Style – Page 5 – A Sprinkle of Life

Men’s Summer Wardrobe – Stitch Fix Review

August 13, 2017 No Comments

Disclosure: This post contains Stitch Fix Affiliate links, and I may receive compensation.

What’s Stitch Fix: An amazing fashion company that provides you with your own personal stylist who picks out pieces based on your style profile, requests, budget and your figure!

A couple of weeks ago my boyfriend received his second Fix from Stitch Fix, focusing on pieces for Summer. The Fix consisted of one pair of pants, three tops, and one pair of shorts. Let’s take a closer look and see what Brian had to say about the items his stylist chose.

#1 – Mavi Edward Slim Leg Pant
First up was a classic khaki colored slim legged pant from Edward. I highly recommend this type of cut for men who are tall and skinny. The slim leg is more attractive and flattering for long legs. Brian’s go to pants are cargos, so this was a bit of a style upgrade. While cargos are functional and I don’t really mind them, all the pockets have a tendency to bulk up a guy, which is why switching it up with a slim pant is always an easy way to dress up an outfit effortlessly.

Brian’s thoughts: I am afraid of white pants. When I saw the style card and saw a pair of white pants I thought to myself “well, this isn’t going to work out well”. Luckily, they turned out to be a very pleasant shade of grey (which Katie calls khaki – clearly unfamiliar with the intricacies of men’s pants). They fit well and, since they’re not actually white I’m not as worried about staining them. They’ll be a good addition to my pants lineup when the weather cools down.

We paired these Mavi pants with a Polo from this Fix below, for a cool casual Summer look. Check out item 2 for a fit pick.

Mavi Edward Slim Leg Pant – Stitch Fix for Men

#2 – Tailor Vintage Brett One Pocket Polo
You can’t go wrong with a good polo. Polos are a great staple for every guy’s wardrobe and can make you look more put together than just a t-shirt, plus it’s as easy to style and pair with other items. The light blue color of this polo is oh so dreamy and great for guys with blue eyes. Don’t mind the wrinkles in the photo, a little steaming of those bad boys and this shirt is ready to wear.

Brian’s thoughts: This polo was on the larger side for me, but with a washing or two I felt confident it would shrink down a bit. I wear polos a lot during the summer so this seemed like a smart addition to my closet.

Tailor Vintage Brett One Pocket Polo – Stitch Fix for Men

#3 – Hawker Rye Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt
I was a little surprised to see a long sleeved button down for a Summer Fix, considering how hot it is here in the New York/New Jersey area, but hey it’s always good to get a transition piece for seasons, and I’m sure this one will be a great new addition as the Summer comes to a close and Fall starts creeping in. This blue long sleeve is a nice bright color and looks great with khaki pants. We also paired this shirt with the Mavi pants to give a more dressy look. While the button down isn’t advertised as being a slim cut, it seems to be cut in a slim style, which is great for guys like Brian who are thin and long in the chest.

Brian’s thoughts: My knee-jerk reaction was that this shirt was not what I wanted with this fix. I was hoping for some summer clothes, and this shirt is more of a fall/winter/spring/anytime but summer shirt. That said, it’s a nice shirt. My last teal-like shirt expired a few years ago so I’ll hang this up and pull it out in a few months when the weather cools off since it fit well.

Hawker Rye Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt – Stitch Fix for Men

Hawker Rye Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt with Mavi Edward Slim Leg Pant

#4 – Howe Fade Away Button Down Shirt
For the guy who isn’t into shirts with prints or designs that are too bold, this Howe shirt is great since it uses faded coloring. This piece screams beach to me, which is perfect for a Summer vacation (which I have yet to take). The top also gives me a bit of a “hipster” vibe. It’s not so extreme that it’ll turn off regular guys who aren’t into dressing all fashionable or hip, which is great because it can work for a variety of men. You’ll see a fit pick in the next item review below.

Brian’s thoughts: This shirt has been sitting in my closet for a few weeks, I’m still not sure what I think of it. “Bowling shirt” keeps coming to mind whenever I see it. I’ve seen people out and about wearing shirts like this in clearly non-bowling settings, but I don’t think I’m quite there yet. Maybe I’ll get there some day, or I’ll join a bowling league.

#5 – 7 Diamonds Weekender Chino Short
As mentioned above, Brian’s a cargo pants kind of guy, and that goes for his shorts as well. I was excited to see his stylist provided something a bit more dressy and classic. The nicest part about these Chino Shorts is that they can be easily dressed up and make the wearer look more stylish just by how the short is cut and fitted. You could wear these out to dinner while off on your beach vacation and still look nice.

