A fellow IF blogger (formerly known as SIF – though she now blogs under her real name here) started posting a few months ago about a new service she was trying out called Stitch Fix. At the same time, my old roommate (and close friend) also started posting on her Facebook page about it, and the combo was enough to motivate me to give it a shot and see if I’d like it as much as they did!
For reference for y’all – I am HORRIBLE about shopping. I don’t really enjoy it, probably because I haven’t been comfortable in my body for a long time, plus I’m cheap so I have a hard time even buying a $10 t-shirt at Target. 🙂 Also, I live in the middle of nowhere (my town has a population of just 1,000) so there aren’t great shopping options, so I’ve ended up wearing a ridiculously outdated wardrobe that is ill fitting and cheap. The few pieces I’ve bought over the past few years to have nursing friendly options were all from JCPenny or Target – the only shopping options available in the slightly larger town 30 minutes from here. It’s time for me to get out of that rut!
With Stitch Fix, you fill out a really comprehensive style profile about what styles you’d like to wear, how open you are to trying different styles, etc. You also choose if you’d like to see more accessories or actual clothing items, more party outfits, work outfits, or comfy clothes, etc. It takes awhile to fill out, but let me tell you, it was so worth it. I just got my first shipment on Friday (it’s always 5 items, and you choose how often boxes are shipped to you), and it was so spot on. Seriously – they weren’t items I’d have picked out for myself, but I was really happy with what my stylist picked!
Can you guess who was tired of the fashion show? 😉
The first item I put on was the Tigress Geo Print Blouse (Sanctuary – $88). I’m not loving it because it does nothing for me, but I’m not hating it either, which surprises me because it’s totally not a style I’d have tried on in a store. My friend suggested pairing it with black leggings and cute boots, but the problem is that I don’t OWN any cute boots, so yeah. That one will be getting sent back. I also need to kick it up the priority list to find some cute boots!
The pants I’m wearing in all of these pictures are the Emmett Boyfriend Jean (Kut from the Kloth – $78). I have honestly never tried on the boyfriend style before – ever! Traditional bootcut all the way over here. Color me surprised when I slipped them on and they fit perfectly. Jeans NEVER fit me perfectly. They have a slightly higher rise than most of my jeans, and I actually really liked that. I think they’d be awesome in the spring/summer/fall months when I pretty much live in flip flops and flats. The only problem with them is that it’s the middle of winter in the mountains here right now, so there’s no way I’d wear these for at least a few months. At the same time, I’m starting a new fitness program right now with my son turning one, and I plan on being at least one size smaller by spring, so these are getting returned with the hope that I’ll get another great pair in a size smaller closer to spring.
The next shirt I put on was the Benzer Mixed Material Sweater (Market & Spruce – $78). It’s a looser cut on my torso than I normally wear, but I actually really like that. It’s definitely dressy enough for work but casual enough for wearing on the weekend while out with friends, and the “shirt” poking out from underneath is actually part of the sweater. The only downside is that it’s a hand wash only item (GAH) which is so hard for me to remember to do. That being said, I like it enough that I’m going to keep it!
Paired with that sweater is the Betty Chevron Infinity Scarf (Octavia – $32). I LOVE IT. I don’t usually spend money on accessories, but I’ve decided that $32 on a scarf is worth it when it will pair with almost everything in my existing wardrobe as well. Sold!
The final item in my box was the Chaplin Lined Hooded Anorak Jacket (Market and Spruce – $94). Again, not an item I’d have ever tried on, but I honestly really liked it! I was torn about what to do with this item since I liked it and I don’t currently own any stylish outwear jackets, but since I’d already spent $90 on the sweater and scarf (happy birthday to me!) and we’re trying to get our spending under control right now, I decided to pass on the jacket this time around. That being said, it was a great pick by my stylist!
What I love most about this process so far:
- They give you a card with specific styling suggestions in the box – an incredibly valuable tool for a clueless style person like me.
- You pay $20 for the stylist’s time every shipment, but if you buy anything from the box, that $20 goes towards the cost of your purchase.
- If you buy all 5 items, you get 25% off the entire box!
- You return what you don’t want for free in the pre-paid bag.
