I can’t believe I’m sharing my 40th Stitch Fix box on the blog today. A lot of great clothes have come my way and this time around I wanted to try something new so I asked my stylist, Layla, to send a budget-conscious fix my way. School is starting up and I know a lot of women (moms and teachers alike) are feeling the pain of school supply shopping in their monthly budgets. So, in honor of back to school season, I’m happy to share my bargain fix as my September Stitch Fix review. And since my 40th fix is a bit of a milestone, I’m also excited to give away a $40 Stitch Fix gift cards to five blog readers.
This post contains affiliate links (including my Stitch Fix referral link). I receive a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links, which helps to support the blog. Thank you to Stitch Fix for generously providing the gift cards for this month’s giveaway.
Haven Textured Knit Dress
The first item I tried on from my September Stitch Fix box was the Haven Textured Knit Dress from Haily 23 ($64). After several weeks of Michigan weather climbing into the 80s and 90s, the dress reminded me of a cool fall day, which sounds so refreshing! On its own, the dress wasn’t exactly my style. I liked the floral print and the richness of the fall colors, but it was a little short and it didn’t have sleeves. I usually prefer to dress a little more conservatively when the summer heat finally breaks. Similar heels can be found here.
The Haven Textured Knit Dress just needed a few extra layers and accessories to help it fit my personal style so the first thing I did was add a cropped denim jacket (similar here) and my matte black Tieks. And just like that, the dress transformed into an instant teacher dress, complete with comfortable and shoes for running around the school while my kids are at a special.
I get asked all the time about my Tieks, how comfortable they are, and whether I think they are worth the high price tag. If you’ve been curious about these foldable ballet flats with the turquoise soles, you can read my in-depth review.
The flats and bare legs were one way to style the dress for the early days of fall, but a dramatic cool-down will be coming my way in about six weeks and the Haven Textured Knit Dress is the perfect palate for a chilly fall day. I styled the dress with a brown 3/4 sleeve cardigan (similar), black tights, brown riding boots (similar), and a rose gold watch (similar). I also added the reversible Parvin Reversible Tote from my January fix.
I adore this entire outfit and it will be perfect to wear to school when the cooler weather arrives. The black tights and riding boots help to compensate for the slightly shorter hemline. I love Grace and Lace top extenders and I’ve had my eye on the lace flounce skirt extender for a while. I think the bisque extender would look beautiful with this outfit and add add a little feminine style, while making the outfit even more appropriate for work in my kindergarten classroom.
With a price tag of only $64, the Haven Textured Knit Dress was a definite keeper and I loved how easy it was to style for different seasons and occasions. I know I will get plenty of wear out of this dress in the coming months, which makes it an exceptional bargain.
Marcos Crochet Neckline Top
The second item Layla included in my low-cost fix was a coral sleeveless Marcos Crochet Neckline Top from Skies are Blue ($54). The color of the top was definitely more orange than coral, but I really liked the subtle lace crochet detail around the neckline. I layered the top with my bisque Pointed Lace Top Extender from Grace and Lace. I’m telling you the Grace and Lace extenders have added so much polish to my clothes since I purchased them. If you’re looking for an easy way to make an ordinary top took extra stylish, invest in a lace extender and thank me later!
I also styled the outfit with a few layered gold Gorjana necklaces, a long gray Old Navy cardigan (similar), BlankNYC jeans, brown suede booties, my rose gold ceramic watch (similar), Gorjana shimmer bar bracelet, and a simple stretch bracelet to tie in the blue from the denim.
This was such a great outfit for fall. Bright orange isn’t a color that I venture to wear very often, but it was softened by the cream color of the top extender, the gray sweater and the denim. I decided to keep the Marcos Crochet Neckline Top and I can’t wait to wear it again.
Palvin Crochet Detail Top
Layla also included a blue crochet top in my fix this month. The blue and red sleeveless Palvin Crochet Detail Top from Skies are Blue ($54) was the perfect top for end-of-summer picnics. It looked great with my BlankNYC jeans and was the perfect blend of stylish, casual, and comfortable.
