Stitch Fix Review #9: August 2016

I’m breaking up with Stitch Fix.

Yes, you read that right. Stitch Fix has been a lot of fun — the pinning, the review reading, the requests to my stylist, the anticipation — but I have to be honest and say that it also hasn’t been all that successful.

I’ve never bought more than two of the five pieces I’ve received in a Fix. While I’ve truly been okay with that for the sake of my budget, I never bought more than two because there were never more than two I wanted. And as you’ve seen in some of my reviews, even those months were more the exception than the rule.

After a couple (far) less-than-great Fixes in the early summer, I intentionally chose to wait until August to schedule another Fix, in the hopes that the transition-to-fall inventory might be more my style — and that it would fit me better. No such luck. Read on for details on my (likely-to-be) last Fix and my takeaways from the fun that Stitch Fix has brought to my life and the jumpstart it’s brought to my closet.

Collective Concepts Rilo Button-Up Blouse | XSP | $68

I didn’t have particularly high hopes for this top when I peeked at my Fix in the app. I figured it would be another in the line of sheer, oversized blouses I’d already been sent. It was sheer, but in a way that would have actually been okay with me, if the blouse hadn’t actually somehow ended up a little too short (huh?) and with a less-busy pattern.

Verdict: Returned.

Collective Concepts Ardenas Split Neck Blouse | XSP | $54

Shelby took great direction from my Pinterest board with this top, to the point that I thought I’d actually pinned this exact one until I took a closer look. I loved the colors and even the somewhat busy pattern and thought it could have transitioned from a fun late-summer pairing with my white jeans to a fall work outfit with a black skirt and cardigan. The length was okay, which begs the question: why are the armholes on all these Stitch Fix tops so enormous? The picture above really doesn’t show how big they were, but I remain perplexed. If this had been a top on sale at Loft for $29 I might have considered keeping it, but for $54, nope.

Verdict: Returned.

Margaret M Christina Printed Pencil Skirt | XSP | $78

I requested a pencil skirt, and I love the idea of a navy addition to my closet, but…they sent me a different pattern of a skirt that I returned last fall. I returned it mostly for fit and quality reasons — neither of which was any better with this one. Again, I might have made it work on a less expensive skirt, but for $78 I maintain that a skirt should be lined, and more than that, it should fit. Cute pattern but the rest was a no. (Add to my questions for Stitch Fix: do your computers not weed out pieces that clients have previously returned?)

Verdict: Returned.

Kut From the Kloth Dayna Skinny Jean | 0P | $88

Shelby checked off another of my requests — medium wash skinny ankle jeans under $100 — with these, but they were just a case of a pair that simply didn’t fit. I’m eschewing vanity and showing you this picture of the sausage legs that these jeans gave me for the sake of an honest review. But yeah, sausage legs. Back into the bag they went.

Verdict: Returned.

Loveappella Malbec Elbow Patch Knit Top | XS | $58

My first thought when I saw this top in my app: Ooooh, so cute for fall baseball season! And stripes! And elbow patches! I thought this would be a win all around, especially because I’ve loved how soft Loveappella tops have been. But then I got it in person, and it was another no. The heathered sleeves were too close to stonewashed for my taste, and the fabric was too scratchy. Womp, womp. Cue the tiny fashion violins.

Verdict: Returned.

Final tally: 0/5 this month, 10/45 overall. Ultimately, I’m leaving because even the petite inventory didn’t fit me well, but I’m walking away with 10 new pieces in my closet that I really love, including two great bags that I probably never would have bought for myself, and the best-fitting jeans I’ve ever had. I’ve also added some fun new pieces to my wardrobe through other stores, in part because I started paying better (or any!) attention to style trends and what I was lacking. And I really did love the Stitch Fix process, especially the anticipation of finding out what would be in that box. I do think that $20 is a reasonable styling fee, especially when it includes shipping and what I thought was highly personalized service once I found the right stylist. I may be back, someday, but for now, that $20 can add more enjoyment to my life in other ways, like covering an hour of babysitting, drinks with a friend, or a couple of e-books. Thanks for coming along with me on my wardrobe revitalization experiment!

