August Stitch Fix Show-off

I wanted to share my August Stitch Fix box before the month entirely gets away from me - can you believe we are only days away from September already?!  How did that happen?

This month, my stylist put together a really fun collection playing on neutrals and the color red, which is a color that never fails to make me feel cheerful and confident.  I was really pleased to see her selections!

Not all of them turned out to work me (and let's be honest - my wallet is glad that doesn't always happen!), but they were almost all in the general area of what I like.

Let's start with the items that didn't work out:

These three pieces, for various reasons, had to be returned - but look how great they look together? On the right person, this would be a terribly cute outfit.

Starting with the easiest choice of things to not keep, the Love & Legends Janessa Wide Leg Capri Pants with drawstring waist didn't appeal on any level (other than that it's a good neutral that goes well with the reds in the box).

They were way too small on me - enough that I couldn't take a picture of me wearing them even if I was inclined to.  Since Stitch Fix allows for exchanges, that isn't a deal-breaker, but they had other problems.

The fabric was thin and the cut means, if they did fit, they'd be comfortable and able to breathe, but it also means they looked very limp and pretty unattractive.

Pretty much, they screamed 'clean out the garage clothes' - and we don't have a garage.

I didn't really need my husband to weigh in on these (sometimes, I do need a second opinion), but the headshaking and pleading look was all I needed to set these aside for returns even if I had been on the fence about them.

Ok!  Now that the worst is out of the way let's go on to happier parts of this box!

Shoes!  I've been on the prowl all summer for a pair of shoes I can wear with pants and dresses.  It's not easy to select shoes for me, because I have several criteria that are non-negotiable.

I have disabilities that make it impossible for me to wear heels or take any risk of slipping. So I need shoes that are flat but have good soles on the outside so I don't slide, and good support on the inside.

Additionally, I really (REALLY) dislike open toed shoes on me.  Closed toed sandals that meet all this criteria are out there but hard to track down.  Closed toed flats or clogs are more commonly available, but still it is a challenge.

I thought these Mesh Knit Alpargata Slip-On Toms might be a winner!  But here again, they were too small (this is now multiple times Toms have been too small when I'm already asking for a half size larger than I normally wear, so hmm....)

Within just a couple minutes of wearing them to show off, I felt blisters developing on the upper back of my heel, and I didn't love the way the front of the shoe is put together by folding over the fabric. It looks a little awkwardly styled, to me.

But still - very cute, especially with the other items in the box.

Now we're getting really close - I loved this top in the box and it hits all the right warm spots - the Eden Society Teresa Embroidery Detail Top is an airy peasant style top that feels very reminiscent of Ukrainian folkwear in both its colorfulness and the delicious embroidery along the front and at the shoulders.

The fabric is quite sheer, which is a thing to keep in mind when choosing what goes underneath it.  I tried it on with the white jeans I kept from last month and the Toms that were in the box.

Unfortunately, there was something about the cut of this that simply didn't play well with my shape - it set a little shorter than I'd like for something that would otherwise be a bit airy.

To fit my pear-shaped body, it needed just a little bit of flare to avoid being too body hugging around the hips.

Finally, I am coming to realize that I always feel awkward when my shoulders are highlighted by this sort of football jersey graphic element that makes them look too small (or too big... or just hunched? Not sure).

Again I think this is because I am lower body heavy - I just don't need an optical illusion that makes me shoulders look even smaller in comparison to my hips.

So, as much as I liked this top in series - and really want  to see more embroidered pieces while they're still in style! - I put this on the return pile and turned my attention to the last two pieces.

I am not even kidding - I'd have probably cried if this next top, the Crescent Amparo Tie Neck Tunic hadn't fit. I loved it that much when I first saw it.

This is a very lightweight fabric, but with sleeves, so I'll be able to enjoy it throughout the fall with a sweater or jacket to go with it.

The length is a good bit longer than the first top, which I am much more comfortable with.

Best of all? POM POMS!

Around the bottom hem and the sleeves are an adorable bit of white trim of tiny pom poms!

I've already worn this a couple times - it goes quite nicely with both the white jeans and with regular jeans and I think it'd be really cute with a straight skirt, too.

