Stitch Fix #3!

Another day, another fashion tangent.

After my last Stitch Fix, I just couldn't resist another! I took a two month break between Fixes this time, which was a good plan, but that meant I was definitely overly-excited and READY when my magical box of hand-selected-for-me clothes arrived this morning. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it had been delivered until I was walking out the door on my way (almost late!) to work. Oops. So the box had to wait. But I knew the wait would be worth it. Check out just how lovely my spoils are this time around...

Oh, wait! Before I show you, I need to preface by saying I NEED YOUR HELP! I am reeeally not sure what to do here. I could see myself keeping all of these items, but I definitely don't love all of them, ya know? I'm leaning toward just keeping the two dresses, but am more than willing to be persuaded. And keep in mind, I get 25% off all of them if I keep all five items. Let me know what you think in the comments, PLEASE!

Also, if you've never heard of Stitch Fix before or you're a little confused at this point, check out my first Stitch Fix post for all the deets.

Ok, now here we go...

First, a little preview of all the items. I figured numbering them may help you more easily discuss them in the comments. Thank you very much. :)

Alright, now one at a time...

TCEC Denissa Tribal Detailed Key-Hole Tank - $48

Here's what I like: I don't own anything like it. I really could use some more white tops. I'm liking the tribal design down the front. It's nice and lightweight for the summer.

And what I don't like: It's super thin so I'll always have to wear something under it. Because of the cut, my bra straps show in the back. Not classy. It's flowy, which I like, but may have also crossed the line to baggy, which I don't like.

Overall, I'm confused. I can definitely see myself wearing it again, but I'm not sure it looks great on me. What do you think?

Loveappella Karissa Chevron Print Henley Tank - $48

Oh, Stitch Fix. I told you I didn't like this type of chevron pattern last time. You sent me a dress with a similar shaggy-looking chevron pattern and it made me go ICK. So I asked you to send me another chevron-y item this time around, but with a very defined chevron pattern like this or this. Instead, this shaggy-chevron tank is what I got. Sigh. The good news is, I like it a little better than the last chevron. Also, my husband likes the fit. But I'm still not exactly sure. It seems like it'd be great for summer and since it's black and white, I could wear it with lots of stuff. But again, not thrilled with the pattern. Is it too fuddy-duddy? Is the fit really that great?

Papermoon Tina Striped Open Cardigan - $48

Another piece that I'm not crazy about, but I could see myself getting some use out of. The pink and white stripes are fun, and I love the relaxed fit of an open cardigan. But the material is very thin. It makes me worry about its longevity. How will it stand up to several washes? And is it worth $48? I keep going back and forth!

41Hawthorn Callafia Short-Sleeve Wrap Dress - $68

Yes! Stitch Fix, THANK YOU!! This dress is the bees knees. For all you youngins out there, that means it's cool. The color is gorgeous, the fit is perfect. I think it's so flattering, especially around my waist. And I love the flowiness of the skirt. Plus, ladies... IT HAS POCKETS! So many wonderful things about this dress. Plus, it's super well made out of a nice, thick material. Mmmm, Stephie likes! However, my one ish (issue) is the cleavage. I already told John this dress would not be allowed at church or church-related functions. However, it'd totally be allowed on dates and nights out on the town. Thoughts?

Lily Kristen Geo Print Maxi Dress - $118

Stitch Fix, you win again! I asked for at least two dresses in this Fix and boy did you deliver! This one fits like a glove! It's classy, makes me feel skinny, and the pattern is just too much fun! It's perfect for Spring and Summer and OH MAN I just can't wait to wear it! Sure, the price is steep, but as my stylist pointed out, it's a one-piece outfit (which I guess is a non-awkward way of saying, "No pants required!") and therefore, won't require me to purchase more items to create an outfit. $118 to feel like a million bucks? Worth it in my book!

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There you have it! So, what do you think? Any advice?

Like I said above, I really could see myself keeping all five of these items. But I could also be perfectly happy with just the two dresses. That's probably reason enough to go with just the two dresses, but I'm curious to hear what you think based on the pictures. Do the tank-tops and the cardigan look cute enough on me to keep?

Let's talk numbers for a second. Keep in mind these two things: 1.) I get 25% off if I keep all five and 2.) I have $100 in credits that I got from friends/strangers using my referral link!! (Thank you, friends and strangers!!)

