I've had 3 fixes to date and I plan to get another one as we get into warmer weather, so I wanted to share some tricks and tips with you and explain how my process has gone.
To begin, I set my profile. I asked to not receive any jewelry because I don't wear it. I've asked for some types of shoes, but not all. I also asked to not have bags included in my fixes. I did ask for them to avoid red and yellow colors in clothing, because I don't like red and I look horrible in yellow. In my final thoughts to them I explained what types and sizes of tops and bottoms fit me. I explained my body shape and my skin tone, hair color and eye color, just so they can kinda picture me when they're picking items for me.
(Forgive all pictures...we don't have a full-length mirror at the house, so I stood on the toilet in the bathroom. Not classy couture, I know!)
Fix # 1- August 21
Message I sent to my stylist:
I wanted some items for our trip to Europe and South Africa over Christmas. Things that were good for walking and site seeing, that would be comfortable and easy to pack, but also make me look put together. I specifically asked for a dress to wear on my birthday and explained that I wanted it to be VERY Parisian, maybe black, but I was open to anything they thought would look great.
Items sent to me:
Lauren was my stylist. She wrote: Hi Victoria! Hooray for your first Stitch Fix! I picked items that will be perfect for transitioning your wardrobe for fall and for your trip to Paris! The Liverpool skinny jeans have an elastic waist making them feel comfortable like leggings. The Loveappella sweatshirt has great style that will be ideal for the cooler days in Paris. Layer the Pixley cardigan over the Market & Spruce top or the Gilli dress which I picked for your birthday. Maxi dresses are ideal for traveling and do not require a ton of thought to style. Enjoy this Fix and I look forward to reading your feedback! Thank you so much.
Medium Pixley Martina Slub Knit Open Cardigan- $48
Medium Market & Spruce Mori Top- $44
Medium Loveappella Sevilla Funnel Neck French Terry Sweatshirt- $64
Size 6 Liverpool Mira Skinny Jean- $78 (Pictured above and in all remaining pictures where you can see my legs.)
Small Gilli Joska Maxi Dress- $74
What I kept:
Pixley Cardigan and Liverpool jeans. The Cardigan is a staple in my work wardrobe. It's comfortable and soft and perfect. The jeans I wanted so badly, but it was REALLY hard for me to justify paying $78. I'm used to buying $25 Old Navy Jeans and wearing them for 5+ years. I LOVE these jeans! They're what you'll find me in every weekend now and both were perfect items to bring with us on our Christmas vacation. Definitely worth the price.
I loved the Market & Spruce top (minus the pattern and it was too big). It was so comfortable and light-weight and I thought it would be perfect for South Africa. I also thought the Gilli dress was AWESOME! I just had a dress similar to it in the same colors, so I wanted something a little different. It was hard to justify $74 for a dress already hanging in my closet. Also, I couldn't picture wearing that in Paris on my birthday. It just didn't fit the vibe. The Loveappella sweatshirt, while it had French in the name, did NOT work. It was too big and unflattering. I also didn't like that the sleeves weren't normal length.
Fix #2 - September 21
Message I sent to my stylist:
I asked for less expensive items. I encouraged them to only give me items under $50. I requested a specific dress that was included as the main picture on a Stitch Fix email. I wanted to wear it to Kevin's Hall of Fame Banquet. I asked for the Market & Spruce top in a smaller size and pattern and the Gilli dress in a different color or pattern.
Items sent to me:
Kimberly was my stylist. She wrote: Hi Victoria! For this Fix, I took cues from your Pinterest page as well as your requests & budget for this Fix! I tried so hard to find you the black floral dress but w/ no luck! Instead, I put the cobalt Collective Concepts floral dress in this Fix for you. The cut is similar to polka dot dress you pinned! I also included the Le Lis floral dress. It is classic, elegant & versatile. I tried to stay as close to your budget for these looks as possible. I also chose a couple of casual tops to go w/ the Liverpool jeans from your last Fix. Paired w/ the 41Hawthorn top w/ boots & a scarf & you have the perfect fall go-to! I really like the Loveappella top w/ these jeans. Perfect to wear under that Pixley black cardigan! I hope you enjoy! Can't wait to hear what you think! XO
Medium Loveappella Camilia Flutter Hemline Knit Tank- $48
Medium Sweet Rain Dahl Knit Top- $44
Small 41Hawthorn Colibri Solid Tab Sleeve Blouse- $48
Small Collective Concepts Rialto Dress- $88
Small Le Lis Maude Floral Dress- $78
What I kept:
Nothing. And I was not happy with this fix. The Loveappella top and the Sweet Rain top were about the same quality as a Target t-shirt, but for double or triple the cost and both had to be dry cleaned only. I thought about keeping one just to not lose my styling fee, but neither were flattering. Fail! I really liked the 41Hawthorn top, but it was too tight on my thighs and it cut into my neck in a strange and uncomfortable way. The Collective Concepts dress was HORRIBLE! Too tight, looked like Andy Warhol threw up and it was so gaudy. I was embarrassed to even try it on. The Le Lis dress was flattering, but a really, really cheap material. It reminded me of dresses I had as a child and I wouldn't have spent more than $20 on it. $78 was ridiculous.
