Uncommon James Review: My Honest Take on Kristin Cavallari‘s Jewelry and Home Line
Hey there, fellow fashionistas! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for affordable jewelry and home decor that looks way more expensive than it is. That‘s why I was so excited to finally try out Uncommon James, the mega-popular jewelry and lifestyle brand from reality TV star turned entrepreneur Kristin Cavallari.
In this tell-all Uncommon James review, I‘ll give you my honest, unfiltered thoughts on the brand and share my experience shopping the site and trying out some of their bestselling pieces. I‘ll also dive into what other customers have to say, give you tips on how to style their pieces, and let you in on some must-know ordering and shipping deets.
By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if Uncommon James is really worth the hype (and your hard-earned dollars). So grab a beverage and let‘s dish!
What is Uncommon James? An overview of the brand
Unless you‘ve been living under a rock, you‘ve probably heard of Kristin Cavallari from her star turns on Laguna Beach and The Hills back in the early 2000s. But in recent years, the former MTV star has traded in the Hollywood drama for a new role as a business badass.
Cavallari launched Uncommon James in 2017 as a jewelry line inspired by her own effortless, laid-back vibe. The name combines her personal style philosophy to stand out from the crowd (hence "uncommon") and her daughter‘s middle name, James.
Since then, the brand has blown up, expanding into home decor, kids clothing, and clean beauty. Celebs like Carrie Underwood and Jana Kramer have been spotted rocking Uncommon James pieces, and the brand has racked up some seriously impressive stats:
- 991k followers on Instagram
- 50+ employees
- 3 brick and mortar stores in Nashville, Chicago, and Dallas
- Featured in major mags like People, InStyle, and Us Weekly
So what‘s the secret sauce behind Uncommon James‘ meteoric rise? I think it comes down to three things:
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Affordable prices. Most of the jewelry is under $70, making it easy to treat yourself without feeling guilty.
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Versatile, timeless pieces. The aesthetic is minimalist and chic – think delicate layering necklaces, chunky statement hoops, and classic tennis bracelets you can wear a million ways.
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Kristin Cavallari‘s "it girl" appeal. Like it or not, Cavallari‘s celebrity status and enviable style definitely help sell the brand to her loyal fans.
As someone who‘s admittedly a bit of a magpie when it comes to all things sparkly and gold, I‘ve been majorly crushing on Uncommon James‘ dreamy curated Insta feed for ages. So when I finally decided to take the plunge and place an order, it‘s safe to say my expectations were sky high.
Uncommon James jewelry review: Hits and misses
For my first foray into the world of Uncommon James, I scooped up a few of their bestselling jewelry pieces:
The Atocha Medallion Necklace
The Atocha coin necklace is hands down one of Uncommon James‘ most iconic designs. It features a flat, organic-shaped pendant inspired by old Spanish coins on a dainty satellite chain. It comes in both silver and gold finishes, but I went with the gold to match the rest of my collection.
When I first opened up the box (which was beautifully branded btw), I literally squealed with delight. The necklace was even prettier in person – the pendant has a nice weight to it and a vintage-looking patina that makes it feel special and unique.
I‘ve been wearing this baby non-stop since it arrived and have gotten so many compliments. It looks incredible layered with other ditsy gold necklaces for a boho look, but it also makes a statement worn on its own with a crewneck tee or sweater.
The only downside is that the chain is quite delicate, so you have to be a bit careful when taking it on and off. But at just $52, I was pleasantly surprised by how luxe it looks and feels. 8/10 recommend!
The Sur Initial Ring
As a gal who‘s shamelessly obsessed with personalized everything, I knew I had to try out one of Uncommon James‘ initial ring designs. I ultimately went with the Sur ring, a chunky signet style that comes in gold and silver.
Ordering was a breeze – you simply select your size and initial at checkout. I was a little worried about the sizing, but the ring ended up fitting perfectly. And I have to say, I‘m quite impressed with the quality, especially for the price ($44).
The raised initial design is simple but striking, and I love how it looks stacked with my other dainty gold rings. The only slight issue I had is that the finish on the interior of the ring wore off slightly after a few wears, but it‘s not noticeable when it‘s on.
If you‘re in the market for a minimalist initial ring you‘ll reach for everyday, I can‘t recommend this one enough.
The Girl Boss Hoops
Last but not least, let‘s talk about the Girl Boss hoops. These geometric statement earrings are a favorite of Cavallari‘s and frequently pop up in her Instagram pics.
There‘s no denying these babies are a LEWK. The sharp angles and abstract shape give off major cool-girl sculptor vibes. And the 14k gold plating makes them super shiny in person.
I love how fierce and confident I feel when wearing these – they really do live up to the "girl boss" name. That said, the large size (2.5") may be a bit much if you‘re not used to wearing oversized earrings. I probably wouldn‘t reach for these to wear to the office or a low-key hang, but for a night out? Heck yes.