If I keep all five, the grand out-of-my-pocket total is $152.50.

(Oops, original math was wrong. I edited the following numbers...)

If I keep just the two dresses, the grand out-of-my-pocket total is $86.

Therefore, the two tanks and the cardigan cost $152.50 - $86 = $66.50.

Is it worth $66.50 to keep the two tanks and the cardigan (plus the pretty-much-already-decided-on dresses)? Decisions, decisions.

Obviously, keeping any combo of the five items (but not all of them) is also an option. TOO MANY DECISIONS!

To wrap up, I'll include my usual plug -- If you're interested in getting your own Stitch Fix, feel free to use this referral link! I'll get $25 toward my next Fix if you do. But please, don't feel pressured at all! I don't share my Fixes to get money. I share them because it's fun and clearly I need your help! But if you want to throw some extra clothing money my way in the process... by all means! :)

Check back here (like this exact spot, the end of this post) on Monday to see which items I pick!

Looking forward to having your help and hearing your thoughts. Thanks, friends!

UPDATE
I decided to keep the two dresses and return the rest and I'm very happy with that decision! I took all of your advice into consideration and the dresses won it! I also slept on it and that helped a bit. I woke up the next morning not crazy about the first 3 pieces at all, but still totally in love with the dresses. My heart knew what to do! So, thanks again for all your help!! I especially love the suggestion to wear a tank under the wrap dress. Brilliant! Makes me even happier about that purchase. I'm signed up for another one on July 1st. Looking forward to sharing that with all of you!

March Stitch Fix

In which I go on my fashion tangent again.

Welcome to part 2 of my Stitch Fix adventure!

Missed out on Stitch Fix adventure part 1? No worries! Just click here. That'll catch you up.

I can't even tell you how excited I was when this Fix arrived earlier today. I was at work when Mr. FedEx guy dropped it off, so John snapchatted me a pic of the box with lots of colorful squiggly lines drawn around it. I squealed at the sight of that pretty brown and blue box. Lucky for me, my shift was basically over, so I packed up, zoomed on outta there, and rushed into the apartment to open my magical box of fashion surprises.

Yayyyy!! So many bright, pretty colors this time around. And a dress! And a blingin' necklace! 

Just like last time, my stylist included a personalized letter and little styling diagrams for each piece. 

I didn't waste any time. I tried on the first piece, grabbed my camera, basically threw it into John's hands and said, "I'm ready for my close up!" Let the fashion show commence...

41 Hawthorn Cordova Chevron Front Dress - $68
I was so excited when I read this Fix had a chevron dress in it because I LOVE CHEVRON! But then, when I actually saw this chevron pattern, I wasn't as excited. It just looked fuddy duddy to me. I tried it on anyway, but my opinion didn't change much. Though I really like the cut of the dress -- it's very flattering on my large-chested, medium-waisted figure -- I just couldn't get past the busy-ness of the chevron. And also, the arm holes were a bit too low; they revealed some of my bra under my arms. How un-classy. With all that being said, I'm still not 100% sure I'll be returning it. The husband just so happens to LOVE this dress, so I'm a bit torn. Hrmmm.

41Hawthorn Cherise Cotton Tab Sleeve Henley Shirt - $54
Love the color. Love the fit. Love the flowiness of the material. Love the way it's cut on the bottom. Lots of love for this pretty piece. Big win in my book. Almost definitely keeping!

Collective Concepts Cathleen Dot Print Lace Detailed Blouse - $68

So I'm still undecided about this top, but it keeps growing on me more and more. The color is unlike anything I already own, so it would fill a hole in my wardrobe. I like that. I also love the lace detail in the back and how it ever-so-slightly peaks over the shoulders on the front. I also love the crazy polkadottedness. And the slight cap-sleevedness. I only wish it were a teeeeny bit longer. And a tiiiiny bit cheaper. What do you think? 

Bay to Baubles Holbrook Pearl & Square Stone Statement Necklace - $38

Still modeling my Collective Concept's blouse in this pic, but mainly trying to show off that blingy pearl and teal necklace. I'm really loving teal jewelry these days, so that's a total A+ homerun for me. And I've always loved pearls too. This pearl/teal/gold combo is seriously making me happy. But I'm not sure about the wideness of it. It seems the beads just go from one side of my chest to the other. Is that normal? Stylish? Or is it just weird? I can't be too sure, but I still think it's growing on me. I see myself wearing it with a lot of tops and dresses I already own. Now to decide if it's worth the moolah.

