, Sonia alone had 7 items that she kept, and that includes two jackets, one of which was leather.
My Keeps
I’ve never worn a blazer before, but I think this one has promise.
And I can see this shirt working too.
This plaid shirt felt like a keeper to me too.
This one, I am on the fence about. I tried it on and in person, I felt iffy. But when I saw it in the photo, I reconsidered.
So, that’s four items for me.
Lisey’s Keeps
Lisey kept two workout items; a brand new with tags workout top and a like-new Reebok workout tank top.
And she also liked this stripy top as a swimsuit coverup for the summer.
How much did our keepers cost us?
I paid $100 for the box, with no returns allowed.
Out of 50 items, we kept 14, which means each item cost us $7.15.
Considering that a few of the items are relatively pricey things (a leather jacket, a blazer), this seems like a fair bargain.
And something like a brand-new-with-tags workout top would definitely have cost more than $7.15 if we’d bought it new, even at Target.
Would I recommend a rescue box?
I’m on the fence.
If you have multiple people in your household that are clustered around the same size (like we do), then I think this could work out pretty well.
And if your household covers multiple styles (Sonia wears flowery stuff that Lisey and I would not!), that would be helpful too.
But if you’re just one person, this box feels like it could be a pretty big risk.
Get $10 off your first ThredUp purchase
If you’d like to try a rescue box (or anything else from ThredUp), you can use my referral link for $10 off your first purchase.
And if you try a rescue box, I’d love to hear how it goes for you!
Click here to see photos of all the ThredUp rescue box items we rejected.
Susan in Dallas says
Thank you so much for this funny, funny post! You expressions were priceless.
Marcia says
That seemed pretty fun. Alas, I’m the only female in my house. I think it would be risky, and I’d be better off saving the $100 for another pair of running shoes.
Amanda says
i have been waiting for this post!! I have another goody box on the way this week!! I had a great box my last one I got!!
https://sprinkledwithgranola.blogspot.com/2019/03/thred-up-good-box-review.html
Connie says
I’d consign everything we didn’t keep for even more frugality.
Deidre says
Ahh Kristen, thank you so much for this post – when I saw the title I got so excited & made myself a big mug of hot tea to sit down & enjoy, I laughed out loud at seeing the brown little house on the prairie thing again
I think these items were more successful than your stitch fix but I see your point about sharing with others to get the value – I think all the items you kept look great – I cannot wait to see the fails!! so much to look forward to…
Kristyna says
Glad to see there were at least some keepers in the box!
I’m not going to lie though, I am definitely looking forward to Wednesday’s post.
Amy Swiatczak says
Not too bad! Thanks for sharing your experience. We ordered a reject box and between my daughters and myself, we kept 16 items. And then we sold all but 7 remaining items at 50 cents a piece at our annual yard sale, so we recooped a smidge of that money. Would I do it again? Probably not. But it was a fun experiment.
Carrie says
I love ThredUp! I love deals, and have several saved searches, so keep an eye out for new or nearly new steals.
So far, I have bought two rescue boxes, each with about 20 items. One was mixed items and the other just tops. I think only two of the tops were a bust. The mixed box was about 80 percent successful, with the biggest issue being taste. I cannot pull off a Tina Turner dress!
Debbie says
Thanks for sharing your box pics! I have ordered a couple of Goody boxes from ThredUp and the results have been interesting, but I have found a few gems to keep.
Mrs. Sweetspot says
This sounds fun. Do you order by size only, or also style?
I’m intrigued by the idea, but in the scenario where all 50 items happen to work out, I’ll be finding myself in a pickle storage wise (and I do project 333).
Kristen says
In this case, you just are ordering by size. For the Goody Box, it’s a bit more like Stitch Fix, in that someone picks items for you specifically.
Ada says
I can’t wait to see the rejects!! I have a few amazing rejects from ThredUp. They’re so amazing that I took pictures and sent to some friends. My friends tell me when they need a laugh, they pull up the pics and giggle. If I can’t laugh at myself in clothes that are weird for me, what can I laugh at?
Kristen says
Oh yes, I laughed so hard at myself in some of these items. Totally hilarious.
Liz B. says
I love the keepers! I’m also excited to see the rejects on Wednesday.
