This trunk definitely hits my style-- but more so for basics. I did remove a few items and asked the stylist to add something special or fun for fall. Anything that inspires her! I know stock is a bit low so I don't have high hopes for a surprise-- but we'll see.

First two items are from Beyond Yoga -- they know it is a favorite brand. I did remove the dress from the list. I will not wear anything body con or with such a high slit on the thigh. I don't really need to give anyone a peek at my cellulite!

She selected this top based on others I've liked in the past. I suspect it may be too short but I appreciate that they are listening to my requests for cotton/natural fibers.

The following two tees are from my request for laying tees. I removed the tank because I already have one similar and i don't really need another white tank (until later this week when i spill mustard or curry on one!)

I am so not in love with this dress (add an apron and it's a waitress uniform!) but it has two strong reviews and well, figured I'd try it. I have been surprised before!

The following sweaters are for the transition to fall-- the first is NIc + Zoe which I tend to like. The other two are new brands to me

Jenni Kayne wool with a touch of cashmere

Adyson Parker - pretty color in a vneck style i love.. but it's ALL fake fibers. I should try to have it removed now that I see the fiber content. Yikes.

I had asked for another pair of the Ugg Bren sneaker in June Gloom (lavender gray) but they didn't have them. She offered up these Vans in Winter Sky. I love the color but Vans don't always fit me well.

Then from the options I can add on to my trunk, I selected:

Nike bike shorts - ive been wearing bike shorts with oversized tshirts and sweatshirts to work from home all summer! This is my first try with a pattern-- or a color that isn't black or navy.

A Madewell bandana (to pull back my hair)

and a Helen Kaminsky straw hat-- it is cute and foldable but unlikely to fit well as I have a tomato head! It can be worn with brim up or down. It's pretty expensive so Trunk Club is a good way to give it a try.

I'll update you when the trunk arrives!

This is fun! I enjoy shopping vicariously, learning about new brands, and not spending any of my money. Thanks!

Yes, Im enjoying this as well.

This is fun!!! I love those two sweaters, and the color on the 3rd is TDF…too bad! It looks like it would be gorgeous in cashmere!!

It is fun. Love the sweaters and the hat. Hope it fits, Ms. Tomatohead. ;)

I love the brown cashmere blend sweater.

Do you purge your closet when new comes in? This could really start to add up quickly.

BTW, in re yoga pants, saw this article: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-leggings/?action=click&module=Science%20%20Technology&pgtype=Homepage

For anyone who can't view it, their top pick is :

Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Legging

Sleek, all-purpose leggings

Versatile and flattering, these leggings offer a structured fit, a substantial feel, and medium compression. They’re also available in a wide variety of sizes (from XXS to 6XL), three lengths, and more than a dozen colors.

Thanks for sharing Funky! What fun!

I really like the blouse! (The one you thought might be short.) I’ll take that, please.

I have a giant head. I like Outdoor Research brand hats, which come in actual sizes unlike a lot of brands. They’re not cute straw hats, tho.

Ha! I AM in the process of a closet purge-- but not because of Trunk Club-- it's focused on removing the filler/less than favorite work pieces.

I do purge my casual wear over time-- usually while doing laundry. Same with underwear. Working from home FT, i actually needed to add to my casual/lounge wear wardrobe. I just didn't have much before the pandemic. That's primarily what I have picked up from Trunk Club over the last 6-8 months.. a few pieces at a time. I also replaced ALL of my bras over the last few months. I don't really need too much more-- a few fall sweaters and jackets and some pajamas and I will be set. I'll likely keep doing Trunk Club through the holidays and then dial it way back.

I do need to stop buying shoes lol.. especially because I wear slippers most days. I would be embarrassed to share how many pairs of shoes I haven't even worn once.

I have only been wearing leggings since last summer-- never wore them before--so I am no expert but I am loyal to the Beyond Yoga brand. Ive tried a few other brands but I always make my way back to Beyond Yoga (i wear the same ones called out in the wirecutter article.. the Spacedye Caught in the Midi.. or the Spacedye Out of Pocket). I have seen the Girlfriend Collective but I haven't been interested in trying new brands. I did pick up a pair from Nike and Zella in the Anniversary Sale.. but I am likely going to return them and stick with my beloved BY.

