I tried Stitch Fix for the first time this week, and was really surprised by what I decided to do! 

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I have considered trying Stitch Fix for a couple of years now. Having heard from so many what a great service it is, and how well the stylists usually hit the nail on the head when selected the clothes for your particular fix, I wanted to try it for myself.

It wasn’t until recently that I finally had both the circumstances and the motivation I needed to schedule my first fix. We are currently expecting our sixth baby (four at home, one in heaven), and since this pregnancy completely took us by surprise, I had purged all my maternity clothes just months before.

For weeks now, I have been without much at all to wear, besides a couple pairs of pants (one maternity, one just rather stretchy and forgiving) and the plain maternity t-shirts and tank tops that I practically live in. Pulling clothes out of my closet that make me feel good about my appearance has been a big challenge and, at times, a frustration too.

Enter Stitch Fix. 

Not sure what Stitch Fix is? In short, Stitch Fix is a service in which stylists send you five items of clothes (possibly but not necessarily including accessories or shoes) for you to try on and then either keep or send back. Your personal stylists takes into account your preferences, sizes, style, and any additional notes you submit. You can try your first fix for free by signing up here, and subsequent fixes will charge you a $20 styling fee which will be deducted from the price of any clothing you decide to purchase. The clothes can be pricy, but are also high in quality and you try everything risk free– shipping is free and easy both ways! (They also have Stitch Fix for Men and Maternity options too!)

I wanted a few items of clothing that I could enjoy wearing and feel good in for the second half of my pregnancy. And I wasn’t finding them in my typical stores. I knew Stitch Fix had a great reputation, and since I could try a first fix for free, there wasn’t much to lose. 

Another MAJOR bonus, is that since we have started school back this month, I have MUCH less time to get out and run errands. Shopping around would be difficult at this time, and the limited amount of time I spent looking around online at clothing wasn’t very effective, either. Paying a little extra for the convenience of quality clothes that fit me well (both in size and style) makes sense in my current season.

Now, of course, this being my first fix, I’m no Stitch Fix expert.

BUT, I do have a few tips that really made a big difference in my overall experience, and that were very helpful in coming to a decision about whether or not the clothes were in fact worth the investment.

I’m sharing these tips before I get to the fun clothing pictures just so I can help you understand the process I took in making my decision about what to keep and what to send back. I’m hoping that this will all be helpful for those of you who, like me, are Stitch Fix newbies and may also be unsure of whether or not this service is valuable for you. 

What to do when your Stitch Fix box arrives ::

1. Fix your hair and makeup before trying everything on.

This first tip may not be relevant to you, but as someone who can often spend the day without a bit of makeup and with my hair pulled up in a messy bun, this step made a huge difference.

When I first tried on the clothes, I felt like a mess. I was in need of a shower, and consequently, didn’t feel good about how I looked even with pretty, new clothes on. I didn’t look long in the mirror at how the clothes looked because I knew I wouldn’t go out so disheveled anyway.

So, the next day, I took the time to shower, fix my hair and makeup, and straighten up my room. I considered it all a part of the self-care package. The contrast to the day before was huge. This one simple step made the process a lot more fun and energizing.

2. Try things on more than once.

This tip goes with the one above, but still helps to be said. One of the biggest advantages to using a service like Stitch Fix is that you can try on the clothes at home, more than once, without the pressure of needing to make a snap decision.

Put the clothes on when you first get them for an initial reaction. Then the next day, try them on again and look at them in a new light. Sometimes a piece that you weren’t crazy about at first can become a favorite when you’ve given it a chance and received a second opinion.

3. Put together outfits with what you already have in your closet.

This tip is CRUCIAL for anyone who (like me) is a little nervous about the investment of the clothes. When you think about buying any of the items that arrive in your fix, it’s important to know that they are not going to be stand-alone items in your closet. Meaning, you don’t want to invest in a shirt that you can only wear with one pair of pants and nothing else.

Pull out the clothes in your closet and mix and match. Lay out the clothes on your bed with different variations– pants, skirts, cardigans, scarves, shoes, etc– from what you already own to see how each Stitch Fix item complements what you already own.

Another bonus to this step? You can see if you really need that new item of clothing, or if you probably already have enough skinny jeans, or whatnot.

