In case you’re new: I tried out Stitch Fix for a while, using their “the cheaper, the better” option.
While I did get a few good pieces, Stitch Fix has routinely struggled to send me things that are very sensibly priced and/or that I even like.
But I have some credit from people finding old Stitch Fix blog posts via Google, so I am on a mission to use that up before I stop getting boxes.
At this point, these posts have nothing to do with frugality; we are just having fun with fashion here.
(Although, using up credit IS frugal, I suppose.)
I got a box in October and never did blog about it. But I did take pictures, so let’s catch up.
1. Plaid pants
Whoa. Definitely a departure for me.
I put them on, was pleasantly surprised at how mild the pattern looked on me, but when I tried to zip them up, I felt…compressed.
Extremely compressed.
You can’t see it in the photos, but trust me, sitting down in these pants would have felt exceedingly uncomfortable.
Zoe really likes plaid, though, so I exchanged this pair for a smaller size and now Zoe has pants that she loves.
And I can maintain a wardrobe that allows me to sit down. 
2. Long-sleeved white sweater
I don’t hate this one.
But there are two bad things about it:
- It’s $108 (!!!!)
- It’s dry-clean only (for a white shirt!!!)
That’s a hard no for me.
3. Light pink dolman sleeve knit top
Dolman sleeves are not something I love.
They look sort of normal as long as you have your arms down, but when you lift them up, it just gets strange.
And even with my arms down, I just don’t think this top is doing anything for me.
4. Cowl neck top
So, I did actually like this one, but the girls were like, “MOM. You have, like, 13 of these types of tops already.”
They were not wrong.
5. Burgundy skinny jeans
These I actually did end up keeping; I currently have no red pants, so they seemed like a fun addition to my wardrobe.
And that’s the end of this fix. We kept 2/5 items, so we didn’t make much progress on using up my store credit.
Womp-womp.
I actually got another box since this one, but I haven’t got everything photographed. So you’ll have to wait for another fashion fix.
(I kept everything in that box, but almost all of it went to my girls, not me. So, we’ll have a wide variety of models next time!)
Obviously I already decided what to do with this box, but I’d still love to hear your fashion opinions. So:
What would you have kept and sent back?
P.S. Because I didn’t do the explaining earlier: Stitch Fix sends you a box of five brand new items and they charge a $20 styling fee, which gets applied to anything you keep from a box. Returns are free. So, if you sign up and get the $50 credit, you can use it towards your styling fee and can probably get one item for free or almost free.
That’s a good deal! But in the long run, though, Stitch Fix is not a very affordable way to get your clothes.
Jenna says
I found you by Googling Stitch Fix reviews because, after 3 boxes, I started to wonder what I was missing that everyone else saw in this company. It’s a relief to find I’m not the only one who doesn’t get good boxes. The prices are crazy (I can get made in China polyester tops for 1/3 of the price at Burlington or Ross) and the styles rarely mine.
Thanks for reassuring me I’m not the only one who is underwhelmed by Stitch Fix.
Kristen says
Yep, I am right there with you!
Cathy in NJ says
I loved those plaid pants on you. You may want to get something similar that fits you with comfort. They really rock on Zoe. I love the burgundy pants too. Its a great muted shade that goes well with so many colors. Dry clean only white shirt…not on this planet.
I also really enjoyed when your daughter(s) did a Thredup style selection for you.
Kristen says
Right? White shirts need to be laundered a lot as it is. Imagine having to dry clean it every time!
Clare says
Modelling the dress on the pillow made me laugh. Your daughter is so stylish – love her look. I agree that the burgundy pants looks great and are definite keepers.
Deidre says
Haha your no. 4 I thought – don’t you have a top at looks like that already? & there you go I scroll down & your fam said he same thing
Connie says
Zoe rocked the plaid pants. The red jeans looked great. THEY don’t seem to gets seem to your body’s shape at all. You are too long for every thing they send.
