I’m not sure I’ve posted here on the blog about this (I haven’t actually posted about much of anything in a long while, oops!), but I started busting my rear last summer with diet and exercise, and by the end of November 2012 I’d lost 47 pounds! I’ve kept all those pounds off, too!
With that kind of weight loss there comes sacrifice. Like, old clothes. I cleaned out everything from my closet that no longer fit, and not surprisingly, there wasn’t anything left. Literally, nothing. So this spring I’ve started my warm weather wardrobe from scratch, and for a mom of 4 littles, that’s not easy. I don’t have time to scour the mall, nor to duck into cute little boutiques full of pretty dresses and tops. I’ve always done most of my clothes shopping online because I can do it at the kitchen counter while I feed the kids breakfast. No strollers, no snacks to pack, no toddlers melting down while mommy tries on “just one more pair of jeans, sweetpea!”
I’m finding, though, that shopping online with my “new body” (that seems like a dopey thing to say, but it’s kinda true! I haven’t been this weight since before I got married) isn’t working out like it did before. All my favorite styles don’t look like they used to, and I’m finding styles I avoided in the past actually look good now!
When my friend told me about Stitch Fix, it seemed like the perfect idea for someone like me. Someone who needs to try new things, but doesn’t have time to access them. Basically, it’s a personal styling service – by mail! Brilliant! I went to the site and filled out a personal style questionnaire so the stylists could get to know me a little. I even made a Pinterest board pinning some of my favorite looks to help the stylists understand my likes a little better. There was a waiting list. I waited 8 days. Once I got in, I scheduled my first box of clothes. There’s no subscription. You get a box only when you want one. There’s a $20 styling fee. If you buy anything they send you, that $20 is deducted from your total. If not, well you lose the $20. Haven’t had that problem yet. You try on the clothes they send, keep what you want and send back the rest in the postage-paid envelope included in the package. If you keep it all, you get a 25% discount!
The best part of this for me is having the chance to try on things someone else chooses for me. It forces me to be more adventurous with what I try, something I’ve never been good at! (I’m the girl who likes something and buys 5 of it in different colors, as evident by my current Old Navy skinny jean collection.)
I’m on my second Stitch Fix box now. My first box was in April, I documented it on Facebook, but from now on I’m going to try to keep it to the blog for easier sharing.
Anyway, enough of that – let’s get down to the clothes!
Stitch Fix packages everything up so pretty! And believe it or not, that rope is actually a belt that goes with one of the garments!
I was a little caught off guard by all the GREEN in this box! I’m not usually a green person, but then… that’s the point, right? To try new things!
The first item I tried was a THML Millay Striped Shoulder Button Shirt.
I’m a sucker for nautical, so I immediately loved it. The styling tag (yes! They include tags with ideas on how to style the items they send!) showed this top with white jeans, and with denim shorts. I have neither (although I have white jeans on a UPS truck, due to arrive next week), so I put it with my navy sailboat print shorts and I think it makes a cute outfit! It’s hard to see, but the top has gold buttons where the sleeves meet the shoulders, a detail I love! I think I’ll keep it! I need a new belt though. All I have is this wide brown belt and a skinny brown belt. What do you think would go better? Gold? Red? I have a navy pair of Sperry Topsiders that I think would finish this look off well, or maybe I’ll shop for some gold metallic sandals.
Next was an RD Style Freddy Sleeveless Chiffon Dress.
I think this dress is adorable, even if it is wrinkly from packaging! Definitely not something I would have picked out for myself, it surprised me how much I like it! It has a little keyhole closure in the back, which is cute.
The styling tag showed it with a blue striped blazer and blue pumps, and also with black leggings and black flats. I styled it with coral flats (best buy this spring, marked down to $20 at Belk!) and a coral cardigan.
And then I changed it up a little with a skinny brown belt and brown heels, which I think looks okay too.
The dress is a little short. It’s shorter than I’d usually be comfortable with. This is not a Chase the Kids at the Playground kind of dress. Definitely more of a flirty date night dress, don’t you think? I think it’s a keeper!
Next was a DownEast Jocelyn Ikat Print Belted Dress.
If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with ikat! I have ikat curtains in my study, and if I could do it tastefully, I’d have ikat in every room! So an ikat print dress? Sounds great! Wish it wasn’t this green, though. I’m not sure it’s the most flattering color for me. I also think it fits just a little big up top.
I think the rope belt is a fun detail. I wish the dress was a bright pink or blue ikat, I’d probably try a little harder to make it work. I didn’t even bother trying it on with shoes and accessories because I’m pretty sure it’s going back.
One more top… a Lasome Anton Chevron Cowl Neck Tank.
This one’s bright, y’all! I’m going to cut to the chase, I don’t love it. Three reasons – first, those colors. Oy. Second, it’s a poly/spandex blend that is not very forgiving on the mid-section of a mom of 4 (think thin bathing suit material). And third, cowl neck. I love the look of cowl neck, but as a mom of small ones, I bend over a lot and cowl shows the boobies. The styling tag had it paired with white pants and then with a beige skirt. I don’t love it with these white shorts and I honestly can’t think of any better pairings. Back it goes!
My last item was a pair of Marjorie Baer Triangular Spear Dangler earrings.
Jewelry is always an after thought for me, so it’s nice to get a little something like this in the box. These are something else I wouldn’t choose for myself, but I really like them on! I’m still undecided if I’ll keep them though, because even though I like them, I’m not sure I want to actually BUY them. Haha! I have the weekend to decide.
So that’s my Stitch Fix #2! Look for #3 soon! 🙂
(If you decide to try Stitch Fix, would you consider using my referral link? I get a $25 credit when you do, and it’d be greatly appreciated! And be sure to come back and let me know what you think about your first box!)
Down The Primrose Path 