One word of caution though: At $68, these earrings are on the pricier side for Uncommon James. I definitely experienced some sticker shock. But if you‘re looking for a unique statement piece in your jewelry box, I think it‘s worth the splurge.
Other product reviews: Candles & home goods
Beyond the bling, Uncommon James also has a small but mighty selection of home and beauty products. I couldn‘t resist adding one of their hand-poured candles to my cart – purely for research purposes, of course.
After much sniffing of testers in store, I landed on the Rose Quartz candle, which has notes of lily, rose, and sandalwood. From the moment I took off the lid, I was in heaven. This candle smells SO good. Clean and floral without being overpowering or cloying.
The pale pink color is also so pretty, and I love the simple, understated label. It looks right at home on my coffee table. Size-wise, this is definitely more of an accent candle at just 8.5 oz, but the scent payoff is great. At $32, these candles are obviously pricier than your average Bath & Body Works three-wick, but I think they‘re a worthwhile indulgence, especially if you‘re gifting.
Uncommon James also stocks chic coffee table books, vases, jewelry dishes, and art prints that are perfect for adding a stylish touch to your space. The prices are definitely a splurge, but the curation is top notch. I‘m personally eyeing their We Are Here art print to zhuzh up my gallery wall.
What customers are saying: Uncommon James review roundup
Of course, you don‘t have to just take my word for it. Part of my due diligence for this Uncommon James review involved scouring the web for customer feedback. And let me tell you, the UJ fandom runs deep. Here are a few key stats and standout reviews I found:
- 4.7/5 star rating on Facebook with 23 reviews
- 3.67/5 star rating on Trustpilot with 138 reviews
- 4.1/5 star rating for the Atocha necklace with 178 reviews on uncommonjames.com
"Love these bracelets. Good quality and they don‘t tarnish – even after getting them wet or sweating. Very happy with my purchase!" – Jennifer P. on Trustpilot
"I couldn‘t love my Girl Boss earrings more. They are just as fabulous in person as they are online. Very lightweight too which I love, sometimes bigger earrings can be too heavy." – Megan J. on uncommonjames.com
Most of the reviews are glowingly positive, with customers raving about the stylish designs, great quality, and affordable price point. There are a few complaints about longer-than-expected shipping times and issues with returns, but overall the feedback is overwhelmingly good.
Shipping, returns, and customer service
Speaking of shipping and returns, here‘s what you need to know: Uncommon James offers free standard shipping (3-5 business days) on all domestic orders. They also have expedited options starting at $10 if you need your goodies stat.
For returns, you have 14 days from the date of delivery to send back unworn items for a full refund, minus return shipping costs. There‘s an easy online portal to generate a return label and track your package.
I thankfully didn‘t have to deal with returns myself, but I did reach out to customer service with a sizing question before placing my order. The rep I chatted with was super friendly and got back to me lightning fast, so I feel confident that you‘ll be in good hands if any issues pop up.
On the off chance that you‘re not head-over-heels obsessed with your Uncommon James purchase, you can easily exchange it or return for a refund. No muss, no fuss.
Is Uncommon James worth it? My honest thoughts
So, is Uncommon James worth the hype? After spending the last month wearing my new UJ pieces on repeat, I have to give the line a glowing review. The designs are just as pretty in person as they are online, and the quality is great for the price point.
Are these the cheapest jewelry and home decor pieces on the planet? No. You can definitely find less expensive layering necklaces and hoop earrings at somewhere like Target or Nordstrom Rack.
But I think what sets Uncommon James apart is the cool-factor and the curation. There‘s a certain effortless It Girl vibe to all of their pieces that just makes you feel put together and polished, even if you‘re rocking sweats and a messy bun.
I also really appreciate that the brand offers such a wide range of prices and styles. Whether you‘re on the hunt for a $30 everyday necklace or want to treat yourself to a $75 statement cuff, you can find something that fits your style and budget. The fact that everything comes in gold, rose gold, and silver is also super clutch.
Another thing I love about shopping Uncommon James is how easy and seamless the whole experience is. The website is well designed and easy to navigate, with inspiring styled shots to help you envision how to wear each piece. Shipping is quick and free, returns are a breeze, and the customer service is top notch.
Basically, if you‘re on the prowl for a little something special to treat yourself that won‘t totally break the bank, I can‘t recommend Uncommon James enough. The pieces are versatile, well made, and have that magic ability to make you feel like you‘re ready to take on the world, whether you‘re headed to the boardroom or the bar.
Kristin Cavallari, if you‘re reading this, bravo. You‘ve created something really special with Uncommon James, and I for one can‘t wait to see what other sparkly little surprises you have in store for us. In the meantime, catch me rocking my Girl Boss hoops on repeat.
