Stitch Fix #28 Review - December 2016

Stitch Fix #28 Review - December 2016

Note:  This point contains affiliate links to support my blogging addiction!  :)

So . . . once upon a time, I used to have a blog.  Actually, it was about six months ago.  I still HAVE the blog; I just haven't posted in a while.

I don't know.  Life happens, I guess.  Last year, I started a really crazy recipe creation project (tacos), got overwhelmed, and kind of hit a wall.  Then, school started and I had a super busy fall semester.  As a result, I've gotten a bit behind in sharing my Stitch Fix experiences!  In fact, I haven't shared anything lately.  I think that needs to change!

If you're reading this, you're probably familiar with Stitch Fix, but if not, read on for a brief description of my history with Stitch Fix and a short explanation of how the whole thing works:

I became a member of Stitch Fix in January of 2015, and I am definitely a fan!  My closet has improved 1000% since then.  It's been really nice to receive clothing in the mail that I can try on at my convenience.  I've received some great pieces that I wear often.  I may never see the inside of a mall again!  :)

To get started, you go to their website and fill out your style profile!  That gives you a chance to show your stylist your measurements, usual sizes, how you like things to fit, and the styles that generally appeal to you.  If you're interested in checking it out, please consider following my link to schedule your first fix!  (I am a member of Stitch Fix's affiliate program, which means I get a small commission for anyone who signs up using my link.  However, my opinions are always my own and I pay for all of my own fixes!)

When you order a fix, you pay $20.00 to have your own personal stylist look at your style profile and preferences (which can include a Pinterest board).  They will choose five clothing and/or accessory items specifically for you.  They are shipped right to your doorstep!  You have three days to try the items with other things in your own wardrobe and decide if you want to keep them.  The $20.00 styling fee is credited toward any items that you decide to purchase, and you receive a prepaid shipping envelope to return anything that you don't want.  If you happen to keep all five items, you receive a 25% discount on the whole box!  You can choose to receive fixes every month, every few weeks, or only once in a while.  Here are some links to my previous reviews, if you'd like to check them out:

June/July 2016 - #22
May/June 2016 - #21 
April 2016 - #20
March 2016 - #19
February 2016 - #18
February 2016 - #17
January 2016 - #16
December 2015 - #15
November 2015 - #14
November 2015 - #13
October 2015 - #12
September 2015 - #11
Stitch Fix Keepers
September 2015 - #10
August 2015 - #9

Yes, I did receive fixes in August, September, October, and November of this year.  No, I did not review them.  I kept at least one item from each of those fixes, though.  Here's to getting back on the horse!  It's FUN to share what I receive, so I'll try to do better in 2017!

Anyway, moving on . . .

I received this latest fix toward the end of a week-long vacation in Hawaii.  It arrived early!  I had to ask my neighbor to take it off of our front porch and keep it safe for me until we got back.  I'd like to say I was eagerly anticipating the moment that I would open the box, but that isn't true.

The trip was a whirlwind.  We were both sick.  Picture yourself in paradise, but you don't feel like doing anything.  And your appetite is all messed up.  Yep.  That was us.  Yay! 

We tried to make the best of it and had as much fun as we could.  We got home late at night on December 23rd.  I proceeded to get worse.  Christmas Day was my low point.  I think I blew through a whole box of Kleenex by myself.  Ugh.

After a couple of days had passed and I was finally starting to feel better, I was getting curious about what was in the box.  I finally dragged myself over to my neighbor's house and picked it up!

It seemed so light - no shoes this time, I guess!  That's fine with me.  I've received shoes frequently in my last several fixes, and the last few pairs haven't really worked out.  I was fine with receiving only clothing this time!  I opened the box and found some nice winter colors embedded in a few bold patterns:

One of the nice things about Stitch Fix is that they send you a style card with ideas for each of the items that you receive.  If you're clueless about fashion (as I can be sometimes), it's nice to see a couple of different ways to wear a new style.  Here's the style care that came with this fix:

Lauren was my stylist again!  I think she's been styling me for about a year now.  She picks out great stuff!  I have to confess, I was not a good client this time.  I did not leave her a note to ask for anything specific.  I did not update my Pinterest board.  She had nothing to go on.  Oops. 

Her note to me was just as positive as ever, though!  Here's what she said:

There were a couple of items that I wasn't sure about, but I was excited to give everything a try! 

Well . . . here's what I got!

1. Tolani Talline V-Neck Silk Dress - $188.00

and

2. Rune Porter Legging - $44.00

I tried to find some good light in our backyard, but my photos definitely have a winter cast to them.  And I'm wearing my most wintery lipstick.  My husband calls it my goth lipstick.  I'm not sure if he really knows what "goth" is.  Anyway, it's called "Dominatrix".  I think I mostly bought it for the name, but it is actually great lipstick.  It smells amazing.  Ha ha.  You can get it here.  If you think that might be your jam.  No judgement here!

As Lauren suggested, I tried the dress and the leggings together, completing the look with black riding boots.  I found the silk dress to be quite flimsy and see-through.  I definitely would not have been comfortable wearing it without something underneath it. 