Brian’s thoughts: Who likes short-shorts? On men… well erm… not me. These shorts are shorter than I usually wear but they weren’t uncomfortably short, striking a few inches above the knee instead of the usual knee-length short I wear. I know shorter shorts exist, but these were a nice stepping stone to more fitted shorts than the cargo-variety I usually wear. They don’t provide the cargo assortment of pockets so I’ve noticed my keys can irritate my thighs if I don’t put them in just right; on the flip side I feel more fashionable than usual when I wear them. It feels like a good trade off during the hot summer days.

Hawker Rye Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt with 7 Diamonds Weekender Chino Short

Final Impressions: I felt the Fix was a pretty good success. I loved seeing Brian try some new pieces out of his comfort zone and see a bit more style come into his closet. Here’s hoping he joins me in requesting a Fall Fix so we can keep the fashion rolling.

Brian’s overall impressions: 3 / 5 items were suitable for summer which was exactly what I was looking for. The other 2 items were nice (I kept them), but will have to sit in my closet for a few weeks until it cools down. I was disappointed I didn’t get more summer clothes, a non-blue shirt or another pair of shorts would have been nice substitutes. Maybe if I request a summer fix a bit earlier in the season (like late spring) I’ll get a fuller selection of summer clothes.

Haven’t tried Stitch Fix yet? Want to get a personal stylist for yourself or the special person in your life? Sign up with my Stitch Fix code!

Reviews, Style

Sliding into Summer with Style – Stitch Fix Review

July 23, 2017 3 Comments

Disclosure: This post contains Stitch Fix Affiliate links, and I may receive compensation.

We’re finally in the midst of Summer and I don’t know about you, but it’s that time of year where I want to wear clothing that’s super comfortable, lightweight and effortless so that I can stay cool in the hot Summer sun. For my Summer fix I specifically requested Summer essentials, calling out the need for some lightweight pieces such as sleeveless dresses and short/sleeveless tops. A majority of my commute involves walking in the heat to capture a train into the city, so it’s important to me to have options that won’t leave me feeling hot and sticky.

This Fix I had a different stylist than usual, Jan. Jan is filling in for Kim who is usually my stylist since she’s on vacation. I was intrigued to see if a new stylist would be able to pinpoint my style and suggest some good pieces. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised! If you want to be pleasantly surprised by what Stitch Fix has to offer, don’t hesitate, sign up now! You’ll be hooked!

#1 – Q&A Kayleigh Faux Wrap Dress
The first dress I received in my fix was a faux polka dot wrap dress. This dress has a lot going on with it from frilliness to ruffles for days. I still haven’t made up my mind how much I like this piece, but it certainly has a flowy construction which is what I was looking for in a dress. If you’re a girly girl and love polka dots and ruffles, this is your dress! One thing I’d change is to add some extra length to the dress. While the dress is lined to help provide some modesty, the lining and dress are pretty short so I have to be careful when bending down. I think if you’re a bit shorter than me, this dress wouldn’t be a problem lengthwise. For comparison sake, I’m 5 foot 6. This would be a cute dress for brunching in.

Q&A Kayleigh Faux Wrap Dress from Stitch Fix

#2 – Palacio Scoop Neck Tank
A staple in my wardrobe is the tank top. I love tank tops because they’re uber comfortable, can be layered with other tops and jackets, and can be casual or dressy. This Pixley Scoop Neck Tank is so fun, colorful, and perfect for Summer. The fabric of the two different sections is slightly different, giving you a subtle texture difference. The pink part can be a bit see through, but I don’t mind it as it’s not too obvious. You can style this tank so many different ways. It would look great with a dark pair of jeans and heels, worn under a cardigan, or just by itself with a pair of shorts. You can’t go wrong with this fun color combo and pattern. Scroll down to item number 3 to see this tank pair with my next item.

#3 Liverpool Taylor Denim Short
In my last Spring fix I had requested a dark pair of shorts, but the pair I received didn’t hit the mark and got returned. While I didn’t request a pair for this Fix, Jan, who was filling in for my stylist Kim, decided to throw in a pair for me to try after reading my last review. On first appearances, I really liked the bright blue color and felt the cut of the shorts looked more modern and less like “mom jeans/shorts” which is what I called the last pair I received. The cuff on the shorts create the perfect length for rocking these at work, going out on the town, or just lounging around. I’m a booty short fan, but I realize that’s not always the best option for the office. I paired these shorts with the Pixley tank for a bright and fun Summer look.

