Stitch Fix 3 | August 2015

I've been such a super slacker at posting my Fixes, which have been both a mix of 'meh' and 'awesome', just not always in my budget. I didn't even like most of July's so I think I even sent it all back and didn't even do a post about it! See? Megan fail.  Despite selecting my price ranges for items, and the fact that I have total control over that, it's still hard in my head to break outside the Target price range and allow myself to buy better, nicer things. I know it's an investment that will last me longer than cheapy stuff, but sometimes... that's just hard. August's fix was no different.

If you've been living under a rock, Stich Fix has you fill out an online style profile, which provides outfits for you to rank your interest in (which is hard, because I'll love half the outfit, and then hate the other half), but then also indicate what you're interested in receiving - accessories? Bags? Jewelry? Then, from there, for $20 a month, a stylist will choose 5 items of clothing and/or accessories (jewelry, bags, scarves) based on a style profile you fill out about yourself. You can also use your Pinterest board to show your stylist what you're into, which I think they do a great job looking at. I also love how they piece together outfits and ideas of things you can wear with the things they send:

June's fix.

Because this box came right at the end of Orientation season and I was pretty much a walking zombie, I didn't get to take decent photos, so they're all floor-mirror selfies. Classy, I know. I also didn't even manage to keep the profile on all the items I received! Super fail. That's one thing I wish you could do on your Stitch Fix profile, is go back and see past boxes to either a) order or b) just remember what it was you sent back. I think it'd be neat, especially in the case that you just love a top or dress but can't afford the box that month, why not be able to order in the future?

Again, being that I have no idea what these were called, who they were by, or even what the prices were (generally), this is going to be the worst review ever. Take it or leave it, as I did with some of these items!

I had mentioned that I was going to an evening wedding on the beach at the end of September, so I wanted an evening-appropriate but beacy-easy-going dress to wear. This is actually really a pale peach color with tiny black polka dots in the lace. I loved everything about it, minus the fact that it was like $75 - just a tad outside what I wanted for a dress. Though I knew I'd wear it a lot, because it'd be great with a blazer but also great with a jean jacket and sandals. This was hard to send back.

Though I loved the almost body-con idea, this had ruching and hugged in ALL the wrong places - looking like I have a belly much? I mean, I do, but not like that! Wore it for three seconds and put it immediately into the send-back-bag. 

I'm still asking for new tops for work, and I loved the color of this one and how light the fabric is. This was a keeper, even with the $45 tag. I also asked for skinny jeans and while these were beyond comfortable, it was hard to say yes to $100 jeans that I'd still have to get hemmed for another few bucks. Meh. 

Just long enough to be awkward and not quite the 'skinny' style.

 

I also finally checked off that I'd like some accessories too. This was my first piece and while I also loved it a lot (I don't have anything like it), the price tag was hard ($50ish). It was super fun, but also with the new addition of Rocksbox in my line up, I've got a new way to get my jewelry fix, too!

All in all, all I kept was the teal top and wore it work immediately. Despite having tons of blues in my closet, teal is one color I'm short on and wore anything I had in teal - tops, dresses, earrings - for about a week straight. I guess I go through some color phases a little bit.

I've actually also downgraded to receiving my fixes every other month. Until I can justify, again, or convince myself that the budget is worth it, I've opted to ease off and let myself really decide what I like. I'm not shopping for clothes between receiving them anyway, so receiving them every other month won't be devastating to my closet or leave me desperately wanting more. We'll see how it goes - one more box in a few weeks and then not again until November. 

Have you tried Stitch Fix? Or do you  prefer doing your own shopping? :)

All Stitch Fix links in this post are referral links. Should you sign up for Stitch Fix or Rocksbox through those links, you benefit me in my referrals and bonuses! Thank you in advance if you do! :)

Stitch Fix | June 2015

So last month, I finally got my first Stitch Fix box. It was super exciting, and truth be told, a little underwhelming. In fairness though, I think the first box is just a test to see what you're really into, what works and what interests you, and at the same time... what doesn't.

