Tried "stylist in a box" and learned a lot! Or, purr not grrr! - YouLookFab Forum

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Tried "stylist in a box" and learned a lot! Or, purr not grrr!

Keturah

Veteran

I tried one of those "stylist in a box" clothing services. Every clothing item was a no-go. While it's helpful as an experiment, the clothes seem overpriced for what they are ($100 for a rather sloppy polyester dress in an ugly "old woman" print) and nothing has struck my fancy. I honestly feel more satisfied and happy shopping for clothes on my own and will be discontinuing it.

However, it did give me a chance to experiment and really let sink in what works for my style, my heart+head, and my body type.

Exhibit A: Collarless Moto Jacket. Trying to replace my beloved blazer which has finally bit the dust after 3 years of constant love and wear. This jacket looked cute and trendy in the box. I thought, hmmm...maybe it's time to try something a bit more RATE.

Wearing it was a different story.

Honestly, I felt terrible in it, and in the mirror I looked 10 years older and 10 lb heavier. (In my eyes.) It didn't fit well through my waist and it felt heavy and boxy.

Lately it seems more and more obvious that I'm definitely more Sophia and Rita. (Loren & Hayworth, yes!) I think for me it's all about purrrrrr and not grrrr.

That said, while the ladylike and romantic thing is great, sometimes it seems so dressy and high maintenance. And yet, I love clothes that swirl, twirl, and have class.

However, I'm not going to focus on trying so hard to label or "nail down" my style type. A close and stylish friend recently pointed out to me, that a year ago I was trying very hard to have a defined style. She thinks now I'm stylish but I'm more happy and comfortable in my clothes. I agree; that's certainly how I feel!

YLF'ers and a couple close stylist friends have been my golden ticket to the Effortless Style Train. <3 Not sure if I've made it to the first class car, pretty sure I'm still in coach! But I'm working my way forward.

xo and love to you all <3

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Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

rachylou

Veteran

Mm, yes... that jacket is not for you. Lol. I don't know why. It makes you look frowsy.

Pity. Because "stylist in a box" just sounds so cool.

Keturah

Veteran

rachylou, lol! I'm glad you agree! Because I felt terribly frowsy just wearing it. It looks and feels like something a more mature aged woman would wear. And I can't put my finger on why.

It is a pity about the whole stylist in a box. You do list your preferences, link to your Pinterest style board, etc. BUT I just don't think it's like having real feedback here at YLF or working with a stylist in person.

Anonymous

Yeah, I agree with Rachy 'frowsy' (great word!). I'm not keen on the neckline.

Summer

Veteran

Keturah, I'm intrigued by "stylist in a box" services. How do they work? I've never heard of the concept.

Gigi

Veteran

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Even though this didn't work out, as you can see, it was a valuable learning experience!

I have been a little skeptical of these services because I think there are so many tiny details on an item that can make it or break it for a person. The placement of a zipper, the subtle shade of color, the exact point where the hem hits—all these things can make a big difference and can't be assessed in advance. No matter how you look at it, putting together a good outfit and figuring out your style involves a lot of work in the trenches!

annabelle

Veteran

The benefit of a new stylist is they can encourage us to try new things, "push the envelope" as it were. I've acquired a Vince oversized cashmere pullover, a cotton knit maxi skirt and a Helmut Lang sweatshirty fabric moto cut jacket that I never would have even considered trying on, without the push. However these new picks are from a stylist I've known for over five years. The Keaton Row stylist I work with (who isn't exactly in a box but, sort of) doesn't know me or my style very well. She seems to skew more lower priced with her looks, no matter that she knows my small sized wardrobe, my age (i.e., fabrics have to be "better" for my complexion), and brand history of purchases. It's like she's skewing to the middle of the road, like your box lady. But KR has gotten me to try on a boxy cropped sweater silhouette I wouldn't have tried, and it's nice to have eyes opened a bit by someone else's vision. Frankly I get a lot (a LOT) of seasonal inspiration from Angie's blog and from the WIWs on the forum. You guys know what's new - or at least new for me! - and how to wear it. It's a win all around. I also like subscribing to shopbop's email for daily lookbooks that I can further investigate, or delete with one click.

