1st Stitch Fix Review: Thanks "Kristin"!

After years of studying every episode of TLC's "What Not to Wear" and dreaming of the day Stacy and Clinton would take me under wing (but never did), Stitch Fix seemed like just the thing for me.
The company stands as a fashion retailer that blends styling to give you a personalized experience. It reminds me of how my grandmother only had certain people she would buy from in stores back in the era when customer service mattered. Stitch Fix promises that same feel in a modern way.

The steps are easy:

1. Fill out a personal style survey. This includes your likes, dislikes, and size range. They will show you pictures of clothes and you choose how much you like the styling. You also can choose the price range for the pieces and the types of accessories & clothing you would like to receive. You can also include a personal note to your stylist and include your Pinterest inspiration board so they can get a better feel for you.

2. Schedule the date you'd like to receive your Stitch Fix. You can select anything from "monthly" or "every 3 months" to scheduling only when you tell it to.

3. $20.00 will be deducted for your "styling fee" when your items ship.  Your box comes to your doorstep (they pay for Fed Ex and give you a tracking number which is nice).

4. Buy what you want by logging into your account and ship the rest back in a prepaid package. If you choose to buy an item, your $20.00 styling fee can be subtracted from the amount of that purchase. If you buy all 5 items, you receive 25% off your entire purchase.  Check out more info on their website here. And just signing up using this link does not obligate you for anything. They will not ship you anything until you choose the shipping date :)

So to review: 
You fill out forms, they look at your Pinterest board, yada yada yada… 5 articles of clothing arrive at your house.

Here is my personal Stitch Fix Inspiration Board made for "my" stylist.   CLICK HERE 
Here is my 2015 attempt to style the clothing I have and document: CLICK HERE
Items Stitch Fix has shipped to me. CLICK HERE
To sign up for Stitch Fix: CLICK HERE

ENOUGH OF THE PROCESS. WHAT DID I GET!!????

I saw a few positive posts on Facebook from friends of mine that I trust about Stitch Fix. I'm not one to sit back and think about things and so I signed up right away.  I have spent hours soul searching and carefully making my Pinterest Inspiration Board, googling shopping websites, and reading Stitch Fix blogs.  Most experiences I've read have been positive (a friend of mine bought 4 of the 5 pieces shipped to her last week!) but a few have felt the stylist didn't take the time to really get to know them or look at their board. I prepared myself for the worst. If I opened my box and found girly articles, scarfs, etc. (which I think are adorable on other people, but for some reason not me) I would know right away they didn't listen or look at my Pinterest board…

So, (drumroll)
Here is what I received.

 

A beautiful box with a (what I thought to be) very personal note to me. She referenced my Pinterest board (which I was worried she wouldn't even take the time to look at) and chose articles she felt I would like due to the board. That made an excellent first impression on me.

LOVED my little note :)

I saw the fabric of what I knew would be my very favorite item immediately. The DL1961 black pants she referenced. These skinnies with a wax/leather looking sheen gave me an appropriate substitute for the leather skinny jeans that fill my Pinterest board. Besides, I really couldn't afford true leather and the thought of "pleathor" wasn't an overly exciting substitute. These fit like a glove. They are not as "mid rise" as I would like, but not "low rise" either. They are extremely comfortable and are everything that I would want out of a leather looking black pant…until I looked at the price. WOWSERS. So much for putting my suggested price range on the survey.  These puppies weren't even in spitting distance of that; however, KRISTIN knows best…I have to believe she knew I'd love them. Do I really love them that much? I think I might… Either way, I am really grateful to be aware of the brand now (and watch for sales in the future) lol.
JURY IS STILL OUT / THINKING IT OVER...
pretty sure they are staying in my house , though.

The second item that caught my attention was a beautiful sweater cardigan made by RD Style.  I loved how long it was. As a tall female, nothing is ever truly "long" for me.

I really did love this, but I am a researcher. As I looked at similar cardigans online they averaged $40.00 less than this sweater (even designer brands which are on sale right now) and although I may regret it -- I think it is going back.

If I were not so sold on the expensive pants above, I could maybe justify the expense, but unfortunately (and probably regrettably):
SENDING BACK.

