Style Statistics

What I love most about the Stylebook Closet app is the statistics it gives me on my wardrobe (see previous app reviews here and here). When I first started using the app 5 months ago I worked on my "Never Worn" list. It took a couple of months to wear everything in my closet once...and actually there are still 143 items on that list. Those last remaining items are sweaters, corduroy pants, boots and jackets, so once the weather gets cooler I'll clear out my "never worn" list.

In the meantime I've been working my "Worst Cost per Wear" list. This list takes the price you paid for an item and divides it by the number of times you've worn it, and then ranks the top 25 items. There's also a "Best Cost per Wear" list. Most of the items on that list tend to be my less expensive pieces like shorts and tee-shirts, but my top item on that list is a black pencil skirt that is currently $1.11 per wear! I've obviously gotten my money's worth out of it! Which is exactly what this app is helping me do. I want to get my money's worth out of my clothes. I don't mind spending a little more on an item if I know I'm going to wear it many times, but I hate to see high end items languishing on the "Worst Cost per Wear" list.

My outfit today includes three items on my "Worst Cost per Wear" list: the blouse, purse, and necklace.

I bought my necklace at the Gold and Diamond Mall in Dubai. It was pricey, but I wear it often, and will continue to for decades, so it may one day be $1.11 per wear too!

I also love my Celine Nano Tote. It was a little pricey too, so even though I've carried it 10 times since April it is still on the list. I carry it much more in the fall and winter, so it will be in heavy rotation soon, and will work it's way off the list in no time.

My blouse on the other hand is a reasonably priced item but prior to today I had only worn it twice. This black wrap top is from M M Lafleur, and it is one of the most comfortable, yet polished business tops I own (see previously styled here), so I don't know why I don't wear every week! I love the 3/4 length sleeves, and the front draping. Another plus is that the wrap part it fully sewn so I'm not fussing with it all day to insure I'm not flashing any cleavage.  It looks polished enough to wear on its own as I did here, but it also looks great under a blazer, and it pairs well with jeans too.

M.M. LaFleur is an interesting company (read their story here), started by a woman in finance who wanted a more inspired wardrobe. They design and manufacturing professional women's wear, and pay a lot of attention comfort, quality, and ease of care.  On top of that their customer service is excellent.

If you want to give them a try I recommend ordering a Bento Box. A stylist will curate and send you some items. You get to try everything on and keep what you like. My first box wasn't quite me and I ended up sending everything back. Then I got a sweet email from their marketing director, apologizing for missing the mark and asked if she could send out another box. I of course accepted their gracious offer and ended up with this lovely blouse. It currently comes in wine and ivory as well as black, and both are on my wish list.

Blouse - M.M. LaFleur Deneuve Blouse

Skirt - White House Black Market

Spectator Pumps - Lauren by Ralph Lauren

Bag - Celine Nano

 

Charity - I use affiliate links in this blog.  That means each time you click on a link to a product I get a few cents, even if you don't purchase anything.  I have a full time job and I keep this blog purely for fun.  All proceeds I make here I donate to charity, so please click away and know it's for a great cause! Also, please tell me what your favorite charities are in the comments.  I will donate to the ones that are most popular. Many thanks!

Stitch Fix #4

I got my latest box from Stitch Fix. Have you ever tried it?  It like having a personal stylist drop off clothes at your front door.  I love the idea of a surprise box of clothes showing up on my door step full of things that are my style and size, but...I'm not willing to pay more for the service. I've read so many blogs about people who love Stitch Fix, but my experience has just been ok.

My biggest disappointment has been the price for the quality of some of the items. In this latest box I received 2 blouses that would have been $20 or less at TJMaxx or Marshall's. You can even get great blouses at Nordstrom for under $30 when they are on sale. So for Stich Fix to charge $60 for a similar quality item, I just can't get excited about that.

I have kept some lovely dresses that were a little more expensive, but also a higher quality and the price felt more fair, so for me it's been hit or miss.  The people who have more luck tend to have a more casual wardrobe over all.  If I've peaked your curiosity try it out: Stitch Fix. 

Anyway, here's what was in my box this time.

Brixon Ivy Sylvester Split Neck Blouse $54
This was a pretty blouse, but the fabric was bleh, and I don't need one more top in my closet!

