My Honest Trunk Club Review: What You Should Know

I’ve heard of Nordstrom’s Trunk Club for a few years now and have always been intrigued to try it out. I’ve never used a styling service before so I was super excited to give this a go!

After going through the Trunk Club process, I have a lot of thoughts. Some good. Some bad. And some in-between So keep reading for my honest Nordstrom Trunk Club review.

Plus, if you decide you want to try Nordstrom Trunk Club, here’s a $50 credit for you! Hooray!

Before we dive in, there’s a lot of information and images here so feel free to click on any of these titles to navigate the article.

Table of Contents
How Does Trunk Club Work?
The Process
The Hits
The Misses
Is Trunk Club Expensive?
Is Trunk Club Better Than Stitch Fix?
Can You Return Trunk Club Items To Nordstrom?
Is Trunk Club Worth It?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting my site and read more about my disclosure policies here.

How Does Trunk Club Work?

It’s a fairly straightforward process! The way Trunk Club works is you first go through a questionnaire where your stylist is able to get to know you and your style.

Then, your stylist will send you their picks within 24 hours. You get to swap or remove the items you don’t like along with providing feedback.

After this, Nordstrom will ship your trunk with the items you liked and replacements for the items you didn’t like based on your feedback. This is when you will be charged a $25 styling fee. But good news! You can apply that $25 to any item you decide to keep. Plus, if you use the $50 credit I’m giving you, you won’t be charged anything and you’ll still have another $25 credit to put towards your purchase.

Next, you will try the clothes on at home and decide what you want to keep. You can send back what you don’t want or exchange different sizes and then Trunk Club will charge you the price of the clothes you end up keeping.

Now that you know a little bit about how Trunk Club works, let’s get into exactly what this process looks like.

The Process

To get started, Trunk Club walks you through a survey-like process to get to know your style. Here are the things they ask so you can know ahead of time!

I was looking for something new to elevate my style. But I think I’ll definitely check out Trunk Club for vacations or trips in the future too!

I like to avoid gray, browns, and oranges along with most patterns. I’m always willing to try new things but for the most part, these are the things I steer clear of.

I don’t have any materials I dislike and I primarily like my tops to be fitted or straight. I do love a good oversized t-shirt or sweatshirt but that wasn’t what I was looking for from Trunk Club.

I’m definitely moving away from skinny jeans (lol, I know this is a hot topic right now) and find that straight jeans are the most flattering for me. And of course, I picked mid or high rise. People who wear low rise should not be trusted (unless you’re Britney Spears).

I felt like Trunk Club could have added more dress styles here but I picked shift and midi. I also picked sandals for the upcoming summer season and sneakers, because if you know me you know how much I love sneakers.

Here I picked all the brands that I felt resonates with my style like Madewell, Topshop, and Reformation. Plus a few athleisure brands like Alo and Nike.

I’ve definitely been more into loungewear (thanks to COVID-19) but this is typically my style even when there’s not a pandemic. Plus, even though I work in an office normally, there isn’t a strict dress code so I basically wear whatever. However, like most people, my style changes depending on my mood.

Then they ask your age. I’m 25. Woo!

I don’t have any major fit problems other than being on slightly the shorter side (I’m 5′ 3′) and I typically wear a size small shirt. Knowing what I know now, I should have picked size extra small but keep reading for more about that.

I chose a size 2 for my dress and pant sizes. Looking back, I should have chose size 0. I recently lost some weight and am still figuring out my sizes.

My shoe size is a 7 and my bra size is a 34B. Nothing crazy here.

There are some things I like to spend on more than others, like jeans and shoes. Other items, I don’t care to spend a ton. I find a majority of my wardrobe at the thrift store, so I’m used to spending little money for my clothes.

Then Trunk Club asks when you want the trunk. In my case, I wanted it asap.

Since my style is quite casual, I told Trunk Club I’d like my trunk to focus on weekend, loungewear, and activewear. I also left them a note telling them that I’m into athleisure lately and that I love a cute pair of jeans or unique pants. I like a relaxed style but not to the point where I look frumpy.

You can also add clothing categories you’d like to see or pictures of items you like to help your stylist but I left that blank because I wanted to see what my stylist came up with.

My Stylists Initial Picks

Next, you’ll be sent what will be included in your trunk and you can either swap the items or remove them and give feedback. I’ll be honest, I was a little disappointed with their initial picks, and here’s why.

I told them I didn’t like orange or gray. My stylist included both of those colors. I told them I liked straight-leg jeans. She included skinny. I told them I wanted sandals or sneakers. She included booties. Sigh. Luckily, as I said, you have the option to review the items and exchange/remove them which is exactly what I did.

I kept the orange faux fur jacket (tbh, it’s not my style but I wanted to give it a try). I also kept the satin joggers and the gray bodysuit because, despite their color, I liked the style. But everything else I either swapped or removed.