Pixley Palacio Scoop Neck Tank and Liverpool Taylor Denim Short from Stitch Fix

#4 Skies Are Blue Monisa Embroidered Blouse
Next up was a short sleeved top from Skies are Blue. I had seen this top on Pinterest and thought it was cute and would be a good top for when the weather is a little cooler or for when the office is a little too chilly for a sleeveless top. The fabric of this top is so comfortable and actually cool to the touch, always a plus for Summer clothing. If you enjoy a mix of colors and patterns this top is perfect. Style it with neutral colored pants for a casual office look, or pair with white jeans/capris for a day out on the town.

Skies Are Blue Monisa Embroidered Blouse from Stitch Fix

#5 – Collective Concepts Julie Shirt Dress
I’ve been eyeing shirt dresses for a while on Pinterest. This shirt dress from Collective Concepts is decked out in a beautiful floral pattern that gives off the perfect Summer vibe. The dress includes a tie waist, which is one of my favorite things because it helps accentuates your natural waist and can look fabulous on any type of body. I’m also a fan of the lining for the bottom half of the dress so you don’t have to worry about anything showing through. But perhaps the best feature of this dress is the pockets! If I had a say in the fashion world, I’d demand all dresses to have pockets. Dresses with pockets are absolute perfection. This past week I was talking to one of my friends about the need for dresses to have pockets, and I couldn’t agree more. As a woman I don’t always want to have to carry a purse or bag with me, so when I can throw on a dress with pockets I instantly get excited because I don’t have to worry about where to put my phone or my work badge. You’ll stay cool and chic in this cotton dress, and it’s bound to become one of my go to pieces this season.

Collective Concepts Julie Shirt Dress from Stitch Fix

Final Thoughts – It can be fun to see what different stylists suggest for you. I was a little nervous when I read my stylist note to see my regular stylist was away, but Jan did a wonderful job and I’d be lucky to have her on hand for Kim anytime 🙂 Thanks Jan and Kim! I’d say this fix was a 4 out of 5, since I’m still a little on the fence about the faux wrap dress, but I think I’ll be able to make it work for me, maybe by adding a jacket or tights. Until next time, happy Fixing!

Don’t forget to follow my Pinterest Boards for more Stitch Fix fun!

Haven’t tried Stitch Fix yet? Sign up with my Stitch Fix code!

Style

Socks with style – Stitch Fix

July 22, 2017 No Comments

We all know I absolutely love Stitch Fix, and I have even greater love for the company when I received a surprise package last week from them. Inside were two pairs of men’s socks and a code for a free styling for my man of choosing (-$20). How amazing is that?

The socks arrived at a perfect time too since I’m prepping my next Men’s Stitch Fix Review. Stay tuned for that post in the coming week! Do you have a guy who needs to up his summer style? Stitch Fix has some great pieces to keep your man cool in the summer both in temperature and in style 🙂

As a Stitch Fix Affiliate I’m kind jealous that these socks are for men because they actually have the Stitch Fix logo right on them. I hope one day I’ll be lucky enough to see some Stitch Fix branded goodies for the ladies.

A lot of us probably wouldn’t have originally considered having a styling company give us basic and essential pieces like socks to add to our wardrobe, but I have to say I’m impressed with what I’ve seen other guys receive, and some of them have received non-branded socks in their Fixes and seem to like them a lot. Something to consider if you’re wanting to move away from the basic white socks.

I haven’t decided which lucky guys will get one of the 2 pairs I received, but I can’t wait to gift one of them a free styling fee so they can give the service a try and see what I’ve fallen in love with.

I’m honored to be a member of the Stitch Fix community and I wouldn’t have some of the amazing outfits and pieces that I do today without them. Thank you!

Stay tuned tomorrow for my latest Summer Stitch Fix Review (for the ladies!)

Reviews, Style

A Spring Fix – Stitch Fix Review

May 22, 2017 No Comments

Disclosure: This post contains Stitch Fix Affiliate links, and I may receive compensation.

What’s Stitch Fix: An amazing fashion company that provides you with your own personal stylist who picks out pieces based on your style profile, requests, budget and your figure!

