Cute Work Clothes

I've been really open about my struggle to find clothes that are appropriate for work while still feeling like me. I found a bit of a rhythm over the past few months, but there's always room for improvement!

Some people can go to work every day and not give a hoot about their outfit, but that's just not me - what I wear affects how I feel, so it's important! I want to feel beautiful, well-fitted, comfortable, classy, and always a little fun. So often, workwear is totally boring: bieges, blacks, whites, classic cuts, and nothing that gives you a glimpse into who that person actually is. 

As a lawyer, you can't always wear what you want to wear for the sake of "professionalism," but I do think there's a benefit to dressing like yourself. If you're comfortable, it will show! People - clients, bosses, co-workers, etc. - all have bullshit meters, and if you're not being authentic, it's going to eventually show. When you're wearing something you actually like (and that fits you well), you act more relaxed and authentic, and therefore are more fun to be around. You'll probably do your job better too, because you won't be busy yanking down your skirt or thinking about how you look - you'll be giving off ~* that glow *~ of self-confidence that comes from wearing something that makes you feel like the best version of you!

5 Ways to Wear Summer Bralettes

When bralettes first started becoming "cool," I was in college and it didn't make sense to me. As a heavier-chested woman, my goal was always to show less: less boob, less bra, less attention to that whole area, honestly. So I started out slow. I was also hampered by the fact that, at that time, most bralettes were bandeaux (I owned this one, or at least something similar to it), which was really my only option that gave me any support.

As the seasons start to heat up, I've definitely found bralettes to be a lifesaver - particularly ones with straps. When it gets hot out, the less I can wear, the better - and if my bra's going to show, it might as well be pretty, right? So here are five different ways to wear bralettes in the summer!

1. With A Tank-Top

This one seems obvious, right? Well, this is something that I felt I couldn't do for a really long time. But then I found this tank top (above) that was really low cut in the front and sides... but I loved it. There was virtually no way to wear it without showing everything, so I had to get over my fears about being a little more on display. While I often just wore a sports bra or similar type of bra with it, there are tons of high-necked or strappy bralettes that would look super cute with a similar tank top: (1) (2) or (3), for example.

This (Work) Week in Clothes {pt.2}

Inauguration Day /// Shirt: Modcloth // Cardigan: Totally unknown - my mom insists it's mine and I wanted it so I didn't really argue // Beanie: Jake's, so I have no idea where from // Jeans: Kut From The Kloth via StitchFix (and my SOL, Jillian) // Shoes: Fossil

Blazer: Cabi // Pants: StitchFix // Shoes: Fossill // T-Shirt: J Crew 

This (Work) Week in Clothes

Shirt: StitchFix (via Jillian, my sister in law) // Jeans: Kut From the Kloth via StitchFix (and Jillian) // Shoes: Nordstroms, Caslon Gia Lace-Up Booties

My Latest Stitch Fix {vol. 6}

Hey friends! Since I've been tidying up my apartment, I've been really thinking about what clothes I own, why I own them, and if I even like them. Weird concept, right? It sounds so obvious, and even though I clean out my closet twice a year, I do find myself holding on to clothes that don't fit, or aren't my style anymore, or that I'm just not excited about wearing.

When I was in high school, I was going through a really tough time and ended up losing a ton of weight. Like, 40 pounds. I went from a size 12 to a size 8. I even had one pair of pants in a size 6. I assumed that my body was just losing my "baby pudge" and that was what my body was naturally supposed to look like - so I threw out all my old clothes.I continued to lose weight until I got to college, where I was - dare I say it? - happy. And I started gaining weight like crazy. I didn't mind, because I felt like it was me regaining control over my body; reasserting my ownership.

Needless to say, I learned my lesson about throwing out clothes in varying sizes. In college, as I continued to gain the weight back, I found myself needing to buy all new clothes. It was an expensive error. Although the book I've been reading about tidying up suggests throwing out everything that doesn't fit, I always keep one or two around, just in case.

Top Lifestyle Posts from 2015

One of the top posts of 2015 was on my goals recap! I really like reflecting on my goals and how I did, and I'm honored people care enough about my goals to read as well. Kind of embarrassing, actually, given how poorly you could argue I did this year, but it is what it is!

Another one of my top posts was my review of the Fitbit! I was so excited to finally get a Fitbit, and I was even more excited to review it. It's been super helpful and motivational for me these past few months.