Now let’s get into The Hits.

The Hits

In no particular order, here are my favorite things I received in my Trunk Club. I’m really happy and excited about this stuff, so yay for that! And keep reading to see The Misses.

4th & Reckless Robyn Ribbed Crop Top

I know I told my stylist I didn’t like brown, but in her defense, this crop top wasn’t her own pick. This is what I chose to “swap” with the black cropped turtleneck she originally chose. This cute top also comes in white color but I figured, why not try the brown?

I absolutely love this top. I ended up exchanging the size small for an extra small because I felt it would fit a little bit better if I sized down (I’m wearing the extra small in the pic above). And I was right! It fits so well and I’m beyond happy with it. It’s such a high-quality top and for the price, you can’t beat it.

The only issue I had with this top is that I have to place my bra straps slightly off my shoulders when wearing it and make sure my bra band in the back isn’t showing. Unfortunately, my boobs are not small enough for me to feel comfortable not wearing a bra with this kind of top (my personal choice! You do you). But overall, not that big of a deal.

Price: $27

Shop 4th & Reckless Robyn Ribbed Crop Top Here

Socialite Stretch Satin Joggers

I LOVE THESE JOGGERS. SO. MUCH. They’re giving me Kim Possible vibes with my black top. This is exactly the type of pants I was looking for. This is one of the options my stylist picked out for me and I’m thrilled with them.

Not only is the color so pretty (I love a good olive color) but the satin fabric is so soft and buttery. The quality of these pants is top-notch. I ended up exchanging the size small for an extra small because the small was a little too loose around my waist.

I cannot wait to wear these out to dinner or even to the office. They’re so cute and I’m beyond happy! This is hands down the best product my stylist picked out for me.

Price: $45

Shop Socialite Stretch Satin Joggers Here

Levi’s Wedgie Jeans

First things first, let me say that I absolutely love Levi’s wedgie jeans. They’re perfect for people with no booty (hello, me!) and they come in so many different colors. I already own four pairs and these two new pairs made my collection six! I will not need to purchase new jeans ever again.

Although I kept these, there was one thing I was a little disappointed about when it came to these jeans. When my stylist offered me the skinny jeans shown above, I left a note for her that said “I don’t like skinny jeans, but I love straight leg jeans. For example, the Levi Wedgie Jeans are my favorite.” I appreciate her sending me these because I do really love them. But a part of me wishes, she sent a new brand and style I never tried.

But regardless, I love these jeans and I was happy to see Nordstrom does price matching so I was able to get these at the price Levi’s was offering them at the time.

Price: Dark Wash $90, Light Wash $98

Shop Levi’s Wedgie Jeans Here

The Misses

Now let’s move onto the misses. Out of the 10 items Trunk Club sent, 6 of them didn’t work for me for a couple of reasons. Please keep in mind these opinions are all my own so if you see something you may like on here, I’ve attached a link for you to shop!

I’m going to list these “misses” from best to worst so keep reading to see what was the worst thing they sent.

Nike Air Max 2090 React SE Sneaker

Okay, listen. I absolutely love these sneakers. So much. The color is so cute and versatile plus they’re insanely comfortable. However, I have way too many sneakers in my closet.

I live in NYC and am already limited on space so I capped my sneaker collection a few months ago. I wanted to keep these but the responsible part of my brain said “no”. So I listened to myself and ultimately returned them.

Other than my own personal dilemma, there was nothing wrong with these sneakers. I’m going to keep these on my radar and potentially purchase them in a few months once I do a sneaker clean-out.

Price: $150

Shop Nike Air Max 2090 React SE Sneaker Here

4th & Reckless Zebra Ruched Mini Skirt

This is one of the items I “swapped” for while I was reviewing my trunk.

First things first, I really do love this skirt. It’s so cute and a little “extra” which I love. If I were to keep it, I would need to get a size extra small because the small was too big on me.

But I decided that I really wasn’t going to wear this as often as I’d want to. Now if this showed up in a rental subscription, I would absolutely wear it because I would obviously be returning it after a certain period of time. But frankly, I knew I wouldn’t wear this skirt enough so I ultimately decided to send it back.

Price: $45

Shop 4th & Reckless Zebra Ruched Skirt Here

Free People Thermal Long Sleeve Bodysuit

I was a little confused why my stylist put this in my trunk considering I specifically said I don’t like to wear the color gray. But I saw this, figured it was kind of cute, and decided to give it a try.

It’s not that I hate this bodysuit. I just don’t like it on me. I definitely needed a size extra small instead of a small and I didn’t like the buttons. I’m also not a big fan of the thumb holes, not that you have to put your thumbs in there but I just think they’re weird.

This bodysuit did come in a cream color but I knew I wouldn’t wear that color just as much as I wouldn’t wear gray. If they had black it probably would be a different story. But they didn’t, so I decided to return it.