Also, my husband gets smiley and comments on the pom poms every single time - hah! We belong together.

I expect to have this in regular rotation come cooler weather with leggings and boots and a shawl or sweater.  Winner Winner!

Lastly,  I receive a red and white floral maxi wrap dress with a high-low hem and ruffles (this whole collection was about hitting current trends, wasn't it?)

This is Honey Punch Daniella Faux Wrap Maxi Dress. I haven't worn it other than to try it on, yet - there is a white inner lining that I appreciate a lot but it does add warmth and bulk that are too much for the humid days we've had this month.

But I will be making up excuses to wear it once the weather gets cooler!

It is completely open in the front with the wrap belt running through a hole at the side, so once I sorted out how to put it on, it is pretty easy to get on and adjusted as needed.

The front is higher but not too high - it hits just about six inches above my ankles.  The wrap V-neck and the sleeves are both really attractive, I think and the pattern is seriously cute.

It's been a long time since I wore ruffles around a skirt like this, but I really like them, too!

I think this dress could easily be dressed up or worn for a reasonably casual event with a few switches in accessories, shoes and the like. I'd love to try it with a denim jacket, but I also think any of several shawls in my closet would work nicely here.

I tried it on with my boots even though it was way too hot to keep them on more than a few minutes.

Showing off the lining.

So that was it for me this time - two really great pieces, both of which I can wear well into the coming Autumn months, and I learned a few more things about what really works or doesn't work for me compared to what I think will or won't.

Ok then - ready or not, September, here we come!

Stitch Fix (this is my referal link - if you sign up via this link, I'll receive a credit toward my own next box.)

June Stitch Fix - Ready for Summer!

This month, my Stitch Fix box arrived on my birthday, just a few minutes before we were headed out for dinner and to see Wonder Woman - so I quickly opened the box to take a peek (because I am no good at all with delayed gratification.

Inside, I found two summery blouses, a pair of denim shorts, a dress, and a pair of earrings.

I decided to take a moment to clean and wear the earrings, figuring this would be a great opportunity to get them a test run.

(And completely forgot to get a picture of the on, because we were running a little late by then.)

I really love the look of these earrings, but unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that  they weren't going to work for me.

First, one of them kept spinning around so that the back of it was face out.

I fiddled with it, took it out two or three times to try to sort out what was causing it, and it still kept happening.


Secondly, it was long enough that it was actually clacking against my necklace, and that was annoying.

And lastly, when I tried to put them on the next day to get some pictures, my ears were so sore from wearing them the night before that I decided not to.  They didn't feel irritated otherwise, so I'm not sure if that was metal sensitivity, or just fatigue from the weight of them and having taken them out multiple times.

So the verdict: I love the style, but need a different execution of it.

Diem Stone Drop Earrings
Bay to Baubles
$28.00
RETURNED

The next day, we had plans to join some friends for an afternoon of board games.  This was set up by one of our friends whose birthday is the day after mine.

About a dozen of us met up in College Park, MD and a wonderful place called Board and Brew.

Set right off the University of Maryland campus, with nearby parking available just a short walk away across a footbridge, Board and Brew is the perfect place for friends to hang out together.  They have classic games like Scrabble, to massive multiplayer campaign style games.  They even had a good collection of children's games available, and this was a kid friendly environment (with adult supervision).

Each person pays a $5 cover charge to stay as long as they like and play all the games they like.

It was an amazing day!

For the occasion, I chose one of the blouses that had come in my Stitch Fix box.

This is a very lightweight sheer pleated blouse with crochet detailing at shoulders.  It came with a deep blue adjustable camisole that fit very well.

I felt like I looked nice all day - and more importantly, it was so comfortable to wear that most of the afternoon, I didn't even think about it at all.  There was no riding up or pull as I moved.

I expect to be wearing this often throughout the summer, and with a light jacket over it, it will handle the early days of Autumn just fine.  Verdict: BIG WIN!

Tanzelle Crochet Sleeve Blouse
Daniel Rainn
$64.00
KEEP

Finally, on Sunday, we planned to go out and take pictures of the remaining items, but were thwarted by our apartment management stripping and polishing the floors, so we were trapped at home most of the day. (The floors do look nice, though....)

