Building A Core Wardrobe for Fall with Trunk Club
I am so insanely excited to be moving to an area with seasons. Texas is beautiful and for the most part has great weather, but I've always felt that I missed out on a real fall. Texas weather has its perks, I suppose. For one thing, my wardrobe is exactly the same year 'round other than the fact that I switch out jeans for shorts in the summer. However, it's time for a change... and not just in location. It's time for a change in my wardrobe too! So, I did what any good blogger would do: I ordered a Trunk Club shipment.
Fall Trunk Club Wardrobe Essentials
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If you read my Wardrobe Essentials post, you know that I'm working to build a wardrobe that is classic and sustainable with real investment pieces. See that post for more specific details. Since I didn't have a nice coat, I requested one from my Trunk Club stylist, Martina. I also requested a silk shirt and some non-bluejean pants. Here's what I got in my first fall Trunk Club shipment!
'Slim Signature' Sleeveless Silk Shirt by Equipment | $141
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2017192"]This shirt broke my heart and tore it in two. I loved it. I loved that it was silk, and very well made. I loved the dark blue color (hellllllo, versatility!). I loved the shape it gave me... Ultimately, though, I hated the gap in the buttons created by my tremendous bosom. Yep. The girls were too big for this one, which was a huge bummer. 
Verdict? Returned
Crewneck Lightweight Cashmere Sweater by Halogen | $89
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2017264"]Come to mama! This was something on my wishlist and I am so happy that I got it and that it fit. I think a cashmere sweater is so completely timeless and a perfect investment piece. Plus, it's burgundy... and judging by the amount of recent purchases that are similar in color, I'm fairly certain it's my color for the cooler months.
Verdict? Kept!
Drapey Two Pocket Shirt by Treasure and Bond | $79
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2017200"]Plaid, oh plaid. How I love you. There's nothing quite like a comfy oversized plaid shirt. This one was so incredibly soft and I think it would make a great buy for someone who needs some more plaid in her closet, but alas, I did not. This shirt was also pretty large on me, and although it was relaxed fit, it just didn't flatter me the way I'd like it to. 
Verdict? Returned.
Sheer Inset Silk Camisole by Trouvé | $69
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2017208"]I had high hopes for this tiny little number. I saw it in my Trunk Club preview and I really thought it could work as a layering piece. When I pulled it out of the trunk, though... Yowza. It was tiny. Totally didn't fit in the bust. Didn't even photograph this one. Verdict? Promptly returned.
Cotton Blend Knit Tunic by Caslon | $59
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2017211"]Listen, I'm trying really hard to create a very "put together" wardrobe, but sometimes you just have to give a girl some sweatshirt material and call it a day. This tunic is ridiculously comfortable. I mean, I am 100% positive that I'm going to live in it all fall and winter. It's perfect for Netflix and Chill nights but I can also throw a scarf and some booties on to head out for a date with my hubz. This might be the MVP of this Trunk Club shipment. 
Verdict? Already loved so much. Kept!
Snap Front Hooded Cape by Halogen | $159
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2017215"]Remember at the beginning of this post when I told you I asked for a nice coat? This is totally not what I had in mind, but I gave it the old college try... and failed miserably. This cape is horrendous. Capes were not made for short, busty, on-the-verge-of-fat people. Verdict? Sent back screaming. Returned.
'Through and Through' Illusion Yoke Cotton & Silk Top by Free People | $98
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2017216"]There's one in every crowd, right? I went back and forth on this blouse the entire time I had the trunk. At first impression it made me feel like a pirate. Come on, it kind of looks like it, right? Then I sort of liked it... then I didn't like it... then I dreamt of how I could wear it... It's kind of cool. It's well made. But honestly it just wasn't for me. 
Verdict? Reluctantly Returned.
'Fleet' Jacket by Madewell | $118
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2017220"]Darn you, Martina. This wasn't what I had in mind for a "nice coat" but dog-gone-it I loved this jacket! I feel like a legit blogger now too, because I think this is something you must own if you blog. Just search "fleet madewell" on Pinterest... I'll wait... Now you have to have it, right? You're welcome.
Verdict? Tore those tags off. It's mine. Kept.
Latitude Check Shirtdress by Madewell | $98
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2017224"]This was an interesting piece. I like where it was headed - plaid, super cozy, great length - but I did not like where it took me. If I was in the market for a hundred dollar nightgown I probably would have kept it! It was so soft and the plaid kind of made me think of snuggling up in a cabin with my dog.
Verdict? Returned.
'Ami' Colored Stretch Super Skinny Jeans by NYDJ | $114
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2017232"]Burgundy is my color this season, so naturally I loved these. They were super comfortable to wear, and they were the right color. Two huge wins. I think burgundy is a fall neutral. It goes with so many things, doesn't it? P.S. I've been wearing these pants in some of the above photos. They're divine!
Trunk Club Customer Service
I put Trunk Club's customer service to the test with these. Look - I get it - Trunk Club is a Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack company. Trunk Club is a business... it has to earn a profit to keep its doors open. So I was sure I was overpaying somewhat - it's just math - but when I got these pants in and saw the Nordstrom Rack tag my mouth fell open. They were asking $114 for these pants, which in all honesty I think is a fair price because they're nice. BUT - the Nordstrom Rack price was $44.97. $44.97!!!! If I got them, Trunk Club would have to honor that ticket price and honestly, how hard is it to just make sure you remove those tags? It took a day for my stylist to get an answer from customer service, but I am so pleased to report they made good with that price and I got the pants for $44.97. I'm sure they weren't thrilled about it, but I'm just relieved they did the right thing. Verdict? Kept. Kept. Kept!
Is Trunk Club for Women Worth it?
This is my second time with Trunk Club and here are my thoughts so far:
- I think it's a phenomenal service if you need style help. I'm new to the world of "investing" in quality clothes and I'm not familiar with the quality of the many brands carried by Nordstrom. I think having a Trunk Club stylist really helps in this department because she sends me items that are quality and "vetted".
- I enjoy the surprise of it. I love being able to tell someone what I'm looking for and it shows up in my inbox. Even the pieces I'm not sure if I'll care for turn out to be fun sometimes.
- It beats sifting through the mountains of chaos at Nordstrom Rack and keeps me focused so I don't get distracted at Nordstrom. Having 10-15 items sent to my door has helped me really focus on the things I need... and I don't spend hours sifting through junk to find them. My stylist does that for me.
If you're interested in trying Trunk Club, I'd really encourage you to. Trunk Club is especially helpful if you're looking for pieces to build a classic wardrobe. Trunk Club has absolutely helped me start my core wardrobe for fall and winter.P.S. If your man is looking to up his wardrobe, try Trunk Club for men!