wardrobe staples

Stitch Fix: continuing my obsession with monthly subscription boxes

- Mel

This post contains affiliate links.

Fall is usually when I revamp my closet (my favorite season, at that), or at least notice how much I haven’t worn in the last year. And I truly hate shopping — online stylist services is where it’s at. I used Cake Style last year, and received a few boxes, to which I definitely found (and purchased) some great pieces. But overall, the entirety of the box was too rich for my budget (especially with all of these house projects… woof). But I still really liked the service and having a stylist at the ready for special events.

Enter: Stitch Fix

Thanks to an awesome referral from twitter for the heads-up on this company. With Stitch Fix I can pick my own budget comfort level. After filling out a style profile (I wish there was a place for measurements, however; probably the only thing “missing” from the questionnaire) and social media accounts, like Pinterest and Instagram, your personal stylist uses this background info to curate your Fix. The boxes only come when you say you need one. Each delivery costs $20, but that is applied to any purchase you make from the box. Anything you don’t want, you return in the prepaid envelope within three days.

stitch fix subscription box

I received my first box this week, which included five pieces that were stylish-but-classic enough for any 30-something — and one that even pushed me out of my closet comfort zone: an edgy light gray blazer (LOVE the striped lining!), off-white denim, cute vintage-inspired lace tank, a navy polka dot blouse and a mint-hued dress (this last piece is something completely different for me, but still in my color wheel).

My stylist Ishara did very, very well (thank you!). I’m going to have so much fun incorporating these pieces into my wardrobe — and watch for pictures after my special blogger getaway next weekend.

Total cost*: $262.50
30-something Approved!

*If you buy everything from your Fix, they give you a 25% discount, which makes it hard to resist buying the entire box –especially when the bill without one item would be practically the same. It’s almost like getting an item for free.

Disclaimer: Post includes affiliate links. See my disclosure page for more info.

Color therapy: House of Colour consult and color analysis

- Mel

My neighborhood is filled with inspiring, supportive and successful women. One of those neighbors is a consultant with the UK-based company House of Colour. House of Colour has consultants around the U.S., and Julie is here in Pittsburgh — right in my neighborhood — helping women look and feel their best. And she does it through the power of color!

Let’s face it: I have always needed a little help with dressing myself. I don’t really “fit” into any of those pre-determined body fruit shapes; I’m long where I should be short — short where I should be longer. I can’t even figure out the shape of my face (maybe a heart? oval?), and I’ve only recently realized how important it is to accentuate my waist. Regardless of my ignorance, I knew I needed an appointment to sit in Julie’s studio to determine my colors. She categorizes this in “seasons,” which was done using a series of fabric drapes in various colors to determine my skin’s undertones first (on my clean, no makeup face). Once it was determined I had cool undertones, she continued placing and removing these drapes, placed over a white smock, to show the real life effect certain colors had on my face in natural light. As the session progressed, it became much easier to see what colors were either emphasizing my features or making me look sallow, “washed out,” and tired. The results were undeniable. WHO WANTS TO LOOK THOSE ANY OF THOSE THINGS WHEN YOU’RE 30-SOMETHING?!

Results: I’m a WINTER.

Which means I’ve been an Ice Princess all along… Muah-hah-hah

I have blue undertones, when I always thought I was yellow. I definitely went in thinking I’d be an Autumn (if based on nothing more than the current collection in my closet and the colors I trend to). No wonder warm tones and makeup and hair color wasn’t working for me, and I worked doubly hard to “warm” my skin and clothing, which had the complete opposite — I’m a COOL tone. Embrace the pale, Mel. Also, HELLO, my color profile includes Pantone’s Color of the Year: EMERALD.

After determining my season, Julie also put some makeup on me — and I definitely played up the dramatics with red lipstick. Yes, I — who “can’t wear red” — was wearing red lipstick. Well, I CAN wear red, it’s just I need a blue-tone red. She went through all 36 colors in my season (yes, 36!) and rated each on a star-or-check system and also on a percentage of saturation, based on placement of the color in the garment (head-to-toe, accent, accessories). What I was also impressed with was the ability to match several unique colors together and have everything look perfectly matched; it’s all about making sure the shades are within the same season and have the right tone.

There was so much valuable info — and I went home with a small binder of all my swatches and checklist to help me shop and dress (and clean out my closet)! I’m so lucky to have Julie’s color services right outside my door (but she’ll also come over and help separate/clean out closets based on your color analysis or can go shopping with you AND will soon offer styling sessions). This session will definitely save me money in the future and hopefully prevent my hoarder-like tendencies to keep things-in-my-closet-that-I-never-wear-yet-maybe-will-one-day. Truth is, I’m not wearing these items because I likely don’t look good in them.

