Introducing a new way to shop! Ever wanted to get some snazzy threads without having to leave the house? (I have those days...) Maybe you're a busy mom or career gal who loves new designers and up-and-coming brands yet you just don't have time to fit it in your schedule. Or maybe you want to give a new shopping site a try? Enter Stitch Fix. I'm a huge fan of subscription boxes where the contents are a surprise, and this is kind of a new take on that. It's currently only in it's Beta form, but I had the chance to check it out before it goes public and I'm going to share my experience with y'all today.
To "get your fix" you can sign up and log on to the Stitch Fix website, fill out a questionnaire to get to know your style, and then send it off for your package which ships on Tuesdays. You pay $20 up front for the package and if you buy anything, that $20 credit goes toward your purchase. If you purchase all 5 items in the box then you get a substantial 20% or 25% off. Whatever you don't want, you put in the pre-paid return envelope and mail it back by Monday evening! If you keep all of the items then after one week your credit card will be charged for them (Remember you paid $20 up front!). I got my package on Thursday of last week and tore it open. I made sure to answer my questionnaire that I only liked dresses and accessories, and that I wanted absolutely no jersey knit. (I hate jersey fabrics! Clingy!) I opened the box to find a pretty black strapless number with a bodice/corset-style top, a cobalt blue dress with sash and ruffled bottom, an edgy but fun black vest, a charcoal "convertible" dress that was too close to the feeling of a jersey knit for me, and a fun (albeit a little out there) cocktail necklace.
I instantly gravitated toward the black dress with what appears to be dandelion seeds on it. After having the chance to really investigate the other pieces, I really liked the vest, but would probably never wear it, and the necklace was fun but I don't wear cocktail attire very often. (Just so you know -- on the questionnaire, you can say what type of clothing you'd like to wear more... Business casual, dressy casual, cocktail, etc!) You can also choose the general price range of the items. I was actually pretty impressed with the SF questionnaire and thought it did a pretty good job for what I had requested.
One great thing is that they send 2 Polyvore-style outfit samples on cards attached to the garments. That way you can see how they'd pair them. It can be hit or miss depending on your style, but I think the idea is solid. I honestly see this venture working out best for people who wear more business attire, or higher-dollar "quality" casual pieces. (The H&M dress I'm wearing right now is crying in shame haha)
My favorite thing about the Stitch Fix experience is that it introduces me to new brands that I otherwise would have never heard of. Out of all 5 pieces, I only knew 1 (and that's because we had that store in Franklin). Otherwise, it was all new. And even if I didn't absolutely fawn over the original pieces, I could look the brand up and shop that way. I ended up finding another dress and a necklace that I loved!
The only down side I can see to shopping this way is sizing. StitchFix asks what size you take in most articles of clothing, but the only thing that is hard to accomodate for is your body shape and composition, as well as the sizing of individual brands. Vanity sizing is a big thing these days and while I received the black dress above in my typical size, it was more than a little roomy on me, while the cobalt dress was sized/shaped like a tube. This girl has hips! SF makes every attempt to accomodate sizing up/down if the item you receive isn't the perfect fit, but sometimes that can be hard with the up-and-coming brands as they have limited stock. I didn't feel as though the dress was too big to wear comfortably so I just threw on a belt and denim jacket and called it a day!
I think the idea of StitchFix is a really neat one, and I'm happy with my experience thus far. I would like to give it another go at some point just to see how on point it is in regards to new product and repetition. If you're interested in finding new brands and maybe having an out of the ordinary shopping experience (and you have $20 to spare!), I say give it a go! You can read their FAQ for more info if you're still on the fence. I think I might tweak my questionnaire a bit and then send off for another fix. If you'd like to get on the list to try it out, feel free to sign up!
Of course you can probably tell that I chose to keep the black dress! It's perfect for twirling :) I'll share the outfit post soon!
In the art of full disclosure: I was given a $100 credit to try out StitchFix and give my opinion. My thoughts written here are 100% truthful and honest. They'd be the same whether I had credit or not!
Edited to add: I meant to include the prices for the items I received. I can't remember absolute exacts but I think it went something like this: the black dress I kept was originally $128 but was marked down to $74. The necklace was $55 which was a little steep for my liking. The vest was really well made and was about $98. The cobalt dress was the most expensive I think at around $120. I can't remember about the convertible dress, but I think it was in the $70 range. I chose the "median" price point overall as I was looking to find more quality/lasting pieces. I think for my next Fix I'll change to the lowest price point just to see what the options are. I have seen one other person's Fix where she received $240 items but that was the price point she had chosen! :)
Edited to add: I meant to include the prices for the items I received. I can't remember absolute exacts but I think it went something like this: the black dress I kept was originally $128 but was marked down to $74. The necklace was $55 which was a little steep for my liking. The vest was really well made and was about $98. The cobalt dress was the most expensive I think at around $120. I can't remember about the convertible dress, but I think it was in the $70 range. I chose the "median" price point overall as I was looking to find more quality/lasting pieces. I think for my next Fix I'll change to the lowest price point just to see what the options are. I have seen one other person's Fix where she received $240 items but that was the price point she had chosen! :)
That dandelion dress is pretty sweet though. :)
ReplyDeleteI got my Little Chief Honeybee spray in the mail from Funk Off yesterday. It's so delicious smelling!
wow! This is a cool way to shop! I might have to sign up for this. I'm gonna check it out. It would be great to have a 'personal stylist' feel. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds awesome! :D I signed up right away, can't wait to try it! Out of curiosity, how much were the items you received to actually purchase?