J moved in (finally), and it was really fun to write about how the apartment has changed since he moved in! I can't say how much fun it was to have the apartment to ourselves and really make it our own. It's changed a lot since this post, but it's still fun to look back!

My Stitch Fix posts have also been super popular this year! They really came through for me this year, which I'm thrilled about - I had basically given up on them as a service, but I absolutely love the work clothes I got from them this year.

 This was my only other Stitch Fix I got this year, and I also reviewed my first Fabletics purchase. I got one shirt from the Fix, and at the time, I loved my Fabletics outfit. I bought one or two more outfits from Fabletics, but haven't bought from them since. Eventually, I found the materials were really cheap and really weren't worth paying what I was for them.

This post on how to budget simply was really popular this year, and I wasn't really surprised! I think a lot of people my age haven't been taught how to - I sure wasn't. I got a lot of my information on how to budget from the Internet, because I was never taught practical skills in high school or college, haha. I think a lot of people are also embarrassed about not knowing these practical things, and therefore don't ask, which is why I think the post was so popular - it was a non-judgmental way for people to learn a simple skill! :)

Stitch Fix Customer Service

A few months ago, I bought three pair of Margaret M pants through Stitch Fix, and I was in love. They were stretchy, so comfortable, perfect for work, and super flattering. I paid quite a bit for them ($98 each, without the discount - but since I bought everything in my Fix, they were quite a bit cheaper), and originally was really happy with them.

I first started noticing the "pilling" after I wore them a few times. Since they're stretchy, I guess they're held together in part by these little stretchy strings, and it seemed like they were breaking and poking out in areas. It was mostly happening on my blue pair of pants, where my thighs rubbed together. Not revolutionary - it happens a fair amount with me. It's friction, and it happens. But I noticed it on the other pairs when I washed them for the first time. There aren't washing instructions on them (at least, not in English), so I washed them in cold water and dried on low. The first time I washed them, there was a little bit of pilling on all three pants, particularly in that upper thigh region. But the more I wore them, the worse the pilling got. I tried not to wash them again until I really needed to, and the second time I took them out of the wash, this is what they looked like:

The blue pair, again, looked the worst, but all the pants had the same pilling going on. I thought it was just pilling where my thighs touched, but instead, the blue pair had pilling all the way up the butt! Completely unwearable! I was so upset, because the blue pair were my favorite. For a few days, I just wore my other pairs and thought about what to do. 

Sure, I had worn them a lot, but it had only been a month, tops. When I pay a lot of money for a (supposedly) quality item, I expect that item to hold up. It's why I don't shop at Forever 21 anymore (besides the obvious reason being that I am 25 and presumably more of an adult) - I'm sick of paying a tiny bit of money for cheaply-made item that's going to fall apart in a month.

I don't usually complain about items, and I've really never tried emailing customer service before. But, frustrated, I emailed pictures of the pants to Stitch Fix, explaining that I didn't know what was going on with these pants, but that I wanted something done about it. I boldly asked for new pants, since these were practically unwearable.

And then I never heard back.

Just kidding. But I didn't hear back for over a week, and decided to email them again. This time, I got a response:

I was so pleased with their response, and all of our subsequent communications. They sent me postage to send the pants back to them, and although they did not have any other blue pants to exchange, I got a new pair of the other two pants (the black houndstooth and the black and grey patterned pants). They apologized profusely, and gave me my money back on the blue pants since there was no exchange available. The entire time, they were professional, kind, and understanding.

I'm happy to report that my new pairs of pants have held up so much better. I just washed the black houndstooth pants a few days ago out of necessity (they were covered in cat hair, tbh). I washed them on cold, like usual, but ended up letting them air dry. After doing some google research, it turns out that's the way I was supposed to be washing them, which bodes well. There was a tiny bit of pilling in the upper thigh area of these pants, but so minor and definitely not something I'm upset about. 

Neither pair of pants showed any sign of pilling after wearing them, which is a huge difference from the other pairs I had. I'm not sure if I just happened to get defective pairs the first time around, or if I was being too rough with them, or if I washed them too often in the wrong way - but I'm so glad that the problem is taken care of. I even bought another pair in a beautiful wine color in my last Fix, so I clearly trust the brand and Stitch Fix to get it right. I'm so happy they came through for me. It was great customer service and made me trust that I was getting a good product for my money, when the experience clearly could have been a disaster for both parties.

