First Impressions: Stitch Fix

I must admit, I am in a bit of a shopping rut.

I browse online and nothing seems to catch my eye. After much internal debate I decided to give Stitch Fix a try. Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service. Their process is simple: You pay a $20 styling fee, they send you a few items each month based on your style preferences, and you only pay for what you keep. I had seen their ads all over my social media feeds and have heard the success stories, but I was hesitant. I cannot count how many times I have gone to my favorite stores, spent hours in the dressing rooms, only to leave empty-handed and disappointed. The idea of a stranger who has never met me, who has never seen my body, picking out clothes for me was daunting. Part of me felt like if I sent everything back, which was more than likely, I would disappoint them. Moreover, it would be another part of fashion where my body, the little person's body, did not fit in.

Before creating an account you are asked to take their style quiz. It asks a multitude of questions about how much effort you put into getting dressed, how much do you enjoy the shopping process, if you take fashion risks, etc. Once your account is created they ask more in-depth questions including your sizes, how you like items to fit, and what, specifically, you are looking for. I was able to let them know that I am a little person with shorter arms and legs and an average-sized torso. The final step is to look at various outfits and rate them on a scale of 1-5 on how likely you were to wear them. Once your profile is complete you are paired with a stylist and the waiting game begins.

When the box arrived on my doorstep I was excited and trepidatious. I was expecting to be disappointed yet, at the same time, optimistic that maybe something, anything would fit.

To start, we have the Allan Surplice Rolltab Blouse from West Kei, a purple and white floral wrap top with a V-neckline and ¾ sleeves. This was the first item I tried on and I was quite impressed. The sleeves were the perfect length and it would not need to be hemmed due to the rolltab design detail. The fit was flattering, neither too tight nor too loose and I love the V-neckline. It is a top that could be dressed down for work or dressed up for Sunday brunch.

The second item was the Amelia Raglan Long Sleeve Knit Top from Pink Clover, a raglan sweater with a grey bodice and leopard-print sleeves. There are not enough words to describe how soft this sweater is. It is so cozy, so comfy, it feels like you are wearing a blanket. The leopard print sleeves elevate this basic sweater into something more special. It fit perfectly without needing to bunch up the sleeves and is the right length to wear with either jeans or leggings.

The third item was the Poplar Cowl Neck Brushed Knit Top from Market & Spruce, a colorblocked sweater with a drawstring cowl neck. Again, this top was super soft and, like everything else so far, I was very happy with the fit though it is a little too long to wear with jeans (by my standards anyways). With leggings? Perfect. I thought the drawstring neckline was unique as you typically see those on a hooded sweatshirt. It added an element of athleisure to the top. Moreover, grey and pink is one of my favorite color combinations so bonus points for that.

The fourth and final item were the Gia Glider Ponte Skinny Pants from Liverpool, a classic black jegging. Not surprisingly, the pants are too long. But, that is the only issue I have with them. I have always wanted a pair of black jeggings and was ecstatic to find that they fit like a glove. The fabric actually hugs my legs, giving them shape, without needing to be tapered. If I wanted to I could tack the waist but it would not be necessary. As I’ve said before, despite being a closet staple, good jeans have always been hard to find. Once they are properly hemmed, I see myself wearing them all the time.

Included with the clothes was a card from my stylist explaining why she chose each clothing item along with two outfit suggestions for each item. For this box she chose pieces that were casual and professional and could transition from day to night with ease.

I must admit, I am keeping only the pants. While the three tops were cute, comfortable and require zero alterations, they just do not fit in with my personal style. Luckily, Stitch Fix does make the process of returning garments very simple. You have up to 3 days to check out, with the option of extending, and they include a prepaid mailing bag for you to send back your unwanted items. During checkout, they ask you to explain why you are returning each piece and there is a space for you to send additional notes and suggestions to your stylist for future fixes.

First impressions of Stitch Fix? I was pleasantly surprised and almost taken aback by the fact that nearly everything fit. My stylist really paid attention to my size preferences and did their best to find clothes that would suit my personal style. While they did not succeed, I could tell that my stylist really tried to keep me and my preferences in mind when selecting each garment.

Would I suggest Stitch Fix to other LPs? I would say yes... as long as you are emotionally prepared to send everything back.

I felt more comfortable trying on the clothes at home rather than in the store. I could take the time to really see how I felt in the clothes, ask my mom for feedback, and did not have to let anyone see my disappointment when something did not work. It is important to note that it is unclear if Stitch Fix offers adaptive clothing items from brands such as Tommy Adaptive or IZ Adaptive. I do wish they sent you more items in each box and allowed you to talk to your stylist via phone or email so you can really let them know who you are and what you want. I do believe that Stitch Fix could make fashion more accessible for little people or people with disabilities who are fashion forward, who love to shop, but are not able to go to the mall or their favorite stores.