- You can adjust the price point of items. After this box I’ve updated my preferences to be under $50 instead of $50-100, just to make it more affordable for me to actually buy the pieces. That being said, I’ve spent SO very little on clothing for…well, my entire life… that it’s kind of fun to look to get a few quality pieces to mix into my rotation.
- They don’t send me all black. Charlie’s feedback was “if it’s not black, I like it.” Oops. That’s from a few years of body insecurity and wanting to hide in slimming clothes. Apparently my entire wardrobe is basically black at this point, and he hates it. Who knew?
- Also, Stitch Fix doesn’t have a clue who I am and this post is written completely of my own volition, but if any of you decide to try this service by clicking on my link here, I’ll get a $25 credit towards my next purchase. The gift that keeps on giving. 😉
For what it’s worth, I have never been someone who could shop online without sending back 90% of it for being ill fitting on my body, so I’m very pleasantly surprised with how well everything fit and how much I liked the styles included in my very first box. I can’t wait to see what my stylist sends me next time!
On my way to work this morning! Please excuse the embarrassingly dirty mirror. 😉
I love the outfits! I’ve had a few friends use this service before and I looked into it, but couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger just due to the price points. I’m like you and spend very little money on myself, and almost take it as a challenge to find the most clothes for the cheapest amount. I can’t remember the last time I bought something that wasn’t on sale. That being said, JJ and I didn’t exchange gifts for Christmas this year so I didn’t feel guilty at all going to buy myself some boots, a coat, and just clothes in general – all on major sale of course. I am loving the boyfriend jeans too! I got a pair over the summer, and the only thing I wish was different about them was the higher rise – they make my hips look big. 🙂 And the scarves? Totally got on that fashion trend late, but I’m loving them and how they can dress up just a plain t-shirt even! Ha, and the military jacket is something I got as well and love. The only thing is I don’t like wearing it to work because there are zippers on the sleeves and it makes a lot of noise when I type. Good for you for treating yourself and hopefully you continue to like the items that come your way. Not like we have a ton of extra time on our hands these days, but Pinterest is a great place to go to find ideas of how to pair clothing together you already have that you may never have thought of yourself. The three things I mentioned that I purchased were all based on things I saw others pull off on blogs or Pinterest.
Yeah, I used to think that was me (challenging myself to find clothes for the cheapest amt) and then I realized I just never buy ANY clothes. It’s kind of ridiculous. When we did #WhoNeedsIt on our closets last year, SO MANY of my clothes were from college… 10+ years ago. Sad. I figure I can afford to buy a few quality pieces to start mixing into the rotation. 🙂
You look like a million bucks, Josey! And I LOVE those jeans, way cute. May you be inspired towards your fitness goals. Harvey is adorable. Been there, had many a crying child hanging on to my leg…. lol. What a cool shopping idea, especially for those of us who are for sure challenged by the very idea of style. 🙂 Peace out.
Thanks, Mom! I’m really loving it so far! It reminds me of how much fun it was to take you shopping and push you out of your comfort zone when you lost all that weight. Let’s plan on doing that again! 🙂
I know a couple IRL people who use this, but I’m glad you posted about it bc I feel like I “know” you better than them. Weird, right?!?
Anyway, I’m just like you in that I won’t buy anything expensive and spending $10 on a shirt at Target is too much :/ So that’s a big reason why I haven’t tried it. The other reason is I’m TERRIBLE about mail. I would just panic about having to send it back.
Lastly, I bet the reason it fits so well is bc it’s a little more expensive. I mean, I’ve always heard that cheap clothes are ill-fitting, but don’t take my word for more expensive ones fitting better 🙂
OK, really lastly, I love Harvey in the last one. Soooooo Poppy.
I thought the same thing about how expensive clothes just tend to fit better. I’ll let you know if the trend continues. 🙂
Also – the pre-paid bag comes in the box of clothes, and you have 3 business days to try the items on and decide what to send back. I just dropped the bag at the post office this morning – easy peasy!
I am also very cheap, but this is intriguing! I had not heard of it until you and SIF mentioned it recently on twitter. Thanks for the overview! You look great!
