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)

Q&A: Embrace the Brace

A Prologue: Thanks to those of you who helped out with the Stitch Fix dilemma. I ended up keeping the THML blouse (which I already wore) and the cardigan. Elbow patches for everyone! Don't forget, if you want, you can sign up for your own fix here!


And now, to the main event: the next Q&A.
This one comes from my friend Yael. Yael is my oldest friend (I have literally known her since I was born.) Sadly, we have something in common right now-- a big ugly brace. Mine is on my hand (yes, still), and hers is on her leg.
Here's Yael's question: I am wearing a boot on my foot for 4 weeks because I tore my plantar fascia. It's really not a big deal, but needs to be immobilized and finally heal after being painful to walk on for months. Fashion recommendations -- I would like to hide the ugly attention-grabbing boot. Any long skirts, dresses, wide leg pant recommendations you love?? Perhaps a blog post is in order? 

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When life hands you lemons, it's an excuse to go (online) shopping....? 
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Here's an answer:


First, let's acknowledge. Braces are the worst. The one upside of a boot like the one Yael has is that it can be taken off for things like showering, and to put things underneath it. As we will discover shortly, the ability to put things under is key.

[Disclaimer: To state the obvious, I am not a doctor. And while I hope to be one one day, it will not be the right kind. So... yeah.]

Ok. So let's start with shoes. It's important to have shoes that can match the elevation of the boot so that your back doesn't get misaligned. It's also important to wear comfortable shoes. (In fact, I would argue that we should always wear comfortable shoes. Life is too short to not be able to walk becaue your feet hurt.) And... it's getting to be boots season any day now. After many years of buying new boots every year, last year I bought a couple of pairs of Born boots and they are AMAZING-- and they don't need to be replaced this winter. Sometimes it's worth paying more for things of higher quality, and I would put boots in that category. Plus, they come with a variety of heel heights. Find them here with 20% off!

Now to bottoms. Apparently, at least according to my last Stitch Fix, wide leg pants are having a moment. The problem with wide leg pants is, they make almost everyone look shorter and wider. And Yael is not the tallest to begin with, so this might not be the best look. Plus, the problem with a boot is that there's no way to really cover it up because it covers the whole foot.
The problem with a boot is that it is probably too wide on top for bootcut or flare pants. So we instead move on to...

Maxi dresses also present the possibility of covering the boot. Even though most maxi dresses are of summer weight, they can be layered up well with cardigans, leggings and scarves to transition for fall. (I've been wearing mine at least once a week and I'd like to think I look at least sort of normal.) But again, length is important! Personally, I like my maxi dresses to fall right to the top of my feet with flats, but different people have different feelings about this. However, the dress shouldn't be too long. You don't want to fall and hurt yourself even more!

 Zulily has a lot of maxis right now, although they tend to be very slow with delivery. So if time is of the essence, Boden is also a good bet. Especially if you are on the shorter side, like Yael, Boden has a lot of maxis available in petite for a perfect length. 

However, there is also something to be say for embracing the brace. After wearing a lot of black shirts in the past few weeks in hopes that people wouldn't notice my splint, I finally accepted that people were always going to notice and were always going to ask what happened, so I might as well wear whatever I wanted. On that note:

I recommend leggings instead tights. The main challenge with anything that involves velcro is that everything catches on it, so delicate fabrics should be avoided, unless you want to be afraid every time you cross your legs. Also, fleece lined leggings are AMAZING once it gets colder.
For pants that aren't super skinny but fit under the brace, LOFT has great straight leg pants. And they're having a flash sale now until tomorrow night! Get on it, shoppers!

And finally, to draw attention from the brace, try a dark skirt with a brightly colored top. This pencil skirt from Macy's is my fall/ winter go-to. It's super comfortable but still work appropriate, and modest but won't hit against the top of the boot.  Anthropologie has beautiful tops with great details (even on sale! Because otherwise who can afford anything ever?) to draw the eye upwards, away from the ugly boot. And, if not-- at least maybe someone will give you a seat on the subway!
Get well soon Yael! Have any other advice for her? Leave it in the comments!

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!

A Perfect Day at the Ballpark... Except for One (Big) Thing

For reasons that nobody in my family, including me, really understands, I became a hardcore sports fan when I was 10. Every morning, I would make a beeline for the sports pages. I could recite  all sorts of random statistics at the drop of a hat. My bedroom walls were lined with sports posters. My family thought I was some sort of alien.