Another cute top, I would have kept it for $20 or less, but not for over $50. 

I loved this blazer.  I asked for blazers and skirts in this fix.  The stylist probably saw all my blazers in this color on my Pinterest boards, but I already have 3 blazers in this color.  If they had sent it in any other color I would have kept it.  The $80 price tag seemed appropriate for the quality.

This was once of the skirts they sent.  It has an ethnic black and cream print.  It is very stretchy, doesn't even have a zipper, and isn't lined.  I like that is can be dressed down with a t-shirt like this, but I can also pair it with a blazer for work.  Still I thought it was a little pricy $68 for what it was.

This was another skirt they sent.  It was the same brand as the one above.  You can't tell in this picture but it was a dark blue with a lattice texture.  It was very pretty, but a little long on me and bunched up when I walked. 

So that is my 4th Stich Fix box.  I generally try to just keep one item from each box, I kept the black print skirt this time.  It's very tempting to keep more, but since reading Marie Kondo's book about the magic of tidying up, I'm much more picky about what I keep.

Feeling Nautical

I haven't worn this white jacket in probably over a year. I've almost gotten rid of it a couple of times, but somehow it always made its way back into the closet from my donate pile.  My Stylebook Closet App manages to keep everything in my closet top of mind. Since getting the app I've managed to wear a lot of items in my closet that haven't been in rotation!  It's a great feeling. 

I got this J Crew navy skirt on eBay at the beginning of May and have already worn it 3 times. I'd been looking for a navy pencil skirt for sometime. You'd think it is such a wardrobe basic that I would be able to find one anywhere...and how do I not already own a navy skirt to begin with!? I even asked Sheila, my personal shopper at Trunk Club (Post 1, Post 2) to send me one, and

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and she came up empty too. So I headed to eBay, filtered by my go-to brands like J Crew and Banana Republic, and got this one for $37 including shipping. I love a good find! 

The yellow top was one of the items I kept from my first Trunk Club trunk that I got in April. It is so soft, like your favorite t-shirt, and the square neck keeps it looking like a blouse. Square necklines aren't flattering on everyone, but I've always liked them.

Navy pencil skirt - J Crew

 Yellow top - Lafayette 148

White jacket - Alfani

Blue silk stripe pumps - Badalino

 

Here's a close up of my shoes. I love them and wear them a lot. They are by Bandalino and I got them at DSW. Don't they look like they are made of neck-tie material? I love menswear inspired items. The only funny thing about them is you can hear me coming and going; the chain clinks with each step!

 

Trunk Club #2

I got my second trunk from Trunk Club, and it was really big!  My stylist, Sheila, put 14 things in there including 2 pairs of shoes, a purse, and a raincoat (which I asked for).

 

If you are unfamiliar with how Trunk Club works see my first post about it, or you can go directly to the Trunk Club website.

Trunk Cub is great for people who don't know what they want or for someone trying to breakout of a style rut.  It is also good for people who don't have the time and/or inclination to shop, and also for people who are trying to build their wardrobe.  If you're an avid do-it-yourselfer, know what you're looking for, or love to bargain hunt then you might be less thrilled with this service.

Here is my second trunk and the stacks of clothes included inside.  Doesn't it look like Christmas!










The rules are you have to try everything on, even if you don't think you like something. Then you keep what you like, return what you don't like.  There is no charge for shipping either way, and there is no styling fee, even if you don't keep everything.  And, it can all be done from an app on your phone.

Here's what I kept:

Michael Kors Raincoat $130

I told Sheila that I needed a new raincoat and she was so nice to send me 2 to choose from (the other was the Gingham Trim Double Breasted Hooded Coat by Laundry by Shelli Segal).  I loved this one, I think it will be perfect for my trip to northern Europe in July.

This light blue cashmere sweater by Theory was another keeper. It is the perfect color blue and will again be a good layering piece for my summer trip.

Finally I kept these pumps. I've been wanting a pair of Valentino's Rockstud pumps, but at $995, I just can't bring myself to buy them. I love the similar style of these and the price tag that's 1/10 of the originals. I'll get plenty of wear out of them.

I had trouble with fit of a lot of items in this trunk. Several items were just too small, and couple were too big. That wasn't a problem with my last trunk though. 

