I will be the first to admit that shopping for clothes isn’t my thing. There’s lots of styles available at local stores, but I am picky. It doesn’t help that I am on the short side, so things are not always well-fitted or flattering.
When I first heard about Stitch Fix, I was intrigued by the prospect of not having to go to a store to dig through racks and try on clothes in a cramped fitting room. The concept is genius, but I still wasn’t convinced they would offer what I need.
How Stitch Fix Works
To sign up, I had to provide my name and email address. Then I took the style quiz to give my stylist a sense of what I was looking for. It started by asking for height and weight details as well as my sizes for all types of garments including dresses, shirts, skirts, pants, jeans, bras, and shoes.
Multiple choice questions asked for more info on my proportions with yes or no questions asking if I am pregnant, curvy, or interested in petite clothing. The second step asked about my preferred fit and what I like to “flaunt.” The third section focused on style with color images of outfits. I appreciated the detail Stitch Fix went into to help my stylist find items I want to wear, rather than just going on size and color preferences only.
Four shipment scheduling options are available including delivery every two to three weeks, monthly, every two months, and quarterly. New customers should note that you have to pay a $20 styling fee for each shipment. The fee is reimbursed if you decide to keep any of the items. Once you have submitted your quiz and paid, a Stitch Fix stylist will review the information and pick out clothing to match.
Next, your stylist will send you a “Fix,” which is a package containing five items that range from clothing to shoes and accessories. There’s a note from the stylist and advice on how to wear the items for best style and fit. A prepaid return envelope is also provided. You have a few days to try the items on and decide what to keep and what to send back.
Is Stitch Fix Worth It?
When someone else is shopping for you, you’re going to get hits and misses. There’s going to be times when you hate more of the items than you love, but there will also be times when you love more than you hate. The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter because you have the option to keep items or ship them back.
Fix delivery day feels like mini-Christmas. I can’t wait to see what my stylist sent. I chose the option to be “occasionally adventurous” to give myself the motivation to try a look that’s outside of my comfort zone. It’s something I would not be likely to do in a store.
There are some drawbacks to using an online service like Stitch Fix. You don’t know what you’re getting, so you may find yourself returning more items than you keep. And you have to pay a $20 styling fee which is lost if you don’t keep anything. That being said, there are some big benefits to using the service:
– You never have to walk into a crowded mall or shop to find new clothing
– It’s an opportunity to go beyond your comfort zone and try new styles at home
– The styling cards are very helpful and provide inspiration for your look
– You will discover garments that may not be available locally
– Completing the style quiz is detailed and fun
– It’s flexible when it comes to scheduling Fix deliveries
Stitch Fix works well whether you want to replace your entire wardrobe or just want an occasional new outfit to switch things up. While not every garment will be a winner, it’s worth checking out!