September is totally one of my favorite months. The combination of the whole back-to-school excitement in the air, a hint of pumpkin spice everything, and my September birthday all work together to make me a happy lady.
I purposefully planned my September Stitch Fix delivery to come a little earlier in the month so that I could treat myself for my birthday. I booked a babysitter for Saturday and can’t wait to spend the day with my husband, family and close friends at a nearby wine festival.
With that in mind, here is my stylist note for my September Fix:
This is my birthday fix, so let’s have fun! Maybe a couple showstopper tops, I’m going to a wine festival to celebrate. Transition pieces are good too — lightweight sweaters (no fitted crew neck tops), interesting casual shirts. I would love a business formal blazer in a color other than solid black, solid gray or b/w stripes.
{If you are interested in checking out all of my Fix reviews, you can click here. This Fix is #24… so I’m kind of a fan!}
Let’s see what she sent!
Item #1: Kensie Rebekah Contrast Detail Blazer – $88
For my marketing job, I give presentations on a pretty much weekly basis all year long. On presentation days I have to step it up from my typical business casual wardrobe to something a little fancier, so I usually throw on a blazer. I have your typical black version, gray version and a black and white stripe version… but I was hoping for something a little more interesting when I asked Stitch Fix to send me one to try. My stylist sent me this blue Kensie blazer, which has polka dots on the cuffs.
I styled it with a pair of typical black work trousers, a floral blouse and a pair of pumps. The blazer is nice and fits well, however it isn’t really what I was hoping for. I mean, there isn’t anything ‘special’ about it, is there? And I was really wanting something more special.
Keep or Return: If you don’t already have some basic blazers in your closet, this is a nice one to add. However, I’m already all stocked up on basics, so it’s a return for me.
Item #2: Maggy London Izan Floral Dress – $158
I recently pinned this dress to my pinterest board because I really liked the shape and the darker take on a floral pattern. I was thrilled to open my box and see this in there, but wasn’t really loving the price.
The dress is absolutely gorgeous though. It’s a little tight in the bust, but a minimizer bra seemed to take care of that issue. It would look fantastic for a fall wedding (please, someone invite me to one so I can wear this!) or dressed down with a sweater and booties for work. This might be a little dressy for the wine festival, but if the weather is nice it might work. I mean it IS my birthday…
Keep or Return: Oh my, I love it so. I do have a lot of dresses though, so I can’t say I really NEED this one…
Item #3: Market & Spruce Bran Embroidered Dress – $68
I was hoping for a couple cute tops to pick from for this weekend’s wine activities, but my stylist suggested that I try this dress instead. The embroidery at the top is really cute and the dress is nice and soft with an elastic waistband to give it some shape.
I like the shape and design of this dress, but there are two things that are not working for me – the length and the fact that it is so casual I could never dress it up for work. When I invest in dresses I like to have the option of wearing them to a few different events and this one is just not that versatile.
Keep or Return: If this dress were a few inches longer (to my knees), I’d have to think about it a lot harder, but as it is I’m sending it back for someone shorter to enjoy.
Item #4: Renee C Gean Pullover Knit Top – $58
Last month I mentioned that if I were going to wear a sweater it would have to either be an oversized v-neck or a cardigan. Well, my stylist really delivered with this super soft pullover.
I tried it on with a black tank top, my boyfriend jeans and Toms for a perfect Fall weekend look. The sweater is that exact right mix of being just big enough that it works for a casual outfit, but not so huge you look ridiculous (like the butt wings shirt from last week). It’s also a way for us ladies with larger busts to rock the stripes trend without making them awkward. I really like this sweater and I can see mixing it with a bunch of different bottoms — jeans, leggings, colored jeans, etc — but is it worth the $58 price tag?
Keep or Return: Yesterday when I tried it on I was convinced that this one was a keeper, but now I’m not so sure. What do you think?
Item #5: Daniel Rainn Waring Roll Tab Blouse – $68
Oh man, did my stylist get me on this top or what?! It’s got a moody floral going on, a flattering length, some really pretty pleating details and tab-sleeves. It’s like they might as well name it The Joules!
Here is how it works with my work trousers and heels. It even has a little split-back action going on, which I don’t hate. I also tried it with my circle skirt:
And here is a close-up of the pattern and pretty pleated details:
Keep or Return: This one is a no brainer, it’s so pretty and I love it. I can imagine styling it a ton of ways and will totally be wearing this all fall, winter and spring!
