Dining out in Portland, Oregon and other Food Travels
I’ve changed the frequency of my Stitch Fix boxes to be quarterly or so, to be timed for seasons. It’s one of the great things about Stitch Fix – besides having your stylist put together clothes for you, you get to pick what you want, and you decide when you want it. Here’s my Spring Stitch Fix Box Review for the box February 2017.
I get my Stitch Fix boxes quarterly, and for my recent one I requested long dresses and tops to wear with leggings. If you haven’t heard of Stitch Fix before, it’s a service where you can choose your style profiles based on questions and looking at example clothes. If you are interested in joining Stitch Fix, please consider using my Stitch Fix referral code!
Then, at a predetermined interval that you pick (I pick quarterly, but you can pick specific dates so it could be any time period you choose), a stylist will send you 5 items for you to try based on question you answer (don’t worry, some have pictures – and they have specific clothes for petites and maternity wear). Each box is hand selected based on what you would like in terms of price, your style, and you can request items such as clothing for a holiday party, for a vacation, for work, for going out, etc. You can even request specific designers or what you’ve seen in other people’s Stitch Fix boxes, which is why I always share and hope others also share what they get in their box.
Each box is different depending on the stylist – there are times I keep everything in the box like with my March 2015 box. And many of my favorite pieces in my current wardrobe are from the multiple other boxes I’ve shared before from Stitch Fix, even though I don’t always keep the whole box. A mixed box of some I like and some which were just no (although I still dutifully try on everything since I am at home and have been surprised before).
This time, there were several items that did not look great on the hanger – so I thought I’d also share the style card that is included with the fix so you can see some of the advice Stitch Fix provides in styling a piece at least two ways.
This was super comfy, and I liked how it was both casual with the front but a little sexy see through in the back. And look how cute it is styled either with light pieces or dark pieces!
But, I’m not one of those people that is ok with people seeing my bra – the ones I have are all very practical in being either nude color or black. I know there are plenty of people who do wear sheer shirts and wear pretty lacy bras and bralettes and it looks fine! It’s just my personal preference, so I didn’t keep this one.
This looks terrible on the hanger, and it also didn’t look too great on me because it appeared too loose and shapeless. The colors are fun though for the summer, and the stylist pointed out how this could be a great piece under layers. Still, I did not keep it.
With the strappy back I don’t know why it took me like 5 minutes to even figure out how to hang this dress up. And the photos just don’t do justice to how lovely the cut of the dress is for the top, and how extremely soft and comfortable it is. The card does a much better job of showing how great this is.
I really liked hwo the dress looked before I tried it on – it looks perfect to wear to a garden party, be it a bridal shower or baby shower or even a wedding.
Unfortunately when I tried it on it fit too snug on my hips so I did not keep it. I’m not sure why when I scanned the card it came out looking more pink, but the dress is a peach color.
This was my favorite piece of the box. There’s something that is so classic but fresh about this design. And I really like the color combination of blue and green – in fact I have a purse from Charming Charlie that I still use and love from last year that is blue and green, so I guess this tunic and I were destined to be together.
One of the reasons I love Stitch Fix even though the entire box may not be perfect, the pieces I do keep are always unique and original that you probably won’t be able to find at a store here. I also don’t like shopping in stores very often because I have to visit several, hope they have my size, and keep getting dressed an undressed to try on clothes after waiting/requesting access to dressing rooms.
Stitch Fix takes care of that for me by always sending stuff in my size already, and I do one try on session on a weekend morning before wearing my regular clothes to go out anyway. And, I always get compliments on the things I keep. You may have seen that I wore one of the dresses I got in my March Stitch Fix box out for my birthday:
What are you favorite places to get clothes from?
I’ve written about Stitch Fix previously by recapping a March 2015 box, August 2015 box, and a recap of 14 previous Stitch Fix boxes. Here’s a look at my latest Stitch Fix box, my December 105 Stitch Fix:
The 19 Cooper red Misla Tie-Neck Blouse has a great cut and fit for me, but I thought the amount of pattern was a bit much for my eyes, and F pitched in his opinion as well when I was trying it on saying he thought it was too busy. I sent it back.
