Category: Trendsend

The Battle of the Boxes

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Confused about which styling service you should try? Here’s a simple table to help make the decision easier…the opinions are mine and based on my experience and my personal likes/dislikes only.

Stitch Fix Trendsend Wantable Style Edit
Is there a styling fee? $20 – non-refundable but applied to anything you purchase $0 $20 – non-refundable but applied to anything you purchase
How many items do you receive? 5 It varies. You receive 2-3 complete outfits. 5
Are accessories included? Yes Yes No – Wantable have a separate accessories subscription service
Can you exchange for a different size? Yes – if it’s available Yes No
Can you exchange for a different color? No Yes No
How many days do you get to try on the items before you need to ‘check out’? 3 5 5
Do you receive a discount if you keep your entire box? Yes – 25% keep all discount No 20% keep all discount
What brands are featured? Examples:

Kut from the cloth

Kensie

Daniel Rainn

Plus Stitch Fix in-house labels such as Pixley and 41 Hawthorn

 Examples:

Kut from the cloth

Lush

Allison Joy

Billabong

BB Dakota

Click here for a full list

 

 Examples:

French Connection

7 For All Mankind

BB Dakota

Kensie

Wooden Ships Hudson

Waverly Grey
How regularly can you receive boxes? Every 2-3 weeks

Every month

Every other month

Every three months

 Every month OR whenever you request one Every month (you can skip a month if you wish)
What are the unique features of this box? Style cards show you two different ways to style the outfit Linked to an actual store meaning size exchanges and color swaps are easy. You can also buy anything you don’t receive in your box. Hmmm…
What is customer service like? Excellent Excellent Wouldn’t do a size exchange so not as accommodating as Trendsend or Stitch Fix.
Pros Excellent customer service

Style cards

Highly personal notes from stylists with the opportunity to keep your stylist from month to month

25% keep all discount

Very flexible subscription options

 Offers items on sale

Linked to store for easy exchanges

Complete outfits sent

Can request a one-off box without committing to a subscription

 

 20% keep all discount

The box it comes in is fabulous!
Cons Even if you request an item, you can’t be sure you will receive it.

I had fit issues with the first few boxes and some really ‘off’ stuff sent. You have to persevere as it definitely gets better with time!

 

 Expensive. If you were to keep your entire box, it would easily be $500-$1000!

As you can see all the items on the Evereve website, it’s less exciting than Stitch Fix where you have no idea what you could receive!

 I personally thought the quality of the clothing was very poor

Impersonal
Overall impressions The original and my personal favorite! I love the element of surprise, the personal notes from your stylist, how closely they look at your Pinterest board and the style of the clothes. I love the fact you get entire outfits and sale items. However, it’s a bit too expensive for me and not really my style. Definitely more ‘boho chic’ and ‘edgy’ than Stitch Fix. Not a fan. I thought it was poor quality clothing and impersonal (both the stylist’s note, styling advice and customer service).

 
Rating (out of 10) 9…it’d be 10 if it was a little cheaper! 7…mainly due to style 3…not impressed!
Want to sign up? Click here for Stitch Fix Click here for Trendsend Click here for Wantable

Trendsend: Reveal and Review – November 2015

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On Friday, I had to take my beautiful baby girl for her first day at daycare…cue the tears. It’s the day I’ve been dreading for weeks as it signifies the end of what has been a truly glorious maternity leave. Second time round has been so much more relaxing and enjoyable in many ways and I have loved spending my time with Maddie (without her crazy big sister around to steal the spotlight!). In some ways this has made it even harder to leave her; the thought of me not being her caregiver every second of the day consumes me with guilt and immense sadness. BUT, I know, from experience, that every day will get easier and, like her sister before her, she will learn a lot from being in a social setting with other babies (even if she’s my baby and I want to keep her all to myself!). So to distract me from this cutting of the umbilical cord, I scheduled by Stitch Fix box to come this week (which I received on Monday and reviewed here), but imagine my joy when I noticed a box on my doorstep just before leaving Friday morning! Weirdly the mail hadn’t come until after dark on Thursday hence my Trendsend had sat out there all night unattended and alone! (If you want to find out how Trendsend works, read this). As soon as I dropped my girls off, I was home, in the new clothes and strutting my stuff. And here’s the result…

