INSIDE: How to save money on Stitch Fix and an alternative too!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Let’s talk Stitch Fix.
I’m sure you’ve seen other bloggers promoting this service, but if you are anything like me, you thought, “Yeah, right, like I’m going to pay that for clothes!”
You like the idea of getting “styled,” but what single income, homeschooling family has the resources for such an extravagant luxury?
So, what is Stitch Fix?
If you aren’t familiar with Stitch Fix, here is a full run down of the service. If you already know what it is, feel free to skip ahead!
Step 1 – Sign up for Stitch Fix
Step 2 – Fill out a Style Profile
I’ll talk more about your Style Profile below.
Step 3 – Schedule a “Fix”
A “fix” is when a stylist works with your measurements and style personality to create a custom box with several (around 5) clothing/accessory items. You will be accessed a $20 styling fee when you schedule your “fix.” Don’t worry, the styling fee is credited toward any wardrobe items you may keep.
Step 4 – Get a “fix” and keep what you want
You’ll receive your box in the mail and then comes the fun part! You get to try on and decide what you want to keep. Your fix also comes with “style cards” to help you know how to wear a piece.
Step 5 – Give feedback, and return what doesn’t work
Ship back what you don’t want. Return to the Stitch Fix website and leave feedback on your shipment items and then checkout.
Step 6 – Schedule your next fix!
You can automate shipments or schedule them manually. This can be done every 2 weeks, monthly, bimonthly, or on a quarterly basis.
Back to why this cheapskate gave Stitch Fix a chance…
Over the years, I’ve learned and practiced a lot of ways to save money. Making my own bread, whipping up a batch of yogurt, cooking up laundry detergent, diy household cleaners, clipping coupons, cooking from scratch, using a clothesline, frequenting thrift stores- you name it, I’ve done it!
So why did a girl like me even consider using the services of Stitch Fix?
I put off trying Stitch Fix for a long time. Here are the reasons I finally gave it a try:
The 5 Reasons I Gave Stitch Fix a Second Glance
1.Time
I love, love, love finding great steals on clothes at local thrift shops. I’ve found some amazing deals over the years. Banana Republic jeans, wool skirts, cute tops, and comfortable shoes with price tags of $5 or less are sure to make any girl happy.
BUT, you don’t find deals like that every time you walk into a secondhand shop. Finding these steals means you have to frequent the shop and wade through rubbish to find the gems. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but it takes time and effort.
As a homeschooling, busy mama of 4 little ones, shopping for clothes is not where I want to spend my spare time. As I’ve gotten older (and wiser?) I’ve realized that saving time can be just as important as saving money!
2.Simplicity
Have you ever gone shopping (or thrifting) with four children under age 10? It isn’t necessarily a very relaxing endeavor!
If I choose not to take the children shopping, then I have to coordinate a night away from my family. I prefer spending my evenings relaxing with my family than spending time shopping with strangers.
3.Modesty
As I’ve matured, I’ve realized a modest wardrobe is really the most beautiful. Have you tried shopping for modest clothes lately? Good luck! Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone else wade through all the revealing clothes to find the modest yet fashionable items?
With Stitch Fix, you can input your clothing modesty standards in your personal notes before you are “styled.” All of the clothing items I’ve received have met my modesty standards.
4. That ONE piece you are missing
For the last several years I’ve been wanting a pair of skinny jeans. It can be tricky to find the right fit in jeans, and skinny jeans are worse than regular jeans! When I was setting up my first “fix,” I told my Stitch Fix stylist I wanted a pair of skinny jeans.
Bada-bing, bada-boom! The perfect fitting jeans were sent straight to my door.
Have you ever been looking for a very specific item for your wardrobe? You can input that wardrobe wish into the message to your stylist before you are styled and the work of searching out that particular piece is done for you! In fact, this is my favorite way to use Stitch Fix.
