STITCH FIX FOR CHRISTMAS

Chuck and I spent the weekend at the coast; and while we were gone, the mailman delivered another Stitch Fix fashion box. It is like getting a Christmas gift box every quarter. I am always excited, and as usual, it did not dis- satisfy.

Stitch Fix is an online styling service, and this quarter’s box was fabulous.  I love the garments they send. So let’s check out what was in the fashion box.

I set down first with the style cards and read the note from my stylist Meaghan.   These pieces, included in my quarterly fix box, were hand-selected just for me by Meaghan. The fashion box arrived with a personal note from her, and she gave suggestions for each piece in the box and explained why she selected these styles for me.

Just going by the style cards I liked every fashion that they sent me.

I don’t know if you are like me, but sometimes I don’t have time to shop. It takes time to find just the right pair of slacks with a good fit. Or maybe I have a wedding coming up and need help.  With Stitch Fix, I have a stylist who knows exactly which styles I like, what will look flattering on me, and which fashion trends I might like to try.

First,  I had requested a pair of black jeans; and there was a pair in this box. The style card suggested what to pair them with.

I loved the Gelsey crochet blouse, especially the color. Meaghan was right.  It does add a pop of color, which is such a fashion trend right now.

And the Adira dress looked really cute.  I loved the pattern and color.  I have a wedding coming up, so it should be the perfect fashion.

The Noella elbow patch detail cardigan looked cute, but I wasn’t so sure about the color white.

Finally, the Rebekah stretch crêpe blazer looked really cute, but I already have one very similar in my closet.  Still, I wanted to try it on anyway.

After reading my note from Meaghan, I couldn’t wait to try on what she selected just for me. It was time to pull out each piece and take a closer look.  The first item I grabbed was the Adira dress.

I like to begin by placing each piece out on the floor and pairing it with the suggested pieces from the styling cards and other pieces from my closet. I automatically loved the shape of all the pieces except the Adira dress. It looked boxy and shapeless to me. I wondered if laying it out on the floor made it look that way so I hung it up and took some more pictures. I still wasn’t sure about it, but I tried it on anyway.

So that is where I started–with the Adira dress. I loved the material, and I actually liked the way it looked on me. It has a tie in the back and that gives the dress shape once I put it on. I really wanted to keep this, but there was a fatal flaw. I don’t like dresses this short anymore. I am 62 years old and feel uncomfortable in them. I will have to return the dress, but I loved the material, the cut, the way it fit, and I loved the way it could be dressed up or down.  I styled it for the wedding I’m about to attend.

As suggested I tried on the cardigan with the dress; and surprisingly it was cute, though I didn’t care for the booties with it and it made me look shorter than I already am.  I would probably put on a pair of flats instead of booties with this dress.

I also liked the blazer but I already have one.   I tried it on with the dress anyway (picture above), and it looked just as cute.
Next came those great looking black slacks. This is what I like most about Stitch Fix. They always get the slacks right. These were no exception to the rule.  They were a perfect fit.

First, I paired them on the floor with the crochet blouse; and it was a very cute look. Then I added the cardigan for another look, and the blazer for a third look. I loved all of them.

So I tried on all five items that Meaghan selected for me, and they did not disappoint.

To recap, the jeans fit beautifully; and they looked great with the crochet blouse.  They are both keepers.

I was considering the cardigan, but I remembered that I have one very similar to it down at the coast. I bought it several years ago when we were traveling in Ireland, and it has that same Fishermen’s weave that this one has. It is also the same wheat color. This cardigan is a wheat color instead of white as I previously thought.  I loved the soft neutral color; the contrast of the brown elbow patches instantly added a sophisticated flare to this cozy sweater; but I will have to return it.

The styling cards always give me inspiration.  Chuck would say, though, that what they really do is inspire me to spend more money.  In this case, he is right.

First, I really liked the baby blue sweater (shown above) and how they paired it with the Adira dress. I pulled out my baby blue sweater and realized that it was not light enough blue.  I have a dress with about the same color print as the Adira dress, but my sweater is too blue.

Now I’ve just got to have a light blue sweater.  So I went to the Stitch Fix page, signed in, and left my stylist a note letting her know that I would like this sweater.

