Trend Prints and Gwynnie Bee
First, let me apologize for this motley bunch of pictures! I tried to squeeze in an indoor shoot late one afternoon and (insert string of excuses for bad pictures here). So. Sorry. And let me say, this post is Not Sponsored.
On a more positive note, how fun is this alphabet letter blouse! I’ve had this in my Gwynnie Bee closet for a couple months and I was excited to finally get it! I think the all-over graphic print is adorable and I love the use of clashing red and pink letters. So I paired it with my red cardigan from Torrid, which you saw recently here.
However, I actually liked it better when I wore it a second time with my black cardigan. I think the letters popped more with that outfit and aren’t they really the star of the show??
I’ve been trying to include more prints in my wardrobe…florals, stripes, polka dots, plaids. However, I would consider this more of a trend print. Which was perfect to rent from Gwynnie Bee vs. buying, as I bet next year people will be going “letter print who??” And it would just wind up in the back of my closet, unworn. Can you say “chevron stripes”??
I know I’ve talked about Gwynnie Bee for years but I recently had a question about the service and I realized new readers may not know what it’s about or how it differs from all the other subscription box services.
Gwynnie Bee is a clothing RENTAL service, like Rent the Runway (or Netflix for cd’s), not just a subscription company like Stitch Fix or Trunk Club. It started out specifically for plus sizes, but due to its extreme popularity it recently expanded to straight sizes as well and now carry sizes 0-32.
They have thousands of available items on their site and add new items three days a week. They carry well-known and high-end brands so you can wear things you could possibly never afford to buy! You select from the available items and add them to your virtual “closet.” You can put as many items in your closet as you want. I typically have 20-25 but I’m on the low end. I know people who have hundreds of items in their closet!
Their size charts are really good – each brand has its own – and in addition to showing you the items on professional models, they also show them on real life “fit models” – women with bodies that may resemble yours more than a professional model’s does. It gives their measurements, so you can see how they compare to yours when considering an item. There are also subscribers’ reviews (and photos, should they opt to share) where you might read things like “I thought the fabric would be stretchier,” or “colors more vivid in person,” or “it fit my hips really well,” which can help you in deciding what items to closet.
Anyway, when it’s time to send you a new item, Gwynnie Bee looks at your virtual closet and selects something from there to send you. There’s no “stylist” involved, guessing what you’ll like. YOU choose everything you get sent. It arrives in 2-3 days and it’s yours to wear for as long as you like. It’s not just to try on and return if you don’t want it. You can wear it once or once a week, for as long as you like. When you return the item (in the prepaid shipping envelope), then they send you something else.
There are different subscription plans for getting 1-10 items out at a time. And you don’t have to wash the items before returning – Gwynnie Bee takes care of all of that for you!
Oh, and if you fall in love with an item you get, you don’t have to send it back! You always have the option to purchase your “at home” items, at a reduced cost, which varies depending how long you’ve had the item. They also have a Gwynnie Bee store which carries items that have been discontinued from the rental side of the service, but which are now for sale for a greatly reduced price. Realize, though, that these are pre-worn items.
I’ve been a subscriber of the service for four years…and just recently they sent me an “anniversary” email with some stats of my subscription time: In four years I’ve rented 265 items (whoa) and purchased 17. And most of these items have ended up being among my favorite items – because – I use Gwynnie Bee for my “cherry on top” items. I mostly fill my wardrobe with basics and neutrals so I have a good foundation. Then GB is perfect for those more colorful, outside the box, fun, trendy items that spice everything else up!
Some memorable Gwynnie Bee items from my past were:
And many more (261, to be exact)!
Just so you know, you can do a one-month trial for free…and if you use my link HERE to subscribe I’ll get a commission at no extra cost to you!
Have you ever tried any of the subscription boxes? How did you like it?
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.
Marianne
Hallo Bettye,
I know you are a photographer and set high standards for yourself, but I just like to look at your clothes, at you of course, and read your stories. No need to apologise for the pictures as far as I am concerned.
I do not live in The States, otherwise I would have liked to try Gwynny Bee, especially since I am a plus sized woman too. Thanks for posting.
bettyewp
Thank you, Marianne. You’re very kind. Oh, that’s disappointing that Gwynnie Bee doesn’t deliver outside the US, I didn’t realize that. I guess it makes sense though, with the cost of international postage. I wonder if there’s anything comparable overseas. I’ll take a look.
jodie filogomo
That blouse is a great print. And something that not everyone has, which to me is a plus.
And I totally agree with Marianne in that your photos are wonderful. Sure, you see the things that are wrong, but they look great to us. Have you seen mine lately ? ha ha!!
I’m sure I could check myself, but can you tell me more about Gqynnie Bee…how much do you get a month and how much does that cost? Does it change over the years??
I may end up trying it at some time. It’s an interesting concept….
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
Gasp! You were in SPAM, Jodie!!! How DARE they!?! Don’t they know who you are??
When my husband and I were still dating we broke up for two years at one point and dated other people. HE dated a PRINCESS from some Mediterranean country (oh brother, right?) and she would buy him all these luxurious gifts (he didn’t hate that), ANYWAY, when they’d be out, anytime they couldn’t get a table at a restaurant or go to the head of the line at whatever, she’d say (in her accent, he made her sound Italian when he imitated her), “DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM??” Of course, no one ever did, ha, she was only famous in her own mind, but…his imitation of her was so funny that that became a tag line for us…and I kept it even after the divorce…anyway. I’m sure that’s a story that’s funnier to me than to anyone else. I think her name was Lily. Princess Lily of SomethingorOther. Side note, he also got asked out by Boy George once. Wait. Boy George or George Michael? Now I forget. But it was one of them. Wow, I am REALLY digressing. IT’S FRIDAY!!!
Okay, Gwynnie Bee: Oh, $49 (+tax)/month for one item out at a time. $69/2, $95/3, $139/5, $179/7, $199/10. I do one out at a time. If I wear the item the day after I get it, and drop it in the mail the following day (in the convenient, prepaid envelope, ha ha), I get about 4 items in a month. Of those four, usually one doesn’t fit right and it goes back unworn. But I’ve gotten pretty good at being able to tell what will work and what won’t. Much better with Gwynnie Bee than any retail sites because I can see the clothing items on real women with big bellies like mine! I don’t believe the pricing has ever changed since I’ve been doing it. But don’t quote me on that. For about 6 months once I even went to two items at a time, woohoo!
Hope this helps. And do the one-month free trial. It’s really FREE and in a month you can get 4 different items to wear if you stay on top of your returns! I’m not pushing for a commission, I don’t get anything (I don’t think?) for trials. But that’s how I started. Then I had so many cute things in my “closet” I just couldn’t quit before getting them! Brilliant marketing 🙂
Karen
If you love that top Bettye, I think you should keep it! I think it’s great for Valentine’s Day like you say, and fun to wear in a school setting with all the alphabet letters. The kids will notice that, I think! (And chevron patterns must be back– I have seen them on sweaters and tops for Spring–and even bought one a couple weeks ago!) Trends come and go and come back all too quickly!
bettyewp
Already sent it back 🙂 I have to be pretty controlled with my purchases. Gwynnie Bee makes that easier 🙂 I know I’ll have another fun thing NEXT week! In fact, I’ve already HAD my next thing, wore it, photographed it and returned IT and am now waiting on something else! You’ll see that next week – something a little (dare I say) SPRINGY!