Let me start by saying that clothes are just clothes. It’s fun to dress up. And the Creator (in Who’s image we are made) created us to be creative, too! He gave us colors and textures and personalities and opinions.
Let me also say that the Influence Conference was not a fashion show. It wasn’t about who was wearing what (although it was a lot of fun to see so many women in one place who loved scarves and stripes and wore confidently their own unique styles!). The Influence Conference is about being clothed in His Beauty. Clothed in righteousness.
And no matter how beautifully we are adorned on the outside, sisters, we know that Christ (the One who matters), looks right past all of that, at our hearts.
I want to say all of that before I hit publish on this post because I want you to know 2 things:
1. Fashion does not equal worth.
2. Don’t you ever feel worried about attending a conference like Influence because you don’t know what you will wear. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Fashion is fun (for some!), but it is not meant to be exclusive.
Got it? Got it.
And now, onto our regularly scheduled (and super fun!) post:
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Remember how I said that StitchFix was sending Kacia and me to the Influence Conference? Well, you don’t think they’d send us without also styling us… right? We had a great time the weeks before the trip working with their lead stylist (hi, Brittany!), putting together outfits, giving our postmen a workout and getting things just right.
I wish I’d photographed all the gorgeous StitchFix outfits I took to the conference, but these were my four main outfits I wore. Kacia and I had a great time with our very hip and stylish friend, Blair McLeod (pictured below with the adorable pixie haircut), and we met in the lobby every morning for #ootd (Outfit of the Day… it’s okay, I had to google it too…) shots.
#STITCHFIXINFLUENCE | #OOTD
Butterfly Dress: I wore this dress on Saturday, and by mid-morning I ran upstairs for a quick re-style that included a long yellow cardigan within the belt for my time on the Strategy Panel. I can’t say there are many butterflies I’m willing to wear, but I love black and white and the pattern and cut were just right. My stylist, she knows what she’s doing.
Top: StitchFix | Jeans: Paige Denim | Shoes: blue, J.Crew (not pictured) | Belt: Forever21
Pleat Top Blouse – On Friday I went with another black & white top, but this time with red pants, an understated turquoise pendant and deep red riding boots (both compliments of my roomie Jenna – also a StitchFix fan). Also, forgot to take my cute name tag off… looks like it was a little loppy. 
Top: StitchFix | Pants: Minnie, J.Crew | Necklace + Boots: EatLiveRun
Black & Tan cap sleeve top – This is a favorite. I wore it to church the week before the conference because I just couldn’t wait (and of course, my kids got greasy hands on it at lunch and I had to rush it to the dry cleaner in time for my trip). The peter pan collar makes me so happy and feel classic and understated. I’d planned to wear it with black minnie pants, but my favorite pair of skinnies and a new pair of heels won out. No necklace – not with Peter Pan around.
Top: StitchFix | Jeans: Paige Denim | Shoes: Seychelles | Trench: Elevenses, Anthro | Filigree cuff: StitchFix
The Stripes Dress: The Stripes Party was the kick-off event of the conference. And, well, the theme was very much STRIPES! It was super fun and, while I have my official photos from the lobby I could share, these outfit-in-action shots are way more fun because they include so many of my favorite people. The dress is all one piece and I added a belt, a red necklace (also from StitchFix) and some serious support underneath. :) I love this dress because I could belt it with color or add a jacket and take it a bunch of different directions. Again, Brittany, you nailed it! (PS – Kacia’s dress is from SF too – she’s the one with the Nordic white hair).
Dress: GGO, StitchFix | Necklace: StitchFix | Shoes: Shii (WHY did I not shoot the shoes???) | Belt: Forever21
>>Also, congrats to the stinkin adorable Ginny Chase for winning the $100 StitchFix credit giveaway. Can’t wait to see all the happy things you get!
>>And, for all of my fellow Influence Conference people, if Kacia and I didn’t find you this week to give you your code for $10 credit for new customers, leave a comment here and I’ll be sure to get you one!
I signed up on their website 3, possibly 4 months (?) ago and never heard anything back beyond the initial thanks for signing up email. Not so impressed.