I was so upset that I sent Stitch Fix an email. I had specifically requested 3 things: I wanted the Gilli Joska Maxi Dress from my first fix in a different color or pattern. I wanted the Market & Spruce Mori Top in a smaller size and pattern because I loved the fabric and weight, but it was too big. And I wanted the exact dress from a stitch fix email to wear at Kevin's Hall of Fame Banquet.
Stitch Fix responded and gave me a $20 credit (so I wouldn't lose my $20 styling fee). They were hopeful that I would schedule another fix and be happy. Reluctantly, I did.
Fix #3- November 5
Message I sent to my stylist:
To not worry about sending me the least expensive clothing, but to be reasonable with price. I wanted quality clothes even if it cost a little bit more. I asked for my stylist from my first fix. I asked again for a dress to wear on my birthday in Paris. I figured that it was closer to colder weather and the inventory might be better suited for that.
Items sent to me:
Lauren was my stylist. She wrote: Hi Victoria! I am excited to style for you again...especially with a trip to Paris in mind! For your birthday dinner I picked the Everly dress. It is chic and has a really pretty scalloped neckline that I think you will like. For easy layering, the Pixley anorak jacket will be perfect and lightweight for traveling. The navy sweater will work well for being warm and cozy and has a fun and unexpected detail with the pink elbow patches. For two romantic tops, the 41Hawthron and Mavi pullover will work well for dressing up or down. Enjoy and I hope you have a wonderful birthday trip to Paris! So fun! Thank you so much.
Medium Mavi Barlett Crochet Detail Pullover- $78
Medium Pixley Analisse Anorak Jacket- $88
Medium 41Hawthorn McQue Solid Lace Sleeve Blouse- $48
Medium Market & Spruce Fierro Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater- $58
Small Everly Poppie Dress- $64
What I kept: Everything!
I really fell in love with everything except the Barlett Crochet Detail Pullover. However, if I had kept everything except that, I would have paid more. I saved $84 by purchasing everything because you get a 25% discount when you buy it all. So, I kept it all.
The Market & Spruce Fierro Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater was sent in a Medium and it was a little big. The Pixley Analisse Anorak Jacket was also sent in a Medium and I was swimming in it and the Everly Poppie Dress was a Small and it was a little snug. So, I emailed immediately and said I knew inventory was low and I understood if I couldn't get exchanges, but I really wanted the Elbow Patch Sweater in a Small, the Jacket in a Small and the Dress in a Medium. They delivered! I kept all of the exchanges except for the Poppie Dress-it worked better in small.
The Poppie Dress was my birthday outfit while in Paris. The Analisse Anorak Jacket I've worn pretty much every-single-day this Spring. It went with me to Israel and is the PERFECT weight, color, everything. It's awesome! The McQue Solid Lace Sleeve Blouse I've worn to work a handful of times. It's comfortable and classy! The cute elbow patch sweater is great for work. I need to wear it casually more this winter.
I LOVED this fix!
Things I've learned along the way:
1. Make a Pinterest board and pin outfits you already own and items that you like, but BE SPECIFIC! I had pinned a polka-dot dress because I like polka-dots, but they saw the style of the dress and sent me something like it, which I hated. I have since taken that pin off my board. I've gone back to all of my pictures and made comments like: "I own this dress and I love it." or "I love the color of this skirt, but not the style." I never liked making comments on pins, but I think it's necessary when you have a shopper stylist that you don't know personally.
2. Ask for another size if you need it. And do it quickly. It was explained to me that Stitch Fix orders styles in limited quantities to help ensure that every Fix is new, special and fresh. So inventory is always changing and something in stock one week might be completely out of stock the next. With my first fix, I should have emailed right away to see if I could get the dress in another color or pattern and the top in a smaller size. I loved both of them and I was naive in thinking that I could just get the same thing in my next fix.
3. Don't be scared to ask for the same stylist. I think these are real people and if someone is kinda "feeling you" go with it. Why not? For fix #3, I asked for my stylist from Fix #1. And I loved everything in #3. Not sure if that had anything to do with it, but I lucked out!
4. In your profile answer the following questions: What are a couple of stores you love to shop at? Who is your celebrity style icon? What are some trends you love or items you always wished you had in your closet? What do you wear on a typical day? I hadn't answered any of those questions initially and after Fix #2, when I wrote about some of those, I was able to explain myself a little better.
5. Stitch Fix doesn't expect you to love everything in your box. I didn't understand this at all. Why would they not want me to be 100% happy with everything? They don't. They are looking for you to LOVE 1 or 2 items and have to have them. That's their goal. The other items are to test you out and see if you might like them. While I'd love to keep everything and save the 25%, they're happy if you're happy with 1 thing. So, don't let that get you down!
Get Fixed! If you're interested in trying out Stitch Fix, I'd encourage it! I don't shop much for myself anyway so I think I'm going to pair my fixes down to a quarterly or bi-annual thing, but it's fun and you get items you would have never thought about. I also didn't mention it, but each fix comes with style cards that pair the item two different ways. Even if you don't have all of the pieces in the pictures, it just helps to know what you could wear together that might look good. This is key for me since I need all the help I can get!
If you are interested, feel free to use my referral code: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/5720656 and then share your code with friends so you can get shopping credit on your account.
 |
| Rocking the Pixley Cardigan and Everly Poppie Dress in Amsterdam. |
 |
| Liverpool Jeans at the Musee d'Orsay |
 |
| Everly Poppie Dress for my birthday Tea at George V in Paris |
 |
| Pixley Jacket in Israel |
