So I can't even begin to describe the excitement I felt when I was waiting for this box to arrive. I tracked it incessantly and on the day it arrived I turned around and drove back home to get it when I was already half-way to work when I discovered it had JUST been delivered. I. Am. Not. Joking. It was like Christmas morning when I was six years all over again. I cannot remember the last time I was this excited! Ok...enough of my crazy ramblings and proof that I'm a little kooky. On to the goods...Oh, and stay tuned til the end...there's a surprise ending!!
Stitch Fix is a box of surprise clothing items picked out by a stylist that you can order once or set up a recurring delivery (choices are every 2-3 weeks, monthly, or every other month). There is no monetary advantage to setting up a recurrent shipment other than you are guaranteed a delivery when you want it. They seem to becoming more and more popular and wait times can be several weeks long making a last minute box ordering for a special event or just because nearly impossible. Trust me, when you become addicted to this place, like me, you will want a recurrent delivery! I have mine set up for every other month because I can't afford them more frequently than that! Of course you can cancel anytime or skip deliveries.
When you initially sign up you are taken to an EXTENSIVE quiz called your "style profile" where you answer questions detailing your body size, shape, and personal style. I got the impression that they're really trying to understand what you like to wear and what will look good on your body type. There is even a question asking about the types of clothing you want to receive (business casual/work, cocktail/wedding/special, laid back/casual, or date night/night out). They ask about what you don't like as well (colors, prints, jewelry, clothing items etc.)You can also add links to your own personal websites including a Pinterest board that your stylist can use for inspiration and to get a better idea of what YOU like. Here's mine - holgad's pinterest style board. This is also helpful if you'd like to lavish me with gifts or want to adopt my personal style as your own. Like I said, the questionnaire is quite extensive and could take a while to complete. Thoughtful and honest answers will assure that you get a box most suited for you so take your time! You can edit your style profile answers anytime.
The last box on the style profile is for you to add your own comments. This is a great place to tell your stylist anything you feel is important for the perfect customization of your box. You can also tell them anything you hate or do not want or anything that wasn't covered in the style profile quiz that you feel is important.
My final comments read: I love to mix up my style with classic yet edgy and chic pieces. My style is a little bit like me - eclectic and fun and casual. I am a mom and a professional so I can't wear anything too daring or revealing because I have a reputation to uphold! ;-) I'm rather self-conscious about my legs. I think I have a nice shape overall and like to emphasize my small waist.
You do have a limited amount of room for the comments, unfortunately.
One downside is that you have to pay a $20 "stylist fee". If you keep anything from the box the $20 goes toward the cost of the clothes. If you don't keep anything from the box you don't get the $20 back. This is why it's so important that you take your time with the style profile! You want to make sure you get at least one thing you like so you don't lose your $20. There is also an advantage to keeping the whole box...but I'm getting ahead of myself...
The box comes all nicely sealed up and wrapped. Also included is a postage pre-paid envelope for mailing back anything you want to return.
My stylist included a nice note about the items she selected for me and I could tell she really listened to my comments and had thoroughly read my style profile. Attached to this note was a set of style cards for each clothing item with suggestions on how to wear them.
Now on to the pictures of the clothes. I will offer this disclaimer, I am no model. I hope you get a good idea of the clothes and how they fit...just ignore the awkward posing. I'm no fan of the selfie or posie. :-)
My first item was the Renee C knit top (size M $48). I have to admit, I did not care for this top when I opened my box and saw it in there. It seemed a little "old lady" and I felt very disappointed. However, after I put this on my body (and have worn it a few times) it is my favorite thing I got! It feels so soft, is a versatile black and white pattern, and has a relaxed fit through the shoulders but is fitted around the waist and sits slightly off shoulder without being too scandalous or inappropriate for work. I'm attempting to show you the lose fit above in my picture above.
Next up is the Tart thermal knit top (size M $54). This top is very soft and has a cute cut-out detail in the back. It was an early favorite for me because of the color and fit. It can easily be dressed up or down depending on what you pair it with.
I am also wearing another item I got in the box with the Tart top above and the Lily top below. Kensie Sophia skinny jeans. (size 8 $88). If you are a curvy girl, like me, you know that the term "skinny jean" isn't a word often in your vocabulary (unless your comment is regarding disgust at how they look on you or jealousy directed at skinny bitches who look fabulous in them). I can not say enough great things about these jeans. They feel great, look pretty good (although I think they'd look even better if I could lose 5-10 pounds, but hey, they do fit on my body and I can wear them and still breath and move at the same time so IMO they fit!), and at $88 I think they are extremely affordable for a pair of nice jeans. **Plus, keep reading to get to the surprise at the end**
Next is the Lily gathered sleeveless top (size M $74). This top costs WAY more than I would ever consider spending on a shirt but it fits so well and is so cute and versatile (I should probably get out my thesaurus...I've used that word way too many times). I've gotten lots of complements on this top and figure that after several years of not buying any clothes that 1. I deserved this and 2. it was totally worth it.
This is the Toss chevron canvas traveler ($36) and I won't say much about this except "ick". I instantly hated this when I opened my box and really wanted to kick myself for not saying NO bags in my comments section. I hate everything about this bag - the chevron print, the size, and the fact that it has no handles or straps! I prefer to NOT pay $36 for my "cosmetic bags" (as this bag is referred to on the official Toss website) thankyouverymuch. **Please note: on my invoice shown below you will see that the price of this item was erroneously printed as $54. When I went to the official Toss website they are selling this bag for $36 and when I sent a quick email to Stitch Fix's customer service pointing this out they responded quickly and efficiently apologizing for this mistake and offered to refund me the difference ($18!). Great customer service!**
Here is the invoice for the items. Since the price for the bag was incorrect the actual total was $300 NOT $318. Now for the BIG SURPRISE ----- if you keep all items in your box you receive a 25% discount off of everything! So with this in mind I decided to keep everything! What? Ok, here's the breakdown:
- If I had sent back the hideous, God-forsaken Toss bag I would have had to pay full price for the clothes I decided to keep (let's assume everything since I loved everything). My cost would have been $244 ($318 - $54(price of returned bag) - $20 (styling fee)).
- If I kept everything my cost was actually cheaper because of the 25% discount - $205.50 ($223.50 (as listed on the invoice) - $18 (refund for incorrect price of bag)).
Don't let the math bog you down. You can easily determine if you'd be saving $$ by keeping the whole box by asking "Is the 25% discount MORE than the cost of the items I'm sending back? If the answer is YES keep the whole box!
I would also caution you about something else when looking over your invoice. 1. Unpack your items FIRST before even looking at the invoice. The price of items could detract or change your opinion of them. Try them on, feel them, ask your husband's advice before you look at the price. If you're like me and NEVER shop for yourself and plan to get a Stitch Fix box a few times a year it is totally worth it to spend a little more on a item that fits well, you love, and is unique. The alternative is going to the mall for hours (maybe with whining kids in tow) and trying on countless items that just look "so-so" on you...this is why I never go shopping!
I'm so happy to be able to share this experience with anyone who actually read this entire thing. After two kids and turning the big 31 this past December I'm not as confident about my body as I used to be and have found that shopping for clothes can be a very discouraging and disheartening experience. Using Stitch Fix has given me hope that I don't have to resign myself to MuMu's and "Mom jeans" and I actually found it to be a more enjoyable process than shopping at a mall or even online.
If you feel inclined to give Stitch Fix a try please use my referral link: http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?
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