Stitch Fix #10 | Maternity Fix

It's been awhile since I requested a Stitch Fix, and although I only have two more months as a pregnant lady, I figured it was time to try a maternity fix. Also, I got an email saying SF was waiving my $20 styling fee to entice me into another fix. It worked!

This time I told my stylist, Kelly, that I'm third-trimester pregnant and working in an office four days a week. I requested maternity dresses that work in and out of the office, no bottoms, tops that could transition into postpartum, and any accessories she could find. I am still happy with my maternity office wardrobe but now that the weather is changing, I could use a few new pieces to help me make it through the last two months!

My box arrived full of color and pattern, hooray!


And my stylist knew I was pregnant;)


I was pumped to see which five pieces she selected for me.


1. Full Moon Raja Maternity Keyhole Woven Shift Dress | $48


I love the idea of a flowy, easy maternity dress. But this just seems to wash me out and wouldn't be my first choice for color or pattern. Also, I love flowy maternity wear but this appears to be TOO unstructured and feels unflattering to me.



It's a nice length though! And very lightweight, great for spring and summer. I'm sure I could dress it up with a jacket or cardigan but the longer I wore it for these pictures, the more I knew it was not my style.


Verdict: returned

2. THML Nairi Maternity Embroidered Knit Top | $54



A long, sleeveless top! Yes!! It's a buttery smooth fabric that isn't too thin and I like the stripes combined with the neckline a lot.


I tried it with my jean shorts and then wanted to check it's office capabilities. Pairing it with black pants and my blue 41Hawthorn cardigan from my first fix seemed to work perfectly.


This is my favorite piece of the fix, but I'm not sure if I NEED it. I tried it on with a black maxi dress for the weekends or maybe the office and it fit the bill there, too. Mostly I wish it was somehow going to work postpartum, but with the ruched sides there is just no way.

Verdict: undecided. Leaning towards keeping.


3. Skies are Blue Maternity Otelia Maternity Inverted Pleat Blouse | $54



Beautiful color on this top! It's a little sheer but not too bad. Love the interesting neckline and the flowy fit around my belly. Decent length, could be a little longer to make it for the next nine weeks of pregnancy.


Fun neckline!


In order to make this piece work at the office, I'd definitely need a blazer. Which looked fine, but I don't think I'd get much wear out of it aside from black pants and a blazer.

The style card showed it working with white jeans and a denim jacket (love, but don't have either right now), and dark jeans with a white blazer (also nice, but no white blazer here).

I figure that if I don't LOVE a piece from SF, I'm going to send it back even if it's 'pretty good'.

Verdict: returned.

4. Laila Jayde Bowie 3/4 Sleeve Dolman Knit Top | $58



Obsessed with this coral color and the versatility of this top. It reminds me of one of my favorites from SF, the Market and Spruce Corinna. However, this one is much more sheer (you can see my blue bra if you look closely) and it's pretty short and snug.


It's a size small, which I usually wear non-pregnant, but perhaps a medium would make this work until the end of pregnancy and beyond? It wouldn't fix the sheerness of the top, though, and isn't guaranteed to make it longer either.


I tried it with dark jeans and also shorts and I want to love this one so much. But unless I exchange for a medium and cross my fingers I think it's going back.

Verdict: likely returned

5. Gilli Shay Maternity Maxi Dress | $78



When I saw this on my style card, I was excited to try it on. I'm still getting used maxi dresses on me, pregnant or not, and am happy to report this one is super long! I like the neckline and can see that it might be nursing friendly (not sure if the maternity waistline will mean it fits strange in post partum days).


The slits on the side seem kind of high to me but do add interest. I could see this working in the office with a cardigan or blazer, and I really wish I had a jean jacket now!


But you know what? I have another Gilli maxi dress that reminds me of this one a lot. The Gilli Jessie Maxi Dress from my sixth fix last year came down from the attic, to see if it could work as a maternity dress.



I mean, it's NOT maternity but it's pretty similar aside from the patterned bottom. Again, I could wear it with a cardigan or blazer at the office and it will be fine for summer weekend attire with sandals.


I still love this neckline although I barely recognize it compared to my non-pregnant pictures wearing this dress;)


So really, do I NEED the maternity dress that is nearly $80?? Especially if it doesn't fit well postpartum, and I already have a similar dress that I know works after pregnancy? I love the patterned bottom of the maternity dress a lot, but do I love it enough to spend $80 on this version? Hmmm. Probably not.

Verdict: likely returned.

So do I keep the THML striped top? Exchange the Laila Jayde top for a medium? Send it all back? I admit to being picky and indecisive this time. ;)

(as always, here is my referral link if you want to join in on the fun).
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Stitch Fix #9 | Tops and Accessories Only

It's been awhile since I requested a Stitch Fix box, and I figured that since it's sufficiently winter here and going to be a looooong season, I could use a few new pieces to get me through. I also just peeked and have done a total of six fixes this year, but two of those were in January, so it feels like it hasn't been too often. I forget how quickly you have to decide on what to keep in your box and as I'm writing this, I have to check out by tomorrow. I'm hesitant about what to keep and could use your help!