ReplyDeletetotally forgot to include that!
Deletei chose the "median" kind of price range as i was looking to get "nicer" stuff that would last longer in my closet. the black dress i kept was originally $128 but had been marked down to $74. the necklaces was $55 which was a little steep for me. the vest was $90 i think (?) and the cobalt dress was the most expensive at $120. i can't remember the convertible dress! i think the faq says the average price for things is $65, so you can always choose the lowest price point (which is what i'm going to give a go for my next fix! just to see what the options are!)
Seems really interesting I'll have to check it out. It's hard driving 20-30 minutes to the mall/target when I already spend over an hour driving back and forth to school four days out of the week. Plus when I get there I'm so overwhelmed (because I don't go as often and I can't make up my mind) I end up just getting one thing. Thanks for sharing your honest opinion.
ReplyDeletexo Amber P.
http://theowlsden.blogspot.com
I am not sure that you will like this but maybe you will, so I am still sharing it with you. This is a clothing designer from my hometown Monterrey Mexico, she does everything herself, and I love her style: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yo-soy-Sullivan/164317423597660
ReplyDeleteoh wow i absolutely love that! thank you for sharing! i'm going to go fawn over everything now :D
DeleteI really like the dandelion dress, but I feel like I would be upset if I got something I didn't like..
ReplyDeleteI honestly think it's just one of those chances you have to decide if you'd like to take or not. I LOVE subscription boxes like GlossyBox, BirchBox, etc. And you definitely run the risk of getting things you don't totally love, but I like the element of surprise. Plus through those boxes I've found so many products/things I thought were first stupid but now they're vital parts of my routine! Then again they're not for everyone! :)
DeleteThis seems like a good idea for some people. I'll be afraid I'll get something I won't like and $20 will be for nothing lol
ReplyDeleteThe only piece I really liked was the dress you're wearing in the pictures! Very cute.
wow, i love everything you got in your box! what a cool idea!
ReplyDeleteI've never done a subscription box type thing!
ReplyDeletethat dandelion dress is darling!
wait, what happens to the stuff you don't like? you have to send them back?
ReplyDelete(we don't have these boxes here, outside of the US, only GlossyBox and that's a different kind of service)
yes, you send it back in a pre-paid envelope that they enclose!
DeleteThis is an incredibly interesting idea. I'm going to think about it a little more, but I think I might give it a try. I am easily intrigued.
ReplyDeleteWow this sounds perfect! I hate shopping and also I dont have a lot of time lately.
ReplyDeleteThat dandelion dress is adorable. I am in love with this idea... probably because I love clothes but don't really love shopping. Plus who doesn't love a surprise?
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea! I wonder how they guarantee they'll get the dresses back though. I'm afraid it sounds like they leave a great big loophole for people to steal from them. :/ You'll have to show us what happens at the lowest price point, because now I'm intrigued!
ReplyDeleteAlso, what a cute dress. I love the print. <3
-Danica
wildflowermemories.blogspot.com
You send your unwanted items back in a pre-paid envelope by the following monday evening. If after one week they haven't received the items, your credit card will be charged for them. (Unless something happened in the post)
DeleteWow! I do love that dress. It feels very "you" and it's so cute on you. I think that's what I'd really be afraid of- getting something that was unflattering and spending so much money on that surprise item. I am curious about the low price point, though!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your instagrams/tweets/blog posts with your little one these days :) so cute. i'm so happy for you!
You are able to send back any of the items you don't want in a pre-paid envelope that they enclose in your box :) If you hate all 5, you're only out $20 and that's kind of a fun "chance" to take (if/when you can afford it, that is!)
DeleteMind: blown. This is really awesome.
ReplyDeleteI prefer online shopping because I can do it in the comfort of my own home (and by that I really mean pajamas), but this takes it to a whole other level.
I'm looking forward to seeing your next one on the "lower" price point, which is probably the one I would do.
Hattitude Artistic Style Blog
ReplyDeletewow what a neat idea! i love this. the sizing thing would drive me crazy though if i got an item i loved and it didn't fit me!
talk soon wild child
-Hattie
Hattitude Artistic Style Blog
I'm intrigued by the idea of Stitch Fix too! I followed your link to check it out and see that it has a generic "Plus" size option so I wonder how that works (if they ask for a more specific size/if they get many plus size options) or if the "plus size" section will evolve as the company grows. It's an interesting idea though, I might have to try it out myself. Thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool idea! Love the dress!
ReplyDeleteI've been lurking on your blog for a while. I had a blog "fast" for about a month and, when I returned you have a little man AND you share Stich Fix! Just signed up and so very excited!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on becoming an insta-parent. My husband and I became foster parents to a 9 year old when we were married for 5 months! We've since become her legal guardians and she will be 16 (gasp!) in May! We also have a biological 5 and 3 year old! Our house is never boring! ;D
It's a wonderful thing to be able to give him a more stable life...it takes a special kind of couple! Looking forward to seeing you all grow as a family!
That sounds like so much fun! I would love to get a surprise like that. Money is a bit tight so I won't now, but I'd love to try something like that in the future.
ReplyDelete-april.
Thanks for telling us about stitch fix! I just blogged about my experience with it. Love it!!
ReplyDelete