February 2016 Stitch Fix Review: I'm in Love...

Friends, thank you for waiting so patiently for my latest Stitch Fix review. I know I skipped January-- it came right before I went to DC and I didn't have time to take pics before I sent it back. It's sad, as it was a really good one, even though I ultimately only kept one thing. (Which I have since worn three times a week.) But we must chug along, so be it.

The good news is... this Fix was awesome! Alison has really been killing it lately, and this box just raised the bar even higher. Thanks Alison! (For a review of how Stitch Fix works, see my earlier post here.) I had a fashion show during the Super Bowl with my friends Jenn and Doron, because there's only so long that you can watch people give each other brain damage before you need a new activity.

My styling card: look at all the colors!!

 I loved the whole box and had to exercise some self control to not keep everything. (How that happened will come later.) Luckily, the combo of a gift certificate and referral credit meant that I had $125 to work with, so there was some flexibility. Because of that, the whole box would have cost $115 after the discount, credits, and styling fee. Let's get to it, shall we?

Colorblock Verbena Sequin Detail Blouse in red-- $68

According to Alison, I pinned this blouse. I don't remember, but that seems like something I would do. I loved the sequined detail, and how it is not overpowering but so pretty. I also really liked the color, which was an orange-y red, which is not something I have a lot of in my wardrobe. It seemed classy but also sparkly, which is a good combo. I was sure I was going to keep it when I tried it on the first time, but when I modeled it for my friend Jenn, we both agreed that it was good but not great. It was a little short in the torso and I couldn't quite figure out when I would wear it. For the price, since I wasn't keeping everything, it needed to leave me. Good bye, beautiful blouse. May you find a good home with a shorter torso'ed friend.
Status: Returned

Ezra Cuballa Embroidery Knit Top in navy-- $58

This I did pin. That's because I am in love with it. First of all, I love that the back fabric is different than the front. Second, it's SUPER soft. Third, I love the embroidery detail very much. The only weird thing about it is that it's short on the sides, but my friend Rachel theorized that it's supposed to be that way. So I will wear a tank top underneath and feel happy forever.

Status: Kept!

Gilli Jodie Textured Skirt in navy (although I swear it's black)-- $58

This was my favorite. I have been searching for basically this exact skirt for MONTHS. Thin stripes, knee length, pleats, textured cotton. Happy Rachel! (This was also Jenn and Doron's favorite.)

Status: Kept!

London Times Nancee Dress in green-- $98
Mak Jaclynn 3/4 Sleeve Button-Up Cardigan in cobalt-- $38

I thought two things when I saw this dress.  #1: LOVE. #2: I think I already have this? Indeed, I already own a dress in the same color and almost the same fabric and shape. As much as I love kelly green, even I have my limits, especially for $100.

Alison, knowing of my modest ways, sent this cardigan to go with the dress as well. It was very soft and I loved the color. It was also the least expensive thing in the box. I would have been happy to add it to my closet, except that I have a million cardigans, so I exercised some self control and decided not to keep it.

Do I regret it now? A little. But life goes on. It's only clothing, friends.
Status: dress and sweater both returned

So that's February. Home run. If I hadn't already had an almost identical dress, it's likely that all five things would now be in my closet. But I am very excited about my new shirt and skirt. Just have to wait for March to see what comes next!

Want to get in on the fun? Sign up for your own fix here!

Sisters See Sisters

Dear readers, as you (might but probably don't) remember, when I got sick last summer, I spent basically the whole time watching Parks and Rec. This is because Parks and Rec is amazing and I love Amy Poehler so much. Additionally, I am deeply and undyingly devoted to Tina Fey, and I read Bossypants whenever I feel down. Finally, I love that Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are best friends in real life because they are both smart and funny and awesome women, and the idea of them hanging out could only make me happier if I got to come along too.

This meant that I was both excited and nervous to see Sisters. On one hand, Tina and Amy! On the other hand, oh Lord, what if it was terrible? The reviews were not especially encouraging. However, devoted fans that we are, the sisters three made a date to see Sisters this past Saturday night.

And you know what? It was not nearly as smart as either of their TV shows, but I thought it was hilarious, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Additionally, it was even more fun to see it with my sisters. And when I was in the bathroom after the movie, I heard some women saying, "Mom and dad would kill us if we tried to pull something like that!" So there were others who had the same idea.

Let's talk about my outfit for a minute. This shirt is yet another "party the back" shirt, although the front isn't so business. (See: the contrasting pocket.) I LOVE it. I love the contrasting stripes and colors, and that the red part is stretchy and the back is structured. I look forward to wearing it a lot when it stops being cold.

Also, after three years of searching, I finally found a pair of boots I like with my jeans tucked in. They are super comfortable and I found them on clearance. I orginally envisioned just wearing them with pants, but I've been wearing them with skirts too. I like feeling moto-tough. Because nothing says tough guy like getting a PhD in Talmud, right?

What I'm wearing: Downeast Basics top (similar here), LOFT jeans, Diba boots (on clearance here, 50% off in store.)