Want to read more of the good, bad, and, yes, even some ugly? All my Stitch Fix reviews are here:

• Stitch Fix Review #8 – June 2016 (#2)
• Stitch Fix Review #7 – June 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #6 — April 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #5 (and a Bonus!) – March 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #4 – February 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #3 – December 2015
• Stitch Fix Review #2 – November 2015
• Stitch Fix Box #1 (Or, Michele Picks Up on a Trend Years After Everyone Else)

Stitch Fix Review #8: June 2016

After a disappointing 0/5 late-May Fix, I could have stepped away from Stitch Fix for a while. Instead, I doubled down and moved my next Fix up to the first available date, just a couple of weeks later. I knew I only wanted one more summer Fix before taking a break until the fall, so I figured I might as well get it as soon as I could – and then fill in whatever blanks would be left after in my summer wardrobe.

A quick reminder of how Stitch Fix works. You fill out an online style profile, based on which a stylist chooses five items (clothes, jewelry, and/or accessories) to send. You pay a $20 styling fee, which covers the cost of the stylist and shipping, and if you keep anything, you apply the $20 toward the cost of the item(s). If you keep all five, you get a 25% discount on the whole box! (You send whatever you don’t want back in a pre-paid envelope.) 

Read my reviews of my earlier Fixes here.

I emphasized in my note to my stylist (welcome back, Shelby!) that I wanted to stick with casual cotton and knit pieces. My summer clothes need to be light for the DC heat and humidity and easy to wear while running around with the kids, which is why I’ve usually fallen back on Old Navy and Target tees and shorts – why spend money on pieces that are lucky to make it through a whole summer? But in the spirit of upgrading my closet a bit beyond my usual 2-for-$10 sale, I pinned a bunch of cute tanks, tops, dresses, and skirts. Here’s what I got. (Note that I’m adding in sizes this time for reference.)

Pixley Rolfe Knit Back Top | XS | $54

As she’s done so well in the past, Shelby tracked down a couple of my pins! I loved the colors in this one – bright but not overwhelming – and it was light and flowy. Only problem is that it was also just too big. Too long, with oversized arm holes and too droopy a neckline. Sadly, this one went back.

Verdict: Returned

Market & Spruce Careen V-Neck Dolman Knit Top | XS | $48

I’d pinned this one, too, with a note acknowledging that it’s not the summery-ist (?) of tops, but that I liked the look and I figured I could wear it on cool nights and as a summer-to-fall transition piece. And navy and white stripes? Sign me up. Had it fit, it would have given me a good excuse to finally take the plunge on buying some white pants or jeans, too. Alas, while the arms fit well, the cut was just too loose and the v-neck too wide and deep on my small-shouldered (and chested) frame. Back it went.

Verdict: Returned

Skies Are Blue Dakoda Mixed Material Dress | XSP | $68

This is exactly the kind of piece that I’d been hoping for – something a little different than I’d pick for myself (orange! Mixed material!) but with elements of my traditional style (navy! Scoop neck!). The top of the dress fit well but the waist hit me in an awkward spot and the skirt was a little shorter than I’d like. I also didn’t have good shoes to wear with it, and though I’m not above finding an excuse for some new sandals, this wasn’t the dress worth the excuse. Ah well.

Verdict: Returned

London Times Evaline Eyelet Dress | 2P | $78

This dress is seriously adorable. A color I probably wouldn’t pick for myself, but I really liked it. It felt substantial but still summery and could have made a good transition to fall. Only…it’s almost exactly like my Listen to Your Mother dress – you know, one of the five dresses I couldn’t dump? – and as a result, I couldn’t justify keeping it. But if you’re looking for a cute eyelet dress for a summer party or casual wedding? Get this one.