I am really enjoying these peeks at yourmtrunk club selections too. Being retired, i have tended to go for joggers (love Vuori brand) and yoga pants (mostly Athleta or Lulu, but will have to try Beyond yoga) these days.

Those sweaters are cute. Too bad about the fake fibers in the blue one. And you might be surprised about the shorter shirt. Good luck with everything!

My prediction is that I will keep the brown sweater, the bandana and maybe the cropped leggings (depends on how long they are/where they hit).

I will keep the vans if they fit and are very comfortable... but I am not betting on them.

Not sure about the hat-- I hope it fits too but it's $250.

We'll see. My predictions have been wayyy off at times.

Outside... my sister also used to wear Lulu and Athleta and is now a Beyond Yoga convert. I think they're all similar quality but the Beyond Yoga are soooo soft. Don't get the gimmicky ones-- the shine or the clouds etc-- they are a different fabric. Stick with the spacedye styles. Only thing is-- they may not have enough compression for running.

One of the rotating stylists replaced the two items I removed-- I'd asked for them to surprise me with something special or fun and that I was willing to splurge. Alas, "special" and "fun" are subjective.

These are the two items they added. I have no need for a frilly black dress and the sleeveless eyelet blouse is not my style/not something I'd wear.

Love our vicarious shopping thru you Funky!. Thanks for indulging us. I can see the white blouse being versatile If you wear sleeveless. Put it with shorts to dress them up or casual slacks with a jacket but if it's not you, it won't work. I do like the sweaters but when you say no manmade fabrics are you saying no to tencel, modal, etc or just acrylic?

Can't wait to hear your feedback when it arrives.

These days I can't say no manmade materials-- and in fact, some of my coziest snugglewear is manmade. I have a preference for natural fibers.. and as we move to sweater season, I'll remind them of my dislike of acrylic. The aqua sweater is polyester, rayon and nylon iirc. That doesn't sound so cozy but they have been doing some crazy things with manmade materials so I'll keep an open mind.

The sleeveless blouse would be cute on someone-- just not sure they eyelet stripe at the top works for me. It's cute on the bottom.

Part of what trunk club does for me is that it makes me consider items that I look at and say, "no way I'd wear that!" .. sometimes my knee jerk reaction is on target. Sometimes not.

Really, there are only 2 reasons I continue with it-- no, 3.

1. I don't pay a styling fee so there is no cost to me to keep it up.

2. I don't go out to shop-- and even if i did, here locally the plus size options are limited to Macys and Torrid.

3. Through the last few years of very challenging work days, my trunks have been little pick-me-ups. I love new things.. even if just small.

I have more than once returned an entire trunk. Ive even cancelled trunks when I didn't like the preview. Since I don't pay a styling fee, I don't feel obligated to keep something I don't like.

Enjoy seeing what you receive in your trunk, look forward to seeing what you end up keeping.

I have the same issue with Van’s, some work, and some do not. Figured out that for me the slip-ons do not work but usually the shoes that tie will fit. Hope these shoes work for you, they are very cute.

I have finally received my trunk club box. Typically, it would have arrived last Friday but Nordstrom had delays due to the anniversary sale and then Fed Ex had major delays.

So, there are only three items I am considering from the trunk-- I am very much on the fence with two of them and have not decided if I will keep one or both. I will share these first..

1. Madewell Bandana - a definite keeper-- love the color/pattern and it will extend my "hair bandanas"-- most are traditional bandana patterns in a billion colors. This will be my third in a nicer print. $12

2. Helen Kaminsky "Provence 12" packable Raffia Hat - I love love love the hat-- love the color, love the material, love the look of it on me. I would like it to be a little looser on my head but it does fit and there is no hat band so I am sure that will happen in time. My only hesitation is the cost-- $250. Will I use it enough to justify the cost??

3. Everyday Cashmere blend sweater (ok, only 10% cashmere lol-- and you can tell). I love the color-- but it is nothing special. It truly fits its name, "Everyday Sweater". Cost is $128. Not a bad price for a wool sweater but maybe too much for a sweater that would be for wearing at home/on errands? If it were a deep v neck and had a little more cashmere, I'd be all over it. As of now, I am on the fence.

I would love your thoughts regarding the two items.. I think I know where I am headed up i can be swayed.

I'll summarize the reasons I am returning the other items in follow up post.

