Unquiet
Things

Last month I received my first shipment, from Stitch Fix, a monthly subscription box that sends you five curated pieces of clothing/accessories picked out just for you by a “personal stylist.” At that time, my sister told me that she tried to read my post about it but she gave up because I was too wordy (which is rich, coming from HER) and she got bored and quit reading and probably started looking at pictures of kittens or monkeys instead.

To review – and I’ll keep it short – you pay a $20 a month subscription fee (which can then be applied to the items you purchase); if you don’t like any of it, you can send it back in a prepaid bag, but then you are out $20.  If you purchase all of it, you get a 25% discount off the total. Whew! I think that’s basically the gist of it!

I received my second shipment today and I am pretty happy about it.  Although, if I were not, I don’t think I’d publish a youtube video about it.  Those ladies get pretty melodramatic about this.  I am not going to link to any of them because I don’t want to come across as tearing other women down, but Jesus – get it together, ladies.  It’s just clothing.  No need to record yourself in front of the world doing a weepy unboxing video.

I had a different stylist than I did last time (I think that was Emily?) but this one seemed to get me pretty well.  She mentions checking out my pinterest board and found a blouse somewhat similar to something I’d asked for, and she also included a few pieces for a business trip I’d mentioned in my notes/request for this shipment.

The first item was the Kristah Ruffle Knit Blazer, size L ($78). I don’t own many blazers and there’s a reason for that.  I work from home in my pajamas all day.  I do have a business trip coming up, however, during which time I will be representing my company and expected to look like some sort of professional individual and so I thought a blazer might be a good start. This one is a lightweight, somewhat stretchy material, fitted, and has a cute little ruffle in the back.  If I am going to have to wear a blazer, I’d at least like it to be interesting, and this one fits the bill.  Keeper.

I believe the Harriet Geo Print Fit & Flare Dress, size L, ($64) was meant to be paired with the above blazer, so that’s how I tried it on and it was super cute and fit quite well.  On it’s own I am not sure this would be dressy enough for the cocktail reception I am going to be attending as part of the aforementioned business trip, but with the blazer and some pumps, it will probably be perfect.  Otherwise, I would probably wear this with a cardigan and dressy sandals. Keeper.

This Shivan Split Neck Blouse, size L ($48), was the piece I was most excited about.  I know dark florals are trendy right now, but I have loved them since I was 8 years old and adored all things “flowerdy”.  In my notes, I had asked them to send me this blouse, if possible, (I had seen it in someone else’s Stitch Fix review, and that’s how I knew it existed)  and while what they sent isn’t quite it, it’s still beautiful. (Though some – like my late mother and my grandmother –  would accuse it of resembling “Aunt Maude’s Curtains”)  Unfortunately, the fit is so weird – it looks like it would be loose and flowy, but it’s strangely tight around the bust and hips.  I kept it anyway because I am a nutjob and I just like looking at the print. Maybe one day it will fit. Don’t laugh.

Another sleeveless top! But I really like it. The print, the navy color, the split neck, all of it.  The Meryl Tulip Print Sleeveless Blouse, size L ($54) almost had the same fit issue as the floral print blouse, but not nearly so severe.  Definitely workwithable.  Probably will wear it with black jeans and a black cardigan.  Although…what about a mustard yellow cardigan?  I don’t have one of those, but for some reason the idea appeals to me.  I don’t like most colors, but the ones that appeal to me sound pickled or sour or bitter: mustard, olive, etc.
Anyway, this is a Keeper.

Now I was fairly certain that when I filled out my profile I specifically opted out of accessories.  I always carry the same bag, I am not a lady who constantly switches out purses.  If I want a scarf, I will knit one.  And as far as jewelry goes, to quote an absolutely odious fictional character, “my tastes are very singular”.  I prefer unusual pieces made by independent artists who have a certain vision and aesthetic.  I will never find these sorts of things through a service like Stitch Fix.  No offense, Stitch Fix.  However, when I checked, I apparently did not opt out of the accessories, and they sent me this Emory Swallow Bird Charm Necklace ($28).  Which, all things considered, it’s not too hideous, unless you are the sort who cares about trending motifs and would say something like, “Oh, well, swallows are so 2006”. Not that that crossed my mind or anything.  I am considering this a Keeper because quite honestly, it’s something I can wear to a family dinner or work function that will dress an outfit up, but no one’s going to ask me an questions about it.  (“Is that satanic?  Are you a witch? ARE THOSE REAL TEETH?”) Also, if I keep everything, I’ll get a 25% discount on the total and it’s basically free anyway.

So, I am keeping everything.  I had a $25 credit because someone used my referral link (thank you!) and with the 25% discount for purchasing all five pieces, my total came to $184. That’s probably kind of expensive, but everything here feels high quality, and I didn’t have to leave the house or spend time humiliating myself in a dressing room, so that’s kind of worth it to me.  You mileage may vary in that regard.

Also, a few tips, if you decide to sign up!

One – You can change the frequency on your deliveries.  For example, I just changed mine to every two weeks because I am hoping to amass a few more pieces before my business trip in April. After that I will probably change it to once a month, or maybe once every other month.

Two – The more specific you are in your notes to your stylist and your feedback on the items you receive, the better.  I have stressed over and over that I am dipping my toe into colors and so far I have not seen one brightly colored item.  This time around I mentioned that although I love dresses and skirts, I’d like them knee length because my bum is so sizeable that it makes everything shorter in the back.  I also mentioned I am on the hunt for a mustard yellow cardigan! Tune in next time to see how they deliver on my weird requests.

Three – If you’ve just signed up and are expecting your first delivery and you don’t want to be totally surprised by the contents of your box, here is what you do.  You’ll get an email noting that your Fix has shipped. They don’t include a list of the items, HOWEVER, if you can locate within the email the link to the checkout survey, it will take you to a list of the things that were shipped -“Kristah Ruffle Knit Blazer”, for example.  If you do a quick internet search for that, you will no doubt find some imagery and you’ll get an idea of what’s coming to you.

As with my last review, I feel a little bit silly writing about this sort of thing. But, I will tell you why I am bothering. In searching around I see the rest of the ladies who use Stitch Fix are – for the most part – either mommy bloggers, fitness bloggers, or wifey bloggers… I don’t know what to call that last category.  They have blogs about being engaged or being married and making sandwiches for their “hubby” and that sort of thing.  I am not a mommy or a wifey or a runner/zumba instructor/mountain climber.  I’m a single, childness lady with a terribly dark sense of humor, 3 shelves full of ghost stories and a head filled with 38 years worth of weirdness. And the only time you will see me running is  ….HAHAHA you will never see me running.

My point is, when I went looking for reviews, there was no one at all like me talking about this and sharing their experiences.  Or, if there was, they weren’t coming up in the first 10 pages of a Google search.  So this is written for my fellow weirdies who hate shopping but like nice clothing every once in a while. So there!