Bombfell Review (2020) - Is this clothing subscription worth it?
Bombfell is one of the oldest clothing subscription boxes around, having started in 2011. But does that mean it's worth your hard earned cash?
Contents
What is Bombfell?
Bombfell looks like a subscription box, but that's only because they deliver goods to your home or office in a box. In actuality, Bombfell is you hiring a personal stylist on a monthly retainer.
When you sign up, you go through a pretty extensive questionnaire about what you think your current personal style is. The team at Bombfell will then match you with an actual person (no AI here) who will go out and find items they think will fit your style.
These may not be items that you would typically buy, or even imagine yourself wearing, but each month your stylist will go to work putting together a box of clothes, comprising one outfit (and maybe an accessory), that speaks to your personal taste.
You're not required to keep an entire box. Keep a single item, you'll get something akin to 10% off retail price. Keep the whole box, and you'll double that to around 20% off each item's retail price.
Bombfell isn't exactly what you would call cheap, but you're not buying into a cheap subscription box service. You're paying for quality items sought out by quality professionals who are looking out to ensure you look good.
To that end, the average box is going to set you back around $250 if you keep the whole thing. Since every box is unique to you, it's tough to say exactly what each item is going to run cost wise, but it seems the average item is about $85.
So, if you have no idea how to bridge the gap between your t-shirt and jeans casual/full suit formal uniform, Bombfell seems like a pretty solid solution. But is it the solution for you? That's why you have to read our Bombfell review to find out!
Want to get this box for yourself or as a gift for someone?
Recent Bombfell Boxes
Each box is curated specifically for the member, but you can take a look at some sample looks that should give you an idea of what look you may be able to step into.
Image | Product Name | Best Feature | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Item #1 | Perfect for the fall, Greg received a perfectly upscaled layered look with vest, sweater, and shirt that pairs perfectly with denim. | $287 | |
Box/Item #2 | Excellent autumn look with jacket and suede tote. | $362 | |
Box/Item #3 | Business casual look with blue shirt and high contrast orange tie. | $217 |
Bombfell Review
It's hard to throw a search into Google about clothes without hitting a subscription box designed to make men look better. So you've got a ton of options. Take a good hard look at Bombfell, not only because it's one of the oldest services, but because it purports to be one of the best.
That said, nothing's perfect, and Bombfell is no different. There are some things we love about the box, and a few things that we just can't get behind. Let's take a look at both.
Things To Love About Bombfell
Here's a list of the awesome things that you will love about this subscription box.
1. Personal Stylist
This isn't Skynet. This isn't a Netflix algorithm. This is an actual, honest to goodness, person who is picking out what you ought to be wearing based on your preferences. That's kind of what they're charging for. The fact that they aren't AI.
The fact that you're dealing with an actual person gives you the sounding board a man really needs to step out into a new stylistic direction. They won't let you go too far, but will encourage you to step outside your comfort zone. We like that.
There's no progress without risk, and your stylist is going to coach you into making just the right sized step.
2. Pre Approval
Again, you're dealing with a human. They're going to make you look good, that's their job, we get that. But, you get the final word.
Before they send anything out, you're going to get the approval. Maybe you won't like it in real life, but you should at least like it enough to okay them sending it.
Clearly, pre-approval cuts down on returns and allows them to offer free returns.
3. Try On Period
When you agree to your stylist's box breakdown, you're not wedded to that outcome.
Even if you approve something on the interwebs, that doesn't mean it's going to fit like a glove. You've got a personal stylist, but they aren't measuring your inseam. There are going to be discrepancies.
What's amazing about Bombfell is that even when you approve an outfit (ensemble?) you're not stuck with it.
You get a full week from the time your box is delivered until the time you send what you don't like back before you're charged. That's tight. Unless you were going for something more loose fitting. Then it's loose.
4. Frequency Options
No two ways around it. Times is tough.
Maybe not Steinbeck tough, but, "times is tough."
There is certainly an argument to be made that, maybe, you may not need a new outfit every-single-month. Bombfell gets that. They allow you to get a box when you need. Be that monthly, bi-monthly, or ad hoc whenever you feel the need.
Things Not To Love about Bombfell
There are a few drawbacks we encountered that we thought you should know.
1. Cost of Entry
Bombfell isn't shopping at Wal*Mart or, well, even the GAP.
Bombfell's stylists are looking out for your well being and they don't seem to be shopping at a place that offers their own credit card.
That means that items are going to cost you a bit more than you may like. It'd be nice if they peppered the boxes with something you could pick up after missing a paycheck.
2. What About My Feet?
This doesn't need more explanation. Bombfell isn't doing shoes. How many times have you heard "shoes make the outfit?"
