I made a joke a few weeks ago on Twitter or Instagram (I can’t even remember where) that I needed the “thrift fix” version of “Stitch Fix.” I haven’t been one of those lucky few who fall madly in love with the clothing that Stitch Fix sends, and I definitely don’t love the price tag. If I have $60 extra to spend, it’s not going to be on a polyester shirt.
Though they did send me a great pair of skinny pants one time that I kind of regret returning.
Anyway.
My friend Shannan is the thrift store queen. This girl can spot the diamond in a pile of junk faster than you can blink and she rocks some gingham like it’s her job. Her job, I tell you. I adore her style and her layering abilities, so we Voxed back & forth a couple times and decided…what the heck? Why not actually try a “thrift fix” box?
So she asked me a ton of questions, I sent her some sad photos of my closet (hello, stripes & neutrals) and she shopped. And earlier this week a box arrived stuff FULL of awesome. She even wrapped things together in cute little bundles with tissue paper and washi tape and I ADORE HER.
Check out the reveal video & then skip down to see what I loved, what I’m on the fence about, and what just didn’t work at all. (email subscribers click here to watch the video)
Apparently I really love a basic. That gray shirt I knew was a winner as soon as I got it out of the box, and so was the green lace number. Shannan suggested layering the magenta shirt under the green and I’m dying to try it! I’m also loving the jacket – it’s super cute and light, and is the perfect length. I love a denim jacket but hate wearing them with jeans, so this will be fabulous!
What I’m on the Fence About:
These are the four that I just can’t decide on and need your help. I actually really adore the fit of the polka dot shirt, but can’t make up my mind about whether or not it looks too circus-y. I don’t wear a lot of large prints (example A: all the items I kept) so maybe I’m just not used to it? The blue stripe long sleeve from Old Navy is cute, but I’m sucking it in like crazy y’all. I’ll be honest. It’s tight. I’m not sure it would ever come out of my closet.
The striped sweater actually falls really nicely, but we’re getting into warmer weather and I’m not sure I’d wear it a lot. And the red? Well listen. I love the color. The boat neck is adorable. But I almost pulled a muscle trying to take it back off and I’m pretty sure I couldn’t lift my arms. But it’s so pretty!
What do you think? Any on this list I should keep?
What Didn’t Work:
I wanted to love everything in the box. I really did. But that floral? Listen, I don’t hate that shirt. The fabric was insanely soft and it fit me really well. But I just can’t do it. And the white I like, but I’d never layer it under anything and I have another button up white shirt that I just know I’d choose first.
And the yellow. It breaks my heart that this one didn’t work because Shannan made sure to tell me it was from Anthro and I wanted to love it so badly. The buttons. The pockets. It had everything going for it. But the sleeves fit super weird (hi. I have arms. And not skinny ones.) and the pockets were a yelling “look at my hips!” just a little too loudly. Sadness.
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So what do you think? Let me know what you think I should keep! We’re still trying to figure out what to do with the pieces that didn’t work, so let me know if you’re interested in those 😉
I don’t have the time or talent to shop a thrift store the way that Shannan does. So I asked her to help me. What is something you’d love to try, but don’t know how to do? Is there a friend you can ask to help you? I promise you’ll both have a great time!
The yellow shirt does NOT make your hips look big!!! EEEEEE! This is SUCH a fun idea. I LOVE Stitch Fix, but it does get pricey and I am often jealous of my friends who are so talented at thrift shopping. Every time I have gone into a thrift store it has been an epic fail.
Um, you’re my favorite 😉 And yes – I get overwhelmed in thrift stores and get sucked in to finding all the ugly things instead of hunting for gems. This is why I need a person to do this for me!
One of our local chain thrift stores actually HAS personal shoppers. You make an appointment with them, fill out a big questionnaire, and then show up to a filled dressing room of awesome. Shannan, if you ever move to MN, there’ll be a gig waiting for you here! =)
That’s so brilliant. Seriously. Also, tell your town to tell my town to actually HAVE thrift stores that are worth shopping at!
What a fun idea!! Okay, I’m here to vote since I’m super fashion-y and what-not. Heh. Whatever, I’m voting anyway. I love the black and white stripe and the red shirts. I definitely don’t like the polka dot and don’t love the blue/black stripe. Can’t wait to hear the final results! 🙂
Can I just send you photos of my outfits all the time and you can tell me what to do? Because I really just need someone to tell me how to dress every day. Toddlers are so lucky like that 😉
Great idea! I like the bright dot shirt and the black/white striped sweater on you a lot. The ones that don’t fit right are not keepers.
