Stitch Fix: the final chapter

Last week, I received my August fix. My July fix came while I was out of town. I had to hastily try on items and return them ASAP before getting stuck with the fix. It was probably my best fix, but I returned everything anyway.

Let's take a look at the latest…

1) Market & Spruce "Twain" twisted neckline slub knit shirt ($48).
A flattering neckline on me. The fabric is thin, which would warrant a cami underneath for most people unless you want to layer it under something. The fabric is a cotton/poly blend. Hand wash = high maintenance. It's a bit boxy too --something I specifically advised against. More than once might I add. Returned.

{notice high/low hem and seam down the middle}

2) Olive & Oak "Mulliken" raglan striped knit shirt ($48).
Where to start? I'll start with the positive. The fabric is super soft and comfy. Nice price point. It is, however, striped. Notice that the collar and sleeve stripes are gray -- not my best color. If you're into stripes, you can find this top in aqua/poppy for the same price at Bloomingdales. The fabric is really yummy! I might buy it just to lounge around in at the beach.

{high/low hem}

3) Splendid "Gerald" striped boat neck tee ($88).
Stripes. 50/50% cotton/poly blend. Yuck. I would never pay $88 for a T-shirt, especially one that is not 100% cotton. Enough said. Returned.

P.S. I saw a cute (100% cotton) Splendid vintage coastal tee at Bloomingdales.

4) Collective Concepts "Gina" geo print dress ($78).
This dress is really cute. I was pretty excited about it until I tried it on. The fabric is a cotton/poly blend -- not super comfy. Although it hit me a few inches above the knee -- something I specifically asked for in my profile -- it made me look really thick around the middle. Not flattering. This dress might work for someone petite, flat-chested, skinny and younger. Not for me. Returned.

5) Kut From The Kloth "Katherine" high rise boot cut jeans ($68).
You can buy a very similar, if not the same jeans by the name "Natalie" at Nordstrom for $89. I actually own a few pairs of Kut jeans that I bought there. They are stylish, comfy and have a bit of stretch. These jeans fit me well except they are too long. And, I don't care for the button-flap back on the front and back pockets. If I wanted another pair of Kuts, I'd buy them at Nordstrom where I can get free alterations. Returned.

{tiny button-top flap on the right pocket}

{back pockets. notice the "natalie" tag}

To say I'm disappointed with Stitch Fix is an understatement. Here's what gets to me most. A note from my stylist Kaley:

"I took a peak at your fabulous blog (she got that part right) and Fix feedback."

Note to Kaley: If you had actually read my blog posts on my first and second fixes and my fix feedback, you would know by now that I don't care for horizontal stripes and that gray totally washes me out. And, fyi, I like to wear natural fibers.

It is time to nix Stitch Fix. So long. Farewell.

I'll have to continue to count on Birchbox for my monthly mailbox bliss.

In other fashion news…

Are you wondering if you have to put your white jeans away after Labor Day? I'm personally in the camp that says no to white denim, sandals and bags after the end-of-summer holiday -- unless you're going to a resort. Belle from Capitol Hill Style shows how to rock your white jeans year round. I highly recommend checking out Belle's blog. Her entertaining mission statement (especially for you Washingtonians):

People say that Washington, D.C. is like Hollywood, but for ugly people. But these detractors have never tried to maintain their appearance while living in a city built on a swamp, where the workdays start at dawn, the salaries are minuscule and the cobblestones eat stilettos for breakfast.

Anyone can be beautiful in Southern California. In the nation’s capital, looking your best is practically a full-time job.

Capitol Hill Style seeks to inspire the women who work on Capitol Hill (or in any professional environment) to strive for excellence in their career and their closet.  No matter the pay grade or the weather, we must not surrender our sense of style.  Fight for your right to be successful and fabulous.

Will you be sporting white denim after Labor Day?

Book Shelf: Tiny Beautiful Things

I rarely read a book twice, but Cheryl Strayed's Tiny Beautiful Things has made it to my bedside table twice. It's now part of my permanent collection. Cheryl is best know for her national bestseller Wild -- a book I mentioned in my very first blog post.