About a million. Bombfell should make the leap to footwear, or, barring that, make a recommendation to zappos or something.
3. Formal wear, please
Look, they have dialed in a personal stylist for upscale casual wear. Go ahead and make the leap to full on formal wear.
Bombfell is floating around in the orbit between gymwear and formalwear, but, make the leap on the latter would you already?
Pros vs Cons of Bombfell
Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of this clothing subscription club. Check it out below!
Pros
- No need to keep every item in the box. Increased discounts for keeping more of what was curated.
- Free Shipping / Free Returns
- Seven-day clothing try on period before you’re charged. Just make sure you send anything you don’t want back within a week.
- Flexible ordering – Monthly outfits are the default, but you can change this to as infrequently as on-demand.
Cons
- Limited to upscale causal wear.
- Pricey – The average cost per item is $85.
Bombfell Price
There’s a ton of custom options… which is nice to have in a custom clothing service. They have a monthly or an ad hoc plan for you!
Image | Subscription Plan | Price |
---|---|---|
Monthly or ad hoc plan. Everything is cost plus beyond the style fee. | $20 (cost plus) |
Bombfell Review Shipping Breakdown
Shipping and returns are pretty straightforward with Bombfell, which is nice. Shipping, to and from, is free. No signature required and they'll ship to anything that isn't a PO Box.
If you're worried about package thieves (though, they'll be bummed if they aren't your size), the default shipping instructions from Bombfell instruct the courier to leave the box only in a secure location. So, there shouldn't be any need for concern.
Is Bombfell worth it?
After all is said and done, is Bombfell worth it?
Yeah. It is.
Bridging that clothing gap between sitting on the couch watching the game, and formal wear is one of the hardest places for a man to find his voice. Gym wear is easy. Jeans and a t-shirt are easy. Even buying a suit, while not as easy, is pretty straightforward.
The game changes when you have to look into layers, patterns, and accessories. That can be easy to screw up and hard to get right. Bombfell takes a lot of the stress out of the process by handing off the heavy lifting to your personal stylist.
Once the stylist weighs in, all you have to do is decide if they're perfect, or if they need a bit of help dialing in your voice.
With all of the options available, Bombfell is a no brainer if you need help in the style department.
Want to get this box for yourself or as a gift for someone?
Bombfell Coupon or Promo Code
There is no current coupon or promo code from the Club.
How to Join the Bombfell
Getting started with Bombfell is intuitive and straightforward. Since you're working with a human and not AI, the biggest hurdles are just getting to know you.
1. Click Get Started
Click one of the blue "Get Started" buttons on the main page, or in the masthead.
2. Take the Style Quiz
After you click "get started," you'll be taken to a style quiz about what you currently wear, and when you wear it. They ask you questions about what you wear to work (casual, formal, business causal?), how you like your clothes to fit, as well as you're measurements, height and weight. This helps dial in your personal style.
3. Take the Vendor Quiz
Next, they provide you with a matrix of 16 popular menswear brands and ask you to choose where you shop, or would like to shop. These run the gamut between sportswear companies like Nike to high-end formal wear like Brooks Brothers.
4. Take the Outfit Quiz
Similar to the vendor quiz, you're presented with a matrix of 16 outfits and asked to select which you would see yourself wearing. Choose as many as you'd like. They don't offer all of these styles, but this is all useful to helping your stylist match you to your look.
5. The Budget
Now you're presented with some budget options for each of the categories of clothing you will find in your box. How much are you willing to spend on pants for instance. They offer three pricing levels for each category, so if you're willing to throw down a wad of cash on a nice shirt, but not so on socks, you can let your stylist know.
6. Account Details
Last, but not least, set up your account. First name, last name, email and a password are all you need to get started with your stylist. You'll need to set up billing before they ship your first box, but not having to do so before getting to know your stylist is a nice touch.
More Great Clothing Subscription Reviews
Maybe after reading this Bombfell review, you realize, the services aren't exactly what you need. Take a deep dive on several other services that might strike the right chord with you.
- Take a look at the Trunk Club Review for something kind of similar but under a big Nordstrom brand.
- Le tote will get you some nice clothes... rented clothes... nice.
- Are you big and tall? Dia and Co have you covered...Here's the Dia and Co reviews.
In Conclusion
If you don't know how to bridge the gap between the gym (or in my case, couch, let's be honest) and the boardroom, Bombfell is the clothing subscription for you.
Easy peasy.
Subscription boxes are everywhere, but really, you need to be more discerning these days.
Are we wrong? Come at us? Where else are you getting dressed for less... but with an actual stylist?
Want to get this box for yourself or as a gift for someone?