I’m not going to lie...I like clothes. I enjoy following the latest trends, discovering emerging brands and generally being in the know. It’s part of the reason I’ve spent the past decade working in marketing with national and local retail accounts, selling everything from everyday wears to high-fashion, high-ticket items. Having said all that, I’m no good at shopping. I don’t like picking through clothing racks and I hate trying them on. This is why a service like Stitch Fix was so intriguing.

I took my maiden personal stylist service voyage in January with Stitch Fix. The convenience was off the charts. The offered styles, however, were not. I didn't love the selections and sent everything back - thus losing the $20 styling fee. But if at first you don't succeed try, try again. Which is why I went back for round two in hopes my personal stylist would improve upon their selections following my feedback.

Did they? Read on to find out.

My Subscription Addiction paid for the styling fee of this product. (Check out the review process post to learn more.)

Quick Facts

Stitch Fix Brand Overview

• Stitch Fix is a “personal style service for men and women” with a focus on evolving the customer’s “tastes, needs and lifestyle"
• Stitch Fix separates itself from the competition by personalizing customer’s clothing selections via a proprietary algorithm and trendsetting fashion experts across the country

How It Works

• Upon sign-up, customers are asked to fill out a style quiz informing their Stitch Fix profile
• Utilizing Stitch Fix’s proprietary algorithm, the answers provide stylists with detailed information about a customer’s fashion taste, sizing preferences, and price range before hand-selecting items for you to try on at home
• Customers pay for what they want and return what they don’t -- shipping, returns and exchanges are always free

Cost

• Each Fix carries a $20 styling fee, which is credited towards the purchase of any piece within the shipment
• Customers are rewarded with 25% off the entire order if they keep every item
• Apparel items range dramatically, from $25-$500, based on a user’s budget preferences

Participating Brands

• Stitch Fix carries over 30 established and emerging men’s brands personally selected based on a customer’s fit and style

Subscription Frequency

• Stitch Fix offers a wide range of Fix frequencies -- every 2-3 weeks, monthly, bi-monthly or every three months
• Users can schedule deliveries on an automated basis or choose to manually request as needed

Cancellation Policy

• Customers have complete control to cancel at any time
• You won’t be charged unless you have an existing order on its way

Creating a Stitch Fix Profile

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Stitch Fix’s style quiz is highly detailed and designed to answer nearly every fashion and fit-related question one could imagine. (Above is just a small sample of the questions you're asked.) Customers are asked to share wide-ranging information about their body type including preferred sizing, fit preferences, and sizing challenges. You can also describe your style by selecting brand preferences, pattern and color choices, and frequency of wear. You can even explicitly tell your stylist to stay away from a certain category or product type. While time-consuming, I found the personalization extremely impressive and helpful. It made me think about clothing, fit, and my desired wardrobe needs in a way I never had. 

The only suggestion I'd offer is an opportunity for additional one-on-one interaction with your personal stylist prior to the first Fix shipment (and eliminate the issues I experienced with my first order).

Thanks to Stitch Fix's "Style Shuffle," you're never done personalizing your needs. In classic dating app-style, this on-site opportunity allows you to continually comment on specific items by selecting “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” to apparel images. In addition to its usefulness, it's also quite fun. 

What I Got in My Latest Fix?

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In addition to your hand-selected apparel items, each Fix contains a personalized note from your stylist providing selection feedback and a grid with suggested outfit combinations. There is an itemized list of each piece’s cost plus the total fee for all items (including your 25% off discount if all items are kept). They also provide return instructions with a USPS Priority Mail prepaid envelope for free returns.

But before getting into my latest Fix, here's a refresher on what I received in my first order:

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My first Fix contained a total of five items -- three tops, a pair of jeans, and a timely, winter jacket -- from brands I'd heard of and some previously unknown:

• Faherty Buffalo Knit Seasons Long Sleeve Plaid Shirt, Blue, Size M – Cost to Keep $98.00 (on sale here for $49.00)
• Threads 4 Thought Featherweight Fleece Sweatshirt Crew, Navy, Size M – Cost to Keep $59.00
• 7 Diamonds Shasta Hooded Henley Pullover Sweater, Off-White, Size M – Cost to Keep $68.00 (available here in Navy)
• Scotch & Soda Ralston Slim Fit Jean, Indigo, Size 29 – Cost to Keep $165.00
• Save The Duck Heathered Stretch Hooded Jacket, Black, Size M – Cost to Keep $249.00

My new Fix also contained five items -- three tops, a pair of chinos and black boots.

• Public Rec Weekend Sweatshirt Crew, Grey, Size S – Cost to Keep $88.00
• Grayers Garment Dye Button Down Fleece Shirt Jacket, Dark Grey, Size S – Cost to Keep $98.00
• Hawker Rye Birdseye Henley Sweater, Dark Grey, Size S – Cost to Keep $64.00
• Hawker Rye Essential Wash Garment Dye Relaxed Fit Chino, Grey, Size 29 – Cost to Keep $68.00
• John Varvatos Brooklyn Lug Lace Leather Boot, Black, Size 10.5 – Cost to Keep $278.00

How did Stitch Fix's Stylist do?

One more reminder - and amateur photoshoot - of my first-ever Stitch Fix fit, along with my observations:

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I'll be honest - on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd probably go with a three or four on Stitch Fix's first attempt. But I will accept some blame.

