Subscription Box Showdown: Stitch Fix VS StylingOn

After seeing a gazillion raving blog reviews, I got swept up in the Stitch Fix excitement and signed myself up. My first box was a little off mark, so even while I ordered my second box, I continued the quest for the perfect fashion subscription. I eventually stumbled across StylingOn, for which I could only find about 2 reviews. I wasn't too surprised since they don't offer the $25 referral reward that Stitch Fix does.

As a public service for the subscription addicted, I decided to face off these two services in a fight to the death, where death means absolutely nothing.

SUMMARY

Stitch Fix
Fill out an online personal style quiz, and request a single style box or subscription. Receive 5 pieces of clothing and/or accessories hand selected for you. Try on and return what you don't want within 3 days. Provide online feedback for next box. Charged for what you keep.

StylingOn
Fill out an online personal style quiz. Discuss specific needs with your assigned stylist. Review multiple hand selected Look Books online and decide what you want in your box (approx 5 pieces). Charged for those pieces. Try on and return what you don't want within 10 days. Provide feedback to stylist. Refunded for what you return.

WEBSITE & EASE OF USE
Winner: Stitch Fix

Both websites walk you through a fashion personality quiz to determine your sizing and preferences in terms of style, fit, color and (in the case of StylingOn) brand. Both purport to offer both a subscription and a one-off ordering service. I signed up for monthly boxes with Stitch Fix  but can't quite figure out how to do so with StylingOn. Luckily I can just notify my stylist when I'm ready to start a new box.

StylingOn's concept for their website is really cool, but I feel like the processes aren't really being followed and the tools only partially used. I use my phone and Kindle to navigate online, so it's really important to me that mobile sites are usable. Unfortunately, I can't get to my personal page through StylingOn.com (I have to navigate directly to the client area login page). I was also unable to enter credit card info online. There is a Virtual Closet that I still haven't figured out how to use, and although my Look Books were posted quickly online, they were a bit difficult to navigate mobiley (you're welcome, Oxford Dictionary). Luckily, I've been able to contact both my stylist and the owner, Lidia, directly with my questions, and was able to get my box ordered without difficulty.

Stitch Fix, on the other hand, has a very streamlined, well-tested website and ordering process. I haven't noticed any glitches or deviations from what they promise.

COST
Winner: Stitch Fix

Stitch Fix charges a $20 styling "fee" which is applied to anything you purchase in a given month. The average price point is about $68/garment. No shipping costs, even for returns.

StylingOn has no styling fee but charges $20 in shipping, not applicable to anything. The minimum costs per garment is $100.

BRANDING/CLOTHING QUALITY
Winner: StylingOn

Stitch Fix might be cheaper, but I still feel like I get a better deal with StylingOn  The point of this journey was to round out my newly purged closet with some higher quality pieces. I updated both profiles to request more expensive pieces, so I am willing to pay a little more if the quality is there, but StylingOn was the only one to deliver.

StylingOn offers designer brands at a variety of price points, starting at about $100/piece. A few of the labels include: Elizabeth & James, Theory, Ted Baker, Diane Von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo and Stella McCartney. All of the clothes in my LookBooks were beautiful, and I wish I could have purchased everything. The prices on my pieces seemed very fair (my stylist said she was looking for sales & good deals) and I didn't locate them cheaper elsewhere.

Stitch Fix works with over 200 brands like 41Hawthorne (their own), Daniel Rainn, Kut from the Kloth, Collective Concepts and Kensie. I typically see the same brands popping up repeatedly on reviews across the web. I also know that some of the brands they carry can be found in markdown stores like Nordstrom Rack (Daniel Rainn shirts for $24.99 instead of $60). They aren't exactly the same pieces, and Stitch Fix is charging a fair price (MSRP), but knowing the markdowns I can find with a little leg work makes paying more tough to swallow. These brands are on par with most of what is already in my closet. Even when I increased my preferred price points with Stitch Fix  the brands stayed the same (actually got a bit cheaper).

