The idea behind Stitch Fix is great. A personal stylist sets you up with 5 pieces of clothing and accessories. Try them on in your own home with inventory from your own closet. You send back what you don’t want, and you only pay for what you keep.
What’s the cost?
The styling fee is only $20, and you can take that amount off of whatever you buy. If you like everything in your Fix, you get an even bigger discount. Of course my plan going in was to at least buy one thing to avoid losing the $20, but I was also comfortable with losing that amount a money just in case I didn’t love anything. If there’s anything I’ve learned over the years, it’s that if you don’t absolutely love it, don’t buy it. That is unless you get thrown in the pool unexpectedly and you just need something clean and dry to wear. In that case, anything will do. But I digress.
Celebrities pay thousands for someone to dress them. At $20, Stitch Fix is a personal stylist for us regular peeps. When I saw all of these amazing Fixes in my Instagram feed and on YouTube, I knew I had to give it a try. So I completed my style profile and added as many notes as possible before I ran out of characters. I even updated my style board on Pinterest to reflect my personal style and likes. Looking back, I don’t think that it was worth the extra effort because it didn’t seem like anyone looked at my board or even the style profile requests.
Fix #1
Immediately when I opened the box, I liked the vest and the sleeveless blouse. The problem? Neither fit! I was so disappointed, because I even followed the size chart provided on Stitch Fix. This is one problem I have with women’s clothing. One designer’s size 10 is another’s size 8. The other two tops looked like something my mother would wear, and the red jeans? Just no; they were mighty expensive and didn’t go with the theme of the rest of the box at all. Not that everything has to go together, but I just didn’t feel that this fit with my style at all or even the style of the rest of the items (very frumpy). It was so disappointing to find that the two pieces I actually liked did not fit.
I decided to email Stitch Fix to see what would happen. I didn’t expect any response but surprisingly heard back the next day stating they’d send a do over box, and I didn’t have to wait another 2 months for it. Yay! So with high hopes, I gave it another try.
Fix #2
I liked this box probably more than any other. But again, I had the same sizing issue. There was confusion with the rep I emailed with who said she had taken care of the notes to my profile but apparently she was talking style notes and I thought she meant sizing. So, my fault, but this time nothing fit right except for the jeans, which I didn’t care for given the fit and the price tag. I probably would have bought the dress in a larger size because it was beautiful, but just a tad too short/tight.
Fix #3
Since I had updated my sizing and profile, requesting short-sleeve tops for summer, I hoped to add some life to my summer wardrobe. When I opened the box, I pulled out a cute crochet cardigan and thought I can roll with this, but then I kept pulling out more and more long sleeve tops *smacks head*. The other funny thing? I only sized up one size and everything was super big on me.
There was one type that I sorta liked, but I noticed that there were pulls already in the fabric. Nothing terrible, but I knew that this was the type of top wouldn’t last very long.
Clothing prices
Whether I selected the moderate or the lowest pricing scale in my style profile, I never received any pieces that were less than $48, and no pair of pants less than $100. Kind of pricey, depending on the clothing type but I still would have been willing to pay some of the prices if the fit and style were right. $68 for a cotton maxi skirt? I thought about it. Until I did the research and found the same maxi skirt on amazon for $28 less. So I wasn’t saving any money by forgoing my styling fee and purchasing at a better price. Major flaw. I didn’t price check everything, but I highly suggest you do before you buy. Google is your friend!
What I did like
Sometimes you are your worst enemy when it comes to picking out clothes and accessories. I know that I get stuck in colorless ruts, and it’s fun trying on things that someone picked for you, from a fresh perspective. Just like subscription boxes, you’re forced to try new things, and it’s always exciting getting a surprise package delivered to your door. I discovered a few new brands and that’s always a good thing.
Try it for yourself
Now I didn’t have the best luck with Stitch Fix, but others have had the very opposite experience. I have loved some of the pieces that I see other people getting. Maybe they have a better stylist, or maybe greater sizing options, I don’t know. But if you’re interested in giving it a try, visit Stitch Fix and complete your style profile. If you sign up through my link, I’ll get a credit which may convince me to give it another go…in a few months.
Natalie says
I’ve only had two Stitch Fix’s so far and I’m thinking about cancelling. The first one was okay, everything fit nicely and I was pretty pleased with it. My only complaint was that I’d like some more color, everything was really bland with the only colored item being maroon. Second shipment came, and even less color! I don’t think I could afford their prices either, so it was fun to try but not to keep. For me, at least.
Heather says
That’s odd they didn’t listen to your feedback. I couldn’t believe I was finding cheaper prices online than their “special pricing” on the exact same items.
Sarah Lesniara says
Wish it had been a better experience for you. I received my first fix this month & loved & kept everything (and switched my frequency to every 2-3 weeks) I have my share of trouble spots but somehow everything fit. I guess it’s hit or miss…
Jennifer says
THANK YOU! Everything review I’ve read up until now felt like a paid advertisement. These women are obviously getting the clothes for free and only wanted to say positive things. Drives me crazy. Finally an honest review. And now that I found you…I will keep following you.
Heather says
Thank you Jennifer! Just keeping it real. :) I hope you like what you read here!
Krista says
I know I’m about 7 months late on responding to this, but I can say that I have never been paid or been given free clothes (sadly) to talk about my experience with Stitch Fix. In fact, I just received my fifth box and kept everything (this is my second time to do so). I have altered my preferences plenty of times and have even switched stylists I described my body type, probably too much so, but it has played in my favor. I have given everything from hair color to eye color so that they might be able to send me colors that would look best on me. So while I appreciate Heather’s honest review, please don’t discredit those of us who have had a positive experience, or automatically assume that we are being paid to respond or say something positive about the site.
Ronnie Epstein says
Great review. It’s refreshing to read an honest review based on experience and research. Sorry nothing fit quite right :/ I hate that feeling which is why I always try on the clothes in the store before purchasing… can’t trust online purchases….
Carly from The Puzzled Palate says
I have heard a lot of good and bad opinions on this! I think it works great for people without trouble spots- but I have plenty of those!
Dawn says
Although I do like a few of the pieces they sent you, I also find it frustrating to get clothes online. Especially pants. Or sometimes I will order two shirts in the same size, and one will be a dress on me, and the other too small!
pamatiw says
Well that was a really thorough and honest review. I personally can’t seem me shopping like this because I would become frustrated. I do like some of the clothes that you have shown in the pictures and I think this service probably works really nicely for many.
Krystal says
Sounds like an interesting concept. Thanks for sharing your experience with Stitch Fix!
Liz Mays says
I’ve seen some really cute pieces on Facebook that other people have received, but I’ve never seen anyone like ALL the pieces in the box. I guess that makes sense since it’s someone else picking it but the sizing thing is not cool.
casavilorainteriors says
I do a lot of my clothes shopping online because my size is pretty standard. I am so sorry that didn’t work out as you expected