Stitch Fix: My Second Review

(Before we get started: if you need a background in Stitch Fix, see my first post.)

OK. 

So as I shared a few weeks ago, I did my first Stitch Fix.  You can read about my initial Fix here. It was overall a great box, but slightly off target for my style and a little high in price. I sent the box back happily, eager to see if my feedback would result in better results with Stitch Fix #2.  

::drumroll please::

Stitch Fix #2 came today!

And I'm happy to report that my feedback was noted! But before I share my thoughts on this fix, let's check out what arrived in the box: 

1.KUT from the Kloth Goldie Flare Jean - $88
2. Le Lis Kailya Lace Back Knit Top, Navy - $48
3. PaperMoon Waters Ikat Maxi Dress - $68
4. Le Lis Zealand Crochet Detail Knit Top - $44
5. PaperMoon Mansi Crochet Pocket Knit Tank- $44

Here is how the clothes looked like on me:

I didn't grab a picture, but the back of this Le Lis Kailya Lace Back Knit Top has a really awesome wide crochet detail
that was pretty nifty. The pants are Kut From the Kloth Goldie Flare Jeans. I'm a little eh about them.

My CAbi jeans with the Papermoon Mansi Crochet Pocket Knit Tank. Super soft and comfy.
I liked it more than I thought I would!

My American Eagle skinny jeans with the Le LIs Zealand Crocket Detail Knit Top.
If my zen look is any indication of how I feel about this top...

So excited I got this Papermoon Waters Ikat Maxi Dress. I specially asked for one and
Emma, this month's Stitch Fix stylist heard me!

The price point on these items were WAY better than last month. Still a little higher than I'd like to pay, but much, much closer. A few items even fell into my "comfortable to pay" zone. 

The style was MUCH more in my favor. I really enjoyed a majority of the items. I'm a BIG fan of non-skinny jeans (hello, I love the 90's). So, I wanted to like the Kut From The Kloth flare jeans, but they just felt a little bulky. The maxi dress felt really comfortable on, and I really, really liked the shirts. Like all of them.

I'm considering making my first Stitch Fix purchase!

I have narrowed down the items I think I like enough to buy, but I'd love YOUR feedback:

What pieces in my Stitch Fix did you like? 

Dislike? 

Which looked best? 

Are any worth keeping?  

I'll be sure to update you on what I do with my second Stitch Fix (will I buy something?!?). And I've decided to commit to 3 total Stitch Fixes (to start) so I can really see if I can hone in my feedback for the perfect Fix.

I will report back next month when I get my third Stitch Fix box!

Ready to take the plunge? If you want to try out Stitch Fix for yourself, head over and get started!


Disclosure: this is a review I took on myself. I was not compensated. I did not work with Stitch Fix to make this happen. I was just really intrigued and decided to share my honest opinion so other people might feel empowered to try (or not try) Stitch Fix out.

Stitch Fix: My First Review

I'd been hearing about Stitch Fix for a while now, but I dismissed it because it sounded like some subscription service for people who were more fashionable than me. I understood the general idea that a person paid a monthly fee and got sent clothes to try out. If they liked the clothes, they could buy them. If they didn't, they could send them back. It didn't seem like a service for me, so I wrote it off.

Then more people I knew in real life (IRL!!) shared that they were using Stitch Fix. I became intrigued. I talked to a few of the moms at the bus stop, and they said it took a few tries, but soon they enjoyed the clothes they were sent enough to start purchasing them. One of the moms was wearing this totally cute shirt and she was all, "Yup! Stitch Fix." 

So I was like, "FINE. I'LL TRY IT. BUT ONLY IF THEY SEND ME CUTE STUFF LIKE THAT SHIRT TO WEAR."

Before I committed, I did a little poking around on the Stitch Fix website. I found that my general understanding of how Stitch Fix worked was true - but it's a little more in-depth than I thought. The monthly fee (or, rather, how ever often you choose to get a Stitch Fix box) is $20. This is the stylist fee. Yes, you are assigned a stylist. This is the part that hooked me. I'd actually get someone (albeit virtually) to pick my clothes for me so I don't look like a second grader dressing themselves.

