It's a really cool idea, and since my shopping time is limited (i.e. nonexistent...) and I get in clothing ruts (i.e. wearing LOTS of black... so cheery!), I was excited to try Stitch Fix. There is a $20 styling fee, but that fee can be applied toward anything in the box that you decide to keep. Whatever you don't like you can send back for free.
I filled out an online profile, adding comments like "I just had a baby, so my midsection needs a bit of hiding," and "I'm a minister, so please keep things relatively modest," and signed up for my first fix in early March.
It arrived just as scheduled, and I opened that box like it was Christmas morning. So fun! New clothes!
As I lifted out the four garments and one pair of earrings, I couldn't wait to try them on. Such fun colors! Such nice fabrics!
As I tried them on, my excitement quickly turned to confusion, though. And then to a feeling of utter flatness. These were the clothes they had picked for me? After I filled out that extensive style profile, checking boxes like "Classic"? After I listed my sizes, height, weight, and "problem areas"?
First was this cardigan. I tried it on, but you don't get to see that. I honestly can't think of a worse idea than putting a horizontal fluorescent stripe around a postpartum woman's belly. Seriously? Seriously?! This was not a good look. It was also a bit too small, which didn't help my general confidence.
So this one went back in the box.
Second was this flowing shirt. It fit really well, but that color? Yikes! Old-lady-flowered-couch alert! I like florals, but this one managed to be really sad. Really, really sad. It also washed me out terribly. Back in the box.
Third was a cropped blazer. This blazer would have been a definite keeper if it fit. But it didn't. Not even close.
The cropped sleeves and ruffled detail were beautiful, but the front wouldn't even come close to meeting in the middle. It made me look wide and boxy and like I had borrowed my little sister's blazer.
Sigh. Back in the box.
Fourth were these earrings. They were okay, but not great. They were also $38, which is more than I like to spend unless the jewelry in question is extra special. These weren't. Back in the box.
This final look was the closest I got to keeping a piece. It was nice and flowy, and the poppy color was beautiful. (Also - notice that the cats joined me for this final showing?)
The problem was the back. The gathered detail looked really creative and fun, but it made the shirt pull around my middle in the front. It actually looks lots better in the photo than it did in person. In person it made me look small-chested (which, as I'm still nursing, is definitely not the case) AND big in the tummy. Not a great combination.
Stitch Fix, I had such high hopes for you!
At first I was really discouraged about wasting $20 on something that didn't pan out. But my husband reminded me that I would have spent at LEAST $20 on gas to drive to the mall and food to eat while I was there, and that Stitch Fix could save a lot of time and money in the long run. So I'm giving it another go. I'm hopeful there will be at least one thing in the next box that I will love. If not, I may have to kiss my fixes goodbye.
I know I'm a difficult person to dress. I need modest things for ministry, tummy-hiding things until my body shape returns, and I live in rural Wisconsin where I can't be too edgy or I'll just look odd. So my stylist has quite the challenge. I hope she's up for it!
Here's hoping. I'll keep you posted.
I actually love that flowered shirt and the poppy shirt on you! They're both really cute, and the flowered shirt could be so versatile: with a white or denim pencil skirt in the summer; jeans, boots, and a cardigan or blazer in the spring and fall or with dress pants and heels for work. And the blazer...is it supposed to meet in the front? It looks like one of those that's like a swing style, where it's open and sort of...swingy? I don't know how else to describe it! =)
ReplyDeleteI'll come be your stylist! That would be so fun!
Yes, please, Megan!
ReplyDeletePerhaps I just need to be more adventurous? ;)
Still - you can't tell me that cardigan wasn't a disaster.
Yeah, the cardigan (thought cute laying flat on the bed - the colors are fun) definitely doesn't seem quite right for a post-partum momma trying to camouflage!
ReplyDeleteDid you get to make comments when you returned the box? I read about Stitch Fix a few weeks ago (I really want to try it out!) and I vaguely remember them saying something about how you get to send feedback and each box gets better because of that. Hope the next one works out better...and I can't wait to see the review here. =)
Oh, I made comments! That's part of the fun. We will see if they took me seriously. I'm hoping for something in the next box that I can wear for the Easter service, since my options now are black and... black. Not too cheery for Resurrection day! Next box comes best week. I'll keep you posted!
ReplyDeleteIf you try it out, I'd love to hear what you think!
OH NO! I have to say - I am absolutely SHOCKED by your first fix. I agree with all your comments. That print on the blouse was terrible! I actually just received my third fix this past week and I kept TWO items! AND they were the MOST EXPENSIVE items in the box!! EEp :/ Don't tell Parrish!
ReplyDeleteI know that my stylist looks at my Fashion board on Pinterest everytime.
I actually told them to stop sending me jewelry because it's always way more than I would spend on jewelry and it's not Fair Trade most of the time.
I hope your second fix is better friend!
Me too. I LOVE the idea, so I hope it works out next time. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteYour fixes have been fantastic! I hope you share your third one - I'd love to see what you kept!