Verdict: Returned

Kut From the Kloth Gracelyn Pencil Skirt | 0P | $58

 

The day before Shelby began working on my Fix, I’d pinned a casual chino skirt. It was an olive green color that I wasn’t too excited about but I could have made work; the more important thing was the idea of having a versatile piece that could go from work to home to weekend. I was happy when I saw that this pink version was in my Fix! Now, I do already have a pair of pants in nearly this shade, but I figure this skirt will work well on hot, humid summer days when I can’t imagine pulling on pants. Yes, my friends, it’s a keeper.

Verdict: Kept!

The final tally: 1/5. The colors in this Fix brightened my June, even if the fits were off somewhat. Based on my last few Fixes, I’ve come to the conclusion that Stitch Fix’s extra small petite summer inventory must be low. I was already planning to hold off on another shipment until the fall, but this Fix confirmed it. See you back here for another reveal in a couple of months, when we’ll be pining for sweater weather and layers to take us into the crisp fall days.

Disclaimer: This post isn’t sponsored by Stitch Fix, and I pay for whatever I keep. But if you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix and you sign up using my referral link, I’ll receive a small credit to use toward future purchases when your first Fix ships. Thanks!

Want to see my past Stitch Fix reviews?

• Stitch Fix Review #7 – June 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #6 — April 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #5 (and a Bonus!) – March 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #4 – February 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #3 – December 2015
• Stitch Fix Review #2 – November 2015
• Stitch Fix Box #1 (Or, Michele Picks Up on a Trend Years After Everyone Else)

And, if you’re like me and can’t get enough of Stitch Fix reviews, visit the Stitch Fix review link up hosted by Maria from Kinder Craze and Crazy Together.

 

Stitch Fix June 2016 Review & $700 Gift Card Giveaway!

It was a long month without a Stitch Fix shipment. It was a thrill to get the email that my most recent Fix had shipped: new summer clothes! But you know what would really get the summer started right? An email that you’d won a $700 Stitch Fix gift card!

And that message may be coming your way, my friends. A group of other Stitch Fix bloggers and I are partnering to sponsor this huge giveaway. One lucky reader will win $700 to spend on Stitch Fix! More on how to enter, below.

Before this month’s pictures and the reviews — and the link to the raffle — a quick reminder of how Stitch Fix works. You fill out an online style profile, based on which a stylist chooses five items (clothes, jewelry, and/or accessories) to send. You pay a $20 styling fee, which covers the cost of the stylist and shipping, and if you keep anything, you apply the $20 toward the cost of the item(s). If you keep all five, you get a 25% discount on the whole box! (You send whatever you don’t want back in a pre-paid envelope.) 

You can read my reviews of my earlier Fixes here. Last month, I kept two of the five pieces, a bright top and a mint-colored satchel that holds everything and can go everywhere (and it has!).

This month I asked for casual summer dresses and a top and cropped pants or capris for an upcoming family reunion, and I repeated my now-standard plea for bright colors and petites. My regular stylist Shelby was on vacation, so I was paired with another stylist. Here’s what arrived in my box:

Papermoon Malkin Crochet Detail Top ($44)

This is the kind of top I need to break up the monotony of gray, navy, and black t-shirts and tanks in my summer wardrobe. I could see wearing it with shorts on the weekend, a skirt or capris in my very business casual office, or jeans for a casual date night (which would be the only kind we have). The knit and flow to the top would make it a great option for the sticky DC summer, too. Except, those armholes. Just a touch too big, and the crochet detail on the tank straps would make it awkward to wear a tank or cami underneath. Boo.

Verdict: Returned.

Crescent Benedetto Open Back Blouse ($44)

I was happy to see that all four tops I got this month were petites – go petites! It makes me wonder how big this top must be in regular sizing, because even the XS petite was enormous. The back cut out was cute, but the sheer top meant you needed to wear a tank under…which would have interfered with the back detail. Maybe a low-back cami would work? Unfortunately, for me, this top was just a miss all around.