This time I asked my stylist, Kelley, to focus on flowy tops, long necklaces and booties. And she totally nailed it, as usual.






1. Market & Spruce Henri Ruche Sides Knit Top | $68





First thought: love the gray, love the drapey front, vneck, and the length.

At first I wasn't sure if I was supposed to keep the neck line as is, like this....


But I'm pretty sure you are supposed to fold it down a little, like this....right?


It's soft and casual but a little different. It's nearly $70 which is not cheap for a light weight shirt, but it might be special and long enough that I can overlook the higher price tag. It could be dressed up or down. I wore it with the pearls and tall brown boots above to show it dressed up, but I bet it could be cute with a pair of lighter wash jeans and flats, too. I think it's just very 'me' and the 3/4 sleeves don't bug me like they sometimes do. I mean, they ARE a nice cop out for getting sleeves that are long enough to pass my wrists!

Verdict: likely a keeper

2. RD Style Jessika Cowl Neck Poncho | $68





First thoughts: I like the chunky fabric, cool cowl neck and shorter sleeves, but the hemline seems odd on me. Maybe the shortest part is just to short on me?


I mean, I know it's a poncho and this how how they are cut, but it just makes me laugh when I strike this amazing pose. You're welcome.


I took a few other pictures that really showcased the questionable torso length on me but I started losing light RAPIDLY. Who knew that at 4:10pm, it would be nearly dark in December. Lord help us all. Anyway, feeling 'meh' about this one although it had potential and I wanted to like it.

Verdict: probably returning.

3. Romolo Genevieve Stacked Chevron Pendant Necklace | $28





I pinned this baby and Kelley said it's super popular and always sells out, so she grabbed me one while they had them. Chevrons are kind of 'out' but you know what? Long necklaces for me will always be in. This one is nice and heavy and the chevrons move a little against each other. I really love it.


It will go with a lot of tops I already own. Sneak peek of the next one in the box, too:


Verdict: Keeping

4. Skies are Blue Caspian Scallop Trim Cardigan | $68



Q: Can a person ever have too many open front cardigans? A: Nope. (not in my opinion, at least).


I especially love this merlot color and the different scallop/see-through pattern around the front. Also, it's pretty heavy and a great length.


Pretty! Not too 'Mr. Rogers' for me, either. Sometimes my open front cardigans are too grandpa-ish but this one is definitely more feminine.


I could see this going with a number of tank tops and jeans, booties or tall boots. I even think it could go with a button up shirt but is a little bulky with all of that material. I love this color for fall and winter and don't already have a sweater this color. It is nearly $70 which isn't cheap for a cardigan, but I don't think you can find similar weight, length, and extra frill at a place like Target. Also, I own about 5 of the Target cardigans that are similar and do like them, but every.single.one has shrunk over time and is much thinner. I think I will just hand wash this like I do with most of my Stitch Fix items.

Verdict: keeper

5. Steve Madden Tobii Bootie | $90





I requested a bootie almost exactly like this on my Pinterest board and was excited to put these on. I didn't expect a black suede, thinking they'd be a brown or gray. Black seems dressy but I didn't think they'd look good with my Just Black skinnies from Stitch fix (they are actually navy, pictured in the first few photos). So I paired them with a lighter wash and then felt like the booties made my feet look even bigger than my size 9.5s.

Really, really struggling to get pictures with the dwindling light here, as you can see. BUT the booties are comfortable, have a low heel which I always prefer, and feel fairly luxurious for $90.


At the very end of my shoot I tried on some black pants and a button up denim shirt and liked the booties a LOT more with darker pants. They would be cute with tights and a skirt or dress....if I ever did that sort of thing;)


Verdict: torn, I think I really like them, but need time to really ponder if I'll wear them much.

Opinions? Suggestions? I feel like my style is super predictable by now and I'm okay with that. :)

As always, if you haven't already tried Stitch Fix and you want to give it a try, I'd love it if you used my referral link found here. And thanks to those of you who have already used my link, I hope your fixes turned out well for you. Not so well that you are struggling to justify 5/5 boxes to your husband each time, but good enough for whatever you want in a fix. I personally like getting about 2 pieces in a box---feels like a reasonable amount of new items without going totally nuts.

Stitch Fix #8 | The Do-Over

A few weeks ago I received my first 0/5 box, although a few of you commented that I should keep either the dress or the jeans. In the end one of your comments that said 'if it doesn't bring you joy, send it back,' really hit home for me. I just didn't LOVE any of it so I had to return it, even though losing the $25 styling fee was annoying to me. 

