My First Stitch Fix - I Need Your Help!

So here's the thing. I'm on a mission. A mission to have a simple, functional, quality wardrobe. One that doesn't include a bunch of clothes I don't wear, or that have stretched out/lost color.

I didn't buy any clothes in 2012. That truly helped me figure out what I actually wear -- my go-to pieces. I've never been a huge shopper anyway, but it made me realize that I do not in fact need to try out every trend or get clothes just because they are on clearance and a great deal. I needed to learn how to shop smart.

Enter Stitch Fix. I was introduced to them at the Influence Conference this year and knew I had to try it out.

Here's their description from Facebook:
"Stitch Fix has re-invented shopping, the way women really want to shop. Keep your wardrobe up-to-date with no hassle. You give us your size and style preferences, and your stylist sends you a selection of 5 items picked just for you. Try everything on at home, and only pay for w hat you want to keep! Free shipping both ways and a 25% discount if you buy all 5 items."

So I went to their website and made a style profile. This part was so fun! It was much more in depth than I thought it would be. It asked me all about my likes and dislikes, my body type, what I'm looking to incorporate into my wardrobe, my price range, and even what parts of my body I like to have covered up! (insert raise-the-roof emoji) It showed me examples of style boards and asked me what I liked out of the examples. They even take my Pinterest board into consideration! It was an excellent way for me to work out for myself what my style truly is. (Mine is a mix of casual chic/classic/edgy with a little boho and preppy thrown in! Haha.)

The way that they can do all of this is that they set me up with a Stitch Fix stylist who gets to know me through my style profile. The stylist takes all of my ideas and comments and comes up with 5 items to send me in my "fix". I told her when I filled out my profile that for this fix I was looking mainly for tops. Say you have an upcoming event and need a dress -- you can let your stylist know to focus on that for the fix. It's whatever you want!

Alright, enough with the talk. Let's get to pictures! I set my fix date for November 7th, and sure enough it arrived on that day much to my happiness. 

Here's my Stitch Fix stylist note. I love how the whole experience was extremely personalized. I didn't get some random box of clothes that hopefully I would like -- thought and effort were obviously put into this box just for me! Thanks, Jill. :)

And then I opened up the pretty packaging and was instantly oohing and ahhing over the pretty patterns laying before me!

These are the lovely Stitch Fix pieces that my stylist Jill picked out for me to try on. 

A Dantine striped skirt.

This Cheyanne printed dolman sleeve cardigan.

A Marci zig-zag print tab-sleeve blouse.

A Stevenson polka dot crew neck sweater.

And this MacArthur leopard trim hi-lo blouse.

One thing that I really love about the process is that Stitch Fix goes one step further and includes style cards for each item of clothing with suggestions for how to style it. So handy!

So without further ado, here's me being a big dorko in my living room trying on my Stitch Fix clothes. As you can see, I am no fashion blogger. Ha. I didn't accessorize much for the pictures, but I did try to make outfits that I would actually wear in real life by pairing them with items I already own.

I like this sweater more than I thought I would and it is SO COMFY. Jordan liked it too.

I liked this shirt okay (especially the sleeves), but it wasn't my favorite of the bunch.

As you can see, this skirt has a pocket (kinda like a front hoodie pocket) that I love. I also like how it can be dressed up or more casual, and I think I could wear it year round. I'm glad the stripes were angled in a flattering way in the front so my bottom half didn't look like a big stripey box!

They had suggested pairing a chambray shirt with the skirt which I probably never would have done, but actually really liked. :)

My black, skinny, cigarette pants are not currently clean or else I would have gone for an all black look with this hi-lo top. I really liked this one! It's sheer so I put on a black tank underneath. I love the leopard accents on the cuffs and button down part. 

I liked this cardigan, especially the colors. It is super comfy, but definitely billow-y. Jordan said it kinda looked like a robe, haha. What do you think?

So there ya have it. What a great first fix!