The next sweater was lovely. Truly lovely.

Market & Spruce Taber Foldover 3/4 Sleeve Sweater. And (no surprise) that I wanted it. Do I really have to pay for it? 

**Side note, you can kind of see the skinny pants here and in the pics below. Black is such a hard color to photograph. Just take my word for it: I love them.

Back to the sweater -- It gives that off-the-shoulder look but it was solidly in place and I didn't have to worry about it moving around. It fit in a flattering way without being too clingy.  Curse you Stitch Fix. Another item that I regrettably have to send back. 

I'm thinking now that I could get the 2 sweaters or the pants, but I think I really do love the pants enough to say no to this sweater as well. 

-->look how cute it is!!!
Not fair.
SENDING BACK

This Daniel Rainn shirt was described as "Judy Split Neck Blouse". I put it on, and once again, I wanted it.  I appreciated that it had a cap sleeve which made it appropriate for work, and it drapes loosely off the skin which provides a nice contrast to the black skinnies (softening their look.) I really appreciated the length of this shirt and it was so light weight that it felt like it wasn't even there.  It was cute on its own, but really brilliant when I threw a cardigan or a blazer over it.   This was my 4th favorite item, but I really liked it.
REGRETFULLY SENDING BACK DUE TO NOT HAVING ENOUGH $$$.




1st impression -- loved the teal/green muted color & loved the key hole.  The brand was  41 Hawthorn "Byron Keyhole Tab Sleeve Blouse".   I don't know whether to be excited "they get me" and have to be disciplined and limit my purchases or frustrated that I am not quite as mysterious as I like to think.  The shirt (although beautiful) hits me a little short (#tallgirlproblems) and I am really sensitive to the way things feel. This shirt is more of a silk feel and I tend to stay away from those shirts for no other reason than I don't as feel comfortable in them.
RETURNING


WHAT I LEARNED: 

• I went into this thinking I might only like 1 item; therefore, I chose higher price points. Never did I ever consider that I would like all of them.  The first thing I will do is go back and change my price points to lower amounts. The (most likely) purchase of the expensive pants made it almost impossible for me to consider another item-- even though I definitely wanted 2-3 of them.  The note I wrote to the stylist gave an overall broad feel for what I like (minimal chic with a little edge was the closest definition I could get to "me" ). In the future, I plan on asking for specific pieces I know that I need. Right now I am in DIRE need of long tees or tanks.

• She did consider my needs and looked at my Pinterest board.  I don't have a common style for this part of the world and this could have easily been a "miss".  Although the styling of these items (they send you recommended ways to wear the clothes) made me giggle and did not fit my style, the pieces she sent me did and that made me extremely happy.  I tried to keep my looks on my Pinterest board uniform. In other words if you have ruffles and lace and leather and chains -- how are they supposed to understand what you want? You are hit and miss.  I think there is a lot of uniformity into the outfits I posted on Pinterest and I think that helped my stylist see what direction I am trying to go. Keep it simple & make sure it is all things you would truly want.

OVERALL: 

• I will be a returning customer as long as they continue to try and understand me and work to help me.
• I am pretty blown away that the pants fit on their first try with me (I can't even find pants that fit after 5 hours of shopping) and that I liked all the clothes they sent me.

RESULT:

• Although I liked all the items, there is only 1 item I "can't live without" and will most likely buy those stink'n pants. :) That is the item that is all over my Pinterest board and the 1 item that really flows with my Pinterest collection helping me to build the "Minimal Chic" wardrobe I am trying for.
• I think I will regret not buying the grey sweater, but a girl only has so much money.
• I am now aware of a new brand of pants (that I know fit well) so when I see sales online-- I can consider them.

I'm already excited about next month's shipment. I will have to schedule it after my bday money comes in and not before!!!

Here are my links again :)

Here is my personal Stitch Fix Inspiration Board made for "my" stylist.   CLICK HERE 
Here is my 2015 attempt to style the clothing I have and document: CLICK HERE
Items Stitch Fix has shipped to me. CLICK HERE
To sign up for Stitch Fix: CLICK HERE