It’s Americana Month here at Costume Parade! Throughout July, I’ll be taking inspiration from things typically American, but rarely celebrated. My fashion experiments will pay homage to fantastic, rule-breaking women and American trends and counter cultures of the past and present.

In keeping with the theme, this month I asked my Stitch Fix Stylist, Kristin, for a Fix full of American-made items. She sent me four USA-crafted pieces, and then one item from Madewell, a brand, she said, was the epitome of the American Dream (prior to its purchase by J. Crew). (I looked this up! I had no idea about Madewell’s origins. Click here to read “How Madewell Bought and Sold My Family’s History.”)

(Confused about Stitch Fix?

Stitch Fix is a personal stylist subscription box service. How does it work? On their website, you begin by filling out a questionnaire. It covers everything from your size, to style preferences, to preferred colors, patterns and shapes. Then, a stylist chooses 5 items for you, and they're shipped to your front door. You're only charged for what you keep, and the $20 styling fee goes toward whatever you purchase.

Interested? Check out my referral link here and get $25 off your first fix!)

Let’s open the box!

ITEM #1: VELVET BY GRAHAM AND SPENCER Amaury Wrap Dress

THOUGHTS: I loved that this dress is a true wrap dress (versus a faux wrap dress), but it was too big on top. I also found it to be a bit ho-hum. It’s fine, I’m not offended by it, but it isn’t too exciting, either.

VERDICT: Return

ITEM #2: SUNDRY April Turtleneck Knit Top

THOUGHTS: My stylist sent me this turtleneck for the “unpredictable Seattle weather.” While she isn’t wrong about Seattle’s weather…. purchasing a turtleneck in July is too depressing of a path for me to wander down.

VERDICT: Return

ITEM #3: GORJANA Petal Studs

THOUGHTS: I think if these stud earrings were larger, I’d prefer them more. In their present diminutive size, they don’t really sing to me.

VERDICT: Return

ITEM #4: MADEWELL Slim Emmett Wide Leg Crop Pant

THOUGHTS: I liked these on paper, but they’re underwhelming on me. They don’t have the slimming fit of other Madewell jeans, and there’s some fading around the zipper area that bugs me.

VERDICT: Return

ITEM #5: LNA Ria Ribbed Knit Top

THOUGHTS: I love a good racerback cut, but this tank wasn’t quite right on me. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it didn’t flatter me as I’d hoped it would. I do need a new black tank top (I’m wearing the life out of the one I have), but I don’t think this is it.

VERDICT: Return

While this fix was made in America, it wasn’t quite made for me.

I’m sending everything back, but I’m not disappointed. Kristin, my stylist, has a great gage of my style. These pieces were true to me, but didn’t fit quite right.

Have you tried an American-made fix? What are your favorite American brands?