Verdict: Returned.

Papermoon Stegner Button Back Top ($54)

Linen! I have no linen in my closet. In part because I’m allergic to ironing. But the good news is that the combo of the pleating and pattern on this top would make it so I probably wouldn’t have needed to iron it. But this was another totally sheer top, and wearing a tank under would have an easy, breezy top much less so. (Let’s be honest: on some DC summer days, even one top feels like too much, never mind two.) Plus, this color kind of washes me out. If this came in a more opaque bright/jewel tone, I’d be wearing it every day until September.

Verdict: Returned.

Level 99 Giovanni Ankle Straight Leg Jean ($98)

I’ve been begging for colored denim for…forever. I know everyone’s clamoring for the same mint jeans — including me! — so even though my stylist couldn’t find those in my size, I was glad to see that she kept my request in mind. And although the army green strikes me as more of a fall/winter color, I think I could find a decent amount of stuff in my closet to pair with these jeans for cooler summer nights. Ultimately, it came down to fit, and while lots of other reviewers have raved about these jeans, they just didn’t fit me quite well enough to justify the price tag. Guess what? I’ll be asking for more colored pants in my next Fix. No surprise there.

Verdict: Returned.

Collective Concepts Katelynn Dress ($78)

This dress reminds me a lot of the Collective Concepts dress I got in my very first Fix. I’ve seen others getting this in a fun pattern and wearing it for a cute date night out, but it’s just not quite right for me — not casual enough for summer weekend wear, and a little too flirty for my office. I think it also officially convinces me that elastic waist dresses are not a pear-shaped girl’s best friend! I’ve pinned a few more cute cotton dresses that I hope make it into my next Fix.

Verdict: Returned.

The final tally: 0/5. It’s a bummer to have a box of misses. But to Stitch Fix’s credit, their system did ask me for more information about why I wasn’t buying anything, which I hope will make for a better Fix the next time around…which will be in about two weeks. I can’t help myself.

And now, what you’ve really been waiting for: the raffle to win a $700 Stitch Fix gift card! Click over to Maria’s post at Crazy Together to claim your entries! The raffle ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, June 8 — so don’t forget to enter. Good luck! I hope one of my readers is the lucky winner — and I can’t wait to see what you’ll buy with your winnings. (And while you’re over at Maria’s post, check out our giant linkup, where you’ll be able to read all the June Stitch Fix reviews from the bloggers collaborating on the giveaway!)

Disclaimer: This post isn’t sponsored by Stitch Fix, and I pay for whatever I keep. But if you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix and you sign up using my referral link, I’ll receive a small credit to use toward future purchases when your first Fix ships. Thanks!

Want to see my past Stitch Fix reviews?

• Stitch Fix Review #6 — April 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #5 (and a Bonus!) – March 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #4 – February 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #3 – December 2015
• Stitch Fix Review #2 – November 2015
• Stitch Fix Box #1 (Or, Michele Picks Up on a Trend Years After Everyone Else)

 

 

 

 

Stitch Fix Review #6 – April 2016

Spring is here! Well, kind of. We had snowflakes in the air on Saturday, and it hailed. But spring is definitely coming. And that means it’s time to ditch the dark clothes and heavy scarves. Bring on the color! And that’s where Stitch Fix #6 comes in.

Before the pictures and the reviews, a quick reminder of how Stitch Fix works. You fill out an online style profile, based on which a stylist chooses five items (clothes, jewelry, and/or accessories) to send. You pay a $20 styling fee, which covers the cost of the stylist and shipping, and if you keep anything, you apply the $20 toward the cost of the item(s). If you keep all five, you get a 25% discount on the whole box! (You send whatever you don’t want back in a pre-paid envelope.) 

You can read my reviews of my earlier Fixes here. Last month, I kept two of the five pieces, a striped top with fun detailing and a new clutch for nights out. I wore them both on our anniversary date night out!

