Thursday, 7 May 2020

Stitch Fix #2


Hello!

Just before I start reviewing my 2nd fix, and especially if it is the first time you are landing on my blog or you are hearing from Stitch Fix, I highly recommend you reading this post where I explain in more detail what Stitch Fix is all about.

Now without further ado, here's my review:

After receiving an email informing me about the arrival for the following week of my fix, Stitch Fix also asked me about any special requests. They allow you to send the stylists additional messages if you are looking for something specific to arrive in your box – for example, if you are going on holiday, or have an occasion that requires specific attire, or you have a job interview, etc. Your stylist will then send you options for these events. In my case, I asked for a black bag - tote style and it indeed arrived along with my other 4 garments.


How the box arrives


You can see from these pics how everything arrives all nicely wrapped. The box contains the items sent and also an envelope that has your styling card - which I mentioned in my last post - and a prepaid label for the items to return. You only have to affix that one to the same box and take it to the post office... as easy as that. Below my styling card and the prices of the items.


Styling card


Invoice

Box contents


Scoop Shopper Bag - Oasis: KEPT (obvs!)

I asked for it and I really liked what my stylist chose for me. Black ✔, tote/shopper style ✔
What I also like is that the bag has a vertical mixture of leather and suede, which makes it look different. In the middle has a compartment the size of a 13-inch laptop accompanied by a zipper. I guess an added security for items with more value. 



Now, I have a genuine question regarding this type of bag. I asked my stylist to send me a tote bag, and in return, I received what I thought was a tote bag, but it came with the name "shopper bag". Is there a difference between them? Do you think that maybe a shopper bags are bigger, and in this case, the added zipped compartment in the centre makes it more a shopper rather than a tote? Confusing for me, but it doesn't affect my decision to keep it.

Breton Tee - Crew Clothing: RETURNED

I really liked this t-shirt. As soon as I held it in my hands, I saw myself in it. This Breton tee in white with pink/reddish stripes is made out of cotton which would make it great for this summer. It would make an everyday staple for the season... could see myself just throwing it on with jeans and off we go. Unfortunately, I already have a couple of more tees like this one, so I'll give it a miss this time, but make no mistake, if I had the extra money, I would've definitely kept it.


Nancy Denim Jacket - Oasis: KEPT

Whilst having the Bretton tee on, I put on the denim jacket which I was super excited to receive. And here is a confession: I've never owned a denim jacket... there! Out of my chest now.
This is a very good looking jacket, and my stylist got the size perfectly. It has a mid wash and it features chest pockets, contrast top stitching, and a button front. Really like how it fits me, the colour, and how it feels. A no brainer so it stays.

Breton Tee with Denim Jacket

Nora 3/4 Boatneck Blouse - Vero Moda: RETURNED

A beautiful knitted pullover with 3/4 sleeves. I really liked this top just imagining using it for work made me want to buy it very badly. Unfortunately, this month budget has been stretched due to the Covid-19 current situation. I've been furloughed by the place I work at, so I can't expend as freely as I would really like. Anyway, going back to the top, you can appreciate it's a loose fit and even though it is made from a stretchy knit material doesn't make it see-through. I'm using just my bra below (white bra) and it's difficult to tell that I'm wearing anything below, isn't it?  You see me below wearing this top casually with the stretchy black jeans from Primark, because I was being plain lazy. I could see myself wearing it with less casual trousers or even the skirt I kept from my 1st fix 😉 - see that one here and tell what you think. Still, with a heavy heart, I'll have to give this one a pass.


Nora 3/4 Boatneck Blouse


Chino Trouser - Mango: RETURNED

So, this chino was definitely not made for my 🍐 body. And it brings me to my decision to do this blog. That is, trying to find clothes that suit me from top to bottom and doesn't make me look like I'm always on borrowed clothes.  Alright at the legs, a bit stretchy on the bum, way loose on my waist... Sigh! The trousers wouldn’t stay up on my hips nicely, even by doing the belt that it came with. It looked dowdy and silly. It seems to me the trousers have sort of a cropped, straight design; but you can see in the pics that they go right down to my ankles. The stretch cotton fabric feels alright. It has 2 side pockets and 2 welt pockets on the back. They are not horrible, and I bet they look fab in a skinny model, just not me with very unmodel-ly curvy body :(  Sigh, sigh.