Before I could sign up for my first Stitch Fix box, I took a long "quiz." Stitch Fix asked me questions about myself: my dimensions and the usual sizes that fit me. Then, the questions moved toward preferences. Stitch Fix really wanted to know what I was like: what kind of styles appealed to me, what kind of clothing I liked to wear, what I felt most comfortable in and, most importantly, what kind of price range I was was comfortable with  They would show me pictures of Polyvore-esque outfit sets, and I rated them. 

They really tried to get a feel for how I felt about my own body: did I have certain parts of my body I wanted to accentuate? Not accentuate? By the time I was finished the questionnaire, I felt like Stitch Fix had a pretty good idea of who I was and what my style was about.

I then signed up for my first box, which would arrive containing 5 articles of clothing or accessories, each within the price range I said I was comfortable with. Once it arrived, I would have 3 days to try everything on and decide if I wanted to keep it or send it back. If I wanted to keep the clothing, I would be billed for the amount minus the $20 stylist fee (which would be applied toward the purchase). If I didn't buy anything, the only cost to me was the $20 fee. Since, regardless of whether I bought anything, my stylist worked to figure out those outfits for me!

So,  I waited with bated breath for my Stitch Fix to arrive. 

Which it did today.

And this is what was in my first box:

I love that Stitch Fix added this guide with ideas on how to wear each item.
Because I literally cannot be trusted to come up with that crap on my own. #ForRealz

1. KUT from the Kloth Women's Kate Boot Cut Jean - $78
2. Pixley Deon V-Neck Top, Navy - $44
3. 41Hawthorne Silvio Arrow Print Sleeveless Silk Blouse - $88
4. Loveappella Dixie Crochet Sleeve Dress - $78
5. Market & Spruce Spencer 3/4 Sleeve Striped Dress - $58

I'd say it was a decent selection, most of which appealed to me. Maybe not a home run, but I was prepared for that. I figured that my stylist would need some time to get to know me and my style, and it might take a few tries to get it right. 

Here is how the clothes looked like on me:

I liked the Market & Spruce Spencer 3/4 Sleeve Striped Dress dress, but I didn't love how the front clung to me.
Although looking at the picture, it's not too bad.

Although you can't tell from the picture, the Loveappella Dixie Crochet Sleeve Dress dress was HUGE.
It looked okay on but...

...it was a weird stretchy material. And it felt like I could fit 3 of me inside.

I was digging the cute "open shoulder" feature though.
Rawr! <--- growl="" p="" tiger="">

This is a twofer: Kut From the Kloth Kate Boyfriend Jean AND 41Hawthorne Silvio Arrow Print Sleeveless Silk Blouse.
The jeans were so-so, but I kind of liked the shirt (despite the sleeveless-ness of it.)

Same jeans with Pixley Deon V-Neck Top . This shirt was a little bigger, which was nice.
But I didn't like how it kind of tented out when I turned to the side.

The items were a little above what I'd like to pay for clothes, so I will send back that feedback before my next Stitch Fix comes. Some of the materials weren't my favorite. Also, if I had an area of insecurity about my body, it would be my arms. I'm not sure why - I just am. So, I tend to avoid sleeveless shirts and dresses. I let my stylist know this beforehand, but may reiterate that for the next round. Although I will say, I was digging the shirts and almost didn't mind that they were sleeveless.

Now I need your help:

What pieces in my Stitch Fix did you like? 
Dislike? 
Which looked best? 
Are any worth keeping?  


I'm still a little uncertain about the price tag...


I'll be sure to update you on what I do with my first Stitch Fix (send it all back? Buy a few things?), and I will report back next month when I get my second Stitch Fix box!

Intrigued? If you want to try out Stitch Fix for yourself, head over and get started!


Disclosure: this is a review I took on myself. I was not compensated. I did not work with Stitch Fix to make this happen. I was just really intrigued and decided to share my honest opinion so other people might feel empowered to try (or not try) Stitch Fix out.

Spring Fashion Wish List #FashionFriday

Friends?

It's SPRING.

Like.

Finally.

After the hellacious Winter most of the US experienced the past few months, I feel like Olaf yearning for Summer .

And now that we've had a few days that tipped the thermometers to 60 degrees, I am ready to start Spring Cleaning.