This month I requested casual dresses, colored pants or jeans, and a bag to serve as a carry-all for work and kid and weekend stuff. And, as usual, I repeated my plea for bright colors and petites. I was glad to see that I had Shelby as my stylist again. How did she deliver?

Hint: let’s just say that when I peeked at what was on the way (because you know I can’t wait), I thought this box might be my first 5/5. And then my wallet cringed, even as I did a little dance of excitement.

Pixley Edmond Henley Knit Top ($54)

I’d pinned this top in a couple of different colors, and I love the version that Shelby sent. Interestingly enough, this is the one non-petite item in this Fix, and it still fits like a dream. Super soft, versatile (you’d better believe I’ll be wearing this to the office), and brightly colored. It’s a keeper.

Verdict: Keep!

Daniel Rainn Bellaire Crew Neck Blouse ($64)

Shelby noted that she sent this because she’d noticed I’m a fan of polka dots from my Pinterest board. Very true! She also thought it would go well with the colored pants she sent – also true. (I’ve also styled it here with a new bracelet from Rocksbox that goes with just about everything I own. Interested in trying Rocksbox? Use my code MICHELEVBFF1 for a free month!)

But like the houndstooth blouse from Fix #2, the off-white color in this blouse just washes me out. If this came in a different color combination, I’d be a fan.

Verdict: Return

Margaret M Emer Printed Straight Leg Pant ($98)

Ah, the “Emers.” People are HUGE fans of these pants on the Stitch Fix boards, with good reason. They’re comfortable (no buttons or zippers) and they come in a ton of different lengths and colors. Shelby fulfilled my request for colored pants big time with these. But for almost $100, these would need to be perfect, and the bunching at the knee and the fact that I don’t have a whole lot to go with them keeps them just shy of the mark.

Verdict: Return

London Times Bela Jersey Maxi Dress ($68)

Shelby found yet another of my pins! I’ve never had a maxi dress before, but it feels like this should be the year. I was torn on this one – on the one hand, a maxi dress that fits in the length and is nice enough to wear to work. On the other hand, the arm holes are too big and I really don’t want to wear a tank top underneath. I found this on sale at JC Penney and was considering asking for a price match (or just buying it outright there) but I decided that even at a lower price, I don’t want a dress hanging around that I won’t wear a ton, so back it goes.

But not before I model it with my new denim jacket! Yes, I finally found a denim jacket. The one that I’d suspected months ago would work but didn’t want to commit to, at Loft. Got it on sale, it’s the right color, it’s the right length. Hooray! I knew you were worried there for a minute.

Verdict: Return

Urban Expressions Elisha Zipper Accent Structured Satchel ($64)

Speaking of found treasure, my bag woes are over. I’ve found it – the bag that can carry all the kid stuff, the bag that can carry all the work stuff, the bag that will be the perfect carry on for my girls weekend getaway. I’d pinned this long ago and held out hope that it would come my way. Look at those pockets! The lining! The cross-body strap! And the COLOR. It’s perfect.

Verdict: Keep!

The final tally: Another 2/5. Which is perfect for me (and my wallet). I know I’ll get tons of use out of these two pieces. What do you think of what I kept and what I sent back?

Disclaimer: This post isn’t sponsored by Stitch Fix, and I pay for whatever I keep. But if you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix and you sign up using my referral link, I’ll receive a small credit to use toward future purchases when your first Fix ships. Thanks!

Want to see my past Stitch Fix reviews?

• Stitch Fix Review #5 (and a Bonus!) – March 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #4 – February 2016
• Stitch Fix Review #3 – December 2015
• Stitch Fix Review #2 – November 2015
• Stitch Fix Box #1 (Or, Michele Picks Up on a Trend Years After Everyone Else)

And, if you’re like me and can’t get enough of Stitch Fix reviews, visit the Stitch Fix review link up hosted by Maria from Kinder Craze and Crazy Together.