Buh-bye browns and oranges. It’s like you don’t even want me to root for my favorite football team anymore.

bye, clothes that look terrible on me!

Book an appointment with Julie from House of Colour – Pittsburgh.

More about closet cleaning and color:
Choosing the best color for your skin tone and Reorganize Time {both from Rosewood boutique blog}
Adapting to a Small Closet {from Urban Row House}
Apartment Therapy also has a wonderful list (and beautiful photos) of Shoes & Bags Storage

Have you ever used a stylist or color consultant? Share your experience in the comments!

Wardrobe Therapy: Banana Republic, LOFT & Trina Turk sales

- Mel

I totally failed my November shopping ban. Totally. Completely. Utterly. Failed. This is what happens when there are sales, coupons and discount offers all up in my email this time of year.

But… I’m not mad. I’m EXCITED.

1. Rice Dot Tee {LOFT} / 2. Sims Pants {Trina Turk} / 3. Cozy Cable Cardigan {LOFT} / 4. Chunky Cable Open Front Cardigan {LOFT} (I love cardigans!) / 5. White Wool-blend Belted Coat {Banana Republic}

I also picked up a standard gray crew-neck tee shirt and gray-and-cream striped sweater from BP

Retail Therapy
See, when I turned 35, I made it a year-long mission to reinvent my closet. I now seek out classic, versatile and well-structured pieces. Clothing that is an investment (for, hopefully, the next 5 or so years of my age bracket) takes over where throw-away trends are concerned. On that same note, I needed long-sleeve shirts, which is where the $30 tops and sweaters sale at LOFT comes in. I have, like, one long-sleeve shirt in my closet. And it’s misshapen and almost five years old itself. Why the former obsession with 3/4-length, Mel?

Plain-and-simple, I need to dress more like I am 35 and less like I am 25. There’s a difference between being young and youthful, and being chic and playful with your wardrobe. And by “your” of course I mean myself.

About a Coat
I’ve had my (current) tan-colored wool coat from Banana Republic for nearly a decade. But… I’ve grown out of it (and by “grown” I mean it’s easily four sizes too large for me; someone at the consignment store will surely give it some more love). I bought it at an end-of-season sale for almost 50% off. It was a good deal then, and considerably so now, for how long it’s lasted in my closet.

Alas, it’s ill-fitting now… boxy — even with layers of sweaters underneath, it just looks like I’m wearing my grandpa’s coat — so I wanted a new warm winter coat that was fitted to my proportions and more chic.

I FOUND THE PERFECT COAT (see above)! On top of that, the coupon for friends & family deal (50% off!) from my neighbor was just too kind. This was also an excuse to head into the cute local neighborhood, Shadyside, of Pittsburgh. I only hope this one lasts me another decade. I can’t lie, I’m terrified about the winter white. But the style and fit was too pretty to resist.

Retail as Therapy. Makes me happy inside and out. And probably just as expensive.

Do you take advantage of great sales this time of year for personal shopping? Tell us about your Biggest Score in the comments!

Group Therapy: Can 30-somethings wear SEQUINS?

- Mel

Alternatively titled: Must. Not. Buy. Another Pair of Sequin Shoes!

An anonymous Reader asked: Can a 30-something pull off wearing sequins?

Answer: A resounding YES!

1. Aqua Spineless Sequin Jacket {ASOS} / 2. Embellished top {White House Black Market} / 3. Foldover Sequin Clutch {ASOS} / 4. Worn This Way sequin bootie {ModCloth} / 5. MICHAEL Michael Kors Tuxedo Sequin Tuxedo Pants {Nordstrom}

Sequins are like Happiness Therapy — an outfit pick-me-up and a MUST for those who don’t really experiment with bold colors.

Just this year (ahem, year 35), I invested in a sequin party dress from ASOS (it’s backless and super chic!), sequin leggings from h&m (via Poshmark) and an embellished cardigan from White House Black Market.

Unless it’s New Year’s Eve or a fab bash (in which case, ALL OF THE SEQUINS!), subtlety is key. And the trick to not looking like a holiday character is to NOT wear sequins from head-to-toe. A little accent here and a hint of shimmer there equals: classic-with-personality.

Remember, sequins are not glitter. No woman over the age of 30 should be wearing glitter on her person. Unless it’s Halloween, and in that case, let me remind you that you should definitely NOT be wearing “Sexy {insert character here},” Miss 30-something. Trust me. You’re not too old for fun, but you’re certainly too wise (and classy!) to be mostly naked in October.

30-Something with a Sequin Fetish? Let’s talk about it via twitter & facebook!