Uttam Boutique Chancy Dot Print Cardigan - $88
I really wanted to like this cardigan. I thought the polkadots were adorable and the colors were cute too. However, as you can see by my facial expression in the left-most picture, something funky was going on with the top of the cardi. TMFS: Too Much Fabric Syndrome. Seriously, why was it overlapping so much up top and then spread so far apart on the bottom? While I really wanted to like it, the fit just made it a big no. Oh, plus $88 is just WAY too much to spend on a piece like this. So, I'm sorry, but see ya later patriotic cardi.

And here we have just a few more pictures of me trying on my Fix items. They recommend styling the items a few different ways when you try them on, so here we have me rocking my favorite navy blazer with two of the items, and then I went a little polkadot crazy in that picture on the right. I wanted to see how the blouse looked when it was tucked into a pencil skirt. And now I know. 

"Show me 'sexy tiger,'" said John as he snapped this lovely gem.

This last one's a special treat for you. I've always wondered what the behind-the-scenes changing area looks like after a Stitch Fix modeling sesh. (If you're curious, you can see other ladies trying on their Fixes here.) Because I imagine it's a bit of a disaster, much like our bedroom right after my little fashion show. But the mess is worth it! Because having your own personal stylist who sends you special boxes of clothing in the mail is so much fun!

So, what'd you think? Any advice for what I should keep or return? No hurt feelings if we don't agree! I'm just curious! I'll be mailing off my returns on Friday, so if you want to possibly persuade me, you'll have to do it by then. 

Stay tuned in the comment section if you'd like to know what I end up keeping. I'll post something there once I send off my returns.

I can't forget my usual plug -- if you'd like to order a Stitch Fix for yourself, click here. There's no pressure to do this AT ALL, but it does get me a $25 referral credit if you order through my link. Yayyy for extra clothing budget money!

Thanks for joining in on this wardrobe adventure with me! I haven't ordered another Fix yet, but I'm definitely considering it. I'll be sure to post about it if I do. Because this is one of those Big Happies for me. Hope you don't mind. :)

Update
I ended up keeping three pieces -- the pink dot blouse, the blue henley shirt, and the teal/pearl/gold necklace. I was about ready to send back the pink blouse, but then remembered that I had a $25 referral credit from one of my good friends who ordered her Fix a few weeks ago. So the cost was just a bit lower than I was anticipating and that made it seem worth it. Overall, I'm really excited about all three pieces! Yay!! Totally can't wait to rock at least one of them at work today. Annnnnd I couldn't resist... I'm signed up for another one on May 1st! 

My First Stitch Fix!

(Please excuse me while I go completely off topic for a second and tell you about my recent fashion adventure.)

Have you heard of Stitch Fix yet?

No?!!!

I hadn't either until about a month ago, so no worries. I'll catch you up.

Allow me to explain...

Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service. You sign up on their site, fill out a personal style profile, and then, when you order a "fix", one of their stylists picks out 5 clothing/accessory items they think you'll love and sends them to you in the mail. Once you receive the items, you have three days to try them on, decide what you want to keep, and then send the rest back. And if you decide to keep all 5 items, you get 25% off the whole order! Each time you order your fix, it costs $20, but that money is applied to any items you keep.

Making sense so far?

When I first heard about Stitch Fix, I was pretty excited. You see, me and clothes shopping don't always get along. I have a bit of trouble finding pieces that I really like, mostly because I have a big bust and a small booty. So typically shirts are either too baggy all over or fit perfectly everywhere except my chest. And pants just have a little too much fabric around the zipper area. Sigh.

That's why Stitch Fix got me excited. Because I tell them what styles I typically like, my usual sizes, what issues I usually have (boobs and butt), and what I'd like to spend, and then they do the hard work of picking out the perfect items for me. All without me leaving the comforts of my own home. How's that for personal service?

My first Stitch Fix arrived a few weeks ago. I opened the magical box and was greeted by these beauties...

Gahhh! Love! Love the colors. Love the styles. Love that purse. Just love.

Also love that they include a little insert that gives styling tips for each one of the items.

And then I lovvveddd putting on a fashion show for my husband as I tried the items on.

(Ahem, please excuse the low quality pics AND the mess of an apartment in the background.)