So, we took to the balcony for these.

First, I tried on the second blouse and the shorts.

Starting with the blouse - I thought this was another win!  This one is a sleeveless peasant style blouse, also with crochet detailing around the neckline, the waist, and the hem.  It is made up of two sheer layers - the one underneath is a deep blue that is attached at the shoulders and is slightly longer than the outer, patterned layer.

I think it looks fantastic!  It is slightly less comfortable than the other blouse - it seems to not breathe quite as well.  But as long as I avoid it on very muggy days, I think it's really pretty and versatile.

What I like best is the shape of it - the empire waistline, and then the flare, so that it isn't hugging my hips in an awkward way.

Verdict: Yes!

Tiffina Crochet Detail Top
Daniel Rainn
$64.00
KEEP

Sadly, the shorts were a different story - they were way too big for me in the waistline, but not in a way that changing the size would have helped.

I am quite pear shaped - and as is often the case, these shorts fit well enough around my butt and thighs, but I had a big gap around the waist.  So, while I think the top looks really cute with shorts, these are not  the shorts I'm looking for.

Verdict: Nope.

Corynne Distressed Boyfriend Short
Kut From the Kloth
$68.00
RETURN

Lastly, I tried on this dress.  It's a lightweight fabric that moves nicely and feels comfortable, and the dress sits just about a knee length on me (I am 5'4").

What I liked about this dress most was the neckline, which had a faux collar and cut in a way to create a V neckline.  Sadly, this didn't offset a couple issues I had.

My eyes! My  eyes!

First, the pattern on the dress was not my favorite - had this arrived in, say, black, or a more on point print (gingham maybe?), I think I'd have kept it.

But this pattern, in shades of bluish purple and some sort of orangey pink (??) was nearly headache inducing.

The second issue I had was the elasticized waist band - I honestly couldn't figure out where it was suppose to sit.

When I had it pulled down to the waist, the dress looked fine, but it really looked like it was missing a belt, and I really didn't want to have to buy a belt for this dress.

For the pictures, I decided to hitch it up above the natural waistline so the top could blouse over it more loosely - and I thought this also looked fine (not fantastic.... just fine).  But I also kept fighting the urge to play with it and adjust it, and I know me well enough to know I'd never really feel comfortable wearing it if I kept having to fix the way it was laying.

I struggled with this right up to the moment it was time to seal the parcel for returns - in the end I chose to send it back.  I like the concept of this dress, but I'd like a different version of it so much better than this one.  Verdict: Not this time.

Keziah Shirt Dress
41Hawthorne
$64.00
RETURN

While in the end, I only kept the blouses, I thought this box was a good match for me - where items didn't work, it was only 'near misses' and I do think my stylist and I are beginning to zero in on what I like.

My final cost was $108.00, after taking off the $20.00 styling fee.

If you'd like to try Stitch Fix for yourself, it's easy to sign up - you take a questionnaire on your style, size, etc, and schedule your Fix.  It costs $20 (a styling fee), which is subtracted from the price of what you choose to buy.  If you like the entire box, you can buy the whole thing at a 25% discount, and you get three days to decide what to keep and what to return.

Sending back returned items is as easy as putting the items into a large, prepaid vinyl envelope and dropping it off at the post office.

For next time, I have asked my stylist for some basic pieces - fewer patterns and more solids, and 'go-withs' - maybe shoes or some capris and some sort of summer weight kimono or other type of throw.  I can' wait to see what she comes up with!

Stitch Fix
https://www.facebook.com/stitchfix/

My May Stitch Fix

 

I recieved my May Stitch Fix box a few days ago, and want to share with you what was in it.

If you're not yet familiar with Stitch Fix, it is a fashion subscription service that allows members to receive a collection of clothing and accessories selected by a stylist who picks items according to the user's tastes and desires.  They have Men's boxes as well as Women's, and recently added Plus sizes to their offerings, which is why I signed up.

Each box costs a $20 styling fee, which is put toward anything you decide to purchase, and there is a 25% discount if you purchase everything in the box. When you get your box, you've got a couple days to try things on, decide what you're keeping, and send back the rest.