Jenni says
This year, for myself, I decided to sign up for the Canadian version of Stitch Fix (Frock Box, out of St. Albert, AB). I told myself I would do it for exactly 12 months and then cancel when the year was through. I also told myself I had to keep all 5 items. If an item didn’t fit, I would donate to my daughters, co-workers or our Salvation Army. No, this wasn’t a frugal exercise by any means. Having a clothing subscription service invigorates your current wardrobe and pushes you outside your fashion box (and my fashion box was small….black, navy, gray…you get the idea) Every time I wear something from my monthly boxes, someone at work will comment. Or, I try it on and love it but I never would have chosen the item if left to my own devices. Because I’m frugal in other areas, I was able to participate in this “experiment” and I re-energized my wardrobe, supported a local business, had fun during lock-down and now I’m set for clothes for a good long while. My 2021 budget line for clothing for me this year is $0!
My tip for success: Make sure to contact your stylist every month and tell them WHY you liked a certain item and give them someone they can reference for style (ex: Cate Blanchett).
I love your Stitch Fix posts Kristen! My suggestion for you is you would look so great in more blue! Especially in tops/sweaters! Royal Blue/denim blue/ light blue.
Madeline says
Sorry,those are some seriously ugly clothes you get from Stitch Fix. And you’re so attractive and have a good figure. I’d let that subscription go!! A few basic jeans and tops purchased locally or at a quality consignment store would suit you better! Just my opinion. I can’t have anyone else pick out my clothes!!
PS: A. Styling” fee? Yikes. Your own taste is much more suited to what you like and what looks good!
Stephanie says
I am not the one to ask for fashion advice …I wear a uniform.
Jeans or black pants. Cotton tank. Some type of cardi
Earrings. Cute flats.
Or lounge clothes …
Sherrie Nicholson says
Thanks for the post, I really enjoyed it. You and your daughters look lovely in everything!
Bobi says
Love these posts! This one wasn’t as funny as some, but I enjoyed laughing at the $108 shirt (pretty, but overpriced.) Zoe looks very stylish so I’ll look forward to your next post with lots of models.
SandyH says
Wasn’t there another dolman sleeve top (or dress?) that had us all in stitches ( lol) awhile back?
Kristen says
This one, maybe: https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/sweater/
Or maybe this one: https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/stitch-fix-the-third-november-2017-not-the-best-fix-ever/
Barb from CNY says
This is what the world needed, a Stitch Fix post!! I love your descriptions and the faces you make with some of the clothes…they always make me smile. I agree with your choices, the discarded as well as your keeps. (A white dry clean only shirt…why is that even a thing?!)
Jean says
I can’t buy clothes online. I bought a t-shirt because I wanted the design. If I had held it in the store, I probably would not have paid the price for the quality of the material. I see so many designs that I “think” I would like; but not knowing the companies I am not comfortable. Forget jeans–length, fit, and again fabric. The quality of fabric even at reputable online stores is not what it used to be.
Yeh, $108 for a top that needs to be dry cleaned? No thank you.
A lot of my clothing comes from the resale store. My sister-in-law works in a charity one and gets a lot of donations for it. Many times we get first try on before they go to the store.
But, who am I kidding. I don’t need any new clothes. For 12 mos. it’s been yoga pants or jeans and a tee and sweatshirt.
Sarah C. says
I’m with you. I would have only kept the burgundy jeans. That is crazy about that white sweater! I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever paid $108 for anything to wear. It’d have to be super special, or a warm winter jacket, or shoes that I’d wear for years. I must be the luckiest person alive, I can wear a Large from Old Navy or Gap Factory and it usually fits me perfectly. And those stores have shirts for cheap all the time. Plus, people buy said shirts and donate them often. I have thrifted so many Old Navy shirts from online that people just didn’t want to fool with returning, many with the tags still on them. Lucky me! I hope I am not jinxing myself.
Beth B says
I like the burgundy jeans and the cowl neck striped top as well.
Jennifer Y. says
I love that your daughters are so stylish in such different ways (from what I see of the lovely photos you share)
Kristen says
They really are so different from each other! And it goes to show that a lot of who children are is nature, not nurture.
If nurture were such a strong force, you’d think three homeschooled sisters would be very similar to each other. But nope! Their fashion taste is like the three angles in a triangle.
K D says
I think you chose wisely. I love the red pants and liked the plaid too but would not have endured the discomfort. The long-sleeved white sweater is so thin that I can see your pants and bra through them. $108 ha-ha.