This Pixley blue Tracy Dot Print Cross Back Knit Top is my favorite piece of the December Stitch Fix box. It’s cross back knit is fun as is the sweet drapey cut of this top that is flattering while hiding flaws. It layers beautifully with my cardigans and can go with me to work in the office, or out in the evening. A keeper!
Of all the pieces in my Stitch Box, this Collective Concepts black Vickie Textured Dress was the main disappointment. It was boxy and loose on top for my smaller chest, but snug and form fitting at the bottom half below the waist on my curvy hips.
Although I appreciated how this top had a little snap to close where the material folds (a constant irritant to most wrap dresses for me), since it didn’t fit well it was a no brainer to not keep. For those with less hips than me, I could see the appeal of a little black dress with the texture and feminine details that is still basic enough for any season. With pearls or with a trendy statement necklace, this outfit could be to the office or to a holiday party.
At first glance, a black and white striped sweater like this Market & Spruce Cordelia Striped Boat Neck Sweater seemed like any other striped sweater I can get at many stores. When I tried it on though, I realized how easy, soft and cozy this sweater is, and the boat neck fit is a subtle different from any other sweater from a store. I decided to keep it.
To report a bit on the customer service of Stitch Fix and how amazing it is, I wore this after checking out online what I was going to keep and what I wasn’t (I always add notes to why I liked something or why I didn’t). As I was at work, I noticed there was a loose string on one side by my right almost parallel to my belly button – and upon further examination it was a hole!
When I wrote to Stitch Fix about this on their website, they gave me the option to return the sweater but they also had another one in my size that I could exchange. Since I had already gotten compliments on the sweater I chose to do an exchange, so the within 24 hours I had an email with a free USPS label to shop my current holey sweater back and a new one was on its way to me – and which you see in my photos!
I’ve previously gotten dark red jeans, so when I saw my latest stylist send me these Level 99 burgundy Giovanni Straight Leg Jean I didn’t think it was unique enough since all my other jeans are all blue and I already had a dark red one. I still tried it on, as that’s the promise I made myself since these all are being shipped to the comfort and privacy of my home anyway.
They were a perfect length for my 5’2″ legs which is wonderful since rainy Portland weather often causes lots of puddles that I don’t want to drag pants legs in. But, the tightness of the top also causes a bit of muffin top whenever I sat down so this was a definite no and return. Still, I have to admire that they got me jeans that were a perfect length for my petite height, and the jeans were otherwise stretchy and comfy!
If you have not heard of Stitch Fix before, it’s a service where you can choose your style profiles and then at a predetermined interval that you pick, a stylist will send you 5 items for you to try. You can choose to keep the entire box (and get a 25% discount off the entire price of the box) or just some of them or none of the items. Each box charges a $20 styling fee, but if you buy any item from the box that is credited towards your Stitch Fix purchase.
Each box is hand selected based on what you would like in terms of price, your style, and you can request items such as clothing for a holiday party, for a vacation, for work, for going out, etc. This particular box I was looking for chic, unique details in one of a kind pieces to go with my regular style of jeans or that I can layer with my regular black or grey cardigans.
What do you think of the items I got in my box?
If you are interested in joining Stitch Fix, please consider using my Stitch Fix referral code!
I was surprised as I opened up my box of Stitch Fix to see at the top that my March 2015 box was Stitch Fix #15. Fifteen! I have had 75 items styled by the Stitch Fix stylists for me, like I’m a Hollywood C-lister.
I wanted to share some of the items I’ve kept from the 14 previous boxes to the March box (I covered the March box in a previous post). If you haven’t heard of Stitch Fix before, Stitch Fix is a monthly styling subscription service personalized for you.
You go online and they ask you questions, including showing you images of various outfits, to get an information on your size as well as your preferences in style. You can even put together a Pinterest board of outfit inspirations, including from celebrities (I’m crushing on Grimm TV show character Juliette’s wardrobe) or stores. You can also let them know if you want a box to include certain fixes, such as pants, or if you have an event (like a bachelorette party or beach vacation trip) to style for. Then, based on all that, a stylist will pick out 5 pieces to ship to you that are mailed to your home for your consideration.
There is a $20 styling fee that is applied to your order as soon as the box is shipped to your home. You can choose whether you want to exclude anything, or ask for certain things, what your price points on various parts of an outfit might be, if there are parts of your body you hide or that you flaunt, etc. They also have petite or maternity styling, if that applies to you.