Moral of the story: Stitch Fix takes care of its customers, and for that, I am incredibly appreciative and grateful!

If you'd like to check out Stitch Fix for yourself, here's a link that gives me credit: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3109295

My Latest Stitch Fix {vol. 5}

It's been a while (seven months!!) since I got a Stitch Fix in the mail, and given how my last couple boxes were, it's not really a surprise. It's not that I was getting bad boxes, but it just wasn't my style. I was asking for things that were boho and/or edgy, and I was getting super classic, preppy things - fine, but not what I was asking for, and not really me.

I decided to give Stitch Fix another try as a present to myself for the start of the new school year. What I really noticed this summer when I was working full time was that I didn't have a lot of work clothes. I really wanted to do a kind of 30x30 challenge this summer with clothes, until I realized I was doing that every single day at work since I only had about 3 pairs of pants, 3 skirts, a dress, and a handful of shirts I could wear!

It made me realize what my work wardrobe was missing: pants, in particular, but also shirts I could layer and still look professional. This made it easy to tell my Stitch Fix stylist what I needed, and I was hoping the clear communication on my part would help him or her really nail it this time. To be honest, if this Fix wasn't what I needed, I don't know if I would have used Stitch Fix again...

Now on to the Fix!

Emer Houndstooth Straight Leg Pant - Large - $98

My stylist really listened to my notes and included three pairs of pants in this Fix. They're all by the same designer, just different patterns. The first thing I noticed was the material: they're almost a legging texture, but thick and super soft! They stretch like nobody's business, but they're also structured enough that I could totally wear them to work at a law firm. 

Because of the material, I was worried that they would be unflattering on me, so I was so excited when they fit well! They're also a straight leg, which I personally think is a flatting style on me. I think I got a pair like these in a prior Fix, except they were a tiny bit cropped and a tiny bit flared, which just looked terrible on me. The straight leg style is so much better!

I also am over the moon about this houndstooth pattern! I know it's hard to see in these pictures because of the lighting, but it's a subtle and yet fun pattern. I don't know why, but I always associate houndstooth with my mom as a young lawyer, so it just seems like this very young, hip lawyer pattern to me, haha. Perfect for what I'm using it for! :)

Verdict: Keep!

Chanel Twisted Knot Knit Tank - Large - $44

To be honest, this was not my favorite item in this Fix, and if I had not wanted the big discount, I probably would not have gotten this top. J seemed to really like it, but it just didn't do much for me. I thought it was a little short on my body, but otherwise just... fine? I do like that it's a little different and that the knot gives it some edge, and I specifically asked for sleeveless tops I could layer under blazers/jackets. This covers everything I asked for, and I really do think I'll wear it!

Verdict: Keep!

Beckett Graphic Print V-Neck Blouse - Large - $48

Emer Jaquard Print Tall Straight Leg Pant - Large - $98

This blouse was exactly the kind of thing I was looking for! It can easily be layered under a blazer or jacket, it's sleeveless, it has a fun pattern, and it's interesting! I really loved the v-neck - although I'm wearing a sports bra underneath in these photos, I had a regular one on early when I tried it on and it looked perfect. It's so hard for me to find tops that don't make me look busty, and even without a cami underneath, it didn't show any cleavage. It also doesn't completely cover me up, so I was really happy about this top. I wasn't completely sold on the shape right away, but it grew on me, especially once I realized I could tuck it in if I really wanted to show off my waist.

I know it's hard to see in these pictures, but the pattern on these pants is also really cute! I didn't know I needed navy/blue pants until I got these, and now I don't know how I managed without them for so long! I have a ton of nice work shirts that are in the blue family and just don't look good with black pants, so these pair have opened up a whole new world for me! I also like that, like the houndstooth pants, the pattern is fun but subtle. The pants don't have to be the star of the show, but they also don't have to be boring!

Verdict: Keep! (Both of them)

Emer Printed Straight Leg Pant - Large - $98

Like the other pants, these were made of the same soft, stretchy material, and I loved them! I was worried that since these are a bolder pattern, they would be unflattering on me, but I actually think they're super cute! I have a bunch of shirts that are plain (like this sweater) that would look great with patterned pants, so I could definitely see myself wearing them all the time!

Verdict: Keep!

All the patterns, up close!