The fact that when you tried on the jacket and you knew instantly that it was a no-go shows that you understand your style and that you will be making clothing investments, and not buying mistakes. Good job

annabelle

Veteran

p.s., Keturah, you have such a beautiful sporty-natural look, with your height, hair and complexion. Would your work environment allow for one of the patterned cardigans that Angie has featured especially in her MOTG collections, to replace the blazer? Otherwise, I agree with you that a moto would be a good replacement; it is a little more casual (and sporty natural) than a blazer and it would be a fun alternative. Or a bomber if you can find one that you like, if you like the idea of the split up the middle. You could choose a colored leather (can you wear pink? orange? blue?) to appeal to your feminine side without going all over girly on us.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Keturah, are you willing to share what service it was? I've thought of trying Stitch Fix - a friend of mine who has two young kids loves it - but for various reasons I haven't yet. Gigi makes a good point that sometimes it's the small details in person that make the difference between 'yes' and 'absolutely not'.

But, you learned something from the experience and dialed in on your style a bit, so it was worth the time!

Annabelle, I'd never heard of Keaton Row, and just looked it up. I might be more apt to try it than Stitch Fix, because there's no initial cost and I decide what items I want to try, as opposed to Stitch Fix where you'd have to return everything you didn't want to keep. Overall, do you consider it worth the bother?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I would go for a black leather moto with the lace skirt or a longer cardigan. I was looking at the Fall 2015 RTW show for BCBG and saw lots of dresses topped with longer cardigans or coats. I liked the look!

You are an attractive woman, no sense in wearing things that make you feel unfab.

Anonymous

Curious about how you were describing your style I went back and looked at some of your previous posts, in particular "Something plum, something French" and "Another Attempt at Gypsy chic".
I'm thinking maybe you're just evolving out of a phase that suited you for a long time but doesn't feel right anymore, and now you'd be better suited by a sleeker, more constructed style. Maybe not overt bombshell, but why not self possessed sensualist?

crutcher

Veteran

Keturah, dear one, that is just so 'not you'...I won't assign any negative descriptors other than to say, you can do way better...Isn't it fun to experiment as with the styling service and find more about who you are?...
Sending you love and hugs...
From me and from Tobs...

annabelle

Veteran

Laura, Re Keaton Row: For certain strategic occasions, I like them a lot! I felt like my Seattle stylist (not Angie, obviously) was a bit pushy for my tastes. Not about styles but more about "I don't work that way" when I suggested that I not hand over all my credit card information to her... For Keaton Row, I submitted a profile of a dozen questions or so, and then Keaton Row provided me with three stylist profiles that I could choose from. From what I've read subsequently, I think the three profiles provided to customers are random (or in rotation for the stylists) and not based on the answers to my questions. That said, I found the one of the three whose outfits and photo of herself resonated with me the most.

From there, my stylist Lili was enthusiastic, positive and very professional. She truly enjoys creating outfits, and I can see from her profile that she's had over 400 clients.

The best use I have for Lili at KR is when I'm in a hurry for a need, like a new job or a business trip that needs six outfits, stat! I follow Angie's advice to shop often, and buy rather seldom, so I have a pretty good bead of what's on shopbop. But Lili can find me 16 "t-shirts, 100% cotton that fit kind of boxy and go with cropped pants for my new job" by either investing new time into it, or from what she's already researched for her other clients. Often, she'll find me a color or a silhouette I wouldn't have considered for myself, and it's a winner! (There was one Splendid muscle shirt last summer, that I desperately wish I'd bought a duplicate of.)

If you have leisure time for shopping, you know yourself best. But if you're interested in experimenting - for no cost or obligation - then a Keaton Row stylist can be great.

And Keaton Row is updating its technology so that its interface with its vendors of Shopbop, Asos, Bloomingdales and Les Nouvelles is more up to date with product availability and so on. And they are making their site where it is way fewer clicks to view outfits.

My link here is to Lili's outfits that she's posted, not specific to my needs, but you can get a flavor of the site. If you request a lookbook, it is completely private. I often enjoy shopping her outfits and finding items without requesting a lookbook. https://keatonrow.com/shop-outfits/lili-morton

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Annabelle! Sounds like it might be something to try, especially if I have an event coming up or a big wardrobe hole to fill.

