Clothes Shopping!

I got a chance to go clothes shopping with a friend last week–in person this time! Since the last Stitch Fix I got was disappointing, I had a hankering for new clothes. I also had some good ideas for what I wanted, since I’ve been pinning things on my fashion pinterest board a lot lately. I chose five items for myself and did my own kind of Stitch Fix, which I’m very happy with. Jeans and stripes FTW!

Jean Shirt – Gap

I really like the casual “working” kind of look that a chambray or jean shirt like this has. Since it’s jean-colored material, I can almost treat it like a neutral color. It can go with graphic tees quite well, which is great since I have so many! And, thankfully I have some black stretch jeans that look good with it. I’m not a fan of the blue-jeans-on-blue-jeans look (just tacky), or the black leggings look (too tight around the bum…).

Jean Vest – Express

This was probably the item I was unsure about the most, since it’s a very bold “grunge” style, but I’ve wanted to try pulling off the look for a while now. When I brought it home, I was happy to see it worked pretty well under my gray (pictured) and black (not pictured) zipped hoodies. It also works well over most t-shirts and tank tops, so it’s a pretty great summer look too! I’m quite happy with it.

Green “Cargo” Stretch Jeans – Express

These are really comfy. It may be hard to tell in the picture, but they have a pattern just above the knees that give it more of a cargo look, without adding any extra pockets. I don’t have any pants this color, and I like the style. I figured I have a few tops that could work with it–maybe even the new jean shirts–so I went for it!

Striped Tank – Gap (see above)

This is just one of those basics that I felt like I didn’t have enough of. I love Gap’s plain ribbed tank tops, but I didn’t have any striped ones of the same cut, so I picked this one. It just so happened to go really well with the green pants! Great for the end of summer, and good for layering in the fall too.

Striped V-Neck Shirt – Gap

I saw this on a mannequin and it immediately stood out to me. I love blue, I love stripes, and I’m getting more into v-neck tees these days, so I couldn’t help myself. My goal lately is to get more casual shirts that aren’t just graphic tees, since I’m a bit tired of wearing those every day. This shirt fits the bill!

Total spent: $245.65

For everything but the striped shirts from Gap, I had to set the clothing aside and walk around the mall for a bit to be sure I wanted them–good advice from my friend. But, I found myself needing to go back and get the things I left! I feel like I did reasonably well for the cost. I’m pretty sure a full Stitch Fix box would cost around this much in total.

Needless to say, I won’t be doing another Stitch Fix right away. I’ve spent enough on clothes lately! And, with this shopping trip, I got everything I’ve been thinking about asking for from Stitch Fix. I’ve now got a pretty solid start to a fall wardrobe, enough to not shop for a while.

One update on Stitch Fix: I decided to complain about my last disappointing fix, and they suggested a few things for me to try next time to get a better outcome. Then, they gave me $20 to my account, to waive my next fee! So I think I will try them again, it just won’t be for a while.

If you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix, here’s my referral link!

Stitch Fix #2

For an explanation of what this service is, see my first post. And if you’re interested in the service, use my referral link!

This second Stitch Fix box was not my style. Here’s my fashion pinterest board for reference. I ended up with a different stylist, which maybe meant she either didn’t read all my feedback from before, or just didn’t understand my style well enough. Kind of a let down. These were the contents, from the top:

Quebec Embroidered Peasant Top

This was unfortunately not my style at all. Too billowy and sheer, and I’m not a fan of the chiffon style of fabric. I guess my stylist didn’t see that comment in my feedback from the last shipment?

Verdict: Return.

Hobson Scoop Neck Blouse

I really like the pattern on this one, so I really wanted to like the shirt, but again it’s chiffon. Also a little bit too loose to wear without a tank top underneath, especially around the underarms. Otherwise the length did feel right.

Verdict: Return.

Haiden Distressed Straight Leg Jean

I wore these in most of the pictures, they went pretty well with the shirts she sent. These were cute, but unfortunately about an inch or two too big around my waist. You can’t really tell in the pictures, but I’m sure I’d be pulling them up all day long! I also feel like the ripped sections felt too forced, it’s like they tried to make preppy jeans look distressed. I’d rather the patches be less square, at least, and I’d like to be able to roll the hem down all the way (they’re stitched in place).