You also get to choose how often you get your Stitch Fix boxes – monthly, quarterly, on demand… you make the call, down to picking even that date of your Stitch Fix (ha ha I pick it to be after my credit card statement closes for the month). You can keep everything (and get 25% off the price of the entire box) or send any pieces or even everything back in a postage paid package in the box based on what you think of the items in the box.
My boxes have been mixed – there have been a couple times I have kept everything. Other times I might only keep 1 thing, or even nothing (this has never happened to me, I always like at least one thing).
I always try everything on because I have been surprised that things I don’t think would work on me or that I would never pick up in a store actually end up looking surprisingly good once on me. And, I love getting unique pieces that no one else in my circle has, I’ve gotten so many compliments on Stitch Fix clothing from friends and strangers.
This Miilla Alani Draped Mixed Knit Cardigan is probably my favorite piece out of all the boxes. It’s perfect for layering all year long, and the cut of the cardigan is very feminine and flattering. It comes with a detachable long scarf too.
Another favorite is Subtle Luxury’s Madone Silk Back Cardigan that is the epitome of a perfect piece to wear to work or out in the evening. Whenever I walk when I’m wearing it, I can feel the softness of the cashmere-cotton blend and the fluttering of the 100% silk back like I’m a pretty peacock.
A few other cardigans from other Stitch Fix boxes. I didn’t realize it until Stitch Fix sent me this many just how much I love these really fluttery cut cardigans or the warm coziness of some of those thicker sweaters.
Living in Portland where it might be 40 degrees F in the morning but close to 70 degrees F by 4-5 PM when I get out of work, layering is crucial. Stitch Fix has been helping me out with lots of lovely blouses so that even if I wear only boring black cardigans over them, I still look great.
It’s usually the little details that get me- a color that stands out, a cap sleeve or sleeve that rolls and buttons up, the mix of materials. I’m always looking for pieces that look like no one else’s.
There are a few dresses in the mix too that just don’t look as good on the hanger as they do on the cards that come with every box, so I just scanned the cards that come with each item in the box. As you can see you always get 2 suggestions how to style each piece. There is also a personal style note with each box from the stylist with her own ideas and suggestions!
Also not photographed are 5 pairs of jeans and 2 pair of pants (a really cool brocade print black pant and faux leather detailed jogger black pant) I also got from my Stitch Fix boxes. I never ever ever would think to wear cranberry colored Jeans but Stitch Fix styled a box with those Jeans and the Papermoon Rebecca Floral Print and Lace Blouse and… I loved it! I’ve never worn anything but blue and black jeans but now I know I can wear colored pants too. Same with skinny jeans and the brocade pattern black pants and faux leather jogger black pants… Stitch Fix opened my mind to items I would have thought I could not pull off.
I used to get jewelry and accessories, but have checked it off for now as I seem to be returning those more often than not.
Have you heard of Stitch Fix? What has been your favorite piece if you are a fellow Stitch-Fixer (and we should exchange info so we can stalk what each other gets and request a piece if it’s available that month based on each other’s boxes!). If you are not a Stitch Fixer, and are thinking of trying it, would you mind using this referral link that gives me a small credit? And, then become Stitch Fix friends with me!
I was surprised as I opened up my box of Stitch Fix to see at the top that my March 2015 box was Stitch Fix #15. Thanks to Stitch Fix, for the past year I’ve now spent less time wandering between and inside stores every season to see what I might want to add to my wardrobe to keep it fresh. During this time while subtracting my shopping time they have been adding the times I have received compliments on some of my outfits because they have unique stand out pieces. And, the stylists have challenged me to try things and find out I like them, even though I would have never thought to even pick it up from a hanger – but once I try it on, I discover a new love!
If you haven’t heard of Stitch Fix before, Stitch Fix is a monthly styling subscription service personalized for you. You go online and they ask you questions, including showing you images of various outfits, to get an information on your size as well as your preferences in style. If you’d like you can also make a Pinteret board of fashion inspirations for the stylists to also check out and get an idea of what you like.
