My 25th Stitch Fix

You read that right, I've received 25 curated, mystery, surprise boxes from Stitch Fix! That means I've received 125 items. It all started back in December of 2014 just one month after the birth of my 4th and final child. There I was in my mid 30s thinking "Am I ever going to wear clothes I love again?" And I did, thanks to Stitch Fix.

Life has certainly changed since then. I quit my job, I worked for Stitch Fix, and now I'm a jewelry merchandiser! The kids are a little older, I have time to shop and my body seems to have stopped changing. I thought I'd be over Stitch Fix by now, but there are still a few reasons I keep doing it.

1. There isn't a better place for jeans. Having seen their inventory, you'd be amazed how many sizes, shapes, colors, brands, and styles of jeans they have. If you are having a hard time finding the right fit, try it for yourself and see!

2. I still love getting happy mail. I'm a low risk type of gal and really, $20 isn't the end of the world for finding high quality jeans and other things.

Let's get real, if I can carve out an hour for myself these days, I'd rather spend it wandering Trader Joe's or an antique store than the drudgery of shopping for jeans in a store. And I ALWAYS come up empty handed. Add to that, gas money spent + the purchase of other things I don't need from Marshall's and Stitch Fix actually saves me money. 

Keep in mind, the $20 fee goes towards a purchase if you keep anything.

So here's what my $25 Stitch Fix included:

Stitch Fix sends these fun style cards and notes to help you get the most out of your Fix.

I'm sure you're wondering about the prices. I selected "The cheaper the better" when filling out my style profile. I think some of the tops are overpriced but the prices of Stitch Fix jeans, pants, accessories, dresses, sweaters and jackets are comparable to department store prices.

While I find the prices reasonable, moreso with the buy it all discount, I'm a stickler for fit and excitement and decided not to keep anything this time around. I kind of regret not keeping the sweater as the fit was there. I think it was very flattering and feminine, but the color just wasn't me. The burgundy Henley was just a tad short and as usual, the dolman fit lacked the structure I need. The black top was an exact replica of a shirt that hung in my closet for ages, unworn. I think I never wore it because it didn't cover my chest enough.

The jeans were a total win, except on size. The Mavi were a size too big (these run large) and the Studio Blue were several inches too short (which might have worked if they were tapered). I was overall excited that the jeans were so close to perfect and immediately scheduled my next Fix!

If you'd like to try Stitch Fix for yourself I'd appreciate it if you used my referral link: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/melanierhoades?sod=w&som=c

Love my jewelry? You can find the Blooms of Kyoto necklace here in ivory, red or black, and so much more: https://www.chloeandisabel.com/boutique/melanierhoades

Happy Spring! 

Dailylook Elite Box Review #3: Free Trial Offer

I just received my 3rd and final box from Dailylook Elite.

Click to read about my 1st and 2nd boxes.

Even though I didn't keep anything from my first 2 shipments,

I decided to go ahead with the 3rd box, given the styling fee was waived for the 3 month free trial offer. I had nothing to lose (except maybe all the time I spent taking pictures & blogging about it).

If you're new to the idea, basically Dailylook Elite is an styling service similar to Stitch Fix or Golden Tote. I plan to put together a graphic soon comparing and contrasting these various services.

For now, here are a few differences. In my humble opinion, Dailylook is a bit edgier than it's competitors, appealing to a younger audience, and likely professionals with more leeway as to what they can wear in the office. They do carry a ton of feminine, boho and classic pieces, but often with a bit more bare skin.

You have the opportunity as a Dailylook Elite box subscriber to shop the site

with free shipping both ways.

Last, you have the opportunity to add items from their collections to your online "closet"

and request specific items in your box.

Here's what came in this May's box.

Before I even took the clothes out of the bags, I was already a thousand times more excited about this box than the 1st and 2nd. Patterns, colors, and a purse!

I wasn't truly caught of guard, because 1, I'd already peeked online

(just click the link from the email about the box leaving the warehouse) 

and 2, most of the items were from my "closet", items I'd picked out.

I'm sort of okay with having complete control over what they send. But then it doesn't feel like a styling service. Still, I liked the clothes MUCH more this way.

First thing I tried on was the Pleated A-Line Midi Dress.

