Brand Review: Universal Standard
One of the primary reasons I started this blog was to review brands that carry larger sizes. There are so many new brands and so many established brands that are attempting to accommodate larger sizes and I wanted to know how they hold up and share that information. Universal Standard (US) is not new, but not old. I don't recall how I learned about Universal Standard, but I remember the first piece of their clothing that caught my eye - The Tresa Wide Leg Tie Pant. I loved the caramel color and the wide leg. They were $148 and out of budget, but I put pants and US on my wish/watch list. Fast forward just a few short years and I've shopped with them a fair amount. I've bought jeans, trousers, dresses, sweaters and a leather jacket. Here's what I think of the brand.
Collection - I've long hoped for a brand that focuses on quality workwear and basics. For at least the last decade, plus size fashion has screwed on the trendy side. I'm a classic, essentials kind of girl. This is the space where Universal Standard is leading. They offer suiting separates for those who still need business attire as well as denim and leisure wear. It's not that other brands don't offer workwear and basics. It's a matter of quality, age suitability, and modernness. Neutral colors make up the bulk of the color palette. It's not a place where you'll find bright colors and prints. The colors that they do use are often understated and sometimes the photos don't capture the colors well.
Fit - I can say that I haven't totally figured out the sizing. My first purchase was the Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans. I used the size chart to fit my hip and bought a 26-28. It was huge. The jeans have a lot of stretch and are also wide leg. I exchanged for a 22-24 and still had to have the waist altered, but these trouser jeans are my favorite for an elevated denim look. The second time I bought denim was the Donna High Rise Straight Leg Jean. I again used the size chart. I purchased a size 28 to fit my hip and because these were straight leg jeans so I figured I needed my true size. Nope! I had to exchange these twice and ended up with a size 22. At this point, I figured my Universal Standard size was a 22 and I used that when I bought the Chloe Crewneck Sweater. I love the sweater, but they fit too tight in the arms and shoulder.
When considering fit, I don't rely strictly on the size chart because the material and cut of the item matters, but I'm still trying to hone in on my sizing at US.
Price Point - Whether or not clothing is affordable is subjective. Most of my US purchases are discounted because it was on sale, marked down for final sale, birthday discount, price adjustment, or something else. I think the price point matches the quality. I feel comfortable with the price point at US on items like pullover sweaters, jeans, and trousers; however, there are other things, like T-shirts, that I do not feel comfortable with the price point. I can't pay $50 for a basic tee. I can't do it. My most extravagant purchase is from US: a brown leather moto jacket. 🤤
Size Availability - If you are familiar with US, then you know that this is their motto. They go up to size 40. They brand themselves as the most size inclusive brand, although, I have seen complaints from petites. I would love to see a graphic representation of their actual customers. I wonder if plus size women shop with them more than standard size?
Sales/Discounts - I mentioned this a bit in the price point section. In my opinion, US doesn't have many "deep" sales (Ex. 50% off everything). Discount codes are incredibly rare. They tend to fall more on the limited time only marked down on a specific item (ex. Ponte pants was $95, now $65). I have found it difficult to catch the deep discounts (usually final sale) before my size is sold out (ex. dresses $25). I'm no longer an email subscriber so that could be part of it.
Returns / Exchanges - As I've mentioned, I've done plenty of exchanges and returns. Unlike a lot of brands, exchanges are available online and are free. I typically use happy returns for US. There is a processing fee for returns. I don't know if it varies, but mine was $4.50. US previously had a try before you buy service, but I haven't seen it in a while so it may not exist anymore.
Shopping Experience - US doesn't have brick and mortar stores, but they do offer pop-ups in select cities. Last year, they did 3-4 in my city. Usually, they rent a house in an upscale area and you schedule time to visit. I did't attend the pop-ups because they were immediately after I made a large purchase from them. The timing was not in line with my shopping and I didn't want to go to browse. I would like to attend one in the future and hope that they continue to offer in-person options.
My online shopping experience has been just fine. For the most part, my size is stocked. They offer the opportunity to be notified when an out of stock item is restocked. Because their clothing is mostly classics, they tend to keep items for much longer than a lot of brands / retailers. The Carrie jeans are still available three years after I bought them.
Overall, I really enjoy shopping with US. I remember during COVID and all of the supply chain issues, I was scared that another more established plus size brand would go out of business. I remember wondering what I would do because they were the only brand that had business wear that fit well on me. I feel a lot less vulnerable with US around. I'm looking forward to seeing US get better and better. While I wouldn't consider myself a "luxury" girl, I would like to see them add other fabrics such as silk or cashmere (they may have done this). They're leather was 👌🏾. I also would like to see bold color. Most importantly, we need brick and mortar in the plus size space and US could be the one to do it well.
Top (Left to Right): Eco Everyday Sweater dress, Leeron Leather Moto Jacket. Bottom (Left to Right): Renee Raglan Turtleneck Sweater, Carrier High Rise Wide Leg Jean.