I never would have stumbled upon Tiny Beautiful Things if a friend hadn't loaned it to me a few years ago. The same friend sent me a nymag article this summer that talks about the book gaining popularity mostly among women as a self-help book.

Tiny Beautiful Things is a compilation of letters Strayed wrote as an advice columnist under the pen name "Sugar" for the literary web site The Rumpus. Cheryl wrote the column for a year unpaid and had no prior experience. Yet she wrote each response with the perfect balance of authority -- mostly using stories from her own life -- and compassion. The subjects run the gamut from dysfunctional relationships, romance, sex, substance abuse, death and more. Each is so beautifully written. In an interview she said she considers them literary essays. They are in my opinion.

I enjoyed the book so much that I suggested it for one of my three book clubs. Everyone loved it. In addition to catching up on our lives and critiquing my latest Stitch Fix, we actually used an interview with the author to guide our discussion. The book contains many of Strayed's famous quotes. My fave is actually her interview response when asked "how can we all be better to each other?" Cheryl said that's it's important not to absorb other people's bad behavior -- jealousy, pettiness, being weird and acting distant. "If this were summed up on a bumper sticker," she said, "it would read: Don't own other people's crap." My new mantra.

As always, we drank lots of wine and presecco, and snacked on these delicious s'mores macaron prepared with love by Elizabeth F.

{beautiful!}

I highly recommend Tiny Beautiful Things. If, for nothing else, it will make you feel better about your life.

I need something good to read. What do you recommend from your summer reading list?

Stitch fix...

Do you all know about Stitch Fix? It's the same concept as Birchbox. Instead of a beauty products, you receive clothing and accessories. Here's how it works:

You create a fashion profile for yourself by viewing fashion boards and answering questionnaires online. Questions go from broad to very specific, and give you the opportunity to request or reject certain items or styles. You can also specify your price range. Most items average $65.

You pay a $20 styling fee to receive five items hand picked by a Stitch Fix stylist.

You have exactly three days to try them on, make an online purchase or return items. The more you buy, the less you spend. If you buy all five you get a 25% discount. The $20 styling fee goes toward your next fix.

I decided to try the service based on several positive reports from friends. Plus, I loathe clothes shopping. I was a bit worried, because I'm a chronic returner. My rejects tend to sit around my house for weeks, sometimes months on end. Three days was really pushing it for me.

It took about a month to receive my first fix. It arrived May 2 -- exactly as promised. Your fix includes a note from your stylist about your items, as well as styling cards showing you different ways to wear them day and night. And, how to mix and match with what you already have in your closet.

Before I show you what I got, I'll share a few preferences I provided in my online profile. No horizontal stripes. No v-necks. Nothing sleeveless. Hem lines either above the knee or maxi style.

Let's take a look at my fix:

1) Margaret Elizabeth 'eliza drruzy' stud earrings. Cute and versatile, but returned. I like Margaret Elizabeth jewelry. Just not in the mood to buy right now.

2) Donna Morgan 'peggy' mix print faux wrap dress. Really cute. Nice colors -- pink is my fave. But, v-neck and horizontal pattern, especially unflattering in shoulder area on me. Returned.

3) Toss 'cassy' ruffle trim chevron cotton tank (See polyvore for actual style card I received). Love the colors. Sleeveless and horizontal stripes. The collar is a bit clownish. I did ask for tops that hide my muffin top, but this is more like a maternity top. Returned.

4 &  5) Lily poppie geo print swing skirt (that hits just below the knee) and Eight Sixty 'jana' floral print cross-front knit top. My stylist Shuchi recommended styling these two pieces together for the perfect print-on-print look. What did she not understand about my hem line instructions? Skirt returned. I decided to keep the top because it is really comfy and looks good with white jeans -- a staple of my summer wardrobe.

{the shirt is black the skirt is navy. would you wear these two pieces together?}

I plan to provide Stitch Fit with detailed feedback, and give them another try. The more direction you give, the better they are at finding clothes you love. We shall see.

Has anyone else had a fix? Fab or flop? How many items did you keep?