Stitch Fix #5 – Consider Me Frustrated

Before receiving this last fix, I had switched my frequency to every 2-3 weeks for the next couple of months because I really wanted one Fix to focus on an outfit for the baby shower I’m throwing May 2nd and my next fix to be clothes for my trip to visit my sister on May 22nd. I actually ended up loving the cardigan I kept from my last fix (I’ve worn it every week the past month!), but after this fix I’m about ready to quit the whole dang thing. 🙁

I started following a StitchFix group on Facebook, and the tips in learned in there were to (1) try to use positives of what you DO want, not want you don’t want, because something about their algorithm only sees “baggy shirts” instead of “no baggy shirts.” I was also surprised to realize how often people requested a different stylist (or to keep the same stylist if they loved their fix) as I hadn’t realized that was possible! Apparently you can also request different sizes of items, and if they have them in stock they will send them. So yeah, I tried to get more specific with this month’s note to my stylist, and here’s what I came up with:

I’m throwing a baby shower for my BFF May 2. Colors are gold/turquoise/burlap; that color scheme or any shade of pink would be nice (perhaps even a casual dress if there’s something amazing?). Jeans & tops that work for both casual + work are always nice too. More fitted tops please – I don’t love the styles you’ve been sending. See here –> http://bit.ly/1CLAf61 Machine washable if possible!

I also tweaked the note in my style profile a bit:

I wear mostly jeans & nice tops at my job at a medical office. I like bright tones (like coral) and warm tones (green/mustard/etc). I’m self conscious about my midsection, but that doesn’t mean I want to wear tents for shirts. I have enough jewelry for now – would prefer clothing in shipments unless there is something fantastic for me to see.

I even created a Pinterest board with some ideas AND gave them links to my blog posts about my first four fixes.

Basically, I got as specific as I could, and yet my stylist SUCKED. It was by far the worst note I’ve received (short, non-helpful ideas, and not even grammatically correct), and I don’t think she read a damn thing about me before making the selections.

This was compounded by the fact that their algorithm definitely didn’t pay attention to my style profile selections and feedback on prior items. For example:

• Jeans – I like skinny & bootcut and have that noted in my style profile. They sent me wide leg jeans that look horrible on me.
• Price points – I have my options set to as cheap as possible (under $50)… yet my box was a $380 fix, including a $108 dress.
• Styles – I’ve consistently told them in feedback that I’ve hated the Henley style tent shirts – yet that’s what she sent me again.
• Ease of care – I asked for machine washable if possible because it’s a pain in the ass to hand wash and hang dry when I do a gazillion loads of laundry every week, yet 3 of my 5 items are hand wash only.

Basically, I’m going to write a complaint to their customer service and give this one more shot, but I’m about done. I love the concept, but if they’re not going to actually read my feedback and notes and learn from what I didn’t like, what’s the point?

GAH. At any rate, here are my items from this fix. I might keep one thing just to not lose my stylist fee, but I don’t know if it’s even worth doing that. What do you guys think?

First off I tried on the Memphis Lace Overlay Knit Shirt (Market & Spruce – $58). I actually like the color of this shirt, and the style is okay (though it doesn’t really do me any favors), but the lace makes me nervous – seems like it will catch on kids’ toys or whatever pretty easily. It’s also hand wash / line dry only, so meh.

Next I tried on the Filbert Abstract Striped Henley Blouse (UGH, AGAIN – Market & Spruce – $58) with the high waisted wide legged Mom jeans – Dear John (Marson Wide Leg Jean – $78). I don’t care if that style is “in” right now, they look horrible on me and I don’t like the style, hence why I hadn’t selected it on my profile. Can you tell I’m cranky and let down by this fix? *sigh*

Finally I got to the two dresses she sent. I usually have my profile set to avoid dresses, but I asked for them this month if there was something great for the baby shower. Well, I liked both of these dresses okay (and I think they both actually looked better in person than they photographed) but I didn’t like their price points. I mean, $78 for a maxi?! I’ll spend $100 on great jeans that I’ll wear a few times a week – I will not spend that kind of money on dresses that I’ll wear once every few months.

Scott Striped Dress (Donna Morgan – $108) and Jakobe Chevron Print Maxi Dress (Pixley – $78). 

So yeah, that’s my fix. What do you guys think? Is there anything you’d bother keeping, especially at those price points?

*****

*We both get $10 to spend at ThredUp if you use my link to sign up.
*I  get a $25 credit if you sign up for a Stitch Fix box through my link. Signing up does NOT mean you have to schedule a box right away. You can look around and get a feel for it. If you do ship a box, then I get a credit, and if you refer anyone, the same applies to you!