5.Paying up for classics
Nope, I’m not a fashion star, by any stretch of the imagination, but I like to be well dressed and present a good front to the world. I like traditional, classic pieces that I can wear for years. I don’t mind spending a little bit more on pieces I know I will wear forever and are well made enough to hold up to the rigors of daily life. I’m not just saying that, I mean it – I still have pieces in my closet from high school (13+ years ago) that I wear and love! With Stitch Fix, I can let the stylist find the classic pieces for me.
Classics are like money and time in the bank. When your wardrobe is filled with flexible items that last forever, you are no longer wasting your time and money on shopping sprees.
What is the quality of the Stitch Fix clothes? I would compare them to places like Banana Republic or the Gap.
6. Just a hint of style
Most of the pieces I receive in my “fixes” are classic pieces, but I do like to receive 1 or 2 items that are more “trendy.” These pieces are what makes life fun and keeps your wardrobe from being boring. Getting “styled” means I am offered custom chosen trendy pieces. My Stitch Fix stylist is much better at choosing what trends will work for my body type and fashion personality.
7.The perfect fit
Back to the example of my first fix and the skinny jeans (see #4). I had tried on skinny jeans for 3 years, and was finally sent the perfect pair in my first Stitch Fix box. The perfect fit is reason enough to try out Stitch Fix!
8. Some Wiggle Room
Stitch Fix truly is NOT for everyone. If you’ve got debt or are barely making ends meet, then, I’ll tell you to go ahead and stick to the thrift shops. Hold your head high girl!
I wear my Salvation Army clothes with a smile and no one knows the difference! That is, until some stranger asks me where I got those cute clothes and I say, Salvation Army for $3.65. Then said stranger looks at me with admiration because they have never found a gem like I did. I love moments like that!
If thrift shopping is what your budget allows, then enjoy the process. Be grateful for the finances God has given you and learn to love the hunt!
I went over this money issue a lot in my head before I felt that I could in good conscience use the Stitch Fix services. Was this really the way Jesus wanted me to steward our money?
After much deliberation, I decided that for me Stitch Fix wasn’t about getting the latest styles as opposed to actually having some nice, modest clothes delivered straight to my door.
It wasn’t about frivolity, but about exchanging some of my money to get back some time. After all, isn’t it important to steward our time as well as our finances?
Due in part to our thrift store shopping habits, we recently found a smidge of wiggle room in our budget. There were a few holes in my wardrobe and I decided I’d give Stitch Fix a chance and let the stylist fill the holes for me. Once those wardrobe gaps are filled, I may not be a consistent user of Stitch Fix. When my closet has well-made classics, there is no way I will need a Stitch Fix all the time. Stitch Fix allows you to automatically schedule fixes as little as 4 times a year, but I will probably manually schedule my fixes about twice a year.
So are you thinking about giving Stitch Fix a try? Hold your pretty ponies! If you are a thrifty gal, you want to make sure you get every dollar out of your fix. Here are some of the tips I suggest for using Stitch Fix.
Money Saving Stitch Fix Tips
1.Fill out your style profile…really well
When you sign up for Stitch Fix, you will be asked to complete a Style Profile. Be completely candid and blunt in your style profile. Your Stitch Fix stylist will be able to fit your fashion personality much better if you are upfront with what you are looking for.
To give you an idea of how to do this, here is an excerpt from my final thoughts section of my Style Profile on Stitch Fix. There is a character limit, so be as short and concise, yet as thorough as you can.
“LIKE: easy to care for (no ironing, dry cleaning), modest while still figure flattering, comfortable, nursing accessible, dresses (but need to nurse in them), things that work for all seasons of life, skirts and dresses that reach just above my knee or below, flowy tops paired with fitted pants, classic styles with a feminine touch. DISLIKES: boxy unfeminine clothes, worn out/torn looks, big heels. I do dress up for church weekly.”