Stitch Fix Review #5 (and a Bonus!) – March 2016

It’s monthly(ish) fashion show time!

But first, I have to tell you about what I figured out about the Stitch Fix business model that is so damn smart. In any given month or so — if a customer is anywhere near as addicted as I am — there’s at least two weeks, and maybe more, of active Stitch Fix engagement. Consider this:

You check out of a Fix, leaving detailed feedback for your stylist. Upon checking out, Stitch Fix immediately schedules your next Fix (if you’ve signed up for a regularly scheduled box every 2-3 weeks, every month, or every other month, which you don’t have to do). You get an email: Your Fix Is Scheduled! You get a little rush of excitement.

The next time you sign into the Stitch Fix app or site, you’re reminded to leave a note for your stylist with any specific requests for your next Fix. You jot down a few notes that you’ve already been thinking about…but keep coming back to tweak it in the following days and weeks.

And then there’s Pinterest. Time to update your Stitch Fix page! Deleting pins, adding new ones, following new pinners, thinking about what you want for the next season. This goes on over the next couple of weeks, on repeat.

You log into Stitch Fix just to confirm your estimated delivery date. And then you think, “Crap, that could come on the weekend (to my office). I should probably move it up a day or two.” And you do. And then you get another Your Fix Is Scheduled! email. Cue another little rush.

Then the days creep closer, and you do the math, and you realize….if my Fix is going to get here in a week and a half, it will need to ship a week from today. Which means it will probably go into styling in the next day or two. Better finish updating Pinterest and finalize that note to your stylist.

Then you obsessively refresh your app. Is it in styling yet? No, not yet? How about now? You eye the month’s other SF reviews to see what kinds of new stuff people are getting and wonder if any of those line up with what you’re requesting. You pin just a few more things.

And then you see it: In Process! Your stylist is choosing things now. (In reality it probably means it’s been moved to a styling queue, then your stylist will choose things, then the warehouse will fulfill them, and then it will get mailed.)

Again, more obsessive checking. When will it ship? Has it shipped yet? Now? Probably won’t ship overnight, huh? I’ll check first thing in the morning. And then: En Route! No shipping information yet, BUT, even better, you can sneak a peek at what’s in your box. Some customers like to be surprised, but not me. I sneak a peek, followed by searching on Pinterest, through reviews, and on Facebook SF pages to find pictures of the items in my Fix. I alternate between being really excited and kind of bummed. And then I remember: don’t judge it until you see it.

In between web searches, you now obsessively update the tracking information. Sure, it says it will be delivered on Tuesday, but isn’t there a chance it will get here on Monday? Refresh, refresh, refresh.

And then…the box arrives. Only you get it at work, so the question is: break into it now, or wait for later, when you can actually try things on? (You’ve probably figured out where I come down on this one by now.) Carry the box home, eye it during dinner, bath time, and bed time.

Ah. Kids are in bed. Grab that box and head to the mirror. It’s show time.

But before the pictures and the reviews, a quick reminder of how Stitch Fix works. You fill out an online style profile, based on which a stylist chooses five items (clothes, jewelry, and/or accessories) to send. You pay a $20 styling fee, which covers the cost of the stylist and shipping, and if you keep anything, you apply the $20 toward the cost of the item(s). If you keep all five, you get a 25% discount on the whole box! (You send whatever you don’t want back in a pre-paid envelope.) 

You can read my reviews of my earlier Fixes here. Last month, I kept two of the five pieces, a great pair of Just Black jeans and a pair of Liverpool pants.

This month I requested a trench coat to replace the raincoat I’ve been wearing for the last 10 years, the denim jacket that continues to elude me, tops, and a dress. I also repeated my plea for bright colors and petites. I was glad to see that I had Shelby as my stylist again. How did she deliver?