Kim, email me your full name and I’ll check in with them about it. Sorry you’ve been waiting so long!!
raechelmyers at gmail dot com
Thanks for the offer Raechel, but that’s okay. I don’t want you to have to act as a middle(wo)man. I kinda thought that a company that wants business should act a little more responsibly when someone actually goes to their site to sign up. And I see from the comments that I wasn’t the only one, which makes me even less inclined to want to work with them. Oh well! But again, thanks for your offer- that was sweet of you! :o)
Hey Kim – I had the same thing happen to me and I e-mailed them to inquire. They apologized and sent me my account confirmation immediately. Since then I’ve had no customer service problems. Might be worth a shot if you’re still interested!
Same here! I signed up after Kacia did her initial post with them & I’ve not yet heard anything back. However, I probably shouldn’t be spending the dough on those pretties anyway, but I guess it’d have been nice to hear back from them.
That is the coolest coat. Ever. Period.
Thanks, Ani! It’s my favorite coat ever.
Sad story: I just went to Anthro for the link to the coat and it’s marked down almost half off. And I just missed the price adjustment window by 3 days. Angst.
I hate it when that happens! I am busy deluding myself into thinking that I can make my own version of it… :)
love how you started off this post!! something that has been on my heart and especially more so after influence. i don’t want to put off false truths that possessions/beauty/fashion matter. i also don’t want to over promote not being a good steward of your money. This stuff i wear on my blog i mostly get for free — and all though i stand behind the companies, i’m don’t want to say that everyone should spend money on these things. i want people to be wise, creative, and free of temptations to compare or tear themselves down. its a tough balance to find. so i feel the need to say something…. your words help a lot.
Yes and yes. I love to share the fun stuff, but I never ever want it to give women the impression that what they wear or buy is tied to their worth. Goodness – I don’t want to give myself that impression! It’s a lot of fun, and posts like this are also a great way to give inspiration for styling the clothes you already have. Same page, girl. And it can’t be emphasized enough.
Wonderful words. Your honesty is so sweet.
I’m inspired by your posts. Once my husband and I finish our hard-work of paying off our debt next spring, I will get to share in the fun of Stitchfix. You and your friends make the journey that much more exciting!
too cute! i so wish i could get involved with stitchfix since it sounds like such a great company, but I had the same issue as Kim – i signed up on their site and never heard anything back at all. hopefully soon?
Heather, what’s your last name? I’ll ask them!!
it’s Disarro :)
Heather!! Check your spam!! I know for sure that you were supposed to have received an invite email!!
i did, and still nothing – just a bunch of people offering me millions of dollars from a long-lost cousin in China ;)
Love your creativity and sense of style. I also love how you started off the post. I wish that stitchfix wasn’t so backlogged but I understand. I contacted them last month to see how long the waiting list is and they replied that they are over capacity and it is months long right now!
You are a lovely chick- inside and out. also, I haven’t replied to comments on the post you commented on (blogger speak, much?), but I want you to know yours touched my heart. glad to have found a friend in you.
I signed up for Stitch Fix a while ago and have gotten my first two fixes, but neither of them have contained anything I loved. I’m so bummed! I’m going to give it a third try, but if it doesn’t work out then I’m not sure I’ll try again because I’m kind of discouraged with it! You get some of the cutest clothes through them…I feel like I must be doing something wrong on my style profile or something. Any suggestions?
Heidi – if you ever see something I’m wearing from StitchFix (or anyone else around the internet for that matter – lots of people are getting “fixed” these days), don’t hesitate to ask for the brand or the name of the item and request that in your fix. It’s always nice to know there is one thing you are guaranteed to like! Then, as your stylist gets to know you better, she can hone in on your style!
Um, yes. I totally had to google #ootd!
You (and your clothes) were absolutely adorable. I missed seeing you in that black and tan top (so cute!) so thanks for sharing it here :)
Peter Pan collar: WANT! Want so hard. Way cute.