2.Give your precise measurements
This is part of filling out your Stitch Fix Style Profile really well, but merits special attention. Get your exact numbers. If you are like me, your numbers fluctuate during different seasons of life, so keep these updated. When you give your stylist your exact numbers, you will get the perfect fit and avoid sending clothes back.
3.Set up a Pinterest Board
This is also a really important part of letting your stylist know what looks you are drawn to. Set up a “Wardrobe” board on Pinterest and start pinning looks you like from Pinterest onto the board. The more information you can give your stylist, the happier you will be with your fix. I also found this helpful in finding new ways to wear what I already own.
4.Skip the Accessories
I know accessories are supposed to make or break an outfit, but they are also a quick way to bring up the price of your Stitch Fix box. You will get a lot more bang for your buck if you focus on the necessities of your wardrobe versus the extras. Accessories are fairly easy to shop for in comparison with jeans and tops and tend to go out of style quickly so spring for something cheap.
5.Stitch Fix Request
You will have space to give your Stitch Fix stylist a message before they style your fix. Take time to think through the needs of your wardrobe and request specific items. Remember those skinny jeans I requested and received in my first box? I find accessing my wardrobe needs and giving those directly to my stylist means I’m much happier with my fix.
6.Keep the whole box, or just a little
Did you know that if you keep your entire box from Stitch Fix you receive a 25% discount? If your box totals $200, then you get the box for $160. Average that over approximately 5 pieces and you are getting a fairly good price/item. If there is a piece you really loathe, then consider reselling it to recoup some of the cost.
Alternatively, keep just the two things you like the best. This has been my strategy since the mere thought of forking over the dough for the whole box gives me severe heart palpitations.
7.Give thorough feedback
Be completely honest with your Stitch Fix stylist after you’ve received your first fix. If you can swing it financially, get your first couple fixes close together so your stylist can get your style figured out. Then, after you’ve received a couple fixes, you can space your fixes farther apart.
8.Space out your fixes
Once your Stitch Fix stylist has your style figured out, I would encourage you to space out your fixes more. You can automatically receive fixes every 2-3 weeks, every month, every other month, or every 3 months. But did you know you can manually schedule your fix for longer lengths of time?
We can all do with a leaner, stronger wardrobe. The purpose of Stitch Fix shouldn’t be filling all the nooks and crannies of your closet, but having hardworking pieces that you love. Seriously, how many clothes does a body need?
9.Tell your friends!
Let your friends know you are using Stitch Fix and be completely honest about your experience. Even those who may not be interested at first may be willing to try the service down the road. Let them know there is a referral credit you could receive if they decide to use Stitch Fix.
A friend of mine has been happily using Stitch Fix for over a year. I was delighted to use her referral link when I signed up with Stitch Fix. When a friend or family member uses your referral link to Stitch Fix, you will receive a credit to your account when their first fix ships.
10.Continue to shop for steals
Just because you use Stitch Fix doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid the stores. It can be a lot of fun finding a good deal. Using Stitch Fix just means you don’t have to find everything that way.
If you prefer shopping online, but don’t like the prices, consider using ThredUp, an online consignment site. Not only can you find gently used clothes for a great price on ThredUP, but you can also receive credit toward your next purchase by sending in your own unused clothes. If you refer a friend, they get a $10 credit and you do too! It’s a win/win!
11.Ask for Stitch Fix as a gift
If you really want to try Stitch Fix but feel guilty about the money, then ask your husband if he would give you a credit toward using the service. Yes, Stitch Fix even sells gift cards for this purpose!
My experience with Stitch Fix…
So what has been my experience with Stitch Fix so far?
