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It’s never been easy for me to find clothes that give me confidence other than the general “mom/work-from-home” uniform (aka yoga pants, comfy top). After I had my kids my body type went all weird on me and, never being someone who liked trying things on even when I did weigh 110lbs, I had a really hard time finding the right fashion choices that would suit me. PLUS, as a parent or just a busy person in general, who has time to go into a store and try on a ton of clothes when you never really know where to start to begin with? It’s frustrating, ruins my day and usually I leave with nothing.
A few weeks ago I saw Lauren McBride review Trunk Club, which is an at-home personal styling service affiliated with one of my favorite stores, Nordstrom. I was intrigued because it sounded exactly like what I needed in my life to get the desired, core fashion pieces into my wardrobe and I could try everything on at home.
Trunk Club Review // Nordstrom At-Home Fashion Stylist
what is it
Trunk Club can be done in person (if you live near a “Clubhouse”) or at home. Obviously I prefer at home. Once you go to the website and sign up you’ll meet your stylist who, IME, is friendly and will ask you some questions about your style. They dig deep, but it’s for a reason. You want to get the best items, right? What also helps is creating a Nordstrom Wish List and/or Pinterest Board and sending it to your stylist.
Trunk Club
Once the Q & A portion is done your stylist will send you over a preview of what will be in your trunk. You can keep all of the items if you’re open to trying whatever or decline the ones that you know won’t work for you. For example, one of the tops my stylist picked for me had super long fringe. This doesn’t work for me because I don’t like the look of it and I can just see it getting caught in everything (which sounds ridiculous, but you guys… I’m a hot mess). Be as specific as possible about why you don’t like the items you’re declining.
Trying Trunk Club // at-home Fashion Stylist
Trunk Club Style
After you receive your trunk you have 5 days to try everything on and decide if you want to keep any of the items or send them back. Repackage everything you don’t want to keep back in the box and affix the provided return label to the outside. They even give you TAPE to seal the box with. You then schedule UPS to come pick up your box, which I also love because my local drop-off center charges us to drop off UPS packages (not cool, bro).
You can then go onto the Trunk Club website to review your trunk. There you click either “Keep” or “Return” under the image of the items and give your reason why. Again, be as specific as possible because when you go to get another Trunk this will help your stylist choose items for you.
For each Trunk that is shipped to you there is a $25 styling fee which is waived if you’re a Nordstrom Card holder. If you’re not a Nordstrom Card holder you can use the $25 styling fee towards anything you purchase from the Trunk.
There is also a fabulous referral program in place. If you refer a friend to Trunk Club and they make a $50 purchase from their trunk you’ll get $50 in credit!
This isn’t considered to be a “subscription service” so you’re not signing up for anything. You can do this one time, monthly, quarterly or whenever you feel like it, just let your stylist know when you need another Trunk!
my first trunk
Trunk Club Review // Fashion Styling at Nordstrom – what I got
The Items I Kept
Madewell Whisper Cotton V Neck Pocket Tee ($19.50). When everything was sent to me to review I almost declined having this sent. I LOVE Madewell tees but I’m not a fan of pockets on t-shirts (they droop weird) and I’m not super crazy about V-Necks. I decided to try it out and I’m SO GLAD I DID because I loved the fit, the feel and the look. I definitely want more colors.
NYDJ Ami Stretch Skinny Jeans ($134.00). When I say I’ve never worn more comfortable, better fitting jeans in my life I’m being 1000% honest with you. All my life I’ve been plagued with jeans that just fit “okay” that I never feel good in. I could wear these NYDJ jeans every single day for my entire life and be happy. They slim me and it feels like I’m wearing yoga pants.
Wit & Wisdom Light Blue Ab Solution Cuffed Denim Shorts ($58.00). I never, ever wear shorts. When I was younger I used to love my legs, now I hide them. This is the first pair of shorts I’ve felt confident in, flattered me and didn’t feel too tight in the legs. Plus the length is on point (no one wants their butt hanging out on the playground).
The Items I Sent Back
DL1961 Margaux Instasculpt Ankle Skinny Jeans Canyon ($168.00). I loved the color and the fit was decent. I almost kept them, until I tried on the NYDJ jeans. I’d have kept both but the price of these jeans is WAY up there for me, as were the NYDJ. I had to make a choice and NYDJ won out.
Trouve White Tie Front Tank ($52.00). I didn’t keep this because it was HUGE on me. The fabric felt comfy but it just wasn’t flattering in the least.
Louise et Cie Citrona Sandal (109.95). I loved the look of these and I likely would have kept them, but they were half a size too big. I’m so hit or miss with shoe sizes… I go anywhere from a 8 up to a 9.5 depending on the brand and style!
Chelsea28 Pleated Camisole ($69.00). You guys, I loved this. But, it was HUGE. Particularly in the arms and not in a good way where a tank underneath would’ve helped and looked cute. If the straps would be adjustable we’d been in business, though I’d still probably have to size down with it.
final thoughts
My first trunk, IMO, was a total HIT for me. I found a pair of perfect shorts and a pair of perfect jeans! I’m already a major fan of Madewell tops so that was just the icing on the cake. For my next trunk I’m hoping for a pair of white shorts I can love just as much as well as a dark pair of capri-style jeans.
I love that ANY ONE and ANY SIZE can take advantage of what Trunk Club has to offer. Shipping is FREE both ways and if you’re a Nordstrom Card holder the styling fee is $0. Even if you’re not, you can use the fee towards your purchase. There’s nothing to lose!
shop my trunk
I’ve been thinking about signing up for this! You convinced me.
My second trunk is already on the way! I am obsessed!
Thanks for this! I like the ability to select what you don’t like off the start and that it’s not a subscription service. If not for the 5-day return policy I would do this – this procrastinator couldn’t accommodate it (I still have 2 pair of ill-fitting boots from Dec that need to go back to Zappos). I might be able to do a 30-day return policy but not 5.
I thought 5 was tight too but UPS does free pick-up and that was SO helpful. I tried everything on right away (I was excited lol) and then boxed up the stuff I didn’t want and put it on the porch in the morning. It was so nice to not have to worry about hitting the UPS store (who also charges $1 when you drop off like that… it’s not a lot of money, but an annoyance).