I layered the top with my usual white white Old Navy tank top, my silver Kate Spade watch and my Mother of Pearl Elisa necklace from Kendra Scott. Since the slightest hint of air conditioning leaves me feeling cold during the summer months, I added a lightweight white cardigan (similar) to the outfit.
I really liked this top, but ultimately decided not to keep it because it was a little bit shorter than I like to wear tops and blouses. It was also an extra-small. My style profile deliberately was set to x-small for blouses because I mostly receive flowy sleeveless blouses with oversized armholes. Having the smaller size on my style profile helped remedy this problem, but sometimes I get a typical blouse that isn’t flowy and is just a little smaller than I am comfortable wearing.
I’m sad that this blouse wasn’t a keeper because I loved the style of it.
See the Rest of My Fix
With three fabulous items already tried on, my bargain Stitch Fix shipment continues on the next page of this post. I positively loved one item and wasn’t too crazy about the other. Any guesses which was which? Click the image below to find out and enter to win one of 5 $40 Stitch Fix gift cards in honor of my 40th fix!
Paula@SweetPea says
I love the dress that you kept this month and it’s going to be perfect for transitioning into fall. The Webber blouse looked so good on you but I can understand why you didn’t keep it since you wouldn’t have a lot of work opportunities to wear it. I’m pinning it because it would be perfect for me to wear to school since I teach older kids. Thanks for hosting the link-up!
Maria Gavin says
I’m glad you are pinning the blouse. SOMEbody should be able to wear that gorgeous top to work!
jessica says
I’m so glad you kept the dress! It looks great with tights and boots!
Maria Gavin says
Thank you Jessica!
Chris Blair says
That dress is so pretty and so versatile. I don’t know how you decide, all your items are so pretty
Maria Gavin says
Thank you, Chris! It’s never an easy decision, but I try to only keep the pieces that I really, truly LOVE.
Pam says
Wow, you got some great items in this box. I absolutely adore that dress on you! So cute the way that you styled it.
Thanks for the tip on the extenders. I would love to hear more about them and see the different ones that you have/ways that they can be styled.
Maria Gavin says
Hi Pam,
I’ve worn the extenders a few times in previous Stitch Fix posts, but I’ll try to blog more about them in the future. So glad to know that you are interested in them. Thank you for the feedback!
Megan O. says
The dress is my favorite. I am obsessed with the Grace and Lace extenders now and you have convinced me I need them :) Thanks for the fun giveaway!
Maria Gavin says
YES! The Grace and Lace Extenders are my favorite! They’re a unique way to dress up any outfit.
Connie says
The dress was the big winner. And, I so enjoyed seeing ways that one could style it. and, I am going to need to take a look at the Grace & Lace extenders as well. That creates a totally new look.
Thanks for the inspiration … And for the give-away.
Maria Gavin says
You are very welcome, Connie! I love trying to find new ways to style one piece of clothing. It helps my wardrobe to grow without having to invest in extra pieces of clothing!
Style With Tina says
I love your whole fix, Maria! It screams you! :)
Maria Gavin says
Thank you Tina! It certainly is exactly my style :)
Kasey says
I’ve heard about stitch fix for so long and finally decided to give it a go. I hope I get something I like!
Maria Gavin says
I hope you get 5 items that you absolutely love! I’ll cross my fingers for you :)
April Vaughan says
I love the Webber Button Detail Blouse, I wish I saw more things like this in my fixes!!!
Kimberly Lee says
The blouse is absolutely gorgeous. I work in a business professional environment so this blouse is getting pinned to my Stitch Fix board.
Joni says
Hi Maria! I am looking forward to receiving my second stitch fix next week : )
Can I ask you what range you set as your answer to: “How much would you ideally spend on items in each of the following categories?” in your style profile? I go back and forth on what to add to my own. Thank you!
amy says
I love the dress and how you styled it!