Spring is fully here and summer is just around the corner. As the weather starts to heat up I’m looking to add some lighter pieces into my wardrobe so I can conquer hot and steamy New York City commuting. This Fix I asked for some flowy dresses, a solid dark wash pair of shorts and some short sleeved tops.

#1 – Daniel Rainn Natalie Tie Neck Top
My first piece in my May fix was a short sleeved top from Daniel Rainn, one of my favorite designers with Stitch Fix. When I pulled the top out of the box my initial concern was the color of the top. While the cut, style, and pattern were cute, the main color of the top seemed like it might not work for someone with my coloring. Sure enough, after trying the top on, I felt it matched my skin tone too much and made me look washed out. Although the top was a miss for me, I think it would be a great top to wear to the office or on a even on a beach trip. If you have a darker skin tone, or are someone who can tan, this top would look amazing on you. Unfortunately, as a redhead, I don’t tan so back to Stitch Fix the top goes.

#2 – Margaret M Lorali Knit Dress
I’m so thankful that Stitch Fix brought Margaret M into my life. Margaret M is a company out of Canada that designs flattering clothing for women that is supposed to provide a slimming effect. I already own 2 pairs of pants and skirt from them, so of course I had to add one of their dresses to my wardrobe. The Lorali knit dress is fun, flowy, and so comfortable. The fabric is silky smooth and cool to the touch. I love how the waistline is designed, and how the pattern sits, giving you a really flattering figure. The color and pattern of this dress is also perfect for these spring/summer months. I have yet to be disappointed with Margaret M pieces in my Fixes.

#3 – Crescent Cailyn Textured Dress
Royal blue dresses should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe, they look amazing with any skin tone and hair color. I love the texture on this dress from Crescent. The dress is full of little raised circles that help dress this dress up a bit, make it something you could wear for multiple occasions from the office, to a date, or even to a bridal shower. The tie waistband is cute and functional while the neckline detail is fun and frilly. I love the how this dress is lightweight and looks like it could travel well without having to worry about too many wrinkles popping up. As someone who has spent weeks traveling, I really appreciate pieces that I can throw into my suitcase and not have to worry about.

#4 – Market & Spruce Tanzie Open Back Top
I love a tank top. I’ve lived in tank tops most summers, and I love how this one is little dressier than usual but can also be pretty casual. While the front is pretty simple and plain, the back cutout adds a little something special, bringing this tank top up an extra notch. I recommend pairing this top with a pair of white pants or shorts.

#5 – Level 99 Josh Denim Short
You can’t survive Spring without a great pair of shorts. I had high hopes for Stitch Fix shorts, but this pair of denim shorts misses all the marks in my book. I was hoping for a solid dark wash pair of jeans, no distressing or whiskers. What I got instead was a pair of shorts that I can’t explain any other way but to say they look like “mom shorts.” Now, no offense to moms, but we’ve all heard about mom jeans, and these shorts are their spawn. Maybe it’s the cut or fit on my body, but they just didn’t look good. The shorts elongated my butt, and just looked strange. I wasn’t a fan of the large pockets in the front either. I should note this was my first time requesting shorts from Stitch Fix, but I might give it another go and ask for a fun color or print in the future.

Final Thoughts: This fix provide a few cute items that I’m excited to circulate in my Spring wardrobe, but had a couple misses. I look forward to working with my stylist to find a few more pieces for the upcoming warm weather here in the North East.

As always, suggestions for a better fix:

Be very specific. If there are certain pieces or types of clothing you really want, provide that in your styling note to your stylist.
Create a Pinterest Board. Stylists will check them out if you keep mentioning them in your style notes.
Call out designers or names of actual articles of clothing . Your stylist may not provide those exact items but they’ll start to get a better sense of what style you’re into.

Don’t forget to follow my Pinterest Boards for more Stitch Fix fun!

Haven’t tried Stitch Fix yet? Sign up with my Stitch Fix code!

Reviews, Style

Springing into Spring with Stitch Fix

March 19, 2017 No Comments

Disclosure: This post contains Stitch Fix Affiliate links, and I may receive compensation.

What’s Stitch Fix: An amazing fashion company that provides you with your own personal stylist who picks out pieces based on your style profile, requests, budget and your figure!

Since Spring is just a few days away, for my March fix I wanted to get a head start on Spring! My requests included a tan/beige trench coat, flowy dresses, and a flowy skirt with a top to match. For the most part most of my fix hit the nail on the head, but one item in particular left me disappointed.