One thing I was worried about with all three of these pants is that I'm starting to work out on the regular and trying to get my eating habits back on track, so I'm not sure how much my body will be changing in the next few months. Right now, I'd say all three pairs fit me nicely, but if anything, are on the "tight" side of things. Given how stretchy they are, I think they'll still look good even if I lose inches. What do you think?

All in all, I was thrilled with this Fix. There was only one shirt that I wasn't super excited about, and I still liked it, so it made sense to buy everything in my Fix and get the discount. I saved over $70 by buying that shirt with everything else! Given how pricey the pants were by themselves, and given how much I liked all three of them, it would have been more expensive to buy all three pairs of pants without the shirts. Funny how Stitch Fix works sometimes, huh?

I'm really glad I gave Stitch Fix another chance, but I'm also glad that I've accepted Stitch Fix for who they are. I think I was bummed for a while that they didn't have clothes like you would find at H&M or Urban Outfitters, but they can't be everything for everyone. What I kept finding was that they sent me more classic clothing items, so I thought they would do a great job with work clothes - and I was right! They really killed it, and I seriously can't wait to go to work today and show off my new clothes!

If you're interested in trying Stitch Fix, I get a $25 credit if you use this link and order your first Fix! :) https://stitchfix.com/referral/3109295

Have you ever tried Stitch Fix before? What kinds of clothes do you need in your wardrobe right now? What's your favorite thing out of my Fix?

My Favorite Outfits

Curry Me Away on a Night Picnic

This was the first outfit post I ever did on Girl Named Fiddy, and it still remains my favorite. No shame. I ahve such great memories of this day, and I felt so beautiful and so myself! J and I had gone to get sushi for lunch, just after the new year, but it wasn't open yet so we decided to go to the lake. It was frozen over, and we had always dreamed of walking on it per "Eternal Sunshine." I asked J if he would take a few pictures of me, so we did a mini photoshoot right there on the lake!

This is still one of my favorite dresses and favorite outfits! Definitely one of my favorite memories. :)

Crazy About Coral

Pretty sure this was the day I realized that coral might be my favorite color. My pixie cut might be grown out so far that it looks like a bowl cut, my blazer might have been $5 at a second-hand store, and I might have taken these after working 9 hours at my job, but I still like this outfit!

Also pretty sure I haven't worn it since, but it's one of my favorite outfits because it was colorful, super comfortable, and I was really trying to take risks and figure out what I liked. I really love how much color I put into the outfit, and it was one of the first times J took my outfit photos with a real camera instead of an iPhone, haha

Retro Style

I really loved this outfit because it was so unapologetically me. I had literally just gotten these jeans and shoes from Urban Outfitters, and had never worn high-waisted pants before. I was so nervous that they were too tight or didn't look flattering on me, but J assured me that they fit and that I looked beautiful. My mom and grandma had picked out this sweater for me for Christmas. I still own every item in this photo, and I would wear them again in an instant!

I also remember I was so excited because I had changed my part and actually pinned my hair in the back. It was still too short to do anything with, and I think it was only a few days after the "Crazy About Coral" photoshoot... but you'd never know!

Glasses Half Full

I think this was one of my least-appreciated outfit posts, even by myself. I felt really beautiful all day at work, then came home and J's mom took my outfit photos. Granted, my poses were a little stiff, but for the most part I really love how I look in the dress! I had changed up my hairstyle to be parted more down the middle, which I absolutely loved... and then there's the coral hair. LOVE THE CORAL HAIR. I still wish my hair grew coral. It's the most beautiful color!

(S)he Was A Skater Boi

I have such great memories of this outfit. Like all great memories, they involved J and sushi. This was the first week I moved to Concord last year, and we had spent about two days unpacking my things. Eventually, I needed a break and suggested we find a good sushi place for lunch. We found a place in Manchester with good reviews, went, and had an absolutely delicious lunch! J took some pictures of me after lunch, and then took more when we got back home. My backyard isn't utilized nearly enough, and it's absolutely gorgeous!

I felt so beautiful in this outfit. It was comfortable, and it felt really good to put on makeup and get a little dolled up after days of driving in the car and then days of cleaning. My roommate at the time even commented that I looked really good, haha.

Hooked on a Feline

This is still my favorite dress of all time, because of course. I've worn it a handful of times, which maybe doesn't sound like a lot, but as a poor law student, I don't have a ton of places that I feel comfortable wearing a cat-print dress. But I've found places, because this beauty needs to be worn! It fits me perfectly, the shape is amazing, and I could not love the print more.