Keturah

Veteran

Summer, I used Stitch Fix. You are given sample outfits (in various styles) that you rate based on much you like/dislike the styles, answer some questions about your current style and what you want. Then wait for your box. It's a fun concept but can't say I'll continue the service. The dress was polyester and was expensive. When I can dig and hunt a bit for a gem at TJ Maxx or Target, i can't justify that.

Gigi, well said! I didn't lose much on it. I think you're right to remain skeptical about said services. There are small details and bits that make big differences in the overall Style. So far I'm not impressed with the service. It's too bad because the concept is alluring! But it ends up being more of a personal shopper kinda thing.

Annabelle, I worked with a stylist via Skype a few years ago and she did do all you mentioned: pushed me to try something new, gave me feedback, etc. It was golden. Stitch Fix though feels more like a personal shopper than a stylist. But at least I tried some new things which further helped me see what doesn't work for me. envelope" as it were. Sorry KR hasn't quite worked out for you. That's not so much fun. Like you, I get inspiration from YLF'ers and Angie's blog.

Thank you for the affirmation! I think what bugs me is I want to be able to put my style into words. I know what doesn't work for me. But what to call what DOES work for me? I am miffed. It doesn't seem to fit into a nice box. I like some aspects of different styles, try a lot of things. I definitely know my style is feminine and perhaps leans romantic. But beyond that...? I hadn't thought of sporty-natural! Thanks for your kind compliments My work environment is actually quite casual (if anything I usually am overdressed compared to most of my colleagues). I wore a blazer because I liked the chic feel. I have a couple cardis, though I don't wear them much. However, I did admire the MOTG examples. Haven't tried a bomber yet but I'll give that a go!

Laura, most definitely. I didn't post it because I didn't know if anyone would want to know, lol I did in fact use Stitch Fix. It's more of a personal shopper service than a stylist, at least that's how I feel. But not a total waste as I've learned a bit more about what doesn't work for me.

CocoLion, I think it needs to be a stronger, more traditional moto style. I hadn't thought of a longer cardi. Smashing good idea! I have a couple and should give them a whirl with it and see if I like it. Thanks for the sweet compliment Definitely steering cleear of unfab

isabel, I really appreciate your insights. I find myself wrestling these days. I love the more glam looks, but sometimes it feels high maintenance. Then I do something more casual and it feels too casual. So I go back and forth. Really, I think I just want my style to fit into a neat little category, and wake up with every outfit I wear taking little thought or effort. (Some people just seem to have that effortless style, regardless of what their style is.) I do so like "self possessed sensualist" very much. I did bombshell a couple years ago. It was fun, but it became very high maintenance for me. So then I went more bohemian, which I enjoy too. But sometimes it just feels too unfinished, too natural. I keep thinking, there must be a happy compromise somewhere in the midst of this! (Perhaps it's just wearing what i love and not worrying about what to label it and fallen into paralysis by analysis?!) And mostly, I just want it to be effortless. I'm not one of those people that wakes up and throws on clothes but sometimes it would be nice. Mostly, I think I just like everything to have a certain blend of of both glam and relaxed. Does such a think exist? I don't know.

crutcher, my dear darling, you always know what to say and make it a sunny day It really was fun to experiment! Even though I didn't keep a single thing, it opened my eyes. For one: I don't like the usual status quo styles. I like everything to have a statement, or an edge, or a certain something to it. Sending love and hugs right back to you from me and Mille-moo. xo

Summer

Veteran

Thanks for the explanation, Keturah.

Keturah

Veteran

Summer, you're welcome!!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I have heard that if you do multiple boxes with Stitch Fix, the recommendations get better as you go because of the feedback that you provide each time. I think that usually you have the same stylist so they get to know your preferences better.

My friend who likes them has two kids under three, so she's not able to go to the mall that often or spend a lot of time shopping online. She was always a jeans and tshirts girl before she had kids, so she was just looking for stuff that was practical for MOTG but a little jazzed up from the very basics she was wearing. For her needs and the time she has to spend it's worked out really well, but obviously it's not suited for everyone.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I tried Stitch Fix once, but was not super impressed. I do think that a person like Laura described above is their ideal customer.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The picture is gone, but the important thing is the validation was gained - nobody feels good wearing everything. You know what you like and that is the important part!