Happy birthday, T!
I think you should try it – so far I’m loving it!
I just tried Stitch Fix last month and LOVED my skinny jeans they sent. I NEVER wear skinny jeans or buy them, but these were SO flattering! I also kept a sweater and shirt. It ended up being expensive, 3 items was $170, but like you said, I rarely spend any money on myself. Dustin was really impressed, but a little taken back at the price too. My boobs are GIANT (still nursing) and I have baby weight still to lose, so finding shirts/sweaters that fit has been so difficult. I’ve been living in t-shirts mostly. Stitch Fix is helping me get out of my clothes rut!
I figure it’s a splurge, but worth it if it helps me feel good about myself.
Right? It’s so easy to get in a clothing rut, and I want to feel GOOD about myself. It’s kind of fun to have a personal stylist. 😉
Nordstrom rack carries those jeans for half the price, and they ship free. Buy them there once you’re down that size!
I was going to do stitchfix too, but then the Rack opened here and well… I’m trying crazy new stuff there now. I am still intrigued by stitchfix though. Lots of my friends do it and love it!
Those jeans look great on you!
Ha, the closest Nortstroms Rack to me is 6 hrs away in Denver! Hence part of the problem. 🙂 Thanks for the tip about free shipping! That being said, I’d probably never go in the store even if it was down the street. I’m glad you’re pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and trying new things!
I meant buy them online!
lol, yeah, I got that. I looked at the ones they have are a different style than these actually. I’ll keep that in mind though!
What rut?! I’ve always loved the way you dress and you’ve always had great style!! Love the pics!
HS
Ha! Thanks, HS.
First off, that scarf you are wearing today looks GREAT on you. I always think you look wonderful in purple and yellow.
I hadn’t heard about Stitch Fix until just a few days ago and now I’ve seen it mentioned a few times. It sounds like a really interesting service. I have recently become willing to “spend the money” but can’t seem to “find anything.” Um, maybe because I don’t need more black shirts and dark jeans? LOL. I am really interested to see how this service works in Canada. I’d be curious to see what I was sent! And anything where someone will tell me what to try on and I don’t actually have to go shopping? GOLD.
Thanks for this post – makes is more accessible to a Nervous Nellie like myself 😉
I signed up and created a profile a few months ago. I have not yet actually had a box sent to me. Mostly because I don’t NEED more clothes right now, and until I cut back on pumping/nursing in a few months need to stick to the wardrobe I have that works. Soon though.
I love the sweater you decided to keep.
I have been super intrigued by Stitch Fix, mostly out of curiosity–what WOULD a stylist pick out for me? I hate shopping, and I frequently battle buyer’s remorse (even before I’ve bought something!) and especially when I buy stuff for myself. I am way too budget weary. I think nearly every article of clothing I bought last year was secondhand, maternity stuff included. My current go-to place for online consignment stuff is Thred Up. Over the summer I bought 13 maternity items and spent around $80 with a couple of discount and free shipping codes. It’s not haute stuff and maybe it’s even a couple seasons old, but I’ve gotten lots of super cute, classic/timeless JCrew, Gap and Anthro stuff inexpensively. I even found the cute LBD I wore for Listen To Your Mother there, for something like $13. It’s hit or miss like any consignment situation, but I will definitely hit it back up when the baby weight is gone…
I’ve used Thred up once so far and like the concept for the kids for sure, but as someone who is HORRIBLE about picking out clothing, I think StitchFix is better for me at this point. The jeans I ordered from ThredUP fit very poorly and were not flattering, even though they were my size. Could have been a fluke, but it frustrated me all the same. I totally don’t care about brands and such – I just want things to look nice, and that’s what I struggle with. 🙂 I’m curious to see the prices of the items next month since I knocked them all down to the lowest level (honestly not sure why I didn’t do that in the first place!).
Oh, and I can’t STAND shopping consignment stores. If I do drag my butt shopping, it’s somewhere like Target when I can see a shirt on a mannequin and then just pick through and find my size. I don’t have the interest or desire to pick through racks, never have. I really do suck at shopping, which is why I usually don’t buy anything at all instead!