Love the scarf. $250 is way too much for a hat. I love the sweater. I don't think the price is too high, but personally i wear only v necks or at least decent scoop. Either that or a turtleneck --- nothing in between looks as good to me....

I would not pay that much for the hat.Its cute but honestly you can find cute hats for less and it sounds like you would not wear it often. I like the sweater and would keep it. seems like something you would wear a lot so the price is okay. i think it funny how people spend a lot on clothing for events that they may only wear two or three times but not on clothes they wear all the time.

Love the bandana.

OK but don't love enough to purchase ...

• Beyond Yoga Capri leggings - they are fine-- but I'd rather pay the little bit more for the full length. $88
• Long Sleeve Black Tee - is fine but not what I would call a refined tshirt. I'll pay the extra money for something i could wear under a blazer/jacket/nice sweater. $25
• Van Winter Sky embossed Slip-on Sneaker - very pretty color and cute design but I didn't realize they were leather. They fit ok but felt super clunky on my size 10 foot. They are nice but I know I just wouldn't reach for them. It prompted me to order the Ugg slip on I much prefer in lavender. $59.95

Did not like at all ...

• The Dresses. The linen tied dress is basically a linen sack. The only positive thing i can say about it is that the material is soft and a nice weight. I don't understand what "stylist" could suggest this to me. I didn't even try on the black ruffled dress.. I don't need it, don't like it.
• Aqua V Neck Sweater - the fabric is meh (and that's generous), the color is a minty green and the v neck is pretty conservative. Maybe I am a hoochy mama but i like deep v necks. :) $68
• Nic + Zoe blue cardigan - nice enough for someone else-- really!!-- but it is short and boxy for my long torso and the sleeves are elbow length. I thought they were pushed up! My bad! The color is nice but it also has tiny sequins in the weave. I actually think it would look pretty in the sun-- but I don't mind a little "extra" here and there. $154
• Treasure & Bond Printed tab collar blouse - I like the material more than I thought I would-- love the ties on the sleeves -- unfortunately, it's just too short for my long torso and it cuts right at the belly-- not a place I want to draw attention. $41.30 (marked down from $59)
• Caslon Eyelet Sleeveless Top - nope. Just not my style. Too cutesy-- "western cutesy" if there is such a thing? $49
• Nike Bike Shorts - no where near as nice as the same from Beyond Yoga. I'll pay the extra money. $27 (marked down from $47)

Ded.. you are so right! That was me until Covid hit. I had nice work clothes-- nice "going out" clothes but my casual, everyday, wear-at-home wardrobe was limited, worn out and not all that nice.

With covid, I have really increased attention on my casual wardrobe! I would never had considered the quality and quantity of items I have now before covid. The only thing I did spring for pre-covid was nice pajamas!

Still on the fence but I think I have decided that I can find another crew neck sweater (or V neck!) that I will like more... but I love the hat!

I looked to see if it was on sale anywhere (it's not). Typical Funky behavior would be to buy it because I *love* it ... but I am trying to be better and smarter about my purchases... i think I will wear it next summer but it is unlikely I will get use out of it now/near future.

I have the weekend to decide-- I will return the trunk on Monday.

Do you have an overall budget for your trunk? It’s almost as if they threw in the $250 hat to get up to a certain limit.

Oh, no, Eld! It wasn't my stylist.. *I* added the hat to my trunk. After you review your trunk, you can add up to 3 items from a handful of categories that have limited offerings... purses, sunglasses, underthings, cosmetics. I chose the hat because hats often don't fit me-- so it seemed like an easy way to give it a try. I walked into it with full knowledge of the price!

When you join trunk club, you can choose price ranges for different categories. My limits are moderately high-- I have told my stylists when I am open to a splurge and give them approval to go over my limits. I've done this when looking for specific items.. and I did it this time when I asked her to surprise me with the replacement for the 2 items I removed in the preview. She did not give me a splurge item.

As for my personal budget-- I purchased less than I'd budgeted for the Anniversary sale. I also returned a pile of items from the last few months. Both more than cover the cost of the hat. Not sure that is a valid reason to keep it--- but if i didn't have the room in my budget, that would make the decision easier!