PERSONAL STYLIST
Winner: StylingOn

Stitch Fix assigns a stylist, and I believe you can request a specific one that you like. A cute printed note is included in the shipment from your stylist. I can't recall the name of my first stylist.

My stylist at StylingOn is Brooke. I know what she looks like, I know her inspirations and style preferences. I even know her daughter's name and age. I'm not a stalker, although if she keeps hitting it out of the park I might become one! We've had two phone calls and have exchanged half a dozen emails. She followed up via email the morning my box arrived to get my feedback. Inside the box was a handwritten Thank You card. Brooke listens to me, understands my pain points, and shows genuine excitement for finding perfect pieces. She rocks, and we're already discussing my next box.

CONVENIENCE
Winner: Stitch Fix

Both services advertise free return shipping in a pre-paid envelope, but I only received a pre-paid FedEx label in my StylingOn box. Not a big deal, but I need to find a bag to return my stuff.

Stitch Fix gives you 3 days to try on and return, you are charged for what you keep.

StylingOn charges you up front for the clothing. You have 10 days (nice!) to decide on returns. It can take up to two weeks to receive your refund.

CLOTHING SATISFACTION
Clear Winner: StylingOn

This is personal preference (natch - it's my review), but the StylingOn process lends itself to a higher satisfaction rate. You spend much more time with your personal shopper discussing ideas, and you review everything online before confirming what will be sent to you in your box. By the time you receive your box, you're mostly confirming fit and quality, whereas reviewing a Stitch Fix box is a bit of a crap shoot. I love the element of surprise with Stitch Fix, but StylingOn was definitely more on target.

Out of the 5 pieces in each of my two Stitch Fix boxes, I kept one. Box 1: a pair of jeans (see review here). Box 2: a bracelet (which I didn't really want but didn't want to lose my $20).

Collective Concepts Spectra Fit & Flare Dress
The hubs said this added 40 lbs so...
DEFINITELY RETURNED

Under Skies Jasmine Blouse
UGH - awful shape for the girls
RETURNED

Bay to Baubles Rhinestone Bangle
Not my favorite but I can mix & match
KEPT

Mia Melon Paloma Cutout Jersey Top
Mildly Ok, but I own better
RETURNED

Olive & Oak Alvah Hi-Lo Blouse
This was a better fit, but nothing special
RETURNED

Of the 4 pieces I requested in my first StylingOn box, I kept a Theory black silk shirt and a Joie chambray button up shirt. A beautiful black Helmut dress didn't fit quite right and a feather cuff bracelet wasn't quite as bold as I was hoping, but I still loved those two pieces and it was painful to send them back.

Feather Cuff Bracelet
Pretty, but snags and not statement enough
RELUCTANTLY RETURNED

HELMUT by Helmut Lang Dress
Couldn't pull it off
RETURNED

Joie Chambray Blouse
In love with this lightweight top!
KEPT

Theory Black Silk Shirt
Beautiful & expensive feeling
KEPT

OVERALL WINNER
I seriously didn't plan to have them each win 3 categories - I HATE ties! I refuse.

In terms of price, convenience and tools, Stitch Fix has the edge. In terms of what is more important to me: personal touch, quality and overall satisfaction - StylingOn wins hands down. So I'm calling the ball - THE WINNER IS STYLINGON.

Obviously it's a matter of personal taste, and I totally understand why so many women love Stitch Fix. If they carried more of the style I was looking for or could better dress my shape, then I never would have strayed. I did and I liked it; StylingOn now has my heart and my wallet.

