If you’ve seen me over the past few months, you’ve probably said things like:
“Wow, you lost a lot of weight.” or “Wow, you look so skinny/great.”
Quickly followed by the inevitable.
“What did you do to lose all that weight?”
And then I watch your face droop as I tell you I ate better, drank less beer, and just changed the way I thought about eating.
There’s no magic pill. No matter what that prince from Nigeria tells you in an email about his magic pill. It was all diet, with a touch of exercise towards the end.
If you have noticed and said something, thank you! It wasn’t easy.
With the weight loss, I’ve run into a problem that I never really thought about — and that is a whole new wardrobe.
Dollar Bills and the Same Ol, Same Ol
Yes, they don’t tell you that all of your shirts will look like dresses and your pants will turn into parachutes. Again, it’s a nice perk to be able to wear smaller and better-fitting clothes, but that “ish” is expensive.
On top of that, before this, I would never consider myself much of a shopper. Maybe it was because I didn’t like having to go a size up every time I walked into a store. Or hell, not even being able to find something that fits.
It was demoralizing. It made me wait for my birthday or Christmas for my new “wardrobe” to come in.
Now, I’m much more into shopping. Shout out to GAP Factory and H&M for helping me replenish my polos, button-ups (downs?), and pants.
But, when I looked in my closet, I noticed something about my clothes. They were all monochromatic, no prints, and really no style.
I would never wear prints a year ago. I didn’t think they would look good on me. If you looked at my wardrobe a year ago, it was a lot of beer shirts, sports teams, and a mix in of a polo/button-up every once in a while.
I needed help. I needed a stylist. And my application for Queer Eye must still be processing?
Enter Stitch Fix
As Facebook ads tend to do, they pinpoint precisely what you’re looking for at that moment. Even more so, if you’re always on clothing sites like I was for a few months, you get served those ads regularly.
One day, an ad popped-up for Stitch Fix. I searched the site and got to know it a bit, but never saw my self as a subscription box person.
I saw the ad again. And again. And again. I finally said “what the hell,” and gave it a shot. Nothing to lose, right?
How it works
I’m not sure how familiar everyone is with the Stitch Fix process, but it’s fairly simple and personal.
Sign in
The usual. Username, password, etc., etc. You get it.
Personalization
Here is where you start your “fix.” They ask you a lot of questions. It ranges from your height/weight to shoe size, preference of style and fit, and even your profession.
They go on to ask you how much you’re willing to spend on your options. Or, how often you dress business casual or professional.
The last two questions were essential to me when completing the survey.
Question 1: How adventurous should your Fixes be?
Answer: Extremely; Bring it on — I’m into trying new brands & trends.
Question 2: What are your primary objective for Stitch Fix
Answer: To try new items I wouldn’t select for myself; To discover new styles and trends.
If you just want someone to shop for your current style, you can choose to keep it safe. Like I said, I needed someone to show me what could work for me.
I’m glad I did.
My Fixes
I’ve had two Fixes so far. I’ve received a total of 10 different items ranging from polos to belts, and I have kept all but two pieces.
When my first Fix came, it had everything I was looking for, and a bit more.
It included a printed shirt, which I wasn’t sure about, but after one wear and a dozen or so compliments, I knew I made the right choice.
It was rounded off with a colorful plaid shirt, a crazy comfortable t-shirt, and a collarless polo. I don’t know if I would have ever picked any of these out on my own.
There was one thing in the box that I wasn’t too sure about, and that was a pair of skinny jeans. There was a reason I ended up holding on to them though.
Payment + Returns
Stitch Fix technically has a $20 stylist fee for every box. But here’s the thing, that $20 goes towards your purchase, and if you keep everything you get 25 percent off the entire order.
Keeping those jeans actually meant I was only paying $14 more than I would if I had sent them back. To me, that was worth it.
My second Fix wasn’t as spot-on as my first. While nothing was entirely wrong for me, there were two items I chose not to keep.
One was a polo that was a size too big, and the other was a plaid shirt that didn’t look quite right. If I had kept them, it would have only spent $30 more, but that’s $30 I can apply to the next Fix or the new Steelers attire I’ll need to add.
Sending your clothes back to Stitch Fix is extremely easy, too. You get a prepaid USPS package to send back whatever you don’t want to keep.
Final verdict
There’s no doubt I will stick with this. I get excited when I get the boxes every month. I get modern styles delivered right to my door.
With every Fix, you get a sheet on how to wear the items in an outfit and a personalized note from your personal stylist. My stylist for the first two has been Kelli.
Stich Fix also offers services for women and now kids. Anyone can get a fix now.
Have you tried Stitch Fix or another subscription service?