4. Get a second opinion. And maybe a third. 

It’s so true that we can often be our own worst critics. But isn’t it nice when we receive affirmation from someone whose judgment we trust? (I add that last part in because people who only ever say nice things to you may not be the person you want to ask for second opinions.)

Ask your husband what he thinks. Chances are good that he knows what does and does not flatter your body type. Take a picture and send it to a friend. Or, even better, invite a friend over for a Stitch Fix trying-on party.

Again, part of what you are paying for is the convenience and the opportunity to really ENJOY the process and take your time to make your decisions!

So without further ado…

Here’s What I Received ::

Dalzie Maternity Lace Detail Knit Top :: Skies Are Blue Maternity

This was the first piece I tried on and my first impression wasn’t wonderful. I was unsure about the amount of lace in the top, and at first, the pattern overwhelmed me a bit. However, after trying it on the second day, with a variety of pants and cardigan options, I realized that I did really like the top. It fits well and once I got used to the lace, I think it is a pretty addition to the shirt. This is the kind of top I was hoping for because it is comfortable and still nicer than my usual t-shirts.

Laura Knit Maternity Dress :: Tart

I knew as soon as I put this one on, that it wouldn’t be one that I could keep. I like what the stylist was going for, and it could have had a lot of potential to be a versatile addition to my wardrobe, but it’s too tight in the wrong places. I will tell you in a minute what I ended up doing with this piece.

Wendall Maternity Textured Blouse :: Skies Are Blue Maternity

I LOVE the color of this top! It is long and I like that it can be tied in the front and in the back. The texture and cut also make it nicer than all the other maternity tops I currently own (which isn’t many). It is a top that can be worn now in the summer heat and will transition well to cooler Fall temperatures. Worth it.

Reagan Maternity Skinny Pant :: Liverpool

Another item that I wasn’t initially sure about. The color surprised me, but I’m glad my stylist sent them! The fit is superb, the length is perfect, and they will go with several pieces from my closet that I already own. Plus, I should be able to wear them for the rest of my pregnancy! Now I have another option besides blue denim.

Whigman Short Sleeve Ragman Maternity Knit Top :: Loveapella Maternity

This shirt was love at first sight. Gray is undoubtedly one of my favorite colors, as is mustard. I’m thankful that the stylist took my input into her consideration when she selected this top. It isn’t “nice” like the other two, but I have no doubt that it will get a lot of wear. I also love that it is plenty long and fits well.

The Unexpected Outcome of My First Stitch Fix Box ::

I really was not sure what to expect with my first Stitch Fix box. I was optimistic about loving the clothes, but wasn’t sure what I would want to spend, how things would fit, and how everything would fit with what was in my closet overall. I was hoping to get one or two pieces that I would love enough to invest in, and then maybe try again in the future.

I NEVER expected to want to keep the whole box on my first try!

But, that’s just what I ended up doing. One thing to know about Stitch Fix is that if you keep all five items, you automatically save 25% off of all the clothes! It is a huge incentive, and one that made all the clothes I wanted more reasonable. I was prepared to just buy one or two items, but I’m glad this option worked out.

You may be wondering, ‘what about that dress that didn’t fit?? why keep that?‘. Good point.

I remembered reading about a trick that another blogger friend mentioned in her Stitch Fix posts. Buy the whole box, get the discount, and then sell an unwanted item on a buy/sell/trade group. And that’s just what I did.

Final thoughts…

I definitely would recommend Stitch Fix to anyone looking to invest in a few high-quality pieces for their closet. If you are having a hard time finding clothes you like, dread the idea of shopping with all your kids in tow, or want to add quality over quantity to your wardrobe, Stitch Fix could be a great option! 

Because spending much money on clothes is out of my norm, my husband and I had a long talk about the decision to invest in these clothes. In the end, we agreed that finding a balance between saving money and finding deals at thrift stores, and also carefully selecting quality and versatile pieces to wear over and over again would be my new mode of operation. 

Want to give Stitch Fix a try?

You can sign up and fill out your style profile for free! Sign up for a fix and enjoy the process! See for yourself if it’s a worthwhile service for your season in life.

And, if you plan to give it a try, I’d love it if you signed up through my referral link! Then, share your own link with your friends too!