First of all, I was really impressed with how closely my stylist had read my note, looked at my Pinterest board and checked my Evereve wish list. KJ had clearly spent time doing her research. She paid attention to the fact I liked the cheaper items (often on sale) so most of the tops she sent me were on sale! Bargains galore! Here’s the two outfits she suggested…

Outfit 1:

Cloth and Stone Lightweight Buttondown – On sale for $49.99 from $98

Renee C Batik Drape Front Top –  On sale for $34.99 from $58

Beloved Cami – $28

Kut from the Cloth Mia Skinny – $94

First of all, this isn’t really an outfit as you couldn’t wear the buttondown and the batik drape top! However, I’m not going to complain about bonus clothing in my box.

Let’s start with the buttondown. I actually received this in my very first Trendsend box for the full amount. I loved it at the time but could not justify spending just short of $100 on a chambray shirt when I’d just bought this one from Target for $23! However, I love my chambray shirt and wear it constantly. Therefore I feel it’s something that is worth upgrading to a higher quality (sorry Target, I love you to pieces but you are cheap!). When I saw the Trendsend one had gone on sale, I requested it again. It is so soft and gorgeous and one of the only items I’ve returned from a subscription box that I have regretted not buying! It’s a keeper!

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The Renee C top I paired with the Beloved cami. The cami is fab! It’s so soft and stretchy. However, I don’t think I really need another one or want to spend $28 on a cami that I can pick up in H&M for $6. That will be returned. The Renee C top I liked. It’s a flattering shape, super soft material that feels lovely on my skin and very versatile. The abstract black print is an easy addition to any wardrobe. That being said, it’s not quite my style and despite the attractive price tag, I will be returning it.

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The Kut skinny jeans were great. I don’t own any distressed denim so really enjoyed trying these out and Kut from the cloth has been a brand I’ve been dying to try! However, these jeans weren’t that soft for the price, and also weren’t a great fit. A little too loose on the calves and slightly too short. For $94, they need to be perfect. Returned!

Outfit 2:

Sanctuary Midnight Embroidered Shell – On sale for $39.99 from $69

Allison Joy Colette Raw Edge Top – On sale for $24.99 from $58

Lush Easy Seamed Pullover – On sale for $54.99 from $68

So like outfit 1, this isn’t really a complete outfit as there’s no bottoms and too many tops. But here’s a look at them individually.

The Sanctuary shell is a really pretty top. A fun design with cute embroidery round the neckline. The cut out back adds a bit of interest and the shape is very flattering. However, it’s just not something I’d wear so while I have no issues with it, it’s going back.

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The Allison Joy blouse is super cute. It’s something I had saved on my Evereve wishlist which my stylist noticed and sent me! I love that she did that! I love the longer length in the back of the shirt and how versatile this could be for work. The only issue I have is that it’s a little too sheer. I need to experiment with different bras and camisoles to see how I could use this (I do teach high school English after all and sheer isn’t quite the look I’m going for!). Status: Undecided at present but edging towards keeping it!

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Now my stylist recommended I pair the Lush sweater with the Allison Joy top. So I followed her advice and did just that. Well, I think it looks just plain weird. I have so many issues with this sweater from the material (scratchy) to the split sides (drafty) to the color (too dark) to the fit (I’m not pregnant!). It would work on someone.…just not me! I really don’t understand how it works with the Allison Joy top unless it looks so weird it’s cool? In which case, I am just not cool enough! I love Trendsend but sometimes I do feel like I am just not trendy enough to pull off their outfits!

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So that’s it! My November Trendsend box. I’ve really enjoyed the last few Trendsend boxes I’ve received and have kept a few items, but I have decided to stop my subscription. I’m keeping my account open and may well request the occasional box, but I don’t think it quite lines up with my personal style. I think the service, clothes and prices have been excellent and my decision to stop receiving monthly boxes has nothing to do with that. This is the perfect box for the more ‘on trend’ and ‘edgy’ fashionistas out there…not just this relatively normal, flip flop wearing, ponytail sporting, mummy.

 

What is Trendsend?

