I’m someone who can be very lazy when it comes to choosing what I wear. I’ll pick up a random graphic tee that’s found its way into my wardrobe at one point or another, a typical pair of jeans and maybe a jumper if it’s cold, then I’m good to go for the day. I’ve always wanted to be a little more daring with my style choices, but never really knew where to start, or indeed how to dress for my body shape. So, when I got the chance to put online personal styling service Stitch Fix to the test, I jumped at the opportunity.
Describing themselves as "the personal style service for men and women that evolves with your tastes, needs and lifestyle," Stitch Fix sets a high bar of expectation for anybody who's looking to come aboard. The company claims to work with "thousands of passionate Stylists", one of whom consumers will be paired with upon placing their first order. If you like your Stylist, you can request to be styled in the future by the same person, so that they can continue to learn about what you like to wear, and styles you’d rather steer clear of.
The sign-up process is an easy one, but could be deemed a little exclusionary for those with a bit more weight on their bodies. The widest waist for pants you can choose as a man for example, is 38 inches; it would be great to see Stitch Fix expand to cater for those who can’t currently enjoy their service.
After popping all of my sizes into the system, I was then presented with a bunch of clothes that I could give either a thumbs up or a thumbs down to. After going through a whole bunch of them, my Stylist would be able to get some sort of idea of the outfits I’d be happy wearing. There’s even a page where you can select some of your favourite brands from a pre-selected list. You’ll also be asked at this stage how adventurous you want to be; I decided to go all in and let my Stylist’s creative juices flow freely!
Following this, you’ll be sent to a page that asks you questions about how much you’d like to spend on different items you could receive. You can opt to spend more on a smart shirt than on pants, for example. Once all that is complete, you’re ready to go.
When using the service, you'll be charged £10 for your styling fee, whilst the rest of the money you spend will obviously be on clothes. You’ll also receive a discount of 20% if you decide to buy everything in your box!
Stitch Fix were kind enough to let me try out two different deliveries, so for my first (pre-Christmas and New Year celebrations), I opted to ask for some smarter clothes that I could wear to festive events with family and friends. For my second, at the start of 2020, I asked for some more casual offerings; clothes that I could happily wear about the house and feel comfortable in, or even pop down to the shops wearing.
Many would deem Stitch Fix a gamble, but it doesn’t have to be. When you’ve received the clothes your Stylist has chosen for you, you have the option to return or exchange any that you don’t like or that don't quite fit you, and can even send the entire box back if you so choose. You’ll only be charged for the clothes you keep, making this one of the most genuine personal styling services available.
Did my Stylist manage to tick all the right boxes for me? Absolutely. I spent the holidays in some of the most stunning pieces I’ve ever had the opportunity to wear, all because somebody else told me that I could look good in a shirt that’s totally different to one I would usually wear. The amount of compliments I received on my outfit choices had me beaming from ear to ear; confidence is key when pulling off a new look, and the people around me had me feeling on top of the world.
Now I'm sat writing this review in some of the comfier clothes I was given, warm and toasty despite the cold, damp weather that I can see from my window. Stitch Fix absolutely gets my seal of approval!
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