I'm a Wardrobe Stylist and I tried Stitch Fix: An honest review of style and quality.
Last summer I did something and today I am ready to talk about it.
I signed up for Stitch Fix.
I know. I am a wardrobe stylist. Isn’t that like a chef signing up for Blue Apron? Maybe, but I was just too curious about the service. Why is it so popular? What are the clothes like? Does it work? I mean, their advertising on social media is pretty darn good. So, I signed up and I am finally ready to review my experience. I am going to focus on the clothing and my overall feelings about the service. If you are interested in the details or pricing of the service, please see the Stitch Fix site.
Here is my story.
One summer evening, my family had finished eating dinner on our back deck. The kids had moved on to other things and after seeing one too many ads about Stitch Fix, I decided to investigate. I created an account and started their style quiz. It got pretty detailed and I was impressed with the questions, but something just felt missing. I could imagine the picture that the database was creating of me, but I knew that that picture was not really me. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it was definitely a case of the parts just not adding up to the whole. I added a note to my stylist trying to give her some more help in decoding my style and my needs. I mentioned I wanted some items for Zoom calls, that I liked V-Necks and natural fabrics. I also signed up for a mid-range price point on the clothing. When I got to the part where I had to choose “is this your style?” I gave it a good 20 minutes or more of my time and then quit out. Honestly, none of the clothing or the styles made my heart sing, but I did the best I could. After signing up for “every month, “ I entered my credit card info.
At this point, I felt like I could already address my first question.
Why is it so popular?
For this exercise I imagine myself as a woman who hates shopping, doesn’t understand her own style and really is looking for a quick and easy way to look and feel better every day. As this woman, I totally get the appeal of this service. And, after answering all of those questions, putting the effort in and waiting for the items, I could understand why one would start to feel sold on clothing you haven’t even seen yet. Not too mention that the incentive to keep clothing is high. A styling fee of $20 is refunded if you keep just one item and if you keep all of the items you get 25% off the total. The whole game of “saving” money by keeping more is definitely at play here and even the best of us can fall for that game. Before the package has even arrived, I could see how most would think to themselves that they were going to keep at least one item.
A few weeks later my “Fix” arrived. I was excited and strangely nervous. Here are the items I received.
What are the clothes like?
Overall my impression of the clothing is that they are average quality and slightly overpriced. They were run of the mill clothes that you could find at any mall store, or at target for that matter, but the prices were a little high for my liking. Most of them are hand wash or dry clean, made of synthetics and trendy. I didn’t recognize the brand names except for Liverpool Jeans. They were typical fast fashion.
On the plus side, they all fit well. They also fulfilled the needs that I listed to my Stitch Fix Stylist. There were some V-necks and Zoom appropriate options. She did her job well. I honestly believe she picked out the best pieces she had available to her. I read articles about how hard it is to be a stylist at Stitch Fix, so I will not throw her any shade.
I wasn’t won over by any of the items, but I wanted to give them a chance. Cue the try on montage!…
Is anyone else getting fifth grade school photos vibes from the one on the right? LOL.
Ok, we can all agree that these skinny jeans do nothing for me. They are lumpy and frumpy and possibly a bit big. Plus, they have stretch, so by the end of the day they would most likely be hanging out around my knees. I am happy that I already have a perfectly fine pair of dark wash jeans in my wardrobe. These will go back.
This black top is also very frumpy. The lines in the design square off above my chest and then just hang. Not great for ladies with a chest. It is one of the few black shirts that actually seemed to make me look bigger instead of having a slimming effect. Going back.
I knew I was not going to like the the pink blazer. Not my color. I rarely like 3/4 sleeves on a blazer and shawl collars are just tough. Although it was the most expensive item in my fix, it was the cheapest looking item in the bunch. I didn’t like it and I didn’t buy it. Next…
Ok. Now we are talking. The Vixbe Tie Front Top was kind of cute and more my style. The drape of the fabric was good and it felt cool and breezy on. I paired it with a few things from my closet and it seemed like it played nicely. I would wear this. It is a 100% rayon and hand wash, which is not my favorite, but I have dealt with these items before and I am not afraid to throw them in the hand wash cycle of my washing machine in a delicates bag.
The West Kei Rolltab Top was a tough one. I didn’t love it at first. It was definitely not something I would pick up in a store. But, I tried it with some of the the darker wash jean items in my closet and I was pleasantly surprised. I liked that it dressed up some of my items without looking too dressy. I also liked that its faux wrap neckline did not dip too low. I didn’t need to wear anything under this blouse, which made it a real summer contender and it could layer under a blazer making it a possible option for the rest of the year. The tag reads machine wash cold and tumble dry low, which I love. It is a polyester rayon blend, which I don’t love.
Did it work?
For my first fix, I would say it was moderately successful. I purchased the Vixbe and West Kei blouses. They refunded my $20 styling fee and I felt like I got two decent blouses for a reasonable price.
When the second fix arrived, things were much less successful. I had asked for “date night” and weekend items from my stylist. Once again, I feel like she delivered within these parameters, but the pieces themselves were extremely unflattering. Poor quality, strange cuts, uncomfortable. Everything went back.
So, did it work? If the goal was to give Stitch Fix some of my money, yes it worked. If the goal was to enhance my style, the answer is no.
What I feel about Stitch Fix…
This service as obviously not for me, which is not a surprise. It did however persuade me to a buy a couple of items. Which, honestly are some of the least worn items in my closet.
Who would benefit from this service?
A woman who has no time, lots of money, very few clothes and not a lot of opinions about style.
Would you look more stylish if you used this service?
More trendy, yes. Stylish, hard to say. These are very basic off the rack clothes of mediocre quality. You would have your work cut out for you if you were trying to be stylish only using these pieces.
Will you find “your style” by using this service?
It is possible that by going through the fix after fix you will find out what works for you and what doesn’t, but only after much of your time and money is spent.
What is going on with the second fix?
All the women I have talked to said that that they loved the first shipment of Stitch Fix and hated the second. Why is the second shipment failing to connect? Is it that they have a limited inventory and the best choices are used in the first shipment? Is it that you are excited about the first shipment and by the second shipment you are already over it? If you have any stories/comments/suggestions please share!
Bottom line: Spend an afternoon at the mall a few times a year with a friend you trust and you will have as much luck as you will at Stitch Fix. If you have a real need to up your style game and rework your wardrobe, hire a professional.
Love, Lisa
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