Closet cleaning, that is.

I have a lot of clothes I need to donate, and my Spring wardrobe could use some updating. I've been doing my due diligence of research, and I've come up with a short Wish List of things I will be on the prowl for as I doing shopping the next few weeks (always looking for a deal, people). Some of the following items will be turned into Picture Perfection Pinspiration Outfits, as many did this past Fall. 

SO I AM SUPER STOKED.

Here we go!

Spring Wish List by donnareedsteph featuring a black skirt

1. Maxi Dress

2. Denim Jacket

3. Sheer Blouse

4. Non-Fitted Skirt (think Zooey Deschanel in New Girl)

5. Floral Patterns (in a skirt, sundress, sheer blouse, etc)





Here are some of my Pinspirations:

What I love about these pieces that despite being a short list, I can mix and match these few items to make a bunch of outfits. I am UP for the challenge!

Check back over the next few weeks as I make my pinspirations come to life!

So now I need to know:

What's on YOUR Spring Wish List?

If you had to pick 5 mix-and-match items, what would they be?

Leave a comment - I'd love some more inspiration!

Pinterest Picture Perfect Challenge: Mad for Plaid #FashionFriday

Today I'm linking up with Fashion Friday. Check out all the posts for more fashion inspiration!

I've never hidden the fact that I am a huge fan of the 90's: 90's TV, 90's movies, 90's music and, yes, even 90's fashion. Sure, there are some things that were a really bad idea (one strap overalls and scrunchies, I'm looking at you here). But some of the trends from the 90's have made their way back to mainstream fashion again and they are doing pretty well. Leggings and billowy/long shirts are current fashion staples, amiright?

But let's talk about plaid.

Plaid (particularly plaid flannel shirts) was, like, essential for 90's grunge.

Angela, we know your angst.

Do you think these flannels smell like Teen Spirit?

Ensembly Challenged? AS IF!

Luckily, today's plaid comeback version is less grungy and a little more chic. While a casual way to enjoy plaid is in the classic flannel, it's more a more fitted cut .  I've enjoyed seeing the various patterns of plaid in blouses, often paired with cardigans, cropped jackets or under sweaters. The pop of pattern is eye-catching and fun.

So when I saw this pin:






I knew I needed to make it my next Pinterest Picture Perfect recreation!

I love how the plaid is paired with the contemporary skinny jeans (as opposed to the baggy jeans of the 90's), with a belt and layered with a cardigan. And ::squeeeee:: for more of my current statement color YELLOW. I found the shirt during the same shopping trip where I got my polka dot blouse at the insane J. Crew sale. I saw it and it identically matched several pins I had saved on my My Style Pinterest board. And at almost 70% off, what's a girl to do?

(Since the sale is over, you can find a similar plaid blouse here)

Here's my pinspiration recreation:

How'd I do?

Now it's your turn:

How are you making fashion INSPIRATIONS into REALITIES?

Do you have a Pinterest Picture Perfect Challenge that you've completed? Send it to me, so I can showcase it!  

moderndaydonnareed@gmail.com

pop POP…of COLOR #FashionFriday

Today I'm linking up with Fashion Friday. Check out all the posts for more Fall Fashion inspiration!

Color.

It's the common denominator of all fashion. There are many aspects of an article of clothing that will draw us in: the cut, the fabric, the texture. But if we can't jive with the color?

Forget it.

Color is what appeals most to our senses. My favorite thing about color, though, is that just a small splash of it can enhance an entire outfit. Small splashes, or pops, of color are a great way to update a wardrobe and still be frugal in the process.

It's what I like to call the pop POP principal:

Just a small pop POP of color in your ensemble

 and your entire world is rocked.

Thanks to my obsessions with places like Groopdealz and upscale consignment shops, I am able to find very reasonably priced pops of color. Accessories are a great place to start, as well as small layers of clothing:

Scarves

Simple Shirts or Cardigans

Statement Necklaces

Colored Tights 

(my new favorite thing)

Handbags

(Seriously? Ignore my weird pose. I apologize to the general public for this picture)

It's amazing what a little pop POP of color can do!

What is YOUR favorite way to add a pop of color?

What color do you like to make a statement with?