If my father had cared about sports, it's possible I would have ended up a Pirates fan, but he didn't, so I chose my teams. And, as would be the case with almost any kid choosing their loyalties from New York, I chose the Knicks and the Yankees, because in those days, they were the ones who were winning. (Yes, I know. I have paid dearly for those Knicks teams of the 90s in recent years.)

Over time, my obsession wained and became more of a hobby. I still pay attention, but if you asked me to name, say, C.C. Sabathia's ERA, I would certainly not be able to summon that information from anywhere in my brain. But because this was the summer of the Bucket List, I made sure to head to Yankees Stadium. My friend Yossi, who is (along with his wife Brooke) among the hardest of the core, was kind enough to accompany to a day game on a BEAUTIFUL day the last week of August.

One of the things I liked best about the Yankees, even as a kid (besides, you know, all of the winning) was how classy they were. Mariana Rivera (hence my t-shirt), Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams-- those core guys stayed out of the tabloids, kept their heads down, and got things done. As a mediocre athlete with a strong sense of sportsmanship, I think that appealed to me. So it was fun, before the game, to head with Yossi into Monument Park, where so many Yankees of that era have had their numbers retired. Even if it also made me feel sort of old. But also like I got to watch players I might tell my kids about one day. Hate on the Yankees, as I'm sure many of you do and will, but you have admit that they have history.

The perfect day for some mediocre baseball.

 The weather was perfect. Monument Park was so cool. There were kosher pretzels and ice cream. The recipe for a dream day at the ball park. Except...

The Yankees forgot how to play baseball for the fifth inning. They remembered again later in the game, but by then it was too late. And, as happened earlier this week in the Wild Card game, the Astros just totally shut them down. It was not pretty, the score was not close, and even that score suggested it was closer than it was. Oh well.

But part of being a true fan is picking your head up and carrying on. So I am doing my best to get my nephews (and niece, when she's older) to cheer for the Yanks. Because their father is a Red Sox fan, and that just won't do.

Pinstripes forever! See you at Spring Training.

And because this is a fashion blog, at least theoretically... Yes, I am wearing red pants! It took me a long time to get up the courage, but now I have somehow managed to accumulate two pairs. Go figure. These are the casual ones. I love them.

Also, yes, my Converse have holes in them. I know, they're disgusting. One day I will throw them out. It turns out Converse aren't supposed to last 10 years. But man, do I love them so...

What I'm wearing: LOFT cropped khakis (similar here), Yankees t-shirt (similar here), '47 baseball hat (similar here), Converse sneakers (not made in this color anymore, but similar here)

Summer Bucket List: Take Me Out to the Ball Game #1

I am now officially halfway done with the bucket list! I am so successful at having fun, guys!

I'm behind on the blog a bit, so I haven't written about all 12 things yet, but consider this the next step. Two weeks ago, I went with a bunch of friends to see the Brooklyn Cyclones.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Cyclones, they are a class-A short season farm team for the Mets. So as far as baseball goes... well, they're not the best. In this particular instance, they had more errors than runs. And it wasn't because there was a shut-out.

However, there's something really fun about minor league baseball. First, the tickets are way cheap, and there aren't really any bad seats, so that's cool. Second, because the baseball isn't great, they do all sorts of ridiculous and kitschy things between innings which are just hilarious to keep people entertained. Third, the stadium is really nice in this case, with a view of the Coney Island amusement park and the beach. And finally, you don't really care who wins, so there's none of the stress that fans sometimes feel at Major League games.

When the Cyclones first started playing, all of their games would sell out, because it was the first professional baseball in Brooklyn since the Dodgers had left in the 1950s. (Hence the Jackie Robinson and PeeWee Reese statue behind me.) Now, the stadium is much emptier, but it means you can choose to go on an impulse. Other bright side: kosher food! Yes, it's not cheap, but it's not any more expensive than other stadium food, and I love it when I can feel like a normal person and eat at public events.

When going to a baseball game, it is important to be dressed for the occasion, and for the sun and heat. So baseball caps and comfortable shoes are a must. And meanwhile, I got to wear my super fun Parks and Rec t-shirt! If you don't get the reference, then you should stop reading and go learn about the wonder that is Leslie Knope immediately. No, but really.

This is where the mascot flirted with me and I got
sort of freaked out. Awks.

And coming soon: my trip to the Staten Island Yankees. So much minor league baseball, so little time.

