One of the most difficult parts of pregnancy and postpartum for me has been continuously learning how to dress a completely different shape of body than I’m used to. I’ve found it really tough to know what is flattering on my body as it has gone through such big changes so quickly, especially while trying to not spend a fortune every other month on all new clothes. Workwear has been especially challenging, but of course a necessity, as I have always preferred very tailored professional styles. While I still love that look best, it is the least forgiving and doesn’t fit right if you change by even a few pounds. So it just really is not practical during this season of life.
I’ve been hearing great things about Nordstrom Trunk Club, and figured it might be fun to try it out specifically to find some postpartum workwear basics that I will feel and look great in now, and will continue to work as I continue to shrink back to my normal size/shape. Why not let a stylist recommend what the best styles are to accommodate this request instead of fumbling through it myself? In today’s post I’ll be sharing what this experience was like and the outfits I was sent.
So the process starts by going to the Nordstrom Trunk Club website and creating an account, which includes information about your sizes, pricing preferences, etc. You are then paired with a stylist and can message her/him to get started. I sent my stylist, Carly, an initial message letting her know what I was looking for with my first trunk in as much detail as possible. This was my initial message to her:
“Hi Carly,
For my first trunk, I’d like to get some basics for work – business casual. My size and shape are still transitioning after having my baby 6 months ago so I’m having to kind of rethink my style. I’m getting close to my pre-baby size, so the stuff I was wearing right after having him is really big, but my pre-baby clothes are still a little tighter than I’m comfortable with at work. Ideally, I’d like to only spend money on stuff that will fit me and be flattering now, but that will continue to work as I lose a little more weight (so I don’t end up with things that I only use for a month or 2). Prior to having a baby I gravitated more toward very tailored looks, but I definitely need a little more leeway in the midsection now as I recover (flowy tops, etc.). I’m sure that’s not the easiest request, but I appreciate any help you can provide!
I’m very interested in a great basic pair of black pants and a boyfriend style blazer.”
We had several messages back and forth after that as she asked me a few more questions about my preferences (what colors I like, if I was open to dresses and pants, if I wanted only work wear in my trunk, etc.). She then put together my first trunk for me to preview. This is the major difference I saw in the process from other similar services, like Stitchfix – you get to preview what they select for you first and can decline certain items if you have no interest in them at all or already have something similar and can provide feedback to the stylist about what you didn’t like and request other things. I really prefer this process, as it helps to ensure you get things in your trunk that you like or at least want to try out!
When I previewed my first trunk, I was kind of surprised that I did not see either of the items that I specifically requested (black pants and a boyfriend blazer). So that was a bit disappointing and seemed strange. There was a pair of pants that were a fancier dark denim, which I cannot wear to work, so I asked her if she could include those in black instead. I also declined a few other items that either wouldn’t work for my workplace (a little more traditional) or that I already had something similar to, and provided feedback on those items as to why I declined them so that my stylist could better learn my likes and dislikes. I also messaged her and mentioned again that I would really like a boyfriend blazer.
Then the next day I got a message that my trunk had shipped. I think I might have done something wrong in the previewing process, because my understanding is that you always get a chance to review items and decline before it ships, but I didn’t get to preview the additional items she added in there to replace the ones I initially declined. So I took a look at what was shipping and it did include 2 pairs of black pants, but still no blazer. Again, that just seemed a little strange to me.
Once your trunk ships, you are charged $25, which is then applied to anything you decide to keep (just like Stitchfix). This fee is actually waived if you have a Nordstrom card. Initial and return shipping is free. Once you try everything on and decide what you’re going to keep and return, you can go back to the website and indicate which items you’ll be returning and why, which gives your stylist more feedback on your preferences. Then you just put those items back in the box they arrived in, slap the prepaid shipping label included on the box and either drop it off to UPS or schedule a UPS pick-up through the Trunk Club website (no cost). You’re only charged for the items you keep (minus the $25 styling fee you already paid). You do have to decide and ship the items that you’re returning within 5 days of delivery.
My box arrived a few days later and I couldn’t wait to open it up and try it all on!
Here’s what I got and my review:
*Note: Shoes, jewelry, blazers and cardigan are all my own that I already had and are my absolute favorites for work. Most are no longer available, but I’ll link similar.
Blue Draped Sheath Dress
Necklace
Pumps
The pumps linked are the same brand and style, but they no longer have this color combination, which is SO SAD because they are my absolute fav. These are really comfortable though, and I usually find closed toe pumps to be extremely uncomfortable, so I highly recommend these. I have my eye on the striped ones!
So this ended up probably being my favorite item from the trunk. I actually almost declined it when I previewed the trunk because I just wasn’t sure about the cape-like style, but I told myself that I should just give it a try since if I only get things sent to me that I would search out and buy myself – what’s the point? I’m so glad I decided to give it a try! I love the color. The fit is great – very flattering and slimming. And the cape-like top is very interesting and unique. I love that it isn’t tight fitting (especially in the midsection), but my only concern is that it is on the verge of too loose and as I continue to lose weight each week I’m afraid that it will be too big pretty quickly. With this style, I think it could really swallow you if it’s too big. So I might actually just get a size smaller (my normal size instead of sizing up due to postpartum). So I’d say if you’re in between sizes, size down.