I'd seen this dress on Modcloth a few years ago, but I never thought it was an option before it came back into stock about a year ago. I sent my mom a link, not-so-subtley begging for the dress. Because she is kind, loving, and very, very sweet, she bought me the dress, thereby securing her place in my heart until the end of time. Just kidding, she was already there. But still. This. Dress.

Mixing It Up
This outfit (and post) will have a special place in my heart - not only because of the amazing summer I spent in my mom's apartment in Des Moines, but because I decided to actually act like myself in an outfit post. I was worried that people would think I was weird or wouldn't notice a difference, but it ended up being one of my most popular outfit posts! Funny how that works, isn't it?

It was so much fun to shoot this by myself with a timer too, because I didn't have to worry about the person behind the camera judging me. It was just me in there, and I could look as stupid or weird as I wanted to. It was really freeing, and also the first time I properly took a timed photoshoot on my phone!

Which are your favorite outfit posts?

My Latest Stitch Fix {vol. 3}

Straight-Cut Boyfriend Jeans

I was over the moon about these pants! I specifically asked for a pair of boyfriend jeans, and they did not disappoint. These pants were stretchy, a little baggy, and a really cute cut. I could totally see myself wearing these all the time, and I couldn't get them out of my head. The jeans were a little more expensive than I wanted to buy, but they were also something I really needed in my wardrobe. I'm SO glad I bought them, because I've worn them so many times this week already!

Polka-Dot Skirt

I really liked this skirt - it was a great length, it fit really well, and I could see it matching really well with floral prints! However, I just wasn't thrilled by it. I have similar items in my closet, and I'm just not wearing skirts and dresses as much as I'd like to make this purchase worth it. What I really need (skirt-wise) in my closet is a suit skirt... So I didn't purchase this, even though I really liked it!

High-Low Cardigan

This was a really interesting cardigan, even though I wasn't in love with it. I loved the print, and I liked the idea of it since I love cardigans so much. I wasn't really into how low the cardigan went in the back since it was so much shorter in the front. I really saw myself wearing it in class or out to Starbucks on the weekends, but for the price, I didn't think I would purchase it on its own. I didn't end up getting it.

B&W Striped Dress

I was completely in love with this dress, and who could blame me? It was sooo comfortable, tight (but not too tight), and made me feel so beautiful and womanly! I loved how the dress bottom was kind of a tulip skirt, and I liked how it wasn't too short. My biggest issue with this was entirely price and necessity - I already have plenty of casual & tight dresses in my closet, and I already have a black and white striped one from Stitch Fix. For how expensive this dress was (and how much I REALLY wanted those pants), it just didn't make sense with my budget to purchase this dress as well. Sad face.

There was another shirt in the fix, but it just didn't work. It was a t-shirt with a patterned back. I already have an almost identical one from Stitch Fix, except the one I already have fit me way better and was much more "me." Luckily, my roommate loved the shirt (and it looked awesome on her), so she bought it! 

All in all, this was THE best Stitch Fix box I've ever gotten! My stylist really seemed to get me and my style. I feel like I've been sent really boring, classic pieces in the past that just weren't me. 

This time, my biggest problem was price. I actually considered spending about $150 to get everything in my box (with a discount applied), but ended up being responsible and just buying the pants since they seemed like the most useful purchase. If everything had been a little bit cheaper, I think I really would have bought it all! Weren't they cute?!

If you're interested in Stitch Fix, here's a link that will give me referral credit: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3109295

Have you ever tried Stitch Fix? Would you have kept everything, or just gotten a few of the pieces?

Outfit Post: Stripes & Tulle

I've wanted a tulle skirt pretty much since I knew about tulle skirts. 99% sure I wanted to be a ballerina as a kid just so I could wear the outfit, and that remaining 1% may have been so I could jump & dance around like a fool.

I just really love tulle.

I think it's feminine, sassy, fun, formal... basically all the great adjectives you wanna feel and look!

My mom actually sent me the link to this dress - yes, it's a dress - from Forever 21. Usually I hate Forever 21, but if they're gonna offer me a tulle dress for $21, I'll cut them some slack. When I bought it, I didn't know that the tulle was overlaying a miniskirt, but I really don't mind it.

Outfit:

Dress: Forever 21

Crop Shirt: Forever 21

Shoes: Urban Outfitters (Not Pictured)

Do you have a kind of material that you're obsessed with?