In my last quick takes post, I mentioned trying out Stitch Fix. I got a lot of questions about it so I thought I would write a post all about my experience. Prepare yourself, there are a ridiculous amount of photos of yours truly, but hopefully peeks of my baby bump and little photo bombers will make up for it.

I’ll have more tips for using stitch fix at the bottom, but basically the gist of it is that you sign up for an account, fill out some questions, and they send you a box! And, can I just say that the box is so dang pretty. It’s a pretty exciting package to get.

Inside that gorgeous box are 5 items of clothing (I think they also can send accessories if you request). You get to make a note to your stylist, in mine I told them no pants (because I think the sizing is the hardest to get right), but yes to tops (they also knew I was pregnant), and pretty please for a dress.

From there, you have 3 days to try everything on, and decide if you want to keep any or all of it. So, try clothes on I did, while Pat snapped photos, and our children ran underfoot.

Numero uno. I knew from the second I saw this one that I was not into it AT ALL. It looked shapeless and just blah, and when I tried it on, I felt the same way. I also personally don’t like sleeves that cut off at this point, I was able to give feedback to stitch fix for each clothing item and I let them know this.

Number 2, much better! I loved the fairisle-ly like print, the sweater was really cozy. This was one that I seriously considered keeping. The reasons I didn’t were that the sleeves were just an inch or so too long (which I knew would bug me in the long run), and the drape-y front might have also got on my nerves as I wrangle tiny people. I’ve become really picky with clothing these days, for me something has to REALLY work for me to buy it.

The third option was my other favorite, and the one that I swooned over the most when I opened up the box. I’m a total fan of maxi dresses during pregnancy, I feel like they’re so flattering with baby bumps. I loved the chevron stripes.

Number four was just, fine. I feel like I have a lot of shirts already like this in my wardrobe, which meant that the stylist understood my style. But, I was hoping to only add items to my closet that would push it’s limits, not just blend in with the status quo. The fit was good, actually, every single item I got fit great, which I was really impressed by.

And last but not least, the last one! AKA when Caleb decided that he hated Stitch Fix and was DONE. I liked this when I first saw it, I thought the dual fabrics/prints was fun. I have a t-shirt with the similar idea and I love it. After trying it on though, the polka dot print fabric I thought cut too far into the front part of the shirt, it looked a little funny to me. And! I decided that I’m not the biggest fan of 3/4 length shirts. I just want the shirt to decide whether it wants to go long or short!

In the end, I didn’t keep anything! I sent all of it back. Because I was given a generous gift card to use, I felt fine with eating the $20 styling fee (which would have been taken away if I had bought any items) so that I could get another box and explore more brands.

Pros and Cons of Stitch Fix

+ Personal stylists aren’t cheap, but this is a very inexpensive way to get close to that experience.

+ You get to be exposed to a variety of new brands (probably my favorite part)

+ It’s really easy and convenient.

– You only get to write your stylist a short blurb with each box request. I don’t think that I’m overly verbose, and felt that there just wasn’t enough space to give enough information for what I wanted. I had to delete and reword things to fit the character count.

– You’ll need to repeat your specific requests with each box, don’t assume that the stylist reads your previous notes for other shipments. In the midst of writing this post, I received a second box. I was so, so disappointed with it. 3/5 items were things I had specifically requested that I didn’t receive (maternity specific clothes, accessories, and 3/4 length shirts) in various notes. I am planning to ask for a refund for the styling fee for this box.

– From my understanding, the items you purchase are full-price. If you normally shop sale, the items are pretty expensive! The tops I got were all $50 or $60, I asked for a lower price point on the second box but the stylist wrote that there average shirt is $58.

Tips for Using Stitch Fix

* Fill out a Pinterest board with pins of outfits and styles that you like. I already had one and while I worked on my stitch fix profile, I filled it in with more pins. I feel like this REALLY helped the stylist get to know my style pretty well. You have no interaction with your stylist outside of a short blurb you get to write them and question you fill out, so Pinterest was pretty crucial in giving the stylist images to see.

*Be really direct about what you don’t want and want in your notes and style profile. You don’t have space for fluff!

* When you’re filling in your typical price points for clothing items, keep in mind that they tend to send you items at the higher point of your range.

* Avoid sending for clothing items that you already find it difficult figuring out your size for. For example, I flat out told Stitch Fix not to send me pants! I feel like there’s such a range between brands and sizes, and my hips and butt make it harder to find the right pair. My sizing for tops is usually straight forward.

* If you really liked the items from your first box, I recommend asking for the same stylist again! From various other blogs I read who post about Stitch Fix, there can be a huge range of experiences based on your stylist. If you find one you like, don’t let them go! I wish I had done this…

* If you decide to give Stitch Fix a try, use my referral link! I get a sweet little credit in my account. 🙂