As you may recall if you follow, I got this dress last month in a small and it was so

tight I had a hard time getting out of it. It appears Dailylook is not a fan of functional zippers.

This month my stylist decided to send me the medium.

I like the dress, and my daughter said it looked good.

But I think I'm uncomfortable having so much exposed skin in the neckline and arms.

I know I could wear a cardigan with it, but it's just a plain old black dress.

For $65 I think I could do better.

Next I tried on Zippered Woven Shift Dress in Royal Blue.

I toiled over this dress all weekend before deciding to send it back.

Unfortunately, it was too short to wear without tights (my shapewear was showing)

and it's too hot here to wear tights and boots now.

I really, really wanted to need it, because it was only $30.

But it was like 90 degrees when I tried it on, and it's pretty thick.

Thinner wouldn't have necessarily been the answer, as proven by the next dress.
I think the name says it all, "Brick House Bodycon Dress" in ivory.

To the lady who felt inclined to write a rude comment on my last Dailylook review,
I'm giving you another opportunity here.
And I'd deserve it, because I actually added this atrocity to my "closet."

Cute pattern though.

(Sigh) The next item I dreadfully regret to share having sent back

is the Fenner Top from Jack by BB Dakota.

Why, Dailylook, why? Why must I love this shirt so much but have no use for it?
The only thing I could get it to work with was this pencil skirt.

 

It's so long, ughh. I wish it were shorter so it would work with jeans.

But it just wouldn't, and I don't have $65 to spend on stuff I can't wear everyday.

I REALLY loved the color, and I REALLY loved the fabric.

I already regret sending it back.

It was downhill from there.

Just no.

This wrinkled mess is called the Faux Wrap Woven Blouse in sky blue.

And no, I didn't put it in my closet.

It is budget friendly, just $30.

Pears, beware. This style doesn't work. It just adds to the hips.

My stylist probably sent it because I did add this to my closet.

I wanted to give another Naked Zebra blouse a try, as I liked the one from my last box.

It seems broader in the shoulders, and between that and the wrap,

I thought it might create more of an hourglass shape. But it was just all wrong for me.

Part of the problem is that the sizing is a little off.

Both the blue and the black were mediums and felt too large.

I have "size up if unsure" in my notes, but I feel like my stylist

really isn't considering the style at all. She sent a small in the

Fenner top which is more fitted, and a medium in these looser styles.

I have a feeling it just has to do with what's in stock.

But if you want to sell me clothes they have to fit.

I did like that it was a sheer, lightweight material because I always wear a camisole,

and that way I could stay cool on hot days.

I'd say if it were a small I might have kept it,

but again I don't find it pear flattering. And for $50, it's got to be right on.

This one would have been nice for the same reason, lightweight and great with a camisole.

But she sent a medium, again. And the color just washed me out.

I would have thrown on some jeans with it to try as an alternate look,

but the natives were getting restless.

By the way, the skirt is one of my all time favorites from Loft, years ago.

I tried to keep things civil by including some "friends" in the photoshoot.

Here's a close up of the material.

I didn't take many Tres chic photos of the bag because I didn't want to fully unwrap it

because I had no intention of keeping it.

It was in my closet, and I loved the size (not to big, not to small)

but vegan = stinky.

For reference, it was $70. Not bad, but not that good when I consider

that I've seen this brand at Marshall's for half of that.

I think if I'd received this box a year ago, when I was dressing up 3 days a week

for work and surrounded by my super fashionable Dietitian friends, I might have kept half of it.

In fact, Dailylook did offer me a coupon this time around.

But I don't want to be that weird Mom standing by the school bus who's always ridiculously overdressed to pick up her kid from Kindergarten, or the frumpy Mom who settled on clothes that hid her tummy.

But maybe you see a gem here, need more clothes for work, or want to try Dailylook's edgier items.

In that case, I do have a referral link, should you decide to give it a go.

http://fbuy.me/cmUyq

Keep in mind, you don't have to subscribe to Dailylook Elite Box to buy the clothes.

But as a subscribers, they will ship for free, with free returns.

Love it? Hate it? Leave a comment below.

I really appreciate your feedback, both here and in our Facebook groups.

Help me decide if I should try it again, without the free trial,

or put Dailylook Elite on hold.