How Stitch Fix Works

• You create an account on Stitch Fix and fill out a semi in-depth style profile. You fill out your stats, general proportions, areas of confidence or insecurity and the fashions you like. They've included helpful graphics to assist. You also list the type of clothing you want (business, casual, date night etc.) to see more of and anything you DON'T want in terms of color, pattern, style etc. 
• Add any additional comments for your stylist (i.e. "I really hate monkeys on my clothes" or "Would love to try something lime green" or "Please include lots of sexy dresses for an upcoming event!").
• Attach link for your LinkedIn or Pinterest style board (if available)
• Schedule when you want your first box.  I love that you can have them arrive monthly or have NO COMMITMENT and schedule random boxes at your convenience. To me that's one of the most appealing things about this subscription service.  I don't feel like they are just trying to rope me into a recurring payment. Warning: there is usually a backlog/waitlist of about 5-6 weeks if you order them one-off.
• They styling cost is $20 per box, but you can apply that towards any and all clothing purchased from that box.
• When your 5 clothing/accessory items arrive in the mail, try each one on with your current wardrobe (they include example cards that show you how to style them if you aren't sure). 
• Go online to checkout. Note what you do or don't like about each and be sure to give detailed feedback regarding each one.
• Within 3 days, place all unwanted items in the included pre-paid envelope and drop in the mail.
• Your credit card will be charged for those items you kept (minus $20 fee).  If you decide to keep all five, you get 25% off your order.

Stitch Fix - Potential WPP?

After reading and re-reading reviews on Stitch Fix, I finally took the plunge yesterday and signed up for their subscription styling service.  To be fair, this can't officially be classified as a white paper package YET because I've only just signed up.  I will keep you posted on progress and let you know if it ends up making the official cut!

Apparently Stitch Fix was started over 3 years ago by Harvard student Katrina Lake (well don't you feel like an underachiever, now?). She grew her business slowly so I'm not surprised I only recently became aware of this brilliant business model, but I'm suddenly seeing it everywhere!

Unlike many of the reviewers I read, I actually love to shop and feel like I have a pretty good handle on what silhouettes, colors and fabrics flatter me (No thanks to me - I married into a family that ran a modeling agency for years. Eventually my survival instincts kicked in and I started absorbing the education my future in-laws were beating me over the head with.). Still - I love something even more than shopping - surprises!!

Filling out the style profile on www.StitchFix.com

This is why I'm excited:
1. Package in the mail! Woot woot!
2. Maybe I filled out my online profile SO WELL that my stylist will be able to use her psychological voodoo to know what I will like even better than I know myself.
3. Everyone online seems really happy, in general, with their subscriptions.
4. I took the time to put together a Pinterest board as suggested. All the beautiful clothing I saw got me really geared up. I recommend doing this, based on other people's feedback that it helps your stylist zone in on what you like.
5. My $20 subscription fee is credited towards anything I decide to keep.
6. When I end up with the absolutely perfect box and decide to keep all 5 items, Stitch Fix will give me 25% off the entire order.
7. I love the idea of having pieces I may not otherwise try sent to my house so I can try them on with my current wardrobe.
8. The stylists include styling suggestion cards for each piece. I'm always looking for new ways to put looks together.
9. There seems to be more of a human element with this one than other similar services out there.

These are my concerns:
1. I've seen a lot of similar Stitch Fix pieces across various blogs. Many of which I'm not super excited about, although I can see the appeal from the perspective of different fashion personalities. I'm hoping that my heavy leanings towards classic and romantic glam will make a box that I haven't yet seen online.
2. I'm a procrastinator (no really, the 2 years it took me to start this blog wasn't because I'm a perfectionist). It's entirely possible I will end up with a closet full of stuff I don't want because I fail to drop returns in the mail or cancel my subscription. At least it will all be 25% off!
3. I have huge nursing boobs right now. Gigantor. These 34Gs no longer fit in beautiful Victoria's Secret bras. Or in half the clothes I own. They easily look obscene, require an official over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder and will likely be tough to style.
4. My Pinterest board may be slightly optimistic when it comes to how much skin I'm willing to show. That's the problem when the styles I like are all on leggy, tanned 22 yr olds.
5. If they are too good I'm not sure I can afford to love everything I get every month!

Have you signed up for Stitch Fix or a similar subscription service?  If you're interested, you can sign up here. Any suggestions for how to get the most out of it?  What do you love or dislike?