Then, based on that, a stylist will pick out 5 pieces to ship to you that are mailed to your home. There is a $20 styling fee that is applied to your order as soon as the box is shipped to your home. You can choose whether you want to exclude anything (such as outerwear or jewelry or certain colors), or ask for certain things (I wanted pieces that were not too casual that I couldn’t wear them to a business casual office). You also get to choose how often you get your Stitch Fix boxes – monthly, quarterly, on demand if you want your Fix sooner or at a certain time because of an event.
Then, in the comfort of your own home with real mirrors and normal light and while looking/working it out with your own clothes already in your closet, you can try everything on and decide to keep any, all, or none of the pieces in your Stitch Fix box. A $20 styling fee is charged when the biz first ships, but is credited to the cost of the clothing if you do purchase anything, and if you purchase everything in the box you get 25% off. If you return anything, there is already a postage paid envelope in the package and you will not be charged anything besides the styling fee. The most important part is to always leave feedback when you check out, whether you like or don’t like an article they have sent, so that the stylists understand what went wrong/right and can adjust accordingly. That’s how you get successful Stitch Fix boxes. Here is what I got in my March Stitch Fix:
I don’t have a photo of the Henry & Belle Abana Skinny Jean – it’s just a black pair of jeans that have a good stretchy factor. They are more expensive then I would like, so usually I would have sent them back except that they also are high waisted. A lot of my jeans sit at my waist, so the fact these look hip but are not mommy jeans but tuck me in is appreciated. Then the fact with the simple black color these jeans could even pass possibly as pants felt like a good addition to my wardrobe. I hate jeans shopping, and so I debated in my mind whether I was willing to pay a little bit more than I normally would in order to trade off not going to multiple stores and trying on multiple jeans in the dressing room, and the addition of black jeans. Yes, I am willing to pay a little more to not go through wondering if jeans will go up my hips or button/zip fully.
When I first pulled saw the Honey Punch Ana Marie Mixed Material Top, I didn’t really like the pattern as it seems so preppie and conservative, and it requires I wear this a specific smooth bra as it shows bra lines easily and I have a weird thing with that. But, then I felt the shirt- it feels so incredibly soft, like a well loved well worn jersey knit T-shirt. I can wear it to work or casually. Sold, keeping.
I think I squealed after I pulled this Yumi Mckinley Printed Dress out of the box. I looooove it! The color is great for spring, the little bird pattern is adorable and very Portland, and the material is nice and thick, which is great since the spring weather is still pretty chilly in the morning and evenings. Love it! Love it so much!
So this Gilli Auden Ikat Print Dress from my March 2015 Stitch Fix may not look like much on the hanger, but it’s form fitting but not too tight on the top while the pop of color as part of the skirt makes it stand out from just wearing a little black dress or black/white dress. I also have this one set of earrings and necklace from Target already in a similar turquoise color that I love but don’t get to wear much, and they went perfectly with the colors in the skirt. I wore it 4 hours after I received it to attend TOAST 2015, so a keeper because it isn’t so low on top that I can’t wear it to work, but also great to go out in. And for someone who doesn’t have much of a chest, this dress creates an impressive illusion. Sorry that my selfie game is very, very very weak.
Given that I was keeping all those pieces above, it didn’t make sense to just send back the Skies Are Blue Devon Lace Back Blouse. I loved the color and lace back, but didn’t like the fit because it is very boxy. But I was pretty much getting it for free with the 25% discount if I got the whole box, so it made sense just to keep it too.
In my other Stitch Fix Friday post, I share some of my favorite Stitch fix matches I’ve gotten over the past other 14 boxes. I will also try to keep up a series monthly or so with my latest Stitch Fix box review.
Have you heard of Stitch Fix? If you are not a Stitch Fixer, and are thinking of trying it, would you mind using this referral link that gives me a small credit? And, then become Stitch Fix friends with me so we can share what we have in our boxes, I’m always curious to see what others are getting based on their style information!
Pechluck's Food Adventures
Enjoying deliciousness in Portland & wherever travels may lead me.
My name is Pech, short for Pechluck. I enjoy adventures in eating - dining out and cooking and imbibing for local Portland deliciousness or wherever travels lead.
Disclosure: There may be at times sponsored posts where the ticket to an event or meal or sample product to review was complimentary, but I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own.
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