Funky, I love the hat and would absolutely keep it if it frames your face pleasingly. That particular style is very flattering and that brand is well made. The price is not at all OTT for a well made hat you will wear for years. Most people buy hats when going on vacation— or while on vacation— and end up with a collection of cheap hats that they don’t wear because they aren’t quite right. Above all, a hat must be comfortable because wearing it is usually a day long commitment (otherwise you go around with hat hair!). Everyone should have two very good structured hats, a straw and a black wool felt. Both of my staples are the style of the one in your trunk and one of them is from the same maker, 20+ years old and still looking new.

Thank you for sharing your experience with Helen Kaminsky, Kswl-- it definitely appears to be well made but the fact that yours looks new 20yr later is a boost to the direction my heart wants to go,

I have had so many straw hats that start to disintegrate, fray or "break" where it sits on a hook (perhaps that's a bad way to store? lol) that i definitely see the value in a better quality hat.

Here’s how I would justify the hat purchase: return the sweater, thereby ”saving” $128…and now the hat is half price! Math by Sue. You’re welcome.

From what I've read, Helen Kaminsky is the bomb in raffia hats. I'd want it to fit *perfectly* for $250 though. I checked her site and the raffia hats that I saw only came in one size. Re storage, I think that straw hats are much more likely to break than raffia.... straw is stiff when dry, raffia is not. If they are breaking at the point where they sit on the hook, then I'd avoid storing them on a hook in the future. Unless you like that look. lol! I've only made one hat before -- from cat tail leaves! and it fits me perfectly. :)

As an aside, I am super excited because I just found the jeans I've been looking for forever at Kohls. What's especially weird is that the only size remaining was the size I needed -- I got them for $11 each. LOL!!!

Yes! That's my kind of math!

Plus I returned $300 in dresses I'd tried for the wedding next weekend (ended up going with my closet). And I spent $400 less than my budget for the Anniversary Sale. With Sue Math, the hat is FREE!

Love when things come together like that, Partymusic. I wish I had go-to jeans but i am between sizes and not likely to consider new ones until I go down a full size beyond the next. In addition to going down in size, my shape is changing so a style that works today may not work after another size and a half.

I'm short, but petite sizes are always too short/strangling for me. I discovered Gloria Vanderbilt jeans many years ago and her regular size with a mid or low rise is perfect for me (once I hem them ;^) -- her jeans are always so comfortable!

Funky, I love the hat, but imo it is way too expensive to justify the expense. Here is one i found this year for less than $50 iirc. I have a small-ish head and it fits me very well without being tight which i liked. It is not adjustable, but is packable and mine has UV protection, other good points for me. This is a mottled gray although it looks more beige in the pics, but they had beige and other colors at the time and with different brims. You can find them online at several suppliers including A, and their own website, some without UV.

fwiw, a few years ago I bought Scala crocheted raffia hats for my sisters and friends. From Am*zon, they only had 'one size fits all' at the time -- they were a large size but everyone liked the hat and I think they were only around $30 then. I see that they now carry two sizes, but the price is up to $60.

I am also 5 minutes away from grocery stores, gas and big box stores although a target is 40 minutes away, all that is also important

Thanks for the suggestions of other, similar hats ... I didn't see others that I liked as much. I do think I will purchase the hat but since it is full price and I don't have any sunny travel planned, I don't feel the urgency to purchase it today, in this trunk. I am thinking I will add it to my wish/watch list for next spring/summer. If it goes on sale between now and then, I will surely jump on it.

I feel good about the decision-- so from this trunk, I will keep only the bandana. I don't consider that a fail. Sometimes I purchase a number of items-- sometimes one or none. I think the Sept trunk should be more interesting as stock transitions to fall.

In related news, the ugg Bren should arrive on Monday. I wore my pink ones today and I was reminded how very comfortable they are-- and for such a basic shoe, I get a LOT of compliments on them!

Thanks all-- i appreciate your interest and your input!

Funky, there sre many HK hats on ebay that are either new or ”gently worn” (and i take that to mean worn once, lol) in the current styles which have been the same for years.

Glad you brought this up @User -- I did see quite a number of them on ebay and poshmark when I hit Google shopping. I had mixed feelings-- though new with tag isn't going to be any different than buying from the store where others try them on, it icked me out just a bit. I think only because I never considered it before. It is definitely something I will consider next spring/summer when sunny lake/beach/shoreline excursions come around again.