Price: $58

Shop Free People Thermal Long Sleeve Bodysuit Here

*note I couldn’t find the gray on Nordstrom (weird) so I linked it on another site

Alo High Waist Lounge Leggings

Shoutout to my dog Grace for the photobomb.

In my stylist’s defense, I did ask for a “fun color” legging. But this ain’t it. I know a lot of people would like this color but I’m more of a neutral-toned person. When I said “fun color” I mean olive green or burnt orange. But I understand how that could have been misinterpreted.

These leggings are incredibly comfortable but I hate the color and they’re too long on me. They do come in a bunch of other colors so I could have swapped them but eh, I decided not to.

Also, I don’t know if I’d ever spend $98 on a pair of activewear leggings. I prefer my Old Navy activewear leggings all day every day. And for those reasons, I sent these bad boys back.

Price: $98

Shop Alo High Waist Lounge Leggings Here

BLANKNYC Faux Fur Crop Jacket

My stylist included this in her first round of picks. I honestly didn’t think this was for me at first but I figured I’d give it a try. Let me be clear, I don’t hate this but I just don’t think it’s my style. It does come in a few different colors so if you like this, I linked the other colors down below.

If this style were in some other fabric, like leather or suede, I’d probably like it better. But I’m just not a fan. I ended up returning it.

Price: $98

Shop BLANKNYC Faux Fur Crop Jacket Here

Alo Soho Pullover

I really really really don’t like this. First of all, it’s gray. As I’ve said, I told them I don’t like gray and for some reason, they thought this was a good fit.

Second, I hate the fit. It’s too long for my liking and I hate how it sits on me. I know there’s a lot of people that would wear this and love it but not me. No thank you.

I have to say this is a very high-quality pullover though. It’s incredibly comfortable and soft so I’ll give it that. Plus, it comes in a bunch of different colors. Maybe I’d like it better if it was in black but who knows. I decided to return it.

Price: $78

Shop Alo Soho Pullover Here

Overall Thoughts Of What I Received

Overall, I think keeping 4 out of 10 items is actually pretty good.

Where I was a little disappointed is that my stylist really didn’t care to double-check everything she picked for me. I said I didn’t wear gray and she chose a bunch of gray items. I told her I liked straight jeans and she originally offered me skinny. Then I told her I liked sandals and sneakers and she gave me boots. It’s not that I was bothered that I had to swap items or give feedback, but it just felt like she didn’t care.

But, the fact that I had the option to see her original picks was great. If there wasn’t the option to see the items and give feedback, then I think I would be more disappointed.

The items that I kept I’m delighted with, and I don’t think I would have tried them (minus the jeans) if they weren’t sent to me through this service. Overall, I will definitely be giving Trunk Club another shot. I may just ask for a different stylist.

Is Trunk Club Expensive?

To use Trunk Club’s style services, it’s not expensive at all. You simply pay a $25 styling fee that will be applied towards any of your items, should you choose to purchase. Plus, I’m giving you a $50 credit so you truly have nothing to lose if you want to give it a try!

Is Trunk Club Better Than Stitch Fix?

I have never tried Stitch Fix but my mom has. This is what she had to say about it.

“I really enjoyed Stitch Fix! However, I had a bad stylist at first and decided to give it a break. When I signed up again, I had a better stylist. They did a great job of finding products that fit my style, especially for tops (more so than bottoms). But sometimes I feel like I forced myself to like some of the items, ended up keeping them and not wearing them. But overall, I did like my experience with Stitch Fix.”

I will be testing Stitch Fix shortly so stay tuned for another post with my opinion about the company.

Can you return trunk club items to Nordstrom?

Yes! This is the cool thing about Trunk Club. If you live near a Nordstrom, you can return your unwanted items right at the store. Luckily I live right around the corner from Nordstrom in NYC so this is super convenient for me.

Otherwise, you can drop your items off at your local FedEx. Shipping is free both ways which is just another plus.

Is Trunk Club Worth It?

For the minimum amount you’ll pay ($25), I do believe Trunk Club is worth it.

I definitely think you need to be very specific with your feedback after seeing your stylist’s initial picks. But, the good thing is that even if one box doesn’t work for you, you can always get another (which is what I’m going to do).

Plus, you can use your $25 credit you paid for the styling fee for any future Trunk Club purchases. It’s seriously so convenient and I’m excited to give it another go.

Let’s Wrap It Up

Phew! That was a lot of information. I hope you enjoyed this Trunk Club review and that it was helpful for you in your decision on whether you want to try Trunk Club or not.

If you decide to give it a go (which I think you should, it’s worth a shot), don’t forget to use the $50 credit I’m giving you! Like I said before, you truly have nothing to lose.

With love or whatever,
Hailey