I think the dresses are way cute, too. It’s hard to find a dress that is flattering (hello, Mom tummy, I’m looking down at you) AND comfy AND forgiving, fabric-wise. As in peanut-butter-jelly-hands-wise. I think these dresses are winners and you should kiss your stylist. Lovely you, friend!
I had to google ‘minnie.’ I am just now getting used to pouring myself into ‘skinnies’ and being happy wit hthe result. Too many innies.
Hi Raechel,
I am waiting for my next fix to arrive either tomorrow or Friday. My first fix was a complete waste and I actually requested some of the items you had shown from one of your fixes! This time around I stated the same thing so we will see if I get those items or very similar items! I’m hoping! Otherwise, I am going to need you to walk me through a carefully worded email to them so that I get items that I want! PLEASE!!!
Also, what is the brand of the blouse with the peter pan collar?
The minnie pant from JCrew is the best! I check the site daily to see if any other colors have gone on sale because I am in love with them!
Thanks for being so open and honest… I really enjoy reading your blog because you walk the walk and are REAL!
Hey Christine! Ooh… hoping to hear a very happy report after this second fix! The peter pan collar shirt is by “In Style”. The tag says “Mozart sheer cap sleeve blouse”. You can even say that you saw it on me just to be sure they know which one. As long as they have some left in your size, they’re happy to send it!
YOU ARE ADORABLE.
You are so adorable. And that serious face pic? Too much. Hot mama.
You’re annoyingly cute. But you’re amazing so it makes up for it and I still like you ;)
I LOVE the butterfly dress. It’s so great! ALSO – you have great hair.
Blair (and Raechel!)
Thanks so much for your comment – I couldn’t have said it better myself! Fashion is fun and it’s nice to take the time to make yourself look and feel good, but there is SUCH a fine line between doing that and making an idol out of yourself and your stuff. I’ve been praying lately about just not reading blogs any more, because I go to them for Christian encouragement and joy and wind up feeling like my clothes aren’t stylish enough and I need to hurry over to six websites to take advantage of the unbeatable deals they’re offering the readers of said blog!!! This is my problem, not the blog writers’ problems, and maybe I need to take myself out of that world and eliminate the distraction from the only true source of encouragement and fulfillment. I just wanted to thank you both for your desire to use your “influence” to encourage “people to be wise, creative, and free of temptations to compare or tear themselves down.” That was well said, and needed to be said.
You and Kacia totally got me hooked! Off the waiting list and ordering my first fix tonight!
And thank you so much for being not only a stylish rock star blogger, but also an approachable, open-hearted friend. (may have just made that word up) Your attitude all week long was welcoming and encouraging!
Raechel, I signed up for StitchFix when you first blogged about it, filled out my application and haven’t heard anything either. Should I reapply? I’m excited to use it and see if they can properly hide my muffin top! ;)
Raechel,
My stitchfix came today and I am so disappointed! I really don’t think they are understanding my style. Nothing in my fix was super fab for me! I am keeping one item, but it really isn’t anything special. Last time I sent everything back and just took the 20.00 hit! Ugh….. I could use your help!
I just had to tell you, I never normally shop at stores like J.Crew because I’m a substitute teacher, so no full time wage! BUT the red Minnie twill pants were so cute on you I clicked on over anyway, and found the MOST GORGEOUS port wine shorts- on sale for less than $30 AND FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING! Including to all the way over here in Australia! HELLO! COME TO ME! Thank you new best friend :)
PS How forgiving are the Minnie pants? They look so cute (and come in my size in a lovely purple colour!) but I’m afraid they won’t be so flattering on me…
Hey Alicia – I have the minnie pants in red and black, and they’re 95% cotton and 5% spandex. They’re definitely form-fitting, which is a little more obvious in the red than in the black.
ALso, wanted to tell you that J.Crew gives 15% off for teachers and students – though you may have to call in for that discount (or maybe they only do it in stores). Definitely helps!!
Hey Raechel! Catching up on your life and just wanted you to know that you do an amazing job at this blog thing… it’s a huge responsibility and you have managed to stay faithful, humble *and* cute through it all. :-)
You’re awesome! And Happy Birthday, Oliver!!!