I loathe shopping the racks for myself, too, but I love it for the girls! Weird, huh?
Oooooh, you can specify price levels! Nice! And yes, I’ve gotten a few duds from TU, too. Especially when you can feel the fabric, and get something that does not feel particularly comfy against your skin. I don’t enjoy the returns process either. :/ I love the accessory in this box you just received. You’ll have to post your next box!
*can’t
I think Alissa did a similar thing to this as well. I love ASOS because you can send back and get refunds for free. Not going to lie I LOVE SHOPPING especially now that even though I want another baby I haven’t lost my body to hormones completely. I just bought a pair of rag n bone jeans for $100 on shopbop (normally about $300) and I am so excited to pick them up from the post office! There is a great fashion blog I follow called http://themomedit.com/ she is fabulous. She is a tiny little thing but shops for all sizes and she has links to great sales as well. It is all about mama dressing from nursing and pregnancy to afterwards. Check it out as well. I am liking the boyfriend cut jean on you and honestly hon with your gorgeous long legs I would be going skinnies all.the.way.
I hate my thighs though, and I feel like I’m too boxy for skinny jeans! I dunno… time to push out of the comfort zone I think. 🙂 Your style pics always inspire me! I’ll check out that blog too!
You look great! Glad you got to splurge! 🙂
I typically like higher quality clothes but I buy most of them on sale (once in awhile I splurge on shoes…I am picky about those as we wear them all the time!) I found for me I can only shop online at stores that I KNOW my size…I am slender but tall and have a LONG torso so I have a hard time finding long enough shirts!
We do have a consignment here that carries new or gently used name brands at CHEAP prices ( $8-$10 tops) like Banana Republic, Loft, J Crew, Boden etc and I have had luck there a few times. Otherwise I hit Abercrombie women for jeans ($88 marked down to $22 and free shipping, yes please!), Loft has some CRAZY cheap sales and some more boutique brands when they run 65 percent off online…quality fabric too!
I had the same problem shopping before we moved, but even now, I shop online! I always wear new stuff immediatly after I buy it too, I can’t not wear them immediatly. I love that scarf by the way!
I just got my first Stitch Fix and it was pretty amazing. I agree about the better quality clothes fitting better thing. It’s just too tempting for me though so I’m going to save it for special occasions when I treat myself, but the items in this one do make me feel more confident about starting my new job! Someone shopping for me and sending me the clothes? HELL YES! You look great!
This is really something I need to do! Like you, I hate shopping and I hate it even more now that I have two kids with me all the time and getting into a fitting room with this is laughable AND my body has changed so much over the past 5 years I don’t even know where to start. Those jeans fit you perfectly! and I love that scarf!
I just signed up with your link, so keep an eye out for your credit! 🙂
Yay! I hope you love it as much as I do!
LOVE IT! Got my fix this week and today I’m wearing the dress I kept. Crazy about it. What a great service!
Thank you for introducing this to my life! I have never heard of this, but it’s like my dream come true!! I HATE shopping, I think due in part to an awkward body that didn’t fit into anything properly as a child, and with a baby and living outside of the city, shopping in a store just isn’t happening anyway. The brands of the clothes you received are all brands I enjoy from Evereve (a boutique-ish place I like, and a MN based company), so I really need to try this. When I finally pull the trigger, I will definitely use your referral link!
[…] the awesome selection of items I received in last month’s Stitch Fix box, I was more than impressed with this service, and I hope those of you who signed up through my […]
[…] I mentioned in my first Stitch Fix review that I’ve wanted a nice pair of boots for…well, forever. It is SO hard for me to buy […]
[…] Infinity Scarf (Octavia – $28) with the sweater above. Just like the Octavai scarf from my first fix, I totally loved it. It’s a nice mid-weight scarf, I love the color (I’m a pink freak, […]
[…] tight on my midsection, and for $88, I want to feel awesome when I pull them on (like I felt with the first pair of jeans they sent). I’m going to check out ThredUp* since they now have free returns and see if I can find […]
[…] is, I’m not loving this box. I’m curious if you guys will agree with me or not. So far my first fix was my favorite (I loved 4 of 5 items), so I’m going to mention that to them in my review […]