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Trendsend is a subscription box service linked to the store, Evereve. It is similar to the other subscription box services like Stitch Fix and Wantable. Like these, it is targeted at busy moms. I personally love one of its taglines: ‘Take care of your family, we’ll take care of you’. It brilliantly sums up what they are trying to do at Evereve with Trendsend. Another lovely thing about this company…10% of profits go to charities important to moms both locally and worldwide. I love that.

Trendsend is a personal styling service which rather than sending individual items like Stitch Fix, it sends you two to three perfectly styled outfits which can be mixed and matched. I love the fact you get entire outfits – it makes the shopping experience even easier! There is also no styling fee, another win. The prices vary. There is some high end merchandise available but they also will send you items on sale should you wish. I have personally grabbed some fantastic bargains this way.

How does it work?

Step one: Create your style profile. This information gives your stylist information on everything from your measurements and hair color to likes and dislikes. It asks you questions about your favorite outfits and you have the opportunity to upload an image of you wearing clothes that make you feel great. There’s space for you to share what you normally get up to with your family and how adventurous you want your stylist to be! They’ve thought of everything!

Step two: Your package is shipped right to your door with your handpicked outfits inside. Try them on in the comfort of your own home, on your own time. Your stylist will send a note detailing how to put the outfits together and why they picked them.

Step three: Keep what you love, return what you don’t! The free shipping label makes returning anything you don’t want a breeze. As Trendsend is linked to the Evereve store, you can easily exchange for different colors or sizes. Check out by logging into your account online. Each item you are asked to rate based on fit, price, style and shape. There’s also space for comments. The only downside is there’s no discount if you decide to keep your entire box.

You can set up a subscription, or just choose to receive one off boxes. It’s up to you!

If you want to try Trendsend, click here to get started.

 

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2015 fall and winter essentials

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Fall is finally here in North Carolina and as the winter months and darker evenings creep in, I have finally put together my ‘wardrobe must haves’ for the next few months ready to share with you. Here is my 2015 fall and winter essential wardrobe. All items I own and use regularly to mix up my fixes as you can see in ‘The Fix Mix’ where I add my more unique and stand out pieces that I receive in my different subscription boxes to spice things up. This list is your go-to foolproof-fashion guide. There are endless possibilities with the items below and you will see most come from stores such as Target making it easy and affordable to put together an effortlessly classy wardrobe. I’ve included the links to where I bought these items to make it even easier.

Fall and winter essentials2

 

  1. White Camisole – H&M – $5.99
  2. Black Camisole – H&M – $5.99 
  3. White tee – Abercrombie & Fitch – $15
  4. Black tee – Abercrombie & Fitch – $15
  5. Pixley George Crochet Detail Knit Top – Stitch Fix – $44 –
  6. Plaid button down – H&M – $29.99 
  7. Chambray button down – Target – $22.99 
  8. White button down – Target – $16.99 
  9. Braeve Printed tunic – Trendsend – $24.99. 
  10. Polka dot sweater – New Look – $30. It’s a UK brand and I bought this in the sales a few years ago. However, Stitch Fix currently have a similar polka dot sweater.
  11. Navy blue layering cardigan – Target – $22.99 
  12. Yellow layering cardigan – Target – $22.99 
  13. Gray layering cardigan – Forever 21 – A few years old. You can buy similar at Target for $22.99 
  14. Cozy sweater – American Eagle Outfitters – from 2014. Here’s a similar one for $44.95 
  15. Just Black Adorra Skinny Jean in dark navy – Stitch Fix – $88
  16. Just Black Connely Skinny Jean in black – Stitch Fix – $78 
  17. White jeggings – American Eagle Outfitters – $44.95 
  18. Black open drape cardigan – Marshalls – You can buy similar at Target for $22.99 
  19. Basic black leggings – H&M – $9.99
  20. Faux leather leggings – New Look – $30. It’s a UK brand and these are old! However, these leggings are everywhere at the moment. Stitch Fix have some amongst other places.
  21. Faux Leather jacket – Target – $44.99
  22. Navy Sherpa lined vest – Abercrombie & Fitch – old but you can buy similar here for $80
  23. Brown flats – Target – $16.99 
  24. Black flats – Target – $13.99
  25. Faux Suede Slouched Gray booties – Express – $59.99
  26. Brown flat leather boots – Aldo – $130

Happy mixing!

XOXO