They could have done a better job of matching styles to my initial selections. I’m at fault for inflating my typical spends per item, which may have affected their decisions. But, other than the flannel and jeans, I wouldn’t wear any of the other pieces based on personal style. As detailed as the Style Quiz is, maybe it's not detailed enough?

Product fit was just ok. A couple of items fit perfectly but the majority were oversized. Again, this could be user error to a degree. I’ve updated my sizing preferences from “Medium” to “Small” that "sometimes fit too small." I’m hopeful that will improve my selections moving forward.

On a more positive note, all selections were of high-quality and felt extremely comfortable. I also enjoyed receiving a combination of known brands -- Scotch & Soda, notably -- and others I was unaware of. It makes for fun discovery and subsequent product and brand research.

And here are the latest looks from my second Fix:

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Two Fixes in and I'd be lying if I said Stitch Fix now "gets me." Improvements were made - but there's still a ways to go.

The fit on each top was significantly improved from my last order. They were all extremely comfortable, of great quality and pieces I could see myself wearing. I just wish they weren't all similar tones. I would have appreciated more color variety. But, again, I liked each item. And while the prices are near the upper echelon of my range, I strongly considered keeping multiple pieces.

Unfortunately, that's where it ends.

The boots - by John Varvatos! - are really impressive and extremely high quality. The leather is fantastic. The unique side zipper is fun. And they're shiny! But they are not my style. They're also extremely expensive.

I don't have many positive things to say about the pants. My profiles requests slim fit-only and these are anything but. The wider-leg, "relaxed fit" is the opposite of my style and body type. They also are very similar in color to the other items. I'm honestly not sure what led my personal stylist to believe this would be a match.

I gave my first Fix a 3-4 on the sliding scale. I'd rate this second attempt a 5-6. An improvement, for sure, but there is still work to be done before I walk away a completely satisfied customer.

The Stitch Fix Feedback Loop

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I'm starting to question this feedback loop but I still really appreciate the level of detail Stitch Fix offers in their post-mortem feedback review. Additionally, customers are also provided blank space to write your stylist directly and provide clear commentary -- or request a new stylist altogether -- to continually improve the service’s personalization and product accuracy. 

I gave my stylist the benefit of the doubt following my first Fix but I have requested a new stylist altogether for all Fixes moving forward. Will I see improvement? Only time will tell.

Is Stitch Fix Worth it?

It depends. Pricing-wise items range wildly based on your selected spending thresholds. The products in my latest Fix ranged between $64-$278. While the items sent in my first Fix accurately depicted my budget feedback the second shipment did not appear to adjust for my lower-cost asks (they did, however, adjust for my sizing requests).

Product offerings are nearly identical in price through Stitch Fix as they'd be if shopping directly with the brand. In fact, these individual products may sometimes be found for less elsewhere. To be fair -- Stitch Fix does not advertise as a discount service. The impressive 25% off savings are only enjoyed should you keep an entire order -- which can still be a pricey endeavor.

Stitch Fix’s true calling card is the time and effort it saves customers. I can’t imagine how long it takes to shop around for all these styles. Did I end up keeping them? No (again). But it saved me time to better understand the styles and sizing I need to look and feel comfortable.

If convenience wasn’t important enough during normal times, the option to receive new clothes without leaving your home (thus not interacting with others indoors during a global pandemic) is immensely beneficial.

Common Questions

Is Stitch Fix Expensive?

This depends on several variables. The only upfront charge is a $20 Styling Fee for each shipment, which is credited towards the purchase of any individual piece. Should you keep any items, there is no additional cost for use of Stitch Fix's service. Stitch Fix's "value" comes when you decide to keep the entire Fix and receive 25% off the order. Customers set the price thresholds for the items they receive -- which vary pretty dramatically from $25-$500. So "expensive" is really all in the eye of the consumer.

Is Stitch Fix Worth it?

If you value convenience over everything -- yes. Stitch Fix does the work for you in deciding brands, styles, and fits based on your inputs and information. Stylists, in theory, get smarter over time as feedback is provided. But if you're a price-conscious consumer, you’re better off looking elsewhere. Unless you keep every item in the box, you will be paying full price.

Is Stitch Fix Easy to Cancel?

Yes. Customers have complete control to cancel at any time. You won’t be charged unless you have an existing order on the way.

My Verdict

If you're in need of a wardrobe evolution (or revolution) and do not want to leave your couch, Stitch Fix may be the service for you. It's enjoyable to experience Stitch Fix's combination of proprietary algorithm system and stylist roster as they create an assortment of apparel options based on my highly-detailed style quiz answers. While I didn't come away in love with pieces from either of my first two Fixes, the offering did improve the second time around. And, thanks to the continued convenience factor, it may be worth seeing if the third time is a charm. For someone who enjoys the fashion game but hates shopping, there's a lot to like about Stitch Fix. But if you enjoy rummaging through a rack for that perfect piece or value price over everything, allow me to save you a click because there are likely better services available.

Give Stitch Fix a Go!

Have you ordered Stitch Fix? What did you think of the stylist's choices? Did you order your next Fix? Let us know below!

Curious about other Stitch Fix packages? Check out all our Stitch Fix reviews and Stitch Fix Kids reviews.