I know several commenters have suggested reselling the rejects….I have not had good luck in my area trying to resell women’s clothing, but ymmv. Even selling baby clothes and kid’s clothes (at dirt cheap prices) is slow going. I’m with you – donating sounds like a good plan.
Cathy says
I too, was thinking “resell” for the items you don’t want. Poshmark is a fun and easy way to offload items in your closet you no longer want/need/wear. I use Poshmark as a way to financially supplement my shopping
If you want to use my Poshmark referral code for a bonus $5: catsch1
If not, no worries!
Or, Wardrobe for Opportunity, Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. are great options!
Can’t wait until Wednesday…
Kathy Wolfe says
I went to the site but couldn’t locate the rescue boxes. Can you guide me?
Kristen says
Here you go! https://www.thredup.com/rescues
Grandma Honey says
I’ve looked into Thread Up, a little…and I have a question. Maybe I’m understanding this wrong, but is it possible to order only tops or only pants, or do they insist on sending complete outfits (unless you order a rescue box like you did)?
Kristen says
Oh, no, you can pick whatever you want from ThredUp if you are shopping their main site.
Athena says
I think they are doing a new styling service, similar to stitch fix, but with their thrifted clothing items. You don’t HAVE to do that though and can shop them like any other online clothing retailer. Their styling service looks to be called Goody Boxes, it’s just one way to shop their site though!
Holly says
I think you ladies did great! You’re right that it’s perfect for you to divide and conquer the box. I am curious: I know you said no returns, so what do you do with the clothes you don’t want? Are they relying on the customers to do the recycling/donating?
Kristen says
Yep, I’m donating mine!
Clare says
Perhaps you are not interested in doing so but I think it would be relatively easy to sell the “leftovers” as a lot or two on FB marketplace. If you sold the remaining items for even a $1 each you’d quickly cut your costs. I know where I live if I offered a “lot of 36 women’s small tops” for $40 they would be snatched up! That would be my plan if I wanted to try this. If one was really motivated you *might* be able to cover your costs. But again, it’s a risk! Loved the photos-is it weird I’m more excited for the fails?
Jen says
Your IG stories when going through this box provided MUCH entertainment for me. We chatted a bit via private message when you were posting them. I think everything you kept is lovely–and I like the blue striped top in the photo, too! Your girls are beautiful, and it’s definitely a bonus to be able to have them share in the “rescue” attempt. So I assume you don’t send back the items you don’t want and you don’t get any refund for those items? Looking forward to seeing what you decided against!
Linda H. says
Love what you all kept! The navy striped top looks great on you and is definitely a keep. Can’t wait to see the rejects!
Suzanne says
Double check your math. I think things were cheaper than you thought!
$50 / 14 = $3.57.
Suzanne says
Ack. Sorry, posted before coffee. $100 for 50 things. I misread. Apologies!
JD says
I agree, with multiple people picking items, and especially with a leather jacket in the mix, it was worth it for you, but for one person — probably not. I guess friends of similar sizes could do the same thing, but what if they all like the same things and had all shared in the costs of the box? That might not work out well.
I am very, very eagerly awaiting the “fail” post. After seeing the brown print “pilgrim” top, I can’t wait to see what else there was. I liked what you all kept, though.
Sabrina says
Wow, with every picture you post of Sonia, I am astounded by her beauty! She reminds me of those of black and white film actresses.
I can’t wait to see the fails! I wear a little blazer/jacket with jeans most of the time. It just makes me feel a bit more put together and polished, even if just doing carpool!
Mary says
Did nothing fit Zoe?
Kristen says
Nope! Zoe’s a pretty small thirteen-year-old, so nothing was quite the right size for her.
Jennifer Y. says
So many great things in this post! Sonia has such as lovely, youthful feminine look in the pieces she is keeping. I simply love the blazer, jeans, high heels look you put together! I find it so versatile for me: Fridays at work, dinner/brunch with friends, school functions.
Also seems like the box of clothes was a fun adventure for you and your girls!
K D says
This is a fun post. I think the box was worth it for your family. You have items you wouldn’t have thought to try. Don’t forget the entertainment value of this. It seems it was close to priceless. I look forward to the Wednesday post