Next, I went online to Amazon and ordered a set of brown suede leather patches to sew on my sweater. I loved this look when I was trying the sweater on with the other pieces.  I have a sewing machine and will add them myself.

Finally the crochet blouse is really special. One of the styling cards suggested wearing an egg white skirt with this blouse. Instead, this inspired me to pair it with some white skinny jeans this summer.  I already have the jeans, and this outfit will be perfect for a conference in Orlando this July.

I have a great denim shirt that I want to try with the black skinny jeans.  And I have a moto jacket that I also tried.

So all in all I am keeping two pieces out of this box. It isn’t that I didn’t like the other three pieces; instead it is that I already have a couple of them and one is too short.

I was lucky last quarter when my Stitch Fix arrived, and I kept all five pieces.  They all fit perfectly, and I got a great discount.

By the way if you have trouble getting your slacks, pants and jeans to fit, then Stitch Fix is your place to shop. They absolutely get it right every time. They are so good that my daughter who blogs at The Uncoordinated Mommy got an entire Stitch Fix filled with nothing but jeans and pants. She said they were perfect.

So I went online and visited www.stitchfix.com to complete the survey.   I rated my items, confirmed payment for what I was keeping, and told them what I was sending back.  My feedback will make future shipments even better.

Since I am returning three items, I placed them in the enclosed, prepaid shipping bag and placed it in my mailbox.  I agreed to do this within three business days.

So that is how Stitch Fix works. I’m very happy with the two items that I decided to keep. I am also happy with the styling cards that gives me so many different ideas and ways to style the pieces that I did keep and the pieces that I already have.

HERE IS HOW THE STITCH FIX SERVICE WORKS

New customers can go to StitchFix.com and create a free style profile. There’s no commitment, and it only takes a few minutes to answer some simple questions about the type of clothing you like to wear.

Once you are done, you sign up for your first Fix. You can use the link here to begin.   www.StitchFix.com

For a $20 Styling Fee, a personal stylist reviews your information in your style profile to select 5 items that she thinks will be perfect for you.

I find that having a fashion-related Pinterest Board entitled “My Style” was the best way to let her know what I like. You can see my board here.. If you do not have a fashion Pinterest board like this, I strongly suggest that you make one with a couple dozen pins of looks that you really like.  It is easy and fun to do, and it really helps your stylist understand what clothes you like and what fashion trends you may like to try.

Finally the box arrives direct to your door so you can try your new clothes on in the comfort of your home with clothing and accessories that you already own.   Shipping is free.
You have three days to make your selections and check out online. Once you check out, simply return any unwanted pieces in the pre-paid shipping envelope that is included in your Fix. Return shipping is also free.
If you choose to keep any items in your Fix, the $20 styling fee you paid initially will be deducted from the price of the clothes.

The best part, though, is that if you choose to keep EVERY item in your Fix, you get a 25% discount on your entire Fix!
During the checkout process, you will be asked to give feedback on each item in your Fix. Your stylist will take that information and use it to select pieces to include in your future fixes.
HOW MUCH DO THE CLOTHES COST?

According to Stitch Fix’s FAQ page, the average price per item is $55. Each customer, though, can suggest their own price range for specific types of fashion garments such as sweaters, dresses, outerwear, jeans, etc. in their style profile of clothes.

Customers are always asked to rate the prices of each item included in their Fix during the checkout process. This helps to ensure that you are comfortable with the price of each item included in my future Fix.

STITCH FIX ADVICE

If you want to get the very best clothes in all of your fixes, read tips for communicating with your stylist written by Maria Gavin at Crazy Together.  She wrote a post called, How to Get the Best Clothes from Stitch Fix.  She gives great advice.

Also, her last post has a give-away.  You can read it here.

WHAT DO I LIKE BEST ABOUT STITCH FIX?

It is the fit. Everything fits super well. Very seldom do I send something back because it does not fit. Where they really excel for me, though, is the fit of their pants. My jeans fit perfectly. My garnet cords they sent last year, fit perfectly. I have never sent a pair of pants back.

If you have trouble with getting pants that fit well, then give Stitch Fix a try.