You’re all going to make me change my mind on that sweater 😉
Loving the idea of a “Thrift Fix.” Stitch Fix prices are way too steep for my thrifty budget. As to what to keep, I think you’ll be glad you kept the striped sweater. It may be too warm right now, but it seems to fit the most comfortably, and you’ll be so happy when the Fall rolls around and you have something new to pull out!
Can I just have all of you come and pick out my clothes all the time? Because I kind of love this.
I came here because I follow Shannan and I’m totally now following you too based purely on this post. You are so lovely! Thrift Fix is totally a winner – you and Shannan should go into business. Just make sure to ship internationally so I can have some fun in the UK. Speaking of shipping internationally, if you have nowhere to send that yellow jumper to I’ll pay good money for it! Anything yellow is my absolute fave. My sadness that it didn’t work for you (which was real) was only made better by the teeniest little dream that maybe it would find its way into my life. If not mine, find it a good home, it’s a beauty! Haha. Also, the stripes are great, could you just hide it away ready for autumn, maybe? Then you’d have a happy surprise of something new without shopping as soon as it gets colder again!
Lovely to ‘meet’ you! I’ll be back soon, I’m sure!
Jen
Jen, you are the cutest! And if you really do want that yellow Anthro top (it’s amazing) email me and let me know and we’ll figure out the details 🙂
I’m telling you, you NEED to keep the white striped sweater. I actually don’t even think of it as a “sweater”, just a thicker knit. It looks ADORBS on you and would layer so well with so many fun things! I still think you need to try the J Crew floral UNDER the grey T. Then shove the sleeves up and pop the collar a teeny tiny bit…just in the back? 🙂
YES to the floral shirt. Mostly because I am in love with it. 😉
Ok – you’ve convinced me. I’ll try it and let you know!
The polka dot shirt would be a keeper for me…just sayin’ 🙂 If you don’t love it… 😀
I think it’s landing in the “not for me” pile so if you want it, email me and let me know and we can chat details 😉
I LOVE everything about this. And you know I ADORE Shannen. Your choices are all totally you, by the way (even the circles). When I lived in Texas I used to throw “Closet Cleaning Parties” quarterly. I’d invite everyone of my girlfriends to clean out their closets and bring the clothes to my house. I’d serve yummies to eat and drink and about 8 of us would look through the clothes and take what worked for us. A lot of us were moms and for us that meant the sizes in all of our bags varied because we had things from various stages of our lives … the things we kept because we wanted to be that size again but finally decided it was time to let go … and the things we let go of with ease. It worked out really well for us and I miss it dearly.
I love this idea, Angela!
You are brilliant. And generous. And I adore you.
That’s such an awesome idea. I actually JUST signed up for my first box from Stitch Fix out of desperation – I have absolutely no luck shopping for myself. But like you, I’m concerned about the price tag. I’m a consignment/frugal shopper and have a hard time spending money on clothes, especially being a SAHM to little kiddos. Anyway, if your friend decides to take on a few more people I’d love to give it a try!!
As for your clothes, so cute! I really like that striped sweater – I also love 3/4 length sleeves 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I think that striped sweater is going in the “not for me” pile, so if you’re interested in it, let me know!
I LOVE this idea! All of your “what I love” pieces are one hundred percent you. The “on the fence” items… um, I have that blue striped Old Navy shirt! It looks cute on you, but if you are sucking it in, then it’s probably not a keeper. And I think the red one looks really nice. You could make that work. So long as you have help to get it off! So, what are the odds that Shannan would send ME some clothes? 😉
Ha! Want to travel with me and be my official “get Crystal unstuck from her shirts” assistant?
Yes. Yes I do.
That was a great idea! I love up cycling and thrifting, but like you, I’m not quite as good as my friend. I think I’ll get her to make me a “thrift fix.” Love what you kept, liked the stripes a lot, but if you’re uncomfortable, definitely don’t keep. I think the polka dots could be fun, especially when you’re speaking and everyone is looking at you anyway 🙂 Hated to be missing out on your Creative class right now, but I’m in an off place with blogging. Maybe you’ll do it again, sometime?
I was thinking the polka dots under a super cute cardi might be fun – but also just an excuse to buy more clothes 😉 So we’ll see! And you can pre-order the creative basics ebook on Amazon (http://amzn.to/1JDL6F8) so you can do it any time you’d like! It will release on May 1st.