So . . . I kind of hated this dress.  It was pretty baggy on me.  I felt like I was wearing a sack with a really pretty print. 

The neckline really bugged me.  The v-neck was very low cut and loose.  I couldn't think of a necklace that would look good or be comfortable with this gaping neckline.  The tab sleeves hit me at a weird spot, but if I unrolled them, they were shorter than I would have liked.

And . . . $188?  Wow.  I'll spend that much on a dress, but it needs to be an awesome dress!  Nope.  This is not that.  Ha ha.

The leggings are mostly covered up in the picture, but there's not much to them.  Basic black leggings.  And when I say leggings, I do not mean leggings-as-pants kind of leggings.  These make you feel like you need to cover your butt.  I wasn't a fan.  I might as well have been wearing tights.

I have several pairs of "pants" that are almost leggings.  They are very thick.  Some of them have pockets.  I feel comfortable wearing them with shorter shirts.  That's what I want in a legging.  These leggings gave me that uncomfortable feeling that I get from wearing tight pantyhose - you know, when they start sagging in the crotch?  That's one of the reasons I don't wear hose.  Nah.  I really didn't need these.

Verdict (dress):  RETURN

Verdict (leggings):  RETURN

3. Central Park West Zofie Mixed Material Sweater - $138.00

(Note to self:  Time to get those highlights touched up, huh?)

My gut feeling when I saw this sweater was that I was going to love it.  Not a bad thing, right?

Then I saw the price!  I just knew it was going to be that one item that I had to keep! 

Lauren knows that I like animal prints, back details, and zippers - I could totally see where she was coming from with this one, even though it was pricey.

I paired the sweater with my Level 99 coated skinnies from my October 2015 fix.  I decided to keep the riding boots on, especially since those jeans are SHORT for winter . . .

By the way, I love these Steve Madden boots!  I wear them all the time.  They're so comfortable and they fit my calves just perfectly - reasonably priced, too!  They're available here:

So . . . did I decide I couldn't live without the expensive sweater?  Ha ha.

I got lucky.  I put it on and thought, "Meh."  It wasn't bad.  The sleeves were long enough.  I'm a tall person with long arms, so that was a plus!

I just didn't think it was that flattering.  It didn't wow me.  It was a nice sweater, but . . . this happened to be one of those times when the IDEA of something was much better than the reality.   

I decided to pass.  My credit card was relieved!

Verdict:  RETURN

4. Daniel Rainn Sealy Tassel Tie Blouse - $68.00

(Note to self:  The nineties called.  They want the choker back.)

Look at my face.  Ha ha.  It's saying, "Here we go again . . . another Daniel Rainn top."  It seems like I get one in almost every fix.  I'm almost getting sick of them.  But then they end up being cute and I keep them. 

I wanted to hate this one.  Feminine?  Flowers?  What?  I don't want to be that kind of princess.  I like an edgier vibe.  How about some spikes?  To go with my goth lipstick?  Ha ha.

Lauren suggested trying this top with jeans.  I decided to just continue the experience with the same Level 99 jeans and Steve Madden riding boots that I wore with the sweater.  If it's not broke . . .

I looked in the mirror and grudgingly admitted that this was a nice outfit.  My husband liked it, too, though he did point out that I have quite a few boho/hippie tops already.

Yes.  Yes, I do.  That is totally not the point.

OK, Daniel Rainn.  You win.  This time.

Verdict:  KEEP

5. Edyson Maisha Ponte and Faux Leather Jacket - $88.00

The last thing in my fix was this jacket.  Lauren suggested throwing it on over the Daniel Rainn top, so that's what I did.

The color kind of threw me off.  I like grey, but this is a warmish mocha grey.  Weird.  Not part of my usual color palette at all!

The jacket was so fitted that I didn't think it would fit over the top.  Sometimes I'm better off sizing up with layers.  My shoulders are very broad.  However, the jacket did have some stretch in the shoulders and arms, so it just barely worked with the thin Daniel Rainn top!  I still think a large might have been better (this was a medium), as I would only have been able to wear this with short sleeved and/or very thin tops.

In the end, I liked it much better than I thought I would.  However, I didn't see myself wearing it very often.  I have some other layers already in my closet that would work just fine with the outfit above.  I decided I didn't need it.

Verdict:  RETURN

Well, there you have it!  I'm happy with the one top that I kept, and I'm really looking forward to my next fix!

I requested to keep Lauren as my stylist for next time, and I am going to make a point to write her a detailed note and update my Pinterest board!  A 1/5 fix isn't bad, but I wouldn't mind getting another 3/5 (or even a 5/5) one of these days!  :)

By the way, if you'd like an easy way to see Stitch Fix items that other people have received, you can check out some other Stitch Fix reviews by clicking on the link below and visiting a great linkup.  It's hosted by Maria of Crazy Together.  I always enjoy seeing her fixes and joining in the fun with other Stitch Fix fans!  :)

http://crazytogether.com/stitch-fix-for-the-holidays-december-stitch-fix-review-43/

Please comment!  Did I make the right calls?  Have you received any of these items?  What did you think?

Thanks again for reading!