Stich Fix has you fill out an online style profile, which provides outfits for you to rank your interest in (which is hard, because I'll love half the outfit, and then hate the other half), but then also indicate what you're interested in receiving - accessories? Bags? Jewelry? Then, from there, for $20 a month, a stylist will choose 5 items of clothing and/or accessories (jewelry, bags, scarves) based on a style profile you fill out about yourself. You can also use your Pinterest board to show your stylist what you're into, which I think they do a great job looking at. I also love how they piece together outfits and ideas of things you can wear with the things they send:

My stylist this month, Holly, nailed it. As soon as I opened the tissue and saw all the fun florals, colors and patterns popping out at me, I squealed. No lie. 

Papermoon - Waters Printed Maxi Dress ($68)

Holly noted that I said I'm normally all about fit & flares, but that she wanted me to try this out. This dress is a little different though, in that it's got a tie at the waist that can still help me 'fake' a waist (I'm pretty stick-straight in body shape). As soon as I saw the paisley print unfolded, I knew it was love.

Keep it or leave it? Keep it! A little more than I'd spend normally, but it'so soft, flowy, and really... you can't beat maxi dresses in a Southern California summer.

BRIXON IVY - Priya Abstract Floral Print Knit Back Tank ($48) & Kut from The Kloth - Kate Boyfriend Jean ($78)

I was nervous about this top, only because unfolded, it looked very shapeless and hung loose enough that I was worried it'd just hang straight down on me and continue to give me zero shape whatsoever. However, after putting it on, it actually is shapely enough that it hugs in all the right places. I love the floral, fun pattern on the front but the sheer gray fabric on the back. Easy, breezy, and so right. I even have purple cropped slacks that match this to a tee for work. Major win.

Keep it or leave it? Heck yes! Keep it!

The jeans I was also antsy about. I've never tried on nor owned nor worn a pair of boyfriend jeans and all the ones I've seen are slouchy and weird and... well, maybe that's why I've never tried them. So I was a little anxious, but once I put them on... gahhh. They were so stretchy and so comfortable and those are usually the last words I use to describe jeans! As soon as I walked out in them though, I said to Doug, "I'd destroy these in about 5 minutes." White and I are not BFF - but I'd rock these in another color any given day!

Keep it or leave it? Leave it. Another color? They'd totally be a keeper.

Le Sample - Kahlo Embroidered Racerback Tank ($38)

As soon as I saw the embroidered detail, I was super intrigued by this tank. I love the floral, swirly pattern and thought it contrasted in such a pretty way against the navy and faintly gray stripes. Once it was on, though... meh. It was a surprisingly heavy fabric, and though I realize the photo cuts it off, was an asymmetrical hem which I don't love on anything. The back I loved - though just a racerback, I think it's a totally different cut than I've seen elsewhere and I thought was really neat.

Keep it or leave it? Leave it.

Fun2Fun - Toronto Bicycle Print Split Neck Top ($48)

As soon as I saw this print, I kind of giggled, but loved just how fun and random  the bicycles are! The top is incredibly soft and light (sense a theme? Thank you, 100+-degree-summers!) and perfect with shorts. After rockin' this top around all day today, and getting oodles of compliments, I'm loving it more already. I'm also really excited to pair it with my navy pencil skirt and give it some office flair, too.

Keep it or leave it? Well, the tags are off. Guess it's a keeper!

Totally loved this month and can't wait for more already. This box was a lot more 'me' in terms of patterns (floral, paisley & fun), but also a little experimental, too. Holly nailed it. I'm only going to be doing Stitch Fix once per month (you can do more frequently, every 2-3 weeks), and we'll see how long I'm going to fund this closet project for, but I'm excited!

Are you a Stitch Fix-er? 

All Stitch Fix links in this post are referral links. Should you sign up for Stitch Fix through those links, you benefit me in my referrals and bonuses! Thank you in advance if you do! :)

{Stitch} Fix My Closet, Please!

After months and months of watching friends collect new fun things for their closet, I finally got to jump on the Stitch Fix train! I told myself that I was allowed to sign up when I finally got a job - and, finally, one paycheck in, I'm in!