Loveappella Dolli Mesh Detail Knit Top ($54)

Remember what I said about first impressions? When I read that this top had mesh, I grimaced. Mesh? I think the last time I wore a mesh top, it was a pinney at field hockey practice. But this is no garden variety neon orange mesh. Shelby knew what she was doing here – stripes, basic colors, not too clingy, back detailing that can be covered up at work with a sweater but shown when getting slightly dressed up. Yup, this shirt has it all.

Verdict: Keeping!

Skies Are Blue Dorian Embroidery Detail Blouse ($58)

Remember what I said about first impressions? (Yes, you’ve read that line twice.) They’re not always wrong. When I peeked at my Fix and saw this picture, I suspected that Shelby sent it because of the color, and I was right. And the color’s great, and it’s a petite. But nothing else on this top works for me – not the flutter sleeves, not the embroidery. I’m just not a boho kind of girl.

Verdict: Sending back.

Adrianna Papell Melynda Dress ($108)

Like so much else in my wardrobe, my dresses could use a refresher. The dress I wear most often: a $25 number I bought at Loft in 2003 or 2004. In my defense, it’s a black, sleeveless jersey dress that can be dressed up or down and it travels fantastic. It’s my roll-it-up-in-a-ball-no-need-to-iron dress. But it’s showing wear like the others in my closet, so I pinned a few dresses that I thought would fall into the same category as my beloved ball dress: fun, and easy enough to wear either to brunch or to work. This one could probably fall into that category, if on the dressier side of brunch, and it’s got a great color and is a petite, but I’d hoped for something a little more casual (and a little less expensive). The Loft dress lives to see another month.

Verdict: Sending back.

Just USA Anjuli Dark Wash Denim Jacket ($58)

Ah, my elusive search for a denim jacket continues. I feel like Goldilocks at this point. Blue, but not too blue. On trend, but not too much. Shorter sleeves, but not overly cropped. Does my dream jacket even exist? I’m starting to wonder. This jacket almost has it all — the color’s perfect, love the length, and LOVE the price. But I hadn’t noticed the distressing on this when I pinned it, and since I’m on the hunt for a jacket that’s going to be a long-term classic, I don’t want to look back at this a year or two from now and feel like it’s outdated because of the wear and tear. The arms are just a little too long, too — I think I just have to have petites in my jackets. My hunt goes on.

Verdict: Sending back, reluctantly.

Street Level Abri Suede Envelope Clutch ($48)

Last month, I described the state of my bags, and mentioned that my going out bags are…lacking, to put it mildly. I pinned a few larger clutches, and then, wouldn’t you know, this lovely bag appeared in my Fix? And again, lesson learned on making guesses off of my first peek — there wasn’t a picture of this bag in my Stitch Fix app, and in the few pictures I could find online, the bag was red. I love red, but red + suede didn’t have me too excited for summer. But greige? Yes, please. This has plenty of room for everything I need when going out sans kids (and their diapers and changes of clothes and cheerios and tissues and hand sanitizer), and a crossbody strap to boot.

Verdict: Keeping!

But wait, there’s more!

When I peeked at my Fix and saw that I wasn’t getting a trench coat or a chambray shirt (which I’d decided I’d really like to add to my wardrobe), I took to my usual fallback: Old Navy. I know the quality isn’t great, but they actually have a good selection of petites, free shipping for orders over $50, and I can return stuff to my nearby store without having to pay return shipping charges. I ordered up one of each — and they’re both keepers!

The final tally: 2/5 (Stitch Fix) + 2/2 (Old Navy) = 4/7. I have two new tops and have filled in big wardrobe gaps with my new jacket and bag — win! Stay tuned for next month. I already know what I’m requesting!

Disclaimer: This post isn’t sponsored by Stitch Fix (or Old Navy), and I pay for whatever I keep. But if you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix and you sign up using my referral link, I’ll receive a small credit to use toward future purchases when your first Fix ships. Thanks!

And, if you’re like me and can’t get enough of Stitch Fix reviews, visit the Stitch Fix review link up hosted by Maria from Kinder Craze and Crazy Together.