Box #1:
Black Cardigan: (picture above) This was JUST my style and super versatile. Verdict—>keeper
Skinny Jeans: (pictured above) Perfect fit and just what I was looking for! Verdict—>keeper
2 Tees: (pictured below) Too boxy and unflattering. Verdict—>Sent back
Cotton Print Shirt: (pictured below) Liked the print and the shirt, but just too short for my long torso. Verdict—>Sent back
Box #2:
Plaid Dress: (pictured above) This dress buttons down (which a nursing mama can love). I’d asked my stylist for a plaid dress or shirt. I thought maybe it was too short at first (I usually only get dresses that reach my knees). I tried it on for Husband and sat down in it to see if it hiked up. It didn’t hike up and Husband approved so… Verdict—>Keeper
Navy Cardigan: (pictured above)I loved this cardigan and it matched the dress perfectly. Verdict —>Keeper
Cable Sweater: I wanted to like this off-white chunky cable knit sweater, but it just wasn’t quite my thing. Husband encouraged me to keep it, and it fit perfectly. Verdict —>Sent Back
Boot-cut Jeans: I so wanted to keep these jeans, they fit so perfectly, but they were 3 inches too long. Maybe my legs aren’t as long as I think! Verdict —>Sent Back
Plaid Scarf: (pictured below) I’ve been wanting a plaid scarf, but I just couldn’t make myself pay the price tag for this trend that may too quickly go out of style. I think I’ll look for one on the cheap. Verdict —>Sent Back
Box #3:
(2021 update)
It had been a few years since my last fix but quarantine and postpartum body meant my wardrobe needed a refresh. I had $50 in referral credits AND coupled that with the 25% off keep the box discount which worked out to $25 per piece!
I told my stylist I wanted some spring inspired, nursing-friendly things.
Leopard sweater: Not something I would pick up but I LOVED how soft it was and how it made me look put together while lounging. Verdict —>keep
Black floral top: I love these flowy tops cause they hide my 5 month postpartum pooch. Verdict—> keep
Pink cardigan: I love a good cardigan, especially one that hides my current muffin top! Verdict—> keep
Blue floral type: Wasn’t a huge fan of this but it was cheaper to keep it than send it back. I’ve actually worn it several times and it has grown on me. Verdict—> keep
Red cardigan: Another cardigan win. Verdict—> keep
My thoughts and how I’m using Stitch Fix…
You may think that since I’ve sent back half of both of my boxes I’m ready to give up on Stitch Fix, but that would be wrong. I love that 2 things I specifically asked for were sent right to me and they fit perfectly. While I liked everything in my boxes and could have kept it all, I wasn’t crazy for everything and so I sent several items back. I’m not one to spend money on something I’m not in love with!
My 2nd fix was already better than my first, so my stylist must be catching on.
My personal Stitch Fix rules:
- Ask for things I specifically need/want (this has helped me get some great things in my fixes)
- Order infrequently (this will keep down the price, and besides, how many clothes do I really need?)
- Skip the accessories (I would rather pick these up at a cheaper source since they can so quickly go out of style)
So, yes, I plan on continuing to use StitchFix, though only 2-3 times per year. I will continue to keep the price of clothing down by combining my fixes with ThredUp and thrift store purchases. After all, a bargain hunter dies hard!
Have you ever gotten a fix? Let us know your money saving and happiness tips!
Other posts you’ll love:
The Nourishing Routines Project
Since I’m…fluffy…I’m outside the range that Stitch Fix will style. (I did see that they have more sizes coming this spring!) I have tried Dia & Co., which is for sizes 14+. It’s nice not to be left out anymore! Dia & Co. works very similarly to Stitch Fix with only a few minor differences in policy.
We are on a tight budget as well! But for many of the same reasons, I’ve found getting a style box to be helpful, if for no other reason than I had to sit down and really think about what I like, what I need, and what’s flattering. Also, I haven’t had much luck with the fluffy sections of thrift stores.
I have done a few reviews if anyone else doesn’t quite fit the size limits of Stitch Fix and wants to try out a service. 🙂
http://www.sweepingupjoy.com/dia-co-review/
Thank you so much for sharing. I’ve never heard of this service! I agree that being intentional with our clothing purchases helps save money. The very act of planning and thinking about my style has held me back from splurging on the clearance rack too much!