41Hawthorn Ivy Tulip Print Tab Sleeve Blouse - $68

I threw this baby on right away because I could already tell it was going to be my favorite. I don't really have any blouses in my wardrobe and had been trying to find a nice one for a while. And then, much to my surprise, my person stylist picked one out for me! Win!! It's just perfect. The fit, the flowiness, the adorable tulip print, the rolly sleeves, the weight of the fabric. (Like my fashion jargon? I'm clearly an expert.) Exactly what I was looking for and more! So obviously, this one was a keeper. Oh, and I've worn it at least 5 times since I got it. So yeah, it's great. 

Dear John Sabrina Denim Leggings - $78
You also see me wearing a cute pair of denim leggings up there. Honestly, the fit was perfect. And they looked pretty great on. I imagined myself wearing them with lots and lots of other items I already have in my wardrobe. BUT, I pretty much already own this same item, only in a slightly darker color. AND I couldn't justify spending that much on a pair of stretchy leggings. Plus, I wasn't 100% sold on the faded coloring. So back they went to Stitch Fix land.

41Hawthorn Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan - $48
I really wanted to like this one. Like I said, I was in love when I first opened my Stitch Fix box. Everything looked so wonderful! So perfectly my style! But as I tried things on, my opinions changed. Case in point, this cardi. Sure, the color was nice. And yes, I'm kind of obsessed with cardigans and pieces you can throw on top of other pieces. But this one just didn't do it for me. I thought it made me look chesty. And kind of like a sack of potatoes on top. And I wasn't quite sure of the length. So my mind was easily made up. See ya later, cardi.

41Hawthorn Corinna Striped Dolman Top - $48

I reeeeeally wanted to like this one too. The fabric was soft, the color was different than anything I own (so it would have filled a hole in my wardrobe), the fit was oh-so-comfortable. But again, I felt like a sack of potatoes. And no one should wear clothes that make them feel that way. See what I mean? My face says it all. I just looked like I was wearing a parachute or something. Drowning in extra fabric. Which can sometimes be cute and fashionable. But here it was just no. So I sent this one back too. 

Street Level Lana Stud Detail Quilted Crossbody Bag - $48

While I was still showing off the Dolman Top, I modeled this little bag with it. The bag was honestly love at first sight. But then, at second sight I thought, "Do I really need another crossbody bag? I already own like 4. And do I really like the studs? I think the studs are throwing me off. Yeah, the studs just aren't 'me.' Sorry, studs. Sorry, crossbody bag." And that was pretty much that. So the bag got sent away too. Even though I still think it was pretty cute.

Soooo, that was my first fix! What'd you think? 

Here's what I think...

Was it perfect? No.

Was it fun? Absolutely!!

Was it worth it for just one cute blouse? Ummm, most definitely!!

Are you going to do it again? YES PLEASE! Already signed up for my next one. :)

All in all, it was a great experience. After you try on your items and decide what you're going to keep and what you're going to return, you go on to their website and tell them what you liked/didn't like about each item. That way, they have a better idea of what you're looking for next time around. They say each fix gets better and more "you" with time.

You also get to request items for your next fix, if you'd like. I told them I'm interested in a fun necklace and a jacket for spring in my next fix. So we'll see what comes of that! 

If you're loving everything you see here and you're interested in getting your own personal stylist, you probably want to check out their website for even more details: Stitch Fix.

Just want to be honest here, if you sign up using that link, I'll get a $25 toward my next fix. No, no, no... I really promise I'm not trying to get free money from you here. I honestly just wanted to share my fun experience with all of you. But, if you're interested, I figured it wouldn't hurt to throw my referral link out there and give myself the possibility of getting a little bit of extra clothing moolah.

I should also note that my husband and I are not frivolous, crazy spenders when it comes to our wardrobes. Do we buy nice, slightly expensive items from time to time? Sure! I'd say that blouse I purchased from my fix was an example of that. But to us, these pricier-than-average items are investments. By spending a little more for a nicer item, we're reducing the number of times this item needs to be thrown away and replaced. We also set ourselves a clothing budget each month, so when we want these more expensive items, it takes time and shopping-spree-less months to save up. Meaning, you've got to work hard and save for those fashion treats. And that works for us!

Anyway, thanks for joining in this little fashion journey with me. If you'd like to see what comes in my next fix, stay tuned. It should be arriving in early March!