Help Me!
Wow, my stylist really knocked it out of the park for my birthday fix! I’m really loving two of the items – the floral dress and blue floral blouse. I’m torn on the comfy sweater though. The embroidered dress and blazer are nice, but not the right fit for my lifestyle. So, here’s the fun part… what do you think I should buy?
Leave me a comment below and tell me what you think!
9/18/15 Update: I decided that I really liked the blouse, sweater and dress, so I listed the other two items on a Stitch Fix buy/sale Facebook group. The dress immediately sold, so I went ahead and bought the whole Fix for the 25% off discount. As of now, the blazer has not sold… but it’s growing on me so I may just keep it. Thank you all for your feedback!
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Stitch Fix, I pay for the $20 styling fee and any clothing I purchase with my own hard-earned money. If you enjoyed my review and decide to try Stitch Fix for yourself, the biggest compliment you can give me is by using my referral link. Thank you to anyone who chooses to click through and support my shopping addiction!
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Ok you may not NEED that dress but you HAVE TO BUY IT. Yes it’s expensive but it’s so gorgeous.
The grey sweater is nice but for the fall I tend to like longer so I can wear with leggings.
The blue tab top is adorable but I actually like it untucked. The split at the back is cute and tucked in it was a bit stuffy for me with the pleats.
Thumbs up overall.
The gray sweater is actually longer (and covers the butt), I just did a little tuck in the front to give it some shape with my jeans. Thanks so much for your feedback! =)
I think I would consider this a “buy it all” fix. The black floral dress is gorgeous. The blazer may be basic, but it is a color you don’t have with a fun sleeve and a good fit. With the length, I would consider the embroidered dress more of a tunic and pair it with leggings and boots and a cardi for fall. The blue blouse is gorg. The only one that didn’t thrill me was the gray sweater because I’m pretty sure something similar could be found at Target, but with the “buy it all” discount, I’d probably go ahead and go for it. You’re right, your stylist did awesome for your birthday month! 🙂
Thanks Jennie! It may actually be a buy-it-all Fix, if I end up selling the embroidered dress on the FB boards… The 25% off discount for buying everything is pretty great!
The dress is amazing! Keep! And the last blouse too! I can see wearing th sweater each weekend too.
Thanks Lori! It is certainly an awesome snuggle-up weekend sweater!
It’s your birthday fix, Joules, and that dress is magic on you. Splurge! I also really dig the sweater on you, you look like you should be holding a mug of tea and gazing out at a gray oceanscape. Of course the blue top is a major “duh.” It’s totally butt wings done RIGHT.
Lol, who would have know that ‘butt wings done right’ would be a thing?! And switch that tea to coffee and I’m all up in that picture!
Loving the blazer, gray sweater and the blue top!
Thanks Sarah!
I LOVE THAT FLORAL DRESS ON YOU! I know you don’t NEED it, but give it to yourself for your birthday. It looks great on you and you look so happy in it! I also really like the blue floral blouse, especially since it can be styled both casually and professionally. The embroidered dress is too short for me, too. I’m picky about length. But overall, good job to your stylist!
Thanks Jessy! I do love the floral dress and can see getting a lot of wear out of it… maybe starting with this weekend!
I’d say, get the floral dress and the blue blouse! That dress is PERFECT and the blouse is lovely on you. Splurge: it’s your birthday!
Thanks Jenn. I like using my birthday as an excuse to splurge for all of September…
I agree with the other comments, but thought if you needed “just one more positive vote” before you make your decision, I would offer mine. I think that the length of the floral dress is extremely flattering on you, and if you don’t have a wedding to wear it to this fall…maybe you will by spring. It’s a keeper for sure. Also, I love the blue top untucked on you. Again, flattering style. The grey sweater would be a keeper…but for the price tag. I also feel that it is the kind of thing you could probably find cheaper at Old Navy or on sale somewhere else. It was just average. I didn’t care that much for the tunic, until a previous comment mentioned making it into a tunic with boots and a cardigan. What a great idea. Have fun making your decision!
Thanks so much Kim! I really need some more wedding invitations to come in the mail, because I’m totally prepared! 😉
Happy Birthday!
The floral dress and the blue blouse are my faves too.
*note: these guys SHOULD start paying you to wear and review their stuff; your blog posts have me curious to find out what they would send me.