The Mullet of Sweaters

Thankfully, I am a little too young to have been part of the mullet trend that unfortunately proliferated in the 80s. I think we can all agree that if the mullet never came back, it would be okay with all of us.

That being said, I have recently acquired a few shirts that I affectionately think of as mullet shirts, as they are business in the front and party in the back. They seem to be having a moment. I like them for a few reasons, which I will now list for you:
1. They're usually professional enough to wear to work, but have an element of fun and surprise, making them more interesting.
2. I have found that they often have sleeves. Don't know why, but I'm not complaining.
3. They're an excellent excuse to not have to do my hair! (Sometimes I am lazy.)
4. There's a fun bow! Hurrah!

This was the first shirt of this type that I got, way back in my May Stitch Fix. It's possible that I had pinned it to my Pintrest Board at least 15 times. But only maybe. Anyway, I love it just as much now as I did then-- a true Stitch Fix winner. This was from the first fix Alison sent me, and we have been happily together ever since. It has also proven to be a significant conversation speech, and once prompted one of my students to ask me to turn around so she could see the back before I started teaching. Perhaps not the most appropriate, but then again, parties aren't always. Mullet shirts forever!

What I'm wearing: Ezra sweater via Stitch Fix, LOFT black pants (this season's version here)

A for Effort: Stitch Fix Review December 2015

Ok, true confession time. I did not blog about my November Stitch Fix. (Gasp!)

Here's the thing. It wasn't terrible or anything. It was just nothing special. I ended up sending everything back because there was nothing that screamed out to me, "Keep me in your wardrobe!" and I am trying to be selective these days. Combine that with the fact that it arrived on the day of my last comp, when I was double slammed with jet lag and a horrible cold, and it just didn't happen. Hopefully you all will forgive me.

However, lucky for all of you/ unluckily for me, I have yet another stomach virus (I know, how can that even be possible), so there is nothing to do but lie in bed and update my blog. So now, we move on to fix #13, my December Fix.

For a review of how Stitch Fix works, click here.

As you can see, I named this post "A for Effort." Everything Alison sent me was theoretically spot on, but I only ended up keeping one thing, much to my sadness. Let's see what happened.

Nice combo of colors = a good start 

For this fix, I had asked for a few things. First, for it to be a bit more budget conscious. (My last fix contained a $98 sweater, which was just never going to happen.) Second, for some dresses, especially the gold one Sarit got. And finally, things with special details or a little bit of sparkle.

Look, two dresses!

I had a little bit of credit, which is always nice. If I had kept everything, it would have been $227 total, which doesn't feel crazy for two dresses, two sweaters, and a blouse. However, I did not keep everything. Let's see what happened.

(Apologies for the mirror selfies. I just didn't get around to having someone take my picture, which ended up being for the best, since I was very very ill only a few hours after these were taken. But you get the idea.)

Collective Concepts Helma Dress in Black-- $78

This was the dress Sarit got, that I loved. Obviously Sarit is much shorter than me, but she had gotten it in petite, so I was hoping that it would be long enough in regular. As it turns out, not so much.

You might be thinking, Hey Rachel, we can't see the bottom of the dress! To which I would say, Yes, because this is a modest fashion blog, and here was nothing modest about the length of this dress on me. Also, as you can see, it's a little tight on bottom, but also too loose on top. I must remember in the future, shift dresses are not my friend.

Nothing like something that makes you look lumpy and shapeless at the same time. Don't I look thrilled?
Status: Returned

Collective Concepts Katelynn Polka Dot Dress in Black-- $88

Again, you can feel the ecstasy. This is one of those pull over dresses that has no real shape other than the elastic waist. I have never found one of these dresses that looks good on my body, as it always swallows my top half. Add to the fact that the fabric was a super lightweight and cheap feeling polyester, and there was no way I was keeping it for $88 even if I had liked the shape. I do love me some polka dots, but that's the extent of positive feedback I have for this.

Also, when did dresses that are longer in front and back and shorter on the sides become a thing? So many mysteries, so little time... to put this dress back in the box and return it.
Status: Returned

Papermoon Alvar Bead Detail Top in Olive-- $54

Here's the thing, guys. Olive is just not my color. Shirts that are see through are not my style. And beads that are gold versions of the little silver balls I used to use to decorate my cupcakes are not something I need in my wardrobe.

Alison sent this because I asked for sparkle. I had had something more shimmery/ sequin-y in mind, but that's on me for not being more specific. It actually mostly fit me very nicely, but that's sort of the only positive thing I could say about it. Again, good concept. failed execution.

Status: Returned

41Hawthorn Lizzy Colorblock Striped Sweater in Grey-- $68

The fact that they called this grey was confusing to me, as it is clearly actually navy. This was the item I was most on the fence about. It was SO soft. I love stripes and I love color blocking. It fit me very nicely, in my humble opinion.