Customer service emailed saying they were sorry the last box missed the mark, and they were looking forward to getting it right the next time. I emailed back and forth with one of their reps, she adjusted my profile with additional notes (skinny jeans only if they have a lot of stretch, size down on knit tops to avoid the boxy effect, etc.) This was great, but I also asked if they would waive the $25 styling fee that I lost. I said I'd be more likely to do another box right away if they could waive it and they agreed, which goes to show that it never hurts to ask!

I took Erinn's advice and told my stylist (who I love and requested to keep!) that my style can be described as a 'preppy, Lauren Conrad, California' vibe. Which is hilarious since I'm in Wisconsin, the polar opposite of California. But causal, comfortable, put-together....those are my style goals. I pinned a few new things on my Pinterest board and definitely wanted a green vest and a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans without holes. 

Kelley sent me a very personalize note, as always, and really dug into my profile more than I had done myself. She likes to read these posts, so 'Hi, Kelley!'. 

1. Cut From the Kloth Kate Boyfriend Jeans | $88


I just realized that I pinned these exact jeans on Pinterest! And I really do love them----I love them so much that I have a pair nearly identical to this wash and style that I'll show you in a few more pictures. I styled these with a basic black tee, long necklace, and my pink Converse sneakers. Very 'me'. ;) Also, photoshoot took place in our bedroom instead of family room since our queen air mattress was taking up space by the mirror downstairs. Love having Memaw and mom visit and will gladly move my super important fashion show out of the way!

So yes, great fit and wash, and for being a 'boyfriend' cut they aren't exactly baggy. But they aren't horribly tight and uncomfortable, either. Great amount of stretch and I like the roll at the bottom, unrolled they were pretty short for me. I wore them for a few more outfits during my very fancy photo shoot and thought I'd probably keep them.

But in the end, they are just too similar to the other jeans I have from Loft. Right??


Verdict: Returned

2. Paradigma Vidal Henley Blouse | $58




I love me a Stitch Fix henley top, nice and flowy, they usually have button up sleeves, and a fun print is a bonus. I know that I love these tops because I have about four from SF in my closet right now. Enter this top:

Nice length, flowy, pretty floral print. I could keep the sleeves down or button them up, and I like them buttoned and shorter, personally.

I had this set aside to 'keep' but when I tried it on once more, both Nate and my mom said it looked pretty wide at the bottom. And actually, the side seams appear to angle out away from my body as they get closer to the bottom of the shirt---sort of like a trapezoid. I am all for loose fitting tops but this seemed just a little off for me. Very picky moment, for sure, but I think if I'm on the fence about something I really should NOT buy it. Must love it to keep it, right?

Verdict: returned

3. Tinsel Odensay Cargo Vest | $88

Squeeee, she found me a green vest! Oh no, it has a furry lining and collar. But wait!! Trying it on made me a big fan, yet again.



Kelley told me to pair it with the boyfriend jeans and the henley top, so I obeyed. Really love it all together so much. Then I removed the collar and liked it even more. Then I paired it with a denim top, black leggings, and my brown booties. YES.


It's a keeper and I've already worn it to Truman's soccer game, no collar. But perhaps for the cooler months the fuzzy collar will make it a little more versatile. I don't know but I really love it---score a point for pinning something, receiving it, and actually liking it!

Verdict: Kept and love it.

4. Liverpool Colleen Straight Leg Jean | $78


Kelley said these dark gray jeans are very hot right now, replacing the dark denim look with a more modern vibe. They are called straight leg but seemed almost boot cut to me, probably because most of my jeans are pretty fitted at the bottom.

I paired them with a SF scarf, a simple gray tee shirt, and my bronze Yosi Samra flats---a brand that SF does carry but I bought them way before my SF days. The jeans look pretty good, I think, but just didn't make me excited. I guess I don't mind the 'straight leg' that is more of a boot cut, but I think they'd be cuter as a skinny jean. Good stretch, fun color, but pass.

Verdict: Returned

5. Loveappella Malbec Elbow Patch Knit Top | $58

Teeth clenched emoji because of the length. I know I need to move away from every.single.shirt being long but this basically shows my stomach. Especially when I lift an arm to take the picture. Oh, and those are the Loft jeans I think are a lot like the Kut From Kloth. I guess more whiskers but whatever. Love the elbow patches and stripes and baseball tees in general are a big yes for me. But this one?

Weird sleeve length and not a fan of the bottom being a little tighter and really short (for me). Also, my mirror is disgustingly dirty.

Verdict: returned

So, this box ended up being a 1/5 for me, which seems bad but it was actually really great! The overall style was spot-on for me and I am admitting to being quite picky with these items. Probably would have kept everything except for the baseball tee if I wasn't in a 'must be obsessed with it or send it back' mood. So a 4/5 turned into a 1/5 but that is seriously fine by me---I think the goal for each box is to keep one or two items, and that's a win. It doesn't need to be a 5/5 to be successful for me and is definitely easier on the budget this way.

Think I did it right??

As always, you can find my referral link here if you're curious about Stitch Fix and want to feed my addiction with more fixes. Thanks to those that already have!