My First STITCH FIX Box - I'm Hooked!! - February 2014 Review

I have been on the wait list for my first Stitch Fix box since the end of October 2013, but it was well worth the wait!!  I'm totally hooked!

First - a little bit about what Stitch Fix is and how it works:

Stitch Fix is a personal styling service. You tell them your style, size, and budget preferences, and they'll send you a package of stylish goodies to try on at home. Each Fix™ is unique and hand-picked just for you.

How does it work?

1. Sign Up (you can click on this link and do so) and Complete Your Style Profile - After signing up you can start immediately on your Style Profile.  They need to know your size, shape, style, budget, and lifestyle to get your Fix right. The Style Profile will take about 10 minutes to complete.

2. Schedule a Stitch Fix - Pick a shipment date, and they’ll send you a box of 5 clothing and accessory items they’ve hand-picked just for you.  You can even opt to schedule a monthly delivery if you'd like.  You pay a $20 styling fee when your stylist selects the items in your Stitch Fix. This $20 fee will be applied as a credit toward anything you keep from your shipment.

3. Try On All Of Your Items - Try on everything they send you—you never know what you’ll like until you see it on (trust me on this one). Pair each piece with items already in your closet to try different outfit options. Each item includes style cards with ideas and inspiration on how to wear it.

4. Decide - Take 3 days to decide what you’ll keep. Return the items you don't want in the pre-paid mailing bag (they include this in your box) at any USPS mailbox.

5. Check Out - Login to your account and pay for those items you kept.  If you buy all 5 items you save 25% off the entire shipment price.  Make sure to leave them feedback on your Stitch Fix shipment so they know what did and didn’t work for you.

Enough technical stuff - Here's the goods....

First off, they add a nice little envelope with a note from your stylist about why they selected the pieces they did for you, as well as styling cards that give you ideas on how to style each piece.

Great touches!  I really felt like my stylist took the time to choose items she thought I'd like by looking at my Pinterest boards and notes I wrote on my profile I filled out.

Here's what was in my box:  

Ambrose Bird Print Button-Up Blouse - $38

Ivy Abstract Chevron Tab-Sleeve Blouse - $68 

Corinna Striped Dolman Top - $48 

Alan Cowl Neck Asymmetrical Jacket - $58 

 Emer High Waisted Cropped Trouser - $98

Piece #1 - Let's start with the YUMI Ambrose Bird Print Button-Up Blouse - $38

This blouse is a beautiful dark emerald green color.  At first though, I hated it b/c of the metallic gold foil birds on it.  And I thought the gold foil piping on the shoulders made it look like a bad Christmas present.  For some reason though, I was intrigued by it.  I decided I like the black buttons on the front and sleeves and it fits well.  I ended up wearing it to work yesterday (I put a picture of it on my Pinterest page) and I must say, I think it's growing on me.  I even received compliments on it.  

VERDICT:  KEPT (I'll explain later).

Piece #2 - 41HAWTHORN Ivy Abstract Chevron Tab-Sleeve Blouse - $68

When Stitch Fix ships your "Fix", the items in your box show up when you log into your account so you can provide your feedback re:  how the items fit, the price, how you like the style, etc.  So, of course I logged on, wrote everything down, and promptly Googled the pieces to see what was in my box.  Of everything, this was the piece I was most excited about!

I love the color combination (royal blue, off-white, and black), the cut, style, etc.  I love the v-neck and the tab-sleeves.  It's made of 100% Polyester, which is nice for layering sweaters on top of (but not nice for stretching to fit my DD chest).  I wanted SOOOO desperately for this blouse to fit!!  As you can see from the right photo though, I need to drop the lbs I just gained while on vacation and maybe a few more.  One day though, I will rock this little beauty! 

VERDICT:  KEPT 

Piece #3 - 41HAWTHORN Corinna Striped Dolman Top - $48

This top was what I was least excited about when I Googled everything ($48 for a striped top - I initially thought "no way"), but honestly, it turned out to be my favorite piece!  The burgundy/oxblood color is something I've been obsessed with and have pinned frequently on my Pinterest boards.  This top is so well-made, comfortable (made from rayon/polyester/Spandex), and warm that I decided it was a definite keeper.  In fact, I wore it today to work with my black skinny jeans and tall black boots and LOVED it!

VERDICT:  KEPT

Piece #4 - SWEET RAIN Alan Cowl Neck Asymmetrical Jacket - $58

I had actually pinned this jacket on my Pinterest board and noted I would like it in charcoal (the color in my pin) or navy.  My stylist saw my pin and added this to my box (yeah!!).  Again - she paid attention to what I like and I feel loved!! :) 

Zipped up, the jacket is a bit snug (I seriously gained all my vacation weight in my boobs), but hanging open, it looks great.  The versatility of this jacket definitely sold me on it.  And did I mention how soft the material is (acrylic/nylon blend)?  It feels amazing on!!

VERDICT:  KEPT

Piece #5 - MARGARET M Emer High Waisted Cropped Trouser - $98

When I saw Stitch Fix sent me $98 pants, I was bummed b/c I figured I'd definitely be sending them back due to price alone.  Plus, what were the odds they'd fit me well enough to make me spend that much on a pair of pants?  In person, they are the softest, silkiest pants I've ever worn.  (They're made from a rayon/nylon/Spandex blend).  They're stretchy too - and oxblood red!!  Maybe it was the euphoria of getting my first Stitch Fix box or maybe it was the fact the oxblood top, oxblood pants, and charcoal jacket looked really cute together, but I decided the pants were hopping in my closet too.

VERDICT:  KEPT

So why would I buy my entire fix when I didn't (initially) like the green top and the print blouse didn't fit right?  Let me explain...  I LOVED the striped dolman top, charcoal grey jacket, and the pants.  These 3 pieces total cost $204.  However, if you purchase all 5 of your pieces, Stitch Fix gives you 25% off your purchase.  In this case, the total value of my Fix was $310.00 (which means my discount for buying all 5 pieces would be $72.50).  Stitch Fix also deducts the pre-paid $20 styling fee from the purchase price of whatever you buy from your Fix for that month.  So, the cost for me to buy all 5 of my items was $217.50.   

For me - it was a no-brainer.  I would either pay $204 for the 3 pieces I really liked or pay $13.50 more and get to keep the Ivy Chevron Tab-Sleeve Blouse that will look fabulous on me once I lose some more weight.  And the emerald green bird blouse - well - maybe it will grow on me eventually.  

In the interest of full disclosure - I received a $20 promo code in my October 2013 PopSugar Must Have Box, so I actually didn't have to pay the $20 styling fee for my first Fix  (I did pay for all the clothes though).  I definitely don't plan on spending $200+/month on clothes, but I love the excitement and convenience of having a personal stylist send clothes to my front door.  How much easier does it get?!  I did schedule my next Fix, but requested the pieces be a bit lower priced.  Like this box, I also requested clothes only (they also offer jewelry and scarves) and specifically requested some pieces that I'm looking to buy (navy pants/jeans, a royal blue top, and/or a particular dress I saw another Stitch-Fixer received in their box).  I can't wait to see what Stitch Fix sends me next month!

What did you think of the pieces I selected?  Do you think I should've kept them all or sent some back?  Let me know.  And if you like this blog, please click on this link.  If anyone signs up by clicking this link, I will receive a $25 referral credit towards my next Fix (which I would really be so eternally grateful for)!!  :)