However, I did ultimately send it back. There were two strikes against it. First, the navy-- I own a ton of navy already. Also, I don't like wearing navy with dark jeans, and I don't wear it with black, which makes knowing what I should wear it with confusing. Second, it was the sort of fabric I could imagine starting to pill right away. Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of pilly sweaters and I wear them all the time. But that, combined with the color and the price, forced me to exercise my self-control and return it. I might still ask for it in another color, though. We shall see.
Status: Returned

Mak Coffman Button Up Cardigan in Red-- $48

Fear not my friends! The final item was something I loved! As you all know, if you have been reading along, I love a good cardigan and wear them multiple times a week. Also, at first glance, yes, just a plain red cardigan. As it turns out, though, I have almost no red in my wardrobe. And then, when you look closer...

It has this very pretty crochet detail on the arms and the neckline that make it a little more interesting. It's pretty lightweight, so I would say I don't expect to wear it much before spring, but it's like 60 degrees every day here now, so maybe when I finally take off my pajamas, it will have its debut. As you can see in that awkward selfie above, I am pleased. Yay! Also, with my $25 of credit, it was $23. Happy Rachel.
Status: Kept!

So thus ends my December Stitch Fix. Even though I only kept one thing, I continue to have lots of fun, and also to feel like Alison gets what I like, even when I don't keep everything. Coming up in he January fix: clothes for work, as I'm going to be a professor! (True story!)

Want to get in on the fun? Sign up for your first fix here. And wait, if you use the code HOLIDAYTREAT, you can get your first fix without any styling fee-- risk free!

Stitch Fix Review October 2015: Decisions, Decisions

Yes, my dear readers, it is that time again. Not because I get my Fixes two week apart now, but because I am blogging about this one right when I got it because I need some advice! I thought I had decided, but then I put everything on again to take pictures and now I can't decide.

I apologize for the mirror selfies. Shaina has a new baby and Sarit is getting married in three weeks and away at a conference, so I decided to leave them alone and take my own pictures this time around.

For this Fix, I made two requests. First, I'm going to Nepal(!) in three weeks (more on that later), so I asked for things that could be easily layered and washed while I'm there. Second, because of the fashion rut I've mentioned, I asked for new things to try to push me out of my comfort zone a bit.

Doesn't that sweater look delicious???

If I kept the whole box, it would be $169.50. Here's the styling card:

And the note. Hi Alison!:

(P.S. You might notice that my hair is much shorter. It was in terrible need of a cut so I went in an said, Do whatever you want. It's very different but I think I like it!)

Let's see what I got:

Skies are Blue Cathy Wide Leg Pant in Burgundy-- $48

I know what you're thinking. Stitch Fix sells hideous pajama pants???

No! I am supposed to wear these outside! For reals!

Apparently this is what I get for asking to have my comfort zone pushed.

I would call these pants hideous, but that would be insulting to hideousness. I HATE them. I actually could not imagine something less flattering to my body. I already carry my weight in my hips and thighs. Why make them look bigger? Perhaps if I was twice was tall and half as small these would have worked. But I am not. Good bye, horrible pants.

Status: Return

Market & Spruce Arto Embroidered Bib Top in Black-- $68

This shirt was just sort of eh on me. I'm of average height, but my torso is long-ish, so it was a little short. It was also slightly tight in the sleeves and too big in the body.

Plus, the peplum is not for me. And $68 is a lot for a shirt that I don't love, even with the beautiful embroidery. Finally, I already wear too much black. I won't miss this one.

Status: Returned

THML Bresee Scoop Neck Top in White-- $64

This is where things get complicated. This blouse, while on the pricier side, is GORGEOUS. It's super high quality and has great detailing on the sides, neck, and with the zipper in the back. However, as you can see in the picture above, it puckers strangely at the waist.

Then I thought... what if I tuck it in? And now I love it! I also feel like it's so different from the things I have and would pick out for myself. It's sophisticated but interesting, and naturally modest. But is it worth keeping a blouse that can only be worn tucked in? Help!

Status: Undecided. What should I do??

Market & Spruce Denver Cable Knit Elbow Patch Cardigan in Brown-- $58

I was so psyched when I pulled this out of my box. It is super substantial without being itchy. I love cardigans. It's a totally reasonable price for a sweater of this quality. It has pockets. And it has elbow patches! Which is perfect for me because next semester I'm going to be a professor so obviously I need elbow patches!

It seemed great for evenings in Nepal too. But then when I put it on it seemed like it was swimming on me. So I thought it had to go back. But then today I tried it on today and maybe it wasn't too big? I'm so confused! What do you think?

Status: Undecided

Skies are Blue Jacklin Mixed Print Knit Top in Black-- $48

This might be the most "me" thing in the box. It is super soft, striped, and has fun details. I like that it has two types of stripes and a diamond print around the waist. I also like the u-shaped front and back. It means I can add a brightly colored tank for a pop of color. It matches with everything and also would be great for my trip.

My only concern about this shirt is: is it TOO me? I use Stitch Fix to help me push my fashion boundaries a bit. Would I just be buying something that's similar to what I already have? Or should I stick with what works?

Status: Undecided

So there you have fix #11. Alison is getting better and better, and so are my Fixes. But it is hard to decide! Please leave thoughts. I need to check out by Tuesday!

And if you want to get in on the fun and try it for yourself, sign up for your Fix here!