Have you experienced the fun of minor league baseball? What do you do for summer fun on the weekend?

What I'm wearing: GAP khakis, Look Human Little Sebastian shirt, Chacos sandals, '47 Yankees hat

The Giant Fail: Stitch Fix Review June 2015

Oh Stitch Fix, why do you do this to me? You send me amazing fixes on the odd numbers, and then terrible ones on the evens. What's that about? Suffice it to say that fix #6 was not a success. Ladies and gentlemen (because I know you're out there), we have our first 0/5 fix. Sad Rachel.

(For info about how Stitch Fix works, see my earlier post here.)

I asked Alison to style me again this time, and asked for things that are color, and things that are work-appropriate. While I mostly get where she was going, there were a couple of exceptions where I sort of wondered, what was she thinking? But it was a fail. Let's take a look.

My styling card! Good, but only in theory.

My total would have been $227.50 if I had kept everything. 

Skies are Blue Winston Button Down Blouse in Green-- $28.00

This shirt looked good until I put it on. And then... not so much. First of all, the material was super scratchy. Second, it looked like a maternity shirt-- not what you want to see when you are tiny on top and sort of bottom heavy. (Believe it or not, it looks better in the pics than in real life. It was not pretty.)

Also, it seemed to be shorter in the back than in the front. What's what about? Is that for hiding a second person underneath?
I googled around to find how other people wore this, and everyone had the same complaint as me. Also, the price for others was higher, so I wonder if everyone returns this, so they discounted it to try to get rid of it? Well, Stitch Fix, you won't fool me! Nice try.
Status: Return

Fun2Fun Binder Tie Neck Top in Pink-- $48

This shirt was the most promising in the bunch. I really liked the concept and it was super soft. But then there were some problems.

                                                    

First, the arms had elastic that was SO TIGHT. Like, cutting off my circulation tight. I know that my arms are a little out of proportion in size based on the rest of my body, but this was really ridiculous.

Second, it reminded me a lot of the shirt I got in Fix #3. I love that shirt, but I definitely don't need two of them.
Third, while it fit around the hips, it was too loose on top-- I could tell I would have to keep adjusting it to stop my tank top from showing.
Finally, the material didn't look so nice up close. If I'm going to spend $48 on a shirt, I need it to look a little more high quality
Status: Returned

Street Level Morris Braided Handle Tote in Blue-- $78

In theory, I could have gotten behind this bag. I liked the color. But then I held it up and it was HUGE. Even bigger than my backpack. Not being a mom, if I don't have said backpack, I have no reason to carry this much stuff.

Also, the bag smelled sort of funny. It probably would have gone away, but for $78, I can't deal with a smell. In fact, I'm not sure there's much that can get me behind a $78 bag, but it would certainly have to be love, and this was not.

It did have a messenger strap, which was cool. Oh well. Good bye, bag.

Status: Return

Level 99 Patrick Cropped Chino Pants in Light Blue-- $88

Not much to say. Unflattering in the thighs. Impractical (too casual for work, too much like other things i have for weekends.) Color that stains easily. Super expensive for casual pants. No thank you.

Status: Return

La Made Ida Striped Shirt Dress in Navy-- $98

 I saved the worst for last. Oh, this dress. Sooooo bad. First of all, it is basically a glorified beach cover-up, and who spends $98 on a beach cover up? Second, this is NOT a shape that works for the pear shaped among us. It hugged my thighs like crazy. Why would you give a dress in this silhouette to a bottom heavy person? Makes no sense. In case you're wondering why there are no pics of me wearing it, it's because I looked 5 months pregnant, and even I have limits.

Also, the fabric was much flimsier than it should have been for the price. I assume that it was sent to me because I pinned a bunch of striped dresses, but they were all with a full skirt. This is the opposite of that. BAD. Good bye, terrible dress. You will not make me feel bad about myself anymore.

Status: Returned

I confess that it was sad to get this bad of a box during the spending freeze, when I have extra money around. Perhaps this was my punishment for getting a box during the freeze? Could be...

So you might be thinking, wow Rachel, that's a massive fail. Are you done with Stitch Fix? Nope! Of all of my bad fixes, this is the one that was most on target. There was nothing in here where I thought, Why on earth was this sent to me? It was the right idea, but then very off. Also, it's still so exciting when my box comes. And remember-- it's only clothing! A bad box is not the end of the world. So let's keep on keeping on.

Are you ready to order your own Stitch Fix???