For the most part, I plan to write about things I really love. However, I've really enjoyed reading other people's Stitch Fix and box subscription posts, and I find them helpful. So, regardless of my opinion on an individual subscription, I'll offer it here.
My first Stitch Fix box arrived yesterday (you can see what it is and how it works here). The contents were posted online once it shipped; but I'm a sucker for surprises, so I gritted my teeth and waited. I'll just cut to the chase, I was a bit disappointed. Not in the quality or fit of the clothes, but regarding the overall style compared to what I was looking for.
 |
| Nice clothes, not what I was looking for (mostly) |
I recently went through a massive closet purge, which I haven't done in the nine years since I moved to Arizona. During that time I graduated from my 20s to my 30s, started a career in software consulting, got married, finished a career in software consulting and had a baby. It was time. I either gifted, consigned or donated everything in the following categories:
- Didn't fit perfectly
- Hadn't worn in two years or longer
- Was yellow or brown (intentionally or unintentionally). These are horrible colors on me!
- Wasn't flattering on my body type
- I purchased thinking I was 5 lbs away from really rocking it. Oh, I went those 5 lbs. In the opposite direction.
- Gave me that feeling in my tummy that I also get watching the opening credits to M*A*S*H.
As I pulled each article, I realized I felt better and better without reminders of money poorly spent or weight never lost. I was left with a closet full of pretty good, well fitting casual pieces, with some nice dresses and jackets. Looking over what remained, I realized it was time for my closet to MATURE. What I lacked were standout pieces. I needed high quality staples, and I wanted some unique glam and funky pieces to add interest.
I signed up for Stitch Fix and filled out my style profile, anxious to see what fabulous stuff they would send. High on the request list were a great pair of jeans and blazer. I said I would invest more than my guideline budget for really fantastic pieces. I made sure my Pinterest board reflected my taste and hoped for the best. My only concern was that every blogged Stitch Fix review I read seemed to reflect very similar style and price point. I wondered if most people fill out their profile similarly or if Stitch Fix tends to cater more to one style demographic.
When my box arrived, this is what I received:
 |
| Wrap Dress, Tunic |
 |
| Blazer, Bracelet, Jeans |
I apologize for the poor lighting and lack of truly full length pics. I would have had to interrupt my husband's battle with influenza to have him snap pictures of clothes I wasn't keeping. I couldn't figure out how to word that request!
Bay to Baubles Lory Rhinestone Circle Wrap Bracelet ($32)
 |
| Meh |
This leather bracelet has a ring of tiny rhinestones. It just isn't my style. I'm tall and like bigger, statement pieces for balance. Plus the magnetic clasp means I would lose this within 5 minutes.
RETURNED
41Hawthorn Melinda 3/4 Sleeve Blazer ($78)
The blazer is a beautiful aqua color, but the silhouette is a little square for my taste. I feel a bit boxy with it hanging straight down. I like the pics better than the reality. It was perfectly adequate, but I'm only going to buy stuff I LOVE from now on.
Collective Concepts Esten Button-Up Sleeveless Tunic ($68)
Once again, beautiful aqua fabric (sale at the textile mill?) but clearly this tunic does nothing for me! It hangs straight down from the girls, hiding any shape I have. Belting it at the waist just shows off my horrible belt collection and emphasizes my short waist. I'm not against getting things tailored, but the length is also too long and cuts me in half vertically. Couldn't even pull off an artfully sloppy tuck. I asked for longer tops but this was too long and too shapeless for me.
RETURNED
Lily Emelda Zig-Zag Wrap Dress ($108)
 |
| Great silhouette from the side |
 |
| Too Peg Bundy from the front |
This dress had the opposite problem, it couldn't contain my shape! Totally not their fault that I'm nursing a baby and pretty much out of control on top, but it couldn't even fully cover my bra. My son would appreciate the easy access, but I don't want to have to turn my porch light off on Halloween.
It also had a horizontal pattern (don't need that optical illusion) and thread unraveling on the tie.
Overall the shape and fabric are great for me, but true wrap dresses are tough for obvious reasons and the print, while pretty, is not what I'm looking for.
RETURNED
Just Black Jake Slim Bootcut Jean ($88)
 |
| Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner! |
 |
| Wouldn't it be great if you could actually see them? |
Loved the fit, length and leg shape. They have a perfect rise and are an incredibly soft stretch denim. I needed a dressier jean and this is it. I love that I can comfortably wear silk tops and black with this midnight blue denim. I am really impressed my sorcerer, err stylist, nailed jeans in one try with no fitting room.
KEPT
In Summary
In order to have a lucrative business Stitch Fix probably orders bulk for wholesale pricing. Including pieces from their proprietary clothing line would increase margins (41Hawthorn - I'm pretty sure they include at least one piece in each box). I'm still concerned that so far what I've seen of their inventory is all pretty similar in style. This would be a dream come true if it's what I was looking for.
My closet already comprises decent basics, and I was hoping to take everything up a notch and discover some edgy glamorous stuff that I would be hard pressed to find at my local department store. After re-reading my style profile, I understand why each piece was selected, even if I had a different vision in my head. Updates have already been made!
Other blogs have warned that it takes a couple of boxes of feedback to nail down your preferences, so I'm not giving up just yet. I am very happy that the jeans were totally worth the whole box and my $20 styling fee didn't go to waste. Stitch Fix is extremely convenient and a great idea; it just may not be as custom as I was hoping for!
If you're thinking, "This chick is crazy! I loved the contents of her box!" Then by all means, sign up here!
I hope your change to StylingOn works for you. I felt the same way about StitchFix and no matter how many times I wrote in saying I would like a certain style or product event ones they had (which I saw on other peoples blogs) I never received it. its tough because I did like the concept. StylingOn was much closer to what I was looking for.
ReplyDeleteHey Cassie - thanks for stopping by! I'm very excited about StylingOn and will post an update once the box gets here in a couple of weeks!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa I read all your Stitch fix posts and love them; especially the pre-box pro and cons and this one with all the info on your expectations and what you got! :) For me a lot of the reasons you listed ( like the mystery factor, and human factor etc. ) are what attracted me to SF as well. I surely think the boxes get better in time. I write a lot of details in my check-out forms for the pieces I didn't keep in terms of fit, color, details I was looking for like lace, embellishments. Seems to help them pin my style down more and more. Then again I love patterns and color as I have so many basic already. I can't wait to see what you will get next in your boxes and hear your experiences of how the styling of the pieces changed with the updates you made on your profile. Great to have met through SF! :) XOXO, Elif
ReplyDeletehttp://theboxqueen.com
Elif - nice to see you here! Thanks for all the feedback; I agree the process deserves a little more time and investment to see if it works out. I know they are completely in sync with you now, which is promising to see! I appreciate the visit! - Alyssa
Delete