What I loved about the Stitch Fix process:

• I didn't have to go to the mall and hunt for these items. (This could really benefit you moms out there.)
• It was completely personalized for me.
• It was fun!
• I was able to pick my price range (which is low, let's just say it), but still get high quality pieces. The "styling fee" is $20 which then goes toward what you purchase which is great.
• I could focus on these five pieces instead of looking through piles of clothes and picking things just because they're on sale (which adds up and defeats the purpose!).
• It is so great to be able to try clothes on with the clothes I already have! So often I hold something up in a store thinking, "I really like this, but what in the world would I wear it with?" The style cards and being in my own home made it so easy to think about the practicality of the items.
• I have time to think about what I want to get. I am a HORRIBLE decision maker when it comes to buying stuff and usually end up standing in a store thinking about pros and cons for 15 minutes only to give up. This way I had no pressure to decide at that moment, and I have three business days to think about it!
• My husband was able to give me his input without going shopping with me. He actually enjoyed the fashion show. :)
• I was a little wary of if the clothes would fit or not, but they all did! I can be such a weird size (Can someone please invent a smedium?) but my stylist truly took my height and body type into account.
• Free shipping, and being able to send the clothes I don't want right back to them with the bag they provided. 
• They want good feedback from me to influence my next fix if I choose to get another one. (I will!)
• It's not a subscription -- you just get "fixes" when you want them! No membership or fees. Yay.

So what do you think? Will you help me decide what to keep? 

I am not receiving compensation for this post, but will get credit for Stitch Fix if you use my referral link :) All opinions are my own and are what I really think, as always!

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3225757

Six Reasons Why and How I Didn't Buy Clothes in 2012.

I didn't buy clothes in 2012.
No, seriously.
One of the goals I made for 2012 was to not buy clothing for a year. 
And I stuck to it.
I knew there would have to be a few exceptions, and there were: a bridesmaid dress for my friend's wedding, scrubs when I got my job, a bathing suit because I needed a one piece.
I also received some as gifts: a dress from my mom for my birthday, and some clothes for Christmas. 
Whenever I told people about this, (which was only if it somehow came up - I didn't go around proclaiming a no-clothes campaign or something) they asked, "WHY??"
First I'll tell you why, then I'll tell you how, and finally I'll tell you the results.

WHY
1. To challenge myself.
2. To remind myself that I don't "need" new clothes.  
3. To simplify my life in a small way.
4. To be grateful for what I have.
5. To save money.
6. Jordan and I shared a really small closet at our old apartment and nothing else would fit.
I think that all of those reasons (with probably the exception of #6) could apply to you if you want to accept this challenge! Not that I think that you should, but honestly - it was kinda fun. So I recommend it if you're looking for a 2013 challenge. :)

HOW
1. Don't go looking.
2. Don't browse clothes on Pinterest or clothing sites.
3. Don't covet what your friends have - admire it and how cute they are. :)
4. Don't get sucked into the trends.
5. Take stock of what you do have and create new outfits out of old clothes.
6. When you have to go to 3 weddings in November and don't want to repeat an outfit and don't have another option for cold weather - borrow a dress from your mom. :)

Again...the last number probably won't apply to you. But you get the picture.

RESULTS
1. Not that I was a big shopper before (my friends know I'm not a big fan of the activity unless it's for hang out time), but now I definitely will take part in minimal clothes shopping. I'm so used to it now.
2. I learned that quality and usefulness really are important if you want to make the most of what you have. Instead of getting a trendy piece because it's a good deal, I may be more inclined to spend a little more money on something that I'll wear countless times. (And when I say a little more money I don't mean hundreds of dollars for a dress, haha.)
3. We saved money. Yay.
4. I got rid of clothes I don't wear and discovered my true classic pieces. Pencil skirts. Cardigans. Solid tops. Good jeans. Etc.
Here's my go-to outfit...jeans, solid top, and cardigan. Or without cardigan in summer.

5. I succeeded in my challenge and felt good about it.
6. I am more grateful for what I do have, and more aware of what I don't need.
So there ya have it. It was a great year for a challenge. What about you? Are you up for a challenge? Did you complete any in 2012 or have you already challenged yourself for 2013?