I have a terrible time buying clothes that fit. My body tends to be pear shaped so pants are very difficult. I think the average American shape has changed more than my body because years ago it was not an issue.
Thank you for a fun Monday post on a gloomy (snow/freezing rain is on the way) day.
JenRR says
I love the plaid pants on Zoe and the red pants on you. I guess 2/5 isn’t too bad with these boxes.
Kris says
Yup, you chose wisely. I did like the plaid pants on you but if you aren’t comfortable, you won’t wear them–so a pair for Zoe was smart (she looks so different with longer hair, BTW). The tops (except for the stripey top that your girls told you to return) all made you look 10 years older than you are. While there is nothing wrong with getting older, why speed up the process?
Anne says
I very much liked the red pants.
I hated the striped top you liked. (No more gray, no more gray, no more gray.)
I wasn’t sure why you turned your nose up at the print top of blue and red. Is it because you prefer knits that fit closer or you don’t like prints or both?
Kristen says
I mean, to split hairs, the top was black, not gray. Heh.
The print top…man, I just felt like the colors did nothing for me and neither did the cut/style. I felt SO frumpy.
I think Sonia could probably pull it off and look cute, but I hated it on me!
Isa says
The red jeans look nice on you, so yes for the keep! The rest I would also have sent back.
Si says
Yay! I have been waiting for one of these. ☺ Are these the ones that Lisey picked out for you?
Agree with your choices, although I do think that the Dolman’s shirt looked good on you. ♥ Look forward to seeing the next Stitch Fix post.
Kristen says
No, the ones Lisey picked out for me were much better! I need to photograph what she chose!
Si says
Please do! I would love to see them. Thanks.
Nadine says
Very much liked the colourful pants and white top. However – $108?? When you’d opted for ‘the cheaper the better?’ They weren’t paying attention.
Karen P says
I liked a lot of the clothes on you but the burgundy pants were the best call! I find I wear red/maroon/green pants quite often because it gives me a vehicle to wear black/grey tops a little easier! (for work, I don’t particularly like wearing black tops with black or dark pants!).
Megg says
I’m surprised they sent you a $108 top! My stitch fix is set to cheapest options too and the most expensive thing I’ve had was $68 for a sweater.
Also I’ve found it’s key to be very detailed in feedback and what you’re asking for. If you don’t like your stylist request a new one! I leave lots of notes and now end us keeping the majority most times because they know my style well by now (and I have had less than a dozen boxes!) It’s been nice not to have to go shopping and also buy something for me in the last 3 years…it’s been a lot of kid clothes since my son came around!
N says
I really like both sets of pants and am glad you kept them over the questionable shirts. The high maintenance, plainest-of-plain white sweater for $108 is truly mind-boggling. I look forward to seeing what the girls chose from the other fix! Your family is built totally different from my hardy peasant stock, so it’s fun seeing what you can do (plaid pants!) or not do (the Dolman sleeves), as it’s so different from my go-to style.
Since my first Stitch Fix (with a $50 credit thanks to your link) last year, I’ve paused all fixes and only keep it around for the the odd credit (like the $20 this past month) to use on their rare less expensive options. While the daily Style Quiz is fun, it has only reconfirmed the fact that I’ll never be a fashionista. So many things just strike me as impractical! Nope, not paying for pants that already have holes. Nope, couldn’t wear a bra with that (I like support/not being noticeably cold :). Nope, buttons and zippers on the shoulders or high on the neckline are just asking to rip out hair, etc.
Jody S. says
Red pants. I have one or two pair of them that I was given. I wear them, sometimes even out of the house (if I have to). I don’t think they look horrible on me, but they make me feel like I’m standing out. . .and that’s not something I feel comfortable with. I think it’s simply a mental hangup on my part.
Mary says
Have you tried using a different stylist? It took me a few tries, but now they seem to understand my style and how clothes fit on my body. Also, I love the option of being able to go on the website and buying just one or two pieces to complete looks I already own.
Kristen says
Yep! I’ve had so many different stylists, and it hasn’t seemed to do the trick for me.
