I recently received my fifth Stitch Fix and upon unboxing I realized that I have a love/hate relationship with this company. And yet, I keep coming back for more.
What I love:
- The simplicity of someone picking out clothes for you.
- You only keep what you want and send back the rest.
- You try everything on in the comfort of your home.
- The thrill of the surprise of what you receive is fun.
- The clothes are (mostly) high quality and cute.
- The stylist sends items I would never pick in a store for myself.
- You can schedule a Fix anytime you want.
- Your stylist takes notes from your Pinterest to customize the Fix to your style.
What I hate:
- It can be expensive.
- Sometimes the Fix is a complete wash, but you still feel obligated to keep something so you don’t lose your $20 styling fee.
Clearly, I listed more positives than negatives, so I actually do really enjoy Stitch Fix. Well, I enjoy the way I do Stitch Fix.
As an extremely frugal person, I feel that I have tailored Stitch Fix to meet my lifestyle.
While I listed high cost as one of the negatives, Stitch Fix doesn’t have to break the bank. I schedule a Fix at the beginning of each season to get a few quality and attractive wardrobe pieces. Sometimes I keep all five items my stylist sends and sometimes I only keep one depending on what I like and what looks best on my body.
Then, throughout the season, I fill in the rest of my wardrobe by buying clothes on clearance racks at Gap, Banana Republic, and Loft; at second-hand stores like Plato’s Closet and Uptown Cheapskate; and sometimes even Goodwill.
I have a rule that I won’t spend more than $20 on a piece of clothing if I am shopping for myself. Depending on what the item is, I often won’t got above $10 or $15. Yeah, I am cheap, but I also always look nice and wear only name-brand clothes — the definition of balling on a budget.
Therefore, I don’t mind spending a little extra on clothing from Stitch Fix four times a year.
Plus, I truly despise shopping for myself. The crowds of people, driving to and from the stores, trying things on in half-clean dressing rooms — no thanks.
Stitch Fix makes it incredibly easy for people like me who just really do not have the patience for shopping. The stylist picks out five items for you, the box comes straight to your front door, you try everything on, only keep what you want, and return the rest using the self-addressed shipping envelope they include. The entire process is streamlined and simple, and that is exactly what my life needs.
I mentioned in my list of dislikes that sometimes a Fix can be a bust, meaning that you don’t really like anything the stylist sent, but I have a few tips to help get the best Fix possible.
When you set up your Stitch Fix account, they will ask if you want to include your 
social media handles (your name on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.) so that your stylist can see pictures of you, see what fashion items you Pin, and get an idea of your style preferences.
Pinterest is full of Stitch Fix reviews and images of Stitch Fix clothes. I always tell folks to at least link your Pinterest “Fashion” board to your Stitch Fix and regularly Pin clothes, shoes, and accessories to that board for your stylist to see. If you don’t have a “Fashion” board on Pinterest, create one.
I saw a huge difference in the quality of my Fixes after doing this. I know my stylist looks at my Pinterest board because she typically sends me at least one of my Pinned items and the style of what she sends matches that of the clothes found on my Pinterest.
ASK
This tip also goes along with Pinterest, but it is important.
When you schedule a Fix, you can leave a note for your stylist. Do not be afraid to ask your stylist for specific items you might have found on Pinterest. Also, let them know if you have a special event coming up, are looking for items for a vacation, only want workwear, etc. Your stylist will tailor the Fix to what you have going on in your life but only if they know, and you have to tell them for them to know.
For example, since I am getting married later this year and have several bridal showers and parties coming up, I asked for pretty, feminine dresses that I can wear for those events.
Also, in the past, I have asked my stylist for specific Stitch Fix items I have found on Pinterest by including a link to the item in my note.
HONESTY
After you receive your Fix, try everything on, and decide what you want to keep and what you want to send back, you will go through a check out process.
Be honest with your stylist in this section because this is how they get to know you better and what fits your body.
Do not just say that you did or did not like something. Give your stylist details about exactly what you did or did not like about an item. Was it the fit? The pattern? The fabric? Was it unflattering through your hips? Was it too big in the chest? Do you have a similar item in your closet already? Was the price too high?
At the end of the check out form, you will be asked if you want to keep your stylist or get a new one. If you feel that your stylist isn’t right for you, by all means request a new one.
KEEP SCHEDULING
Your first Fix probably won’t be great because your stylist is still getting to know you.
That is why I always suggest that folks do not give up on Stitch Fix after their first. Schedule one or two more, let your stylist get a better understanding of who you are and what your style preferences are, and if after that you still do not feel as if Stitch Fix is right for you, cancel then.
I just think Stitch Fix is fun and it gives me something to look forward to when I know a box is on its way.
There is excitement in the surprise of what my stylist sends and the thoughtful little note she includes with each Fix detailing why she picked for me the items she did is a sweet addition. It gives me a human connection without actually having to connect with a human.
Stitch Fix No. 5 Details
As I mentioned above, this was my fifth Fix. It was OK and definitely not the best one I have received. I believe it was Fix No. 3 when I kept all five items the stylist sent. Now that was a great Fix.
I only kept two pieces from this recent box.
My stylist sent this romper because she saw that I saved it to my Pinterest. I was excited when I saw that it was included in my Fix and was eager to try it on first when my box arrived.
I wanted so badly to make it work, but it was not flattering on my body. Rompers never look good on me so I don’t know why I thought this one would be any different.
I liked that the shorts of this one were longer and my booty did not hang out the back, but the way it fit made my hips look much wider than they actually are.
Verdict: Return
I am going to be honest about this dress. It clung to my body in all the wrong places and made me look and feel like Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” before Richard Gere plucked her off the corner.
It is an off-the-shoulder style, which I typically like, but it had an illusion neckline that made it awkward and uncomfortable. I did, however, love the floral print of the dress, but that was about it. At the end of the day, I just was not confident in it.
In the note from my stylist, she said that she chose this piece because I requested a dress for upcoming wedding events. I appreciate her thoughtfulness, but this dress is not what I had in mind when I asked for “something feminine.” Sometimes what you have in mind and what your stylist has in mind do not match.
Verdict: Return
These shoes are the first pair I have received from Stitch Fix.
While I liked them, I could not justify spending $69 on them when I already own a similar pair of black sandals that I bought last summer.
Plus, these look cheap. The only time I would buy these is if they were $19.99 at T.J. Maxx, and even that would be a stretch.
Verdict: Return
The Lenora Knit Dress by Colette is one of my favorite pieces that I have ever received from Stitch Fix. It is ultra flattering with its fitted top and tie waist.
The color is gorgeous for spring and summer, and the flowy skirt makes it fun and flirty.
I also love that it is ribbed like a sweater material — giving it some texture —but it is light enough and professional to wear to work during the warm Carolina days ahead.
Verdict: Keep
Also from Colette, the Nika Crochet Detail Knit Dress is a keeper.
Just like the Lenora Dress, it is comfortable, professional, fun, cute, and flattering. I can pair it with a white cardigan for the office or wear it as is for a date night with my fella.
Verdict: Keep
Like always, I am looking forward to my next Fix which will be in the summer.
If you are ready to try Stitch Fix for yourself, you can schedule your first box using my affiliate link.
Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are my own. I may receive compensation or account credits to share my experience with you. When you sign-up and schedule your first Fix through my affiliate link, I receive a small compensation which helps me keep sharing my experience with you.
[…] Now that I am on my eighth Stitch Fix, I can definitely say that the shipments have improved and are more tailored to my style thanks to consistent and open feedback from me to my stylist. {MORE: How To Get The Best Fix Possible} […]