December 2014 Stitch Fix #6

Having your own personal stylist isn’t just for the rich and famous. Sign up for Stitch Fix and get real style advice for real people.

The first time I heard about Stitch Fix over a year ago I signed up immediately. Haven’t heard of it before? Simply put it is an online styling service. You create an online profile by answering questions to help define your style, link to some of your Pinterest style boards so they know what your tastes are and then leave the rest to the stylists! Based from this information, they send 5 items that get delivered right to your door either once a month or whenever you want one – there’s no subscription. For example, after 5 fixes I hadn’t ordered another fix in a year but this month I jumped back on board for fix #6 with the prospect of my new job and to snag a couple new items for the colder climate to which I am moving.

Once the items arrive, you have 3 days to try everything on and figure out what you want to keep. Want to send a few things back? Toss everything into the provided prepaid USPS envelope and drop it in the mail. Want to keep a few things? Log onto your stitch fix profile and check out. The total amount gets deducted off your credit card with a receipt sent to your inbox. And if you keep everything you get 25% off the total!

Great things about this service:

I tend to get bored with what retail stores have to offer and it’s refreshing to find new items that I cannot find anywhere else.

Online shopping is already my primary method of shopping, and it’s so easy to return any unwanted items.

You can leave comments about each item, and the more feedback you leave, the more info the stylists have to use, the better your box gets.

You can pick your price points. I selected the “the cheaper the better” price option. But if you are looking to splurge on a particular item you can choose what you are most comfortable with.

The stylists really do look at your Pinterest style boards if you provide one. I pinned a couple items from the Stich Fix blog and actually received one of those very items in my next box!

Things to be aware of for this service:

Before your fix is shipped, you do pay a $20 styling fee. This is the cost for the stylists to pick clothes, box them up and ship them. But that money is not lost! If you decide to keep anything from your fix, $20 gets applied towards your total. I have yet to not like at least one thing in my box and therefore have never seen that $20 go wasted.

Sometimes you get hits, sometimes you get huge misses, and sometimes they have been so spot on I already owned something similar and had to return it anyway. This is where the feedback when you checkout is very important – tell your stylist what you did or did not like.

The only thing I don’t like it not being able to exchange items for a different size. While they do a great job sending things in your indicated size, some brands fit differently. It doesn’t happen often but so far two items I have really liked were not quite the right size. There’s a slight chance they might have the other size in stock, but so far no such luck. Of those two items, one I kept anyway and the other I had altered.

Ready to see what I got this month? This months box is the best I have received thus far (which is why I joined in on the trend of sharing my fixes on my blog like many others). Here goes…

1. Sanctuary Kelly Metallic Detail Heathered Sweater / XS / $68: I love the texture of this sweater and the details on the shoulders. It’s also long enough to wear with leggings, which I requested in the note I left with my order (told you they listen). KEEPER.

2. 19 Cooper Jazz Embroidery Detail Blouse / XS / $58: I knew this was a winner before I even put it on. I’m a big fan of racer back tanks and have been trying to add detailed, pretty tanks to my wardrobe as most I own are strictly for layering underneath other items. Will be easy to dress up or down. KEEPER.

3. RD Style Sifaya Printed Sleeveless Textured Dress / S / $54: I have mixed feelings about this dress. While I enjoy the print and the thicker fabric makes it warmer for colder weather, the little bit of fabric that poofs out at the bottom makes me feel like it is crazy short. Not that I want you to stare at my behind but it starts flaring out right at the bottom of my rear, causing my to feel as if I am exposed. Obviously I am not exposed and wearing tights made me feel better but I am not sure whether I should keep it or not. Then again if I do and keep all 5 items, I’ll get 25% off and that amount is more than the cost of this dress, which means keeping it would actually save me money. MAYBE. Final decision: Returned because I didn’t feel comfortable in it :-(.

4. Margaret M Emer Jacquard Print High Waisted Cropped Pant / S / $98: Normally I tell my stylist not to send me pants because I own so many already, but these pants were one of the items I pinned from the Stitch Fix blog and Michelle was able to snag them for me (and even included the 19 Cooper tank to go with it). I love the color, print, and the material feels great but I am having a hard time with the price. MAYBE. Final decision: Too pricey, returned.

5. Ark n Co Leslie Heathered Draped Cardigan / XS / $68: Oddly enough I already own a very similar cardigan in light gray, but this one might be different enough to justify it. After all, I have a hard time turning down comfortable sweaters and cardigans (and to think a few years ago I didn’t own a single cardigan – gasp!). The leather detail on the cuffs was a nice touch. MAYBE. Final decision: Already own something similar – returned.

What do you think? Which items do you like best or dislike?

Anything you think I should or should not keep?

If you’d like to try out Stitch Fix, click here to get started . And be sure to use my referral code so they know I sent you! Looking for a last minute gift? Get a Stitch Fix gift card!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post! I pay for these clothes on my own. However, this post does provide referral links for new sign ups which gives me a little credit to go towards my next box.