Stitch Fix #2

Since the spring, I’ve been working on building up my wardrobe. Once the weather started turning, I came to realize that I hadn’t REALLY shopped in a couple of years. In 2013, I was pregnant, then in 2014, I was still working on my postpartum body and had an infant and WHO HAS TIME TO SHOP? I scraped by this past winter with a handful of new things from Old Navy and such but once spring hit, I had the itch to buy new, nice clothes.

I actually went shopping at the mall—a couple of times—which says a lot, because I really don’t like the mall. In general, I’m not a shopper, at least not for clothes for myself. And I forced myself to go to places other than Old Navy and Gap, which in years past have become my staples. I’ve been pretty happy with how I’ve done so far, but now we’re heading into another season and I definitely need some more additions to my closet. (I need to get rid of a bunch of stuff, too, but that’s a different story.)

A longtime friend posted on Facebook last month that she was thinking about trying Stitch Fix, and then she was really happy with her first fix, so I decided to give it a go as well. I got my first fix at the end of July but it didn’t really occur to me to do a post like this at the time. Truthfully, I was a little underwhelmed by my first shipment and only ended up keeping one item anyway, so you’re not missing out on much. But my friend continued to have a ton of luck so I decided to continue giving Stitch Fix at least a few more chances. So here we are with my second “Fix.”

For those of you who may not be familiar with Stitch Fix… You sign up, fill out an extensive style profile (including sizes, price ranges, colors, etc.), and create a Pinterest board with some of your favorite looks (optional). The profile and the Pinterest board are meant to help the Stitch Fix stylists select items that are perfect for you. Each time you opt to get a Fix shipped to you, you are charged a $20 styling fee. You then receive five clothing items in the mail—these can include accessories as well, like jewelry, belts, and purses. You have three days to try on the items and decide what you’re going to keep and what you’re going to send back. If you keep anything—even just one item—your $20 styling fee is applied to the price of that item. If you keep nothing, you are out the $20 styling fee (that’s the only “risk”). There is a prepaid, pre-labeled shipping envelope included in each Fix for you to use for anything you want to return. And bonus, if your stylist really knocks it out of the park and you keep all five items? You get a 25% off discount on everything.

I like the idea of Stitch Fix because 1) I don’t have to shop. 2) They might pick out items for me that I may never pick out for myself. From brands/designers I’ve never heard of. 3) Bigger variety of stuff than the typical things I might find at Old Navy or Gap. 4) It’s fun to be surprised! 5) There aren’t any extra costs involved as long as you end up keeping at least one item per month. 6) It’s a good way to slowly, but regularly add to your wardrobe over time with just a few items each month.

Anyway, let’s get to the contents of this Fix, shall we?

With each Fix, you get a personal note from your stylist and these style cards to give you inspiration for how to wear each of the items you’ve received. Here’s mine for this Fix.

Pardon the awkward phone selfies in the mirror… I don’t really have a better way to take these pics, especially in a speedy fashion. :)

Collective Concepts Esten Button-Up Sleeveless Blouse. 

I pretty much knew right when I first unfolded this blouse that I wasn’t going to like it. It looked very wide. Sure enough, when I put it on, it felt very boxy and I didn’t feel like it gave me any shape at all.

The main issue here was definitely the fit, but overall, it was also just kind of boring.

Verdict: RETURNING IT.

Market & Spruce Corinna Striped Dolman Top

My first impression of this top was that it was very soft, and that I liked the color. On it went with a pair of jeggings.

These pics don’t really do this pic full justice. It’s cute. It definitely needs to be accessorized with a long necklace, I think, but overall it’s a very nice cross between comfy casual and “nice” casual. It could easily be dressed up or dressed down, something that my stylist also mentioned in her note. I like the sleeves. They’re kind of tight around the forearms but they are different than anything else I own so I like that. I think it’s also long enough where I might even be able to get away with wearing it with a nice pair of leggings on the weekends.

Verdict: KEEPING IT.

Market & Spruce Bethanie Striped Maxi Skirt
AND
Just USA Morrie Boyfriend Denim Jacket

It’s funny, because when I first pulled everything out of the box and gave it a once-over, I assumed that this maxi skirt was a sure winner. I love maxi skirts, and I love the color of this one. But then I put it on.

It looks fine, right? Standard maxi skirt, flowy and nice? It’s actually a very nice material, too, kind of heavy—feels high quality. But here is the reality of this skirt:

I had to hike it up to almost my boobs in order for it to be a normal length on me! This skirt is only going to work if you’re like 6 feet tall, able to wear 4″ heels, or willing to hem it. I’m none of those things. Bummer.

The other thing is that I feel like cute, striped maxi skirts like this can be had pretty easily from Old Navy, Target, Kohls, etc. for like $20. If I’m going to spend $50 on a maxi skirt, I want it to be more unique.

The jean jacket is fine, it’s cute, but I already have one and I don’t feel like I need another one at the moment. The sleeves are a little long on me, which wouldn’t have been a deal-breaker for me but just nah. Don’t need it.

Verdict: RETURNING BOTH OF THEM.

Pixley Jakobe Chevron Print Maxi Dress

OK, now this is definitely something that I would’ve never picked out for myself. I don’t know that I would’ve even taken it off of the rack to try it on. I like the colors and the pattern, but it is the shape of it that would’ve deterred me.

The elastic waist of the dress falls at the natural waist, which is usually an “uncomfortable” spot for me. Although my waist is actually part of my body that I consider to be pretty nice/thin, it is the part of my belly below it that is a problem area for me. The “mommy belly.” I don’t like to accentuate it in any way. Wrap dresses—which are very flattering on a lot of people—I cannot do because I don’t like the way they make my lower belly look. This dress is kind of skating in that territory, yet it is a flowy/loose enough fit where it might work?

Again, it needs to be accessorized with a necklace—this type of neckline almost always needs one, at least on me—but otherwise, I might actually like this? I can’t decide. I’m going to need to sleep on it, try it on again, and take my three days to decide.

Verdict: STILL OUT. SHOULD IT STAY OR SHOULD IT GO?

So right now, I’m only keeping 1/5 items. Maybe 2/5. Like last month, I had high hopes but did not have a stellar result. I’m going to keep going with Stitch Fix for now, though, because I am keeping at least one item so my “styling fee” is not going to waste.

Anyone out there who has tried Stitch Fix? How has your luck been?

I feel like the stylists definitely have their work cut out for them—different things fit different people in different ways, they have no way of knowing what is in someone’s closet already, etc. Even with a complete style profile and Pinterest boards, it still seems like a big job to do.

After each Fix, you provide feedback on each of the items you received, whether you’re keeping them or returning them. All of this feedback is kept on your file and helps your stylist do an even better job with your subsequent fixes. With this Fix, I felt like the styling was done well, it was just an issue with fit/sizing and with not knowing what I already had in my wardrobe.

If you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix for yourself, please use my referral link: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/5558605  And let me know how you do with it!

I still have hope that one of these times, I’ll get a Fix that will knock it out of the park. We’ll see what the next Fix brings! I’ll report back on the results.