Here are a few of the things that I liked but ended up returning anyway. There were 2 pairs of black jeans - one skinny, one boot cut, both Paige Denim 'Transcend - Skyline' - that had a great cut, were nice and soft, with the right amount of stretch, but I just don't need them right now.
 

She also included a pair on linen cargo pants that were actually really cute on, but not my style and oh the wrinkles! I almost kept the Tory Burch crossbody bag, but it seemed to be the wrong length for me and didn't lay flat.


There was also this pair of white jeans that I really wanted to love, but it is so difficult to find a good pair of white jeans. The fabric in these was just too thin that every imperfection was amplified.

If you want to see what Sheila will send you, you can sign up here:
Trunk Club

Trunk Club #1

There is a personal stylist here in Houston that I've used before.  I hired her for a consultation for the first time ten years ago.  She came into my closet, made me get rid of a bunch of stuff, and then took me shopping for everything I was missing.  It was a great experience.  I've since had her come help my husband too, and even my sister has hired her.  A good expert in any field is usually hard to find and is often easily worth the cost.



In this digital age virtual stylists keep popping up.  I've tried a few: Stitch Fix, MM La Fleur, Keaton Row, and most recently Trunk Club.



Trunk Club has been around for a long time.  Originally they just serviced men.  I actually found out about it because my husband started using them.  They have recently been purchased by Nordstrom and they now help women too!



It's easy to get started.  You just fill out a little bit online and then your stylist gives you a call to get a feel for what you need and then she sends you a trunk.  I was a little nervous about the call (introverts worst nightmare), and almost didn't sign up because of it, but it ended up not being stressful at all, and it only lasted a couple of minutes.


Since I work in a very conservative office, I told her I'm always looking for more work wear.  I also let her know that I am going on a vacation this summer to Northern Europe, so I need summer clothes that are a little warmer, which is not something I own at all!



My stylist, Sheila, then curated a few items for me.  I got to check them out on the app before they were sent just in case she was way off the mark.  A few days later a trunk was delivered to my doorstep.  I had 10 days to try them in in my own house, looking in my own mirror, and styling the items with my own items.  I decided what to keep and what to send back.  When I was done I just packet up what I wanted to return in the same box and UPS came by to pick it up.  So easy!


Here are a few items that came in my trunk:



Tahari Aline dress - $128
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tahari-seamed-a-line-dress-regular-petite/3501047
It comes in 12 colors, and it comes in petites.
My stylist sized up one size for me, how did she know?, and it fit perfectly.  Tahari is one of my go to brands, and this dress did not disappoint.

 

Classiques Entier 'Malibu' Cotton Blend Bateau Neck Pullover      $148

http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&keyword=Classiques+Entier+%27Malibu%27+Cotton+Blend+Bateau+Neck+Pullover+

This is one of the items Sheila through into the trunk for my European vacation.  I told her I wanted some yellow, and this fits the bill.  It's lightweight and summery, while still being a sweater.  I ended up wearing it last week in when I went to Boston too!

Attilio Giusti Leombruni Ankle Wrap Wedge Sandal $350
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/agl-attilio-giusti-leombruni-ankle-wrap-wedge-sandal-women/3854627?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=NICKEL
She sent these wedges.  They are totally cute, and comfy, but they are so reflective.  I could have literally used the straps as a mirror.  On, I felt a bit like Wonder Woman, so I sent them back.  They come in other colors though, black, nude, and blue snake skin.  If they go on sale I think I might buy them in the blue snake skin since they are so comfortable.





AG 'The Angelina' Bootcut Jeans Midnight Swim  $168
http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&keyword=AG+%27The+Angelina%27+Bootcut+Jeans+Midnight+Swim


Sheila also sent me a new pair of blue jeans.  Up until now I've never ventured down the rabbit hole of designer jeans, worried that I would never come back up.  Well, thanks to Sheila, I had to try these on, and yes, there is a noticeable difference between designer jeans and the ones I've been wearing for the past 5 years.  Oh they are so soft, and there is so much stretch, yet they keep their shape.  She sent them in petite so they fit in the rise and the inseam. Once I put them on I couldn't take them off, so I definitely kept them.



What do you think about personal stylists like Trunk Club?  Have you ever used one?