Verdict: Return.

Stanyan V-Neck Knit Top

This one was cotton-y fabric and pretty comfy overall. Style-wise, I mostly didn’t like the cinched fabric on the back of the shirt, it’s not my kind of thing. I’m one for plain, straight-cut shirts! Bottom line though is that it felt too big. I wanted it to fit a bit tighter. Starting to think I should ask for a small instead of a medium shirt size!

Verdict: Return.

Emily Lightweight Chevron Infinity Scarf

This was the one thing I really liked in this fix. I wore it with a plan black v-neck shirt and I think it looks great! Good for this end-of-summer time. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of shirts it would go well with since most of mine have patterns or prints that don’t necessarily match, but I’ll just have to experiment and maybe find some more. 🙂

Verdict: Keep.

Total spent after returning clothing: $28

I’m starting to wonder if they don’t carry a lot of stuff that’s my style. From other reviews I see online like mine, and from pinterest, it seems like they cater better to the preppy or classic look. Either that or they don’t read feedback as thoroughly as they say. I will probably give it another go in a month or two, but I don’t have as high hopes and may not do it again if it’s another let down.

At the very least, ordering from Stitch Fix has made me think more about what I like to wear. It’s given me the courage to ask for clothes that I wish I was cool enough to wear–because really, I am cool enough. 😀 Now, I might just have to go out and find those things in stores myself…

Stitch Fix #1

These days I’ve been too busy to go clothes shopping. Even when I do have time to go shopping, I’d rather do other things (like binge on The Witcher). I’m not the type to wear much makeup or spend a long time getting ready in the morning. As a software engineer, my workplace is very casual. Most mornings I just throw on a t-shirt, jeans, and a hoodie, and I’m good to go. But I’ve been getting bored with the same old stuff every day and wanted to try some new things.

In comes Stitch Fix. I heard about the service from a coworker. These popular “monthly box” type companies are popping up everywhere. I’ve seen ones for beer, coffee, international snack food, art supplies, you name it. This one in particular spoke to me.

However often you choose, they will send you a box containing 5 pieces of clothing. You will be assigned a personal stylist, and they will learn your style from a long quiz you fill out when you sign up, as well as any Pinterest boards you may have. Also, you can send a note to your stylist before every “fix”, telling them the kinds of things you want in your next fix.

Here’s the pinterest board I sent them, which I’ll keep updating. It was fun to set it up, I don’t think I’ve ever spent this much time thinking about what I like to wear. Yay for spending hours on Tumblr and Pinterest! 😛

For my first fix, I told my stylist to send tees, tanks, and shorts since summer is still going strong here, and I don’t have a great selection in my closet other than graphic tees. I also suggested flannel/plaid (for some reason I’m craving it even though it’s summer). These were the contents:

Fisher Collared Top

   

This was a bit different from the tank tops I have in my closet. I don’t have any with collars, or in this particular cut. Once I tried it on though, I loved it! It’s just different enough that it’s fun, and similar enough to my style that it’s comfortable.

Verdict: Keep.

Jovani Twill Jacket

    

I have always loved jackets like this, but haven’t ever found the perfect one for me. This one felt like it was almost on the baggy side, but it was super comfortable. It seemed great for layering with hoodies in the fall.

Verdict: Keep.

Granada Crochet Back Panel Top

    

This one didn’t really match my style. After trying this it on, I realized I’m not a big fan of chiffon fabric. The cut was also on the flowy side, which I don’t really like. If it were a tighter fit and a more cottony fabric, I probably would have liked it.

Verdict: Return.

Sam Hi-Lo Short Sleeve Tee

    

The fabric on this was was really soft and comfortable, but I wasn’t in love with the cut. A little too loose and too asymmetrical from front to back.

Verdict: Return.

Cindie Linen Short

This one just flat out didn’t fit me. For some reason the waist size ended up a couple inches too big, even though the shorts did say they were the right size. Probably the brand runs a bit big or something. I also think I would have preferred shorter shorts. Did like the color though!

Verdict: Return.

Total spent after returning clothing: $150.

It was fun to get my first fix, and I found a couple of great things, so I’m going to keep going with this! Right now my schedule is set to about once a month. If you’re interested in trying it out, why not use my referral link? 🙂