Chino trouser


That's it for now. Let me know what you think of this fix and if by reading my posts you get enthusiastic about joining in, I leave you here my referral so you can get £15 credit for your first Fix 😉 Just click here

Take care!

Friday, 10 April 2020

1st Stitch Fix Box

Yayyy! My first Stitch Fix review, for my first box... actually, my first review of something ever!
So, if you still don't know what Stitch Fix is about, I recommend you go to my first post here so you have an idea of what all the fuss is about.
And, if by reading my posts you get enthusiastic about joining in, I leave you here my referral so you can get £15 credit for your first Fix 😉 Just click here

Now onto the fun stuff. Review of my very first box:

First, I need to be honest with you and is that by the time I'm writing this post, I'm soon to receive my 2nd box. This blogging urge about Stitch Fix only came after a combination of 2 things: days of isolation due to COVID-19 and not finding many bloggers in the UK that wrote about Stitch Fix. I am then writing retrospectively. That being said, I did take a few pics just because I wanted to show my mum and get her feeling about the clothing. I also took pics of some of the paperwork that comes with the items, which I'll explain next.

The service provided by your stylist always includes styling idea cards for each of the items they send you - which I think it's brilliant - and a list of your merchandise and pricing. Here is mine:



The styling card - that you can see below - contains each item and ideas for you to style that item with. For a plain person like me, with (literally) no knowledge and practice in fashion, this is perfect and helps me massively to open up my mind and start trying different things. You will notice below that those styling cards come accompanied by personal note from your stylist, my card come signed by Roze... what I nice touch, isn't it?




Elsa Pussy Bow Neck Floral Printed Blouse - Editor's Cut: KEPT

When I first pulled this top out of the box, my immediate reaction was of rejection. Not my style (whatever that is 🙄) and I have never, ever had anything floral in my wardrobe, let alone the pale pink of its background. It intrigued me though, and for that reason I decided to give it a go trying to eliminate from my mind all the reasons that would leave me to not to keep.


When I tried it, it felt so right! The blouse fits perfectly and when I showed it to my family, they loved it. It took me a while to find out how to make up the bow, but nothing that big ol' Google could not sort out. What I love the most is that the blouse will be perfect for work, but it will also look quirky is used more informally as suggested by the styling card. 
You will see more pics of this blouse further down when I tried it with the skirt sent by my stylist.

Scarlet Sweetheart Chiffon Panel - Mauvette: RETURNED

Leah Plisse Printed Checked Culotte - Editor's Cut: RETURNED


The panel was never going to be a favourite of mine. Being so plain in my way of dressing a transparency was not going to make it top of the list. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like to show a bit of skin once in a while, but this garment fitted perfectly, and it looked really good with the culottes, but for £26 I'm sure I can find other tops that will leave me more satisfied.


I tried the panel along with the culottes. Believe me, I wanted so bad for this culottes to be a perfect fit. They looked lovely, the material was super nice and they were unbelievably comfortable. Unfortunately, they made me looked as if I had a tiny bump at the front and was in my 3rd month of pregnancy 😕. I honestly believe that it was not a matter of size. I think my stylist got it right when she sent me the size 12, but it's the fact that being such a pronounced pear 🍐, makes it difficult to get it perfect both at the bottom and my waist.


Noa Ankle Grazer Skinny Jeans - Mango: RETURNED

Yes, I know... how they look, was how they felt: GREAT! Lovely skinny jeans from Mango. And the price was not bad at all. The real colour looks more like the picture on the right, I don't know why the light didn't work that well in the picture on the left. The waist of these jeans fell somewhere in between high and mid-rise. I personally prefer to use jeans that navigate between mid and low-rise, but these certainly did not disappoint. The fit was splendid and the jeans hugged gracefully my waist... an attribute difficult to tick the box to when you are a pear. Now you ask me, why didn't I keep them? Well, I have another pair that are quite similar to these, so I'll give them a pass and rather concentrate on the other garments.