If you've been living under a rock, I'll catch you up: Stitch Fix is an online-based personal styling service. For $20 a month, a stylist will choose 5 items of clothing and/or accessories (jewelry, bags, scarves) based on a style profile you fill out about yourself. You can also use your Pinterest board to show your stylist what you're into, any specific things you're looking for (i.e. "I'm going to an outdoor wedding in September on the beach" or "I just got a new job and am looking to re-build an appropriate closet") and they use that as a guide.

As I'm sure you can tell, my first note to my stylist was mostly about building my professional closet up again. I'm very much guilty of "I should really replace this {color} cardigan, but just haven't bought another," or "I really need to buy well-cut slacks..." so I was hoping for some good, business but casual pieces.

My stylist, Vivian, really consulted my Pinterest board and even included 2 tops I'd pinned and asked for specifically. So... what'd I get?

Pixley - Kathy Striped Fit & Flare Dress ($68)

Fit and flare is pretty much what I'm all about. I'm pretty much straight down from the shoulders to my feet, so fit and flare pretty much guarantees me the illusion of a waist. This dress was no exception. I loved the v-neck back, it looks great with a skinny belt... seriously, there was no reason to say no to this dress! Except that I have a tank dress just like it that I already wear to pieces.

Keep it or leave it? Leave it - only because of the one I already have!

41Hawthorn - Milan Lace Print Back Pleat Top ($58)

This was one of the tops I pinned, mostly because I'm obsessed with all things lace and lace-esque and lace-looking. The print on this is so pretty and the shirt material is super light, which means it'd be perfect for Southern California summers but I could still look put together. However, again with the straight-body issue is that despite this being a medium, I think it was a size too big for me and left me feeling very boxy.

Keep it or leave it? Leave it.

Ezra - Sonam Dress ($68)

My stylist noticed that I pinned a ton of lace dresses (fact) so she wanted to throw in one for me that was super easy to take from day to night. It's a gorgeous dark navy color - the front is 'lace' made up of flowers that all connect, while the back is simply navy cotton with a gorgeous big gold zipper up the back. I really did like it - but I think it needed to be a size smaller to give me a little more fit. Otherwise, love, love, love.

Keep it or leave it? Leave it... sadly!

Collective Concepts - Simpson Halter Blouse ($58)

Never mind the closed eyes... thanks mom.

When I got this box on Thursday, I immediately put this one first because I remembered it from my Pinterest board and was super excited Vivian included it in my box. And then I saw it on and was just like... meh. It just hung there, pretty boxy and shapeless for me.  I put it away for the weekend and tried it on again with some skinny jeans and heels (and the blazer, below) and it's really started to grow on me. It's pretty different, but I also like how loose and flowy the fabric is and so, so light - perfect for a heatwave of a summer in the impending future. 

Keep it or leave it? I'm sold! Keeping!

Kensie - Rebekah Contrast Detail Blazer ($88)

I loved this blazer (so light!) and loved even more the polka dot cuff (I had have a major polka dot obsession a few years ago that might still pop up):

Vivian suggested trying the halter under the blazer which I super duper loved. Truth be told, the only reason I wouldn't keep this blazer is because I already have two black ones and an indigo one that need some love... but now I have a great idea of what I can wear on top of the halter to make it a little more work-appropriate!

Keep it or leave it? Leave it... womp.

I was a little disappointed in the success of my first box, but my stylist sent everything I could haved asked for - work appropriate items, two items straight from my Style board, and noted my clear love of lace so went for that, too. She nailed the concepts, they just all didn't necessarily work on me. 

I've sent so many old pieces of clothing to Goodwill and local thrift stores that I'm excited to buff it up again with some new, classy pieces that I can wear to work, or dress down and wear out. I'm only going to be doing Stitch Fix once per month (you can do more frequently, every 2-3 weeks), and we'll see how long I'm going to fund this closet project for, but I'm excited!

Are you a Stitch Fix-er? How successful was your first box?