#1 – Papermoon Barkley Woven Detail Knit Top
This top is another cute one from Papermoon, giving you the illusion of two tops in one, which is a style I like because it looks like you’ve put more thought into what you’re wearing than you actually did! One small thing I’d change is to make the green part of the shirt a little bit longer, it cuts off at a slightly awkward length. The colors and pattern scream Spring. I really loved how soft this top was and how the back of the top went down further than the front, making it so you could get away with wearing this top with leggings if you wanted. Another cute detail is the print in the neckline opening, something unique and unexpected!

#2 – 41Hawthorn Tova Dress
I was really hoping for a lightweight flowy floral dress for Spring and this 41Hawthorn dress ticks off all my boxes! The print is gorgeous and makes me happy just looking at it. The built in elastic waistline gives the dress a bit more shape and helps make this is a great piece for any body shape. I absolutely love how comfortable and lightweight the dress is, making it a great pick for all sorts of events and locations, be it the office or out on the weekend. I’d also recommend this if you’re attending a bridal shower because it’s such a cheery and bright print.

#3 – Renee C Lindia Printed Swing Skirt
I’m going to showcase the next two pieces together in my personal photo, since my stylist recommend pairing them together, but let’s first start with the skirt by Renee C. I was hoping for a skirt that wasn’t too tight and form fitting that had a little bit of flare to it, and this skirt delivered. The fabric is fairly thick and structured, but you still get a great swing look to it. The pattern is a beautiful navy background with white flowers. One of my favorite colors to wear is navy so this skirt is a perfect addition to my wardrobe.

#4 – Papermoon Gracey Button Front Blouse
When I first pulled this top out I was a little worried with how bright it was, and if it would look ok on me since I have pretty fair skin and red hair – pink isn’t always a redhead’s friend – but it certainly screamed Spring fashion. Eventually, the shirt won me over and I found it was really breezy and comfortable to wear. I can see myself wearing it in most seasons because it has some length to the sleeves but it’s also really light so it can be a pretty versitile piece. Now when I requested a skirt in my Fix, I was specific to ask for a top to go with it since I always have trouble finding tops in my wardrobe to match with skirts (I don’t trust myself basically) but when I saw my stylist suggested this hot pink top with the navy floral skirt I wasn’t sure I’d like the look. I learned my lesson though, and you can’t judge two pieces without trying them on together. I was pleasantly surprised and felt the look was fresh, young, and maybe a bit fashion forward (for my wardrobe anyways). What do you think?

#5 – Laundry By Shelli Segal Ellin Rain Jacket
The item I was hoping to get the most was a classic trench coat, and was disheartened when I open my stylist’s note to see she wasn’t able to find one, but hoped this coat would do the trick. Do the trick it did not. First off, the color wasn’t doing it for me. It’s bright white, which is far from the tan/beige I was hoping for and I feared it would easily get dirty. The next thing that hit me was the scent. Yes, you read that right, the scent. The jacket smelled like a shower curtain liner, not something I want to go for 🙂 But I figured hey, you’ve got to try it on maybe these initial reactions will go away. Sadly, they didn’t. The coat felt a size too big for me, and it didn’t have a tie belt which really confused me. Why wouldn’t you put a belt on this coat? Without the belt the coat went out pretty far and and it made me feel like I could hide a pregnant belly. I didn’t like the look, smell, or feel of the jacket so I returned it. Thankfully it was expensive enough that it didn’t cause any issues with the savings I would have made by keeping all 5 items.

Final Thoughts: Overall, I was pretty satisfied with my Fix. Several of the pieces I had seen on Pinterest and had even pinned so it was exciting to see them in this month’s box and to know my stylist continues to check out my pins. While I wasn’t a huge fan of the jacket, basically everything I had requested was provided, which is always an awesome treat and surprise because I know not every request is possible with the stock Stitch Fix has on hand. I’ll definitely be ordering another box soon to get some more transition pieces for Spring and Summer. What’s on your spring/summer wish list?

As always, suggestions for a better fix:

Be very specific. If there are certain pieces or types of clothing you really want, provide that in your styling note to your stylist.
Create a Pinterest Board. Stylists will check them out if you keep mentioning them in your style notes.
Call out designers or names of actual articles of clothing . Your stylist may not provide those exact items but they’ll start to get a better sense of what style you’re into.

Don’t forget to follow my Pinterest Boards for more Stitch Fix fun!

Haven’t tried Stitch Fix yet? Sign up with my Stitch Fix code!

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