The Truth About Stitch Fix

Stitch Fix seems to be REALLY popular these days.  People are blogging about it, people are tweeting about it, anyone whose anyone is getting these cute little boxes full of magic clothes.  

But I feel like no one's really telling the truth about it.  Well, they are, but I'm not seeing any prices on most people's blog posts about the clothes.  So here's the real deal, right here you heard it first.

Let's back up a bit and tell you more about me.  I HATE shopping.  Like hate hate hate hate hate HATE it.  I have been saying for YEARS that I need a personal shopper who buys my clothes for me.  Because not only do I hate shopping, but I also have NO fashion sense whatsoever and no patience to try to figure it out.  This is made worse by the fact that I'm an absolute cheapskate who not only buys most of her clothes at cheaper stores (Old Navy) but also INSISTS the clothes be at least on sale if not off the clearance rack with a coupon to boot.  

So that's me.  I'm a lazy cheapskate slob, basically.  Ha.  

 

But Baby J's not a lazy cheapskate slob!  Okay, he might be a little lazy...

 

So the dream of Stitch Fix sounds AWESOME.  The basics (if you're living under a rock and don't know), is that a personal stylist picks out your clothes (5 pieces) for you and sends them to you every month, you send back what you don't want in a pre-paid envelope.  If you don't keep anything, you pay a $20 styling fee, if you keep something that $20 is waived.  If you keep all 5 things you receive a 25% off discount off everything.  

 

So it's out there.  My husband now knows I just wasted $20 of our precious money.  Sorry JMan. 

So you go to the website and you complete this "fashion profile" about the kind of clothes you like and don't like.  The only problem is, what if you really have no idea?  Let's be honest, I have no idea what a "Bohemian" or "Chic" style is.  There was not an "Athletic" choice unfortunately because that's obviously what I'd pick, even though I sadly can't wear running clothes to work (wouldn't that be lovely?  All my problems would be solved).  Also, I'm not exactly sure what they mean when they ask if the cut should be "loose" "straight" or "fitted".  I said straight, but then I didn't like how the clothes that came fit, so maybe I should have put "fitted"?  

They do ask you about price, and there are several options, but I chose the lowest one, which was "as cheap as possible".  The next highest was $50-$100.  Keep that in mind when you see the prices below, because apparently these are the lowest the prices go.  I did figure the clothes were probably more on the expensive side, and I was okay with that for the fact a) I wouldn't have to go shopping, b) I assumed they'd be better quality than my normal clothes, and c) hopefully they'd be more fashionable than my current clothes.  But since I hadn't seen anyone else post prices I really had no idea how expensive they would be.

Anyway, let's cut to the chase.  Here's what I got:

Blue Grace Back Zip Detail Short Sleeve Blouse - $48

This had kind of a fun zipper on the back that you can't see, and I liked the color and the material, but it was much too short.  That was the biggest problem with everything I got - it all seemed to be designed for someone about 5 inches shorter than I (or maybe just 5 inches less torso).  

 

 

Off-White Pomelo Downing Striped Knit Shirt - $44

There was nothing wrong with this shirt - but there wasn't much right with it either.  It seemed much too loose - and reminded me of $10 shirts from Old Navy I usually buy.  I can go buy those on my own, I don't need to spend $44 on them.  Even considering the $20 I was losing either way, $24 seemed too expensive for this shirt.

 

 

Black Margaret Emer High Waisted Cropped Trouser - $98

I really did like these pants.  I really did NOT like the price.  Ouch.  This is really "as cheap as possible"?!  I haven't spent that much on pants... EVER.  However, I never would have tried these on in a store and I do now think I want something like this.  They also seemed to be just a tiny bit too tight - these were a medium and I would have liked to see what a large fit like.  So I guess that's another problem - if the size isn't great there's no going back and trying a different one (obviously).  

 

 

Black Hawthorn Dominic Belted Tabsleeve Shirtdress - $78

This dress was all kinds of wrong.  It was too big, it was unflattering, there wasn't anything I liked about it. 

 

You're probably not supposed to wear it with pants.

 

Light Green Pomelo Gwendolyn Printed Mixed Material Sweater - $58

I really did majorly like this sweater.  I almost *almost* bought it.  Again, it seemed to be designed for someone a little bit shorter than I - if it has been a bit longer torso wise and had a bit longer sleeves (aka - fit perfectly) I think I would have bought it, even though it was so expensive it hurt my eyes.  I also wish it hadn't been so sheer.

 

So there you have it.  The truth about Stitch Fix.  

I still think the idea "in theory" works.  I think I want to give it one more try (don't cringe JMan!) because I'm interested in the "learning effect".  Now I give them feedback about these pieces, and then they're supposed to use that information to send me better matched pieces next time (like formative assessment!).  One thing I didn't mention is that I think they normally send you an accessory as well - but I made it pretty clear I hate accessories and that would be a waste of time.  Wow, I just sound like a peach, don't I??!?!?!?!  

So - want to help me afford these clothes?  Hahaha.  I know you do.  Sign up for your own Stitch Fix delivery - if you use my link I'll get a $25 credit.  Then you can do the same thing to your friends!  Pretty please?!?!?!  Go here: http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?referrer_id=3678488