A few day ago, I received my Stitch Fix box for May, and was very pleased with the overall focus on clothing for warmer weather.  This is my third box, and I am really enjoying seeing what ideas the stylist has for me each month.

So here is what I received this month, starting with what did NOT work.  Honestly, in the box it looked like this might be the one where I buy the entire collection - but once I tried things on, two of them clearly didn't work for me.

This blouse.  After I sent back a white blouse last month, they tried again, and I really liked this one a lot better before I tried it on.  The fabric is very lightweight and gauzy, and just felt a whole lot better to touch than the previous one.

It also has a fun crocheted inset at the top that adds a lot of interest in the front and back.

But. BUT.  It is very, very sheer, so either I am showing off my bra when I wear it or I'm adding a camisole and the added layers make it too warm for summer.

In addition, the sleeves were very long.

And lastly (and most importantly), it looks TERRIBLE on me.  I tried it tucked in (the hem is too short for that to be comfortable), and when left out I look half dressed.

I'm sure this would look really cute on someone with a different body shape than me, but for me? No bueno.

Heartloom ~ Elah Crochet Detail Top
RETURNED

Next up, was this skirt.  It is calf length and flared, and has a pale blue and white textured pattern, and here again, in the box I thought it was pretty cute!  It fit well and has deep pockets, which is always a plus.

I tried it on with a tank and crochet'd shrug of mine, and the overall look was... ok.  Both my husband I and were left saying "It looks... nice... but... ?" until we finally decided that it makes me look like several substitute teachers we had back in high school.  So, back it went.  Here again, I think this would look really good on someone who isn't me.

I also think maybe pastels and whites are simply never going to work for me.

Renee C ~ Amelia Embroidery Skirt
RETURNED

The other three pieces in the box were all winners, and I kept them all!

Another maxi dress and another winner!  I adore this dress - the empire waist is comfortable and attractive, the fabric is practically weightless, and the color and pattern of the fabric is just beautiful.

The bodice is going to need either a pin or tiny bit of stitching before I can wear it out, because it keeps gaping open, but that is a minor and completely fixable detail.

While it has no actual sleeves, the fabric drapes nicely to form a fluttery cap sleeve look, and I like that as well.  I expect  to be wearing this a lot this summer!

Loveappella ~ Riley Maxi Dress
KEEP

This top has another really interesting blue pattern, and is light as air.  I was a little worried about the 3/4 sleeves in heat, but it seemed to breathe pretty well and would be fine for all but the worst of summer humidity.

There is a keyhole opening in the back of the blouse, and the back hem is longer than the front, adding a bit of casual fun (and backside coverage!) to the look.

I'm quite happy to have it as an addition to my wardrobe, and with the longer sleeves, this will work nicely from Spring through the early parts of Autumn, as long as the weather is mild.

Renee C ~ Loni Back Keyhole Blouse
KEEP

I paired the Keyhole Blouse with this pair of Bermuda denim shorts that was the last item in the box. I really liked the longer length that still let me dress lightly for hot weather.  

The fabric is a dark blue, and really soft and stretchy enough to allow for comfortable movement. 

The hems are finished and can be cuffed or rolled up or down, and there is enough 'give' to do so easily.

 The real winner for me is that they have a wide, comfortable elastic band, so I don't have to fight with a zipper or buttons (my mobility issues make this an important issue, and I was so happy to see my stylist took note of that problem, as well as my lack of interest in denim that has been shredded, slashed or otherwise abused artificially).

Here again, I expect these shorts to be a core part of my summer wardrobe (and maybe by August, my legs won't be quite so fishy white - hah!)

Makers ~ Trudy Bermuda Denim Short
KEEP

So that was my May box, and I'm looking forward to seeing what's next!  I think three successful items is a win, and I continue to enjoy trying things on to learn more about what works for me.

If you'd like to give Stitch Fix a try, I'd love to hear about your experience!  Do you ever find yourself surprised about what works and what doesn't?  If you haven't tried Stitch Fix yet, I'd love if you'd use my referrer code.