Judie Corduroy Knee Length A-Line Skirt - Mauvette: KEPT

Last but not least, this lovely dark-blue corduroy skirt. Never have owned one like this and it fits really well. I thought it would match perfectly some boots that I've ordered from Fly London (take a look at them here). The skit sits above my knee, and it adjust great around my bottom and my waist. It has 2 large pockets at the front that can't be appreciated on the pics. My stylist does a great job suggesting a couple of outfits both casual or more sophisticated. This will definitely be a stupendous addition to my wardrobe. Do you see how great it looks with the blouse that also came in this fix?


So that's it guys. My honest opinion of my first box from Stitch Fix. By the time I'm finishing this post I have already received a notification from Stitch Fix that my box #2 will soon be sent. Can't wait to see what's coming next.

What did you guys think about my garments? Are you a pear? What fashion advice do you have for this inexperienced pear?

Ohhh, and if you want to try out Stitch Fix, don't forget to use my referral so you can get £15 credit for your first Fix. Just click here and don't forget to let me know how it goes. Ta!

#StayHomeSaveLives


Thursday, 9 April 2020

Stitch Fix - how it works?


Before I get into reviewing I'm going to give you a very broad explanation about Stitch Fix. I came across Stitch Fix looking at boards on Pinterest to get inspiration on fashion in my attempt to try new styles after 20-odd years never changing my style (eek!). My body shape is the typical pear 🍐 (hence the name of this blog)... thick thighs, curvylicious hips, a full backside; and tiny waist, shoulders and bust. What's not to like! Everything I like, but I also accept that sometimes it brings its challenges. That's why I have decided to let another person who in fact knows about style to help me. This is where Stitch Fix could help.

What is Stitch Fix?


Stitch Fix is a monthly personal stylist service. They will deliver 5 items at your doorstep, including clothing and accessories, all handpicked by your stylist. You start by going to their website, filling out a style profile and then deciding on the delivery date. You can have a monthly delivery, or you can choose to have a less regular delivery. I am not an avid shopper so I have signed up initially for a delivery every 1.5 months. You then pay a £10 styling fee which will be applied as credit toward anything you keep from your shipment. Once your 'Fix' arrives, you get 7 business days to decide which items to keep, and which, if any, you want to send back. If you need to send items back, they provide you with a prepaid postage label that you affix onto the same box you receive your items. To purchase the clothing/accessories you want to keep, you log into your online account, and select the ones you’re keeping and checkout. That’s it!
If you are someone who - like me - hates shopping, but doesn’t mind someone shopping for you, this is perfect. If you are intrigued and you want to step out of your comfort zone and let someone else give you suggestions based on the information you have given them about what you like, this is what this service is all about!

Do you want to sign up?


It is super easy to do, and I'm going to tell you how. Begin by creating an account in Stitch Fix and take the personal style quizzes. These include quizzes about your sizes and proportions, fit and cut, your style and very importantly, your budget or price ranges for the different items. And the best of all is that all of your answers and preferences can be changed at any time.
You can leave your additional messages if you are looking for something specific to arrive in your box. Let's say you have a job interview, or you have a holiday coming up, or maybe a wedding to attend; your stylist will send you options for these events. You can also request to NOT receive specific items in your boxes. In my case I have requested that they don't send me jewelry or shoes with high heels, so you get the point. Subsequently you select how often you would like your box delivered and that's it! You’ll get an email or notification if you have the app a week or two before, asking if you have any last-minute requests for your stylist and another notification when your box has shipped. Once it arrives, you will have 7 business days to decide which items you want to keep and which to send back.
Have I convinced you yet? Yes? Then, let me refer you so you can get £15 for your first Fix 😉 Just click HERE