I have been a Stitch Fix subscriber for several years, in fact, this is month was my 48th Stitch Fix unboxing!
There are just so many things to love about the style service and, contrary to popular belief, I actually save money by being a Stitch Fix member (more on that later).
Before I even begin my Stitch Fix unboxing or dive into the do’s and don’ts of making Stitch Fix work for you, let me give those unfamiliar a quick little summary of what Stitch Fix is and how it works.
What is Stitch Fix?
First, Stitch Fix is a personalized, curated styling experience for men, women, and kids. Their goal is to help people find clothing they truly love and feel great in, while also saving you tons of time and even a little money (listen, personal styling services are not cheap). Basically, they streamline the process of developing a personal style and filling your closet with quality pieces.
Here’s how it works: You complete a detailed styling quiz on their website that helps the Stitch Fix stylists get to know you, your style, and your budget. Then, you select your box frequency, sign up for a delivery, and anxiously stalk your mailbox until your first box arrives.
For a busy, on-the-go mom like myself, this service was a no-brainer–it allowed me to spend less time shopping and doing countless returns (because dressing rooms are not awesome with kids in tow), and it also helped me spend less money as I waited for my boxes to arrive to spend (instead of going to the store every Tuesday to find what I think I need).
That said, everyone doesn’t have such great success with Stitch Fix and I’ve had several friends share that Stitch Fix didn’t work for them. Personally, I believe the service can work for anyone, you just have to be proactive about making that happen.
Here are a few tips to help make it work well for you.
How to Make Stitch Fix Work for You
Take your time with your style profile.
It’s easy to fly through that thing clicking like on all of the cute outfits, but it’s important that you’re realistic with yourself about both your preferences and your lifestyle so that they can truly develop clothing you’re actually going to want to wear on a day to day basis.
It’s one thing to say you love the mustard yellow bomber jacket that your favorite influencer was rocking to an event on Instagram. It’s a whole other thing to actually try to work that into your weekly rotation so it doesn’t sit at the back of your closet collecting dust for months because wearing it to a PTA fundraiser feels kinda extra.
Fill out your style profile with your real life in mind. Pick things you will actually wear to your office, or to your kids’ soccer games, or wherever you actually go on a regular basis.
And update it often.
You get lots of opportunities to provide Stitch Fix feedback about what you like, so take them. As your style evolves or your lifestyle changes, you should be sure you revisit your style profile and update it accordingly.
And they make it super easy to update them.
In fact, every time I log into my account they provide an opportunity for me to rate a few pieces. I always take a few moments to do that as I know it influences what they will send me next.
Give them feedback every time you check out.
Instead of just clicking keep or return, rate each item in your box and use the comment box to share what you liked or disliked about each item. If it was too short, tell them. If it was too frumpy, tell them. If you loved the texture and the pattern, tell them that too!
I know it takes a few extra minutes, but I promise this will pay off in future boxes.
Be firm, but realistic, about your budget.
Here’s the thing, Stitch Fix is not Walmart and you’re not going to get a bunch of Member’s Mark priced items in your box. If that’s what you’re looking for, Stitch Fix is not the personal styling service for you.
That said, you can be a budget conscious shopper and still purchase from Stitch Fix. You just have to firmly remind them that you require clothing of a certain price point, and then, show them with your purchase behavior. Eventually they’ll learn that sending you a $95 t-shirt is a waste of time for everyone.
Be patient with the process.
Just like any other relationship, it’s going to take time for your stylist to get to know you. As a result, just know that the first few boxes may be duds. If you’re coming up on box five with the same stylist and you still feel like they aren’t sending you items that match your personal style, ask for a switch.
And once you find “the one”, marry her (or him).
Stitch Fix doesn’t automatically give you the same stylist each time–you have to ask for that. I mix it up from time to time, but I also make it a point to stick with the ones I really like (you can elect to keep your same stylist or go free agent when you check out).
That said, if I start sending back a lot of stuff, I know it’s time to make a change and see if some new blood can help get me back on track. Don’t worry, your stylist won’t catch feelings over it.
Always try everything on.
Even if you look at it and think…
Try it anyway. You have to trust that your personal stylist, who styles people for a living, might have a fair idea of what you could look kinda great in.
Tell them what you want.
You don’t have to just let Stitch Fix guess what you need in your closet, you can also just tell them. I recently got to the point where I had too many pairs of jeans so I sent them a note and said, hey, stop it already, I don’t need no more denim in my life!
I haven’t gotten a pair since.
For me, the key to Stitch Fix success has been about being open–open minded and open when it comes to communicating. They’ve been able to meet my style needs and preferences perfectly and I now have more clothing in my closet from Stitch Fix than I do from anywhere else.
Take a Peek in My Box: June Stitch Fix Unboxing
This is my most recent Stitch Fix box…
As usual, it contained five items selected by my stylist.
Stefania Oval Drop Pendant, by Canvas, $34
Alison Knit T-Shirt Dress, by Mix by 41 Hawthorne, $38
Ulrica Tie Neck Blouse, by Fun2Fun, $36
Fedella Mix Print Knit Tank Top, by Pink Clover, $28
Issey Frayed Hem Bermuda Short, by Just Black, $58
I also did a try on video you can peep here:
From this box, I decided to keep the necklace and the dress.
I loved the green top and the shorts as well, but I already have a couple of tops like this green one, and the shorts, though super cute and comfy, were a teeny bit out of my budget for the month. I liked the tank top too, but didn’t think I’d wear it enough to make buying it worth it.
I’m already looking forward to next month’s box since I am heading to Orlando for vacation and I asked them to send me a few amusement park friendly items.
Interested in checking out Stitch Fix for yourself? You get $25 when you sign up using my link: Join Stitch Fix with DudeMom