I feel stumped as to what the problem is, because it doesn’t seem like I have a body type that is super hard to fit, other than the fact that I have a long torso.
I might just be too picky…
JenRR says
No, you are not too picky! They send some wonky stuff.
Battra92 says
Non-frugal side note, my wife has become so frustrated with finding clothes she likes (tops in particular) that she’s been making more of an effort to work on her sewing skills. That way when she finds something that fits her or looks good on her she makes it in like 3-4 different styles.
It’s not really all that frugal with time or money but it saves her on the stress and feeling like crap that clothes shopping usually entails.
Jody S. says
This is my goal. I am so far from it. My 11-year-old daughter is wanting to do this, too. And, I think when you work on a new skill, that’s frugal because you don’t know how it may help you or others down the road. AND when you develop a hobby like sewing that you use as entertainment/enjoyment, then you are spending money on something useful and entertaining. AND sometimes, you can find thrifted/auctioned materials in great shape cheaply.
Battra92 says
I admit I am just floored by what she does. It’s like magic to me. Much of our daughter’s clothes are homemade now.
Profesora H-B says
Battra92 – I’d say that sounds pretty frugal – it’s a guaranteed fit, she gets all the frustrating shopping time back, and she builds her skill level so that each time she makes a top it’s a little easier. She’s also not contributing to the appalling labor conditions that many of the clothing makers experience. I’m inspired to get into sewing my own tops after reading this comment – I’ve been afraid of it, but it’s silly! I just need to get in and give it a go. Fingers crossed!
Sarah says
I liked the cowl neck and skinny jeans on you too. And, of course, Zoe looks great with the plaid pants too. I agree with the rest. While I personally like dolman sleeves, they tend to look better on someone with broader shoulders. $100+ for that sweater. Are they nuts???
I really enjoy this series-it’s so fun!
Mar says
I think the dark stripe shirt is cute, that is my kind of style. The white sweater for that price should be lined in gold. And those plaid pants are so cute!
kristin @ going country says
I wouldn’t have kept anything. But then, I’m notably boring with clothes. I might THINK, “Oo, red pants would be fun! I will branch out!” And then I would never wear them.
Coincidentally, I’m wearing right now a sweater I got on Swap.com for nine dollars as an experiment as well. I bought it because I was actually looking for a basic pullover sweatshirt with no hood. There were zero in the women’s section, so I figured, “It’s a sweatshirt. I could wear a smaller men’s size.” So I found a gray one in a men’s size medium, figuring if that was too big, I could still wear it, and if it was too small, it would fit my eldest son. And then it arrived, and it’s this incredibly luxurious silk and cashmere sweater from Banana Republic that actually fits me really well. It’s my new favorite thing, but . . . this is what Banana Republic considers a sweatshirt? It’s a long way from the Champion sweatshirts I’m familiar with.
Ruby says
I love Swap.com. It has worked out much better for me than a subscription box ever did.
Ruth T says
I loved the cowl neck top and burgundy skinny jeans… Especially together!
Erika W. says
I started to sew all my clothes some years ago when I was approaching 80 and anything for my age and shape (Tall, and reasonably slim) shown for me in stores and magazines was, quite simply, atrocious. Now I enjoy my look based on 3 simple designs, picked originally from Japanese style magazines and not for the old, but any age.
I like to feel that only I am wearing a smock maybe, in a single design in the whole wide world! Also, barely a week used to go by, pre-Covid when I was not stopped and asked where my clothing came from. Most frequently it was a pale grey and white striped dress with long sleeves, a boat neck and a bottom ruffle. It evinced some out loud gasps when I told that I had made it from the cotton lining to a shower curtain, from a Salvation Army store. Cost = $1.50!
When I was being super economic I used old sheets from thrift stores. Now I buy cotton materials from equilter.com which has hundreds of choices.
Kristen says
Now that is creative; using a shower liner!
Jenny says
Plus, no one else ever will have that exact same dress! It’s designer fashion, and the designer is you!
The StitchFix clothes are NOT good, but you and your youngest daughter (actually your whole family is lovely- you could all be models!) are gorgeous.
Maybe you could go thrift shopping and make posts about what you find there.