This dress is great quality and very flattering, but it just isn’t my style. I tend to lean more toward sleek/streamlined for work, so the ruffle detail at the neck and the extra pouf in the skirt is just a little too much for me. If this is more your style, I would definitely recommend it. It really drew my waist in, especially with the belt detail there, and I really like the length (just below the knee). And navy is always a great basic color to have.
Pink Sheath Dress
Similar Necklace
Similar Nude Peep Toe Pumps
*These are my absolute most worn work shoe. They go with everything and are so comfortable. Unfortunately, they are not currently available in the nude color, but I’m hoping they will be again in the spring. If they are, I will definitely be doing an entire post on them because they are that good!
This dress is incredibly cute and flattering, however, I just wouldn’t wear it for work. I work at a hospital, which tends to be more conservative, so the combination of the shorter length, the bright pink color, and the ruffles just wouldn’t work. I think it would be adorable as a cocktail dress though, or if you work in a less traditional workplace. You can see where it hits me lengthwise, and I am 5’5”, so not tall. It was super comfortable and flattering though!
Black Pintuck Fit & Flare Dress
I really love this dress, but I already have something pretty similar. I didn’t decline it because I actually didn’t realize how similar it was to the dress I already own until I got it and tried it on! I would highly recommend this dress as a workwear basic though. It was SO soft and comfortable. It is really soft like a jersey, but thicker than a jersey. The pintuck pleating on the V-neck and the waist are very flattering and give it just a little bit of depth/interest. The fit & flare style is incredibly flattering and forgiving. You could really pair this with anything – here it is with a blazer and cardigan I already had:
Tan Blazer
Long Sleeve Black Tunic Top & Black Twill Ankle Pants
Gold Pendant Necklace
I also showed this outfit in my Instastories with these leopard flats that I just bought prior to receiving my trunk. They are SO cute and so awesome, but I just have weird toes that don’t do well in flats so I’m still deciding on these. Click this link to get $20 off!
So funny thing about this outfit, when I initially tried both of these pieces on, I just wasn’t super excited about them and didn’t think I would keep them. Then I tried them on again to take these pictures and I actually really loved them both! I can’t remember if I initially tried them on together or not, but I do like them together. Anyway, this is option 1 of black pants that I was sent (per my request) and I think I’m going to keep these. They are just a tad tighter than I usually like for work, but I think that will be perfect since I am still continuing to lose weight. They are actually a size smaller than everything else (so these are my normal, pre-baby size) because they didn’t have a size up like I requested. My stylist did ask me if this was ok before sending and said they do run just a little large. So if you’re in between, I would size down. I really like the ankle length and realized that they are really slimming during this second try on. The top is a really basic piece – just a really soft, comfortable, black tunic tee with a scoop neck. But it is a great fit that is very forgiving in the midsection. It also has slits on the sides with the back being just slightly longer than the front, so it looks like it is meant to be worn untucked (but of course could be worn tucked with high-waisted pants or skirts also). I do think this is a great staple to have, but in all honesty, it is a JCrew top so I will probably return this one to Nordstrom and buy it from JCrew when they have a discount code because it is a little on the pricey side for just a basic tee, in my opinion.
Black Crop Cotton Pants & Same Top
So this is the same top paired with black pants option 2. I initially liked these pants better, but after trying everything on a second time and really styling both and looking more at the fit, I actually like the other ones better. I just like the slimmer fit of the other ones and the ankle length a little better. These pants are a thicker cotton material and a cropped length with a little bit of flare at the cropped ankle. They did fit really well, so if you’re looking for this style of pants these might be great for you!
Grey Jersey Funnel Knit Top & Black Twill Ankle Pants (above)
This is another piece that I just don’t think I would initially grab on my own, but I really like it! The funnel neck is different than anything else I have and I think looks really polished under a blazer. It’s also a great price at under $30! It’s a double layer jersey, so it’s pretty thick and really soft. It’s a great length – just short enough that it doesn’t hang out under a blazer if you wear untucked, which I always like so that I have the option to wear it either way. It is more fitted in the midsection than what I would normally wear right now being postpartum, which is the only thing giving me pause. I’m just extra self-conscious of anything hugging the midsection as I continue to recover. I think I’ll still keep it given that I am seeing progress in my recovery every week and getting closer to being comfortable with this style, and it’s such a great price. Also, I think under a blazer the tummy is still pretty hidden 🙂
Overall I really enjoyed my first experience with Trunk Club! I got some basics like I requested, and also some styles I wouldn’t have necessarily picked myself but that I ended up really liking! Really the only thing that I didn’t like is that my stylist didn’t include a boyfriend blazer like I requested. She also just never even responded to my requests for one, so I’m not sure why she didn’t include one (maybe there weren’t any available at a decent price point or in my size?). I know with these types of services it just gets better and better the more you use it as your stylist learns your style based on your feedback and what you keep and return. I also think it works best when you give more direction, such as me specifically requesting postpartum workwear basics. I think if you just got a trunk with any type of clothes in it, it’d probably be more hit or miss. So the more direction you provide, the more likely you are to get things you like. I think this is especially a great option if you are pregnant or postpartum and need help from a stylist in learning how to dress through those transitions!
Xo,
Shannon
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