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My 4 Best Tips for Making the Most Out of Stitch Fix

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stitch-fix-tips

A few months ago, I wrote about how I use Stitch Fix to simplify my shopping experience. I've talked to a few people who have signed up and been loving it so far; a few others have said they liked the idea of it, but weren't "wowed" by what they received; and some others asked me to share more details about how it works and how to make the most of the "fixes."

I've been meaning to do an update on Stitch Fix for a while, but my discomfort with taking and sharing photos of myself was prohibiting me from doing so. Well, just for you guys, I decided to suck it up, channel my inner Kardashian, take some mirror selfies, and share some of my favorites, plus a few Stitch Fix tips for getting the most out of the experience.

I know these photos aren't the best quality, but hopefully they'll suffice. And the only way I was willing to post them was to crop out my face, since my expression in each picture could only be described as "I can't even believe I'm doing this right now."

Onward...

MY 4 BEST STITCH FIX TIPS

Tip #1: Try everything on!

I get SO excited when I see my Stitch Fix box waiting for me on the porch. Sometimes I open it right away, and sometimes I like to wait until the kids are in bed or at school so that I can enjoy my little fashion show in peace.

But I'll be honest...sometimes I build it up so much that when I actually open it, I'm a tad disappointed.

There are some things that I just know right out of the box are going to be a big NO. Either I hate the color or pattern, I can tell it's going to be too big or too small, or it's just completely not my style.

But here's the thing... I still make it a point to try everything on. And on more than one occasion, something I thought was going to be a no turned into a YES.

One example is this maxi dress:

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I was not crazy about the pattern of this dress when I first opened the box. I didn't flat out hate it, I just thought it was a little too busy. But before I dismissed it, I decided to try it on. And within minutes, I knew it was going to be a keeper.

The first thing I noticed was that it was SO comfortable. The second thing I noticed was that it fit perfectly. That is VERY rare. I'm only 5'2" so most maxi dresses are way too long on me, and are also too clingy or too baggy. This one was a petite size, and was made specially for Stitch Fix. (For my fellow short ladies, Stitch Fix offers petites, and you can specify what type of clothing you'd like in petite sizing. For example, I request petite-sized dresses, but regular sized tops and pants.)

The dress fit well overall, but the thing I loved most was the hemline.

My 4 Best Stitch Fix Tips

See how it hits just above my feet? That NEVER happens.

I'm still not 100% in love with the pattern, but it's grown on me. And because of its fit and comfort, this dress has become one of my Stitch Fix favorites.

Tip #2: Spend some time accessorizing.

One of the things I like best about Stitch Fix is having the chance to try on everything in my own home...with my own mirror and my own shoes, jewelry and accessories to play around with. It's so much better than standing in a dingy, florescent dressing room, and trying to guess how something is going to pair up with the clothing and accessories I have at home.

This green top came in my most recent fix. When I first saw it, I wasn't terribly excited. I liked the color, and it had a nice little button-down detail in the back, but I thought it seemed a little boring.

My 4 Best Stitch Fix Tips

Despite thinking it might be "meh," I stuck to my rule and tried it on. I immediately loved how it fit. It's the perfect length (which, again, is hard to achieve when you're 5'2"), and it could be worn over jeans or fitted black pants. I was still a little bored, though.

My 4 Best Stitch Fix Tips

So I played around with some necklaces and different shoes. And after I'd made it into a full "outfit," then I knew it was a keeper. This top is never going to the most exciting thing in my wardrobe, but it's a pretty color, it fits great, and I already know what to pair it with.

My 4 Best Stitch Fix Tips

Here's another example...

I received a flowy tank top in one of my fixes over the summer. I really liked the color and pattern of it, but the fit was a little bit off. The length was good, but the arm holes were a little too big on the sides. I was sad about parting with it because I did like it, so I decided to put some things over it to see if I could get it to work.

I had a denim jacket in my closet that looked nice over it, as well as a thin grey cardigan. AND I also discovered this little silk jacket that worked really well.

My 4 Best Stitch Fix Tips My 4 Best Stitch Fix Tips

See...the arm holes are no longer an issue! I don't know if I'll ever wear this top on its own, but it's breathed new life into three other things that I already owned. (Sorry for not including a photo with the other jacket and cardigan, but my selfie-taking patience was wearing really thin.)

Tip #3: Get specific with your stylist.

Before each fix, you'll have an opportunity to write some notes to your stylist about what you do or don't want in your fix. Usually I'll be sort of open-ended with my requests (aka: I'd like some tops that would look good with skinny jeans and boots). But once in a while I get really specific.

A few weeks ago, I saw a sleeveless cardigan online that I fell in love with. When it was time for my next fix, I wrote a note asking for a sleeveless cardigan. And they sent me one. The one they sent wasn't exactly like the one I'd seen, but I really, really love it nonetheless.

My 4 Best Stitch Fix Tips My 4 Best Stitch Fix Tips

My 4 Best Stitch Fix Tips

I can already tell that this cardigan will be one of my favorite things to wear this Fall and Winter. It's so soft and cozy, but not too bulky or hot, which is perfect for Houston weather.

I don't know if I ever would have received something like this if I hadn't directly asked for it. So if there's something in particular that you're interested in, make sure to ask! And if you're on Pinterest, you can set up a board to pin photos and ideas to give your stylist even more guidance as to what you love.

Even if you don't name specific types of clothing, just throw some details out there...maybe a certain celebrity whose style you admire, the type of occasion you usually dress for, or a color you like. The more info you can give, the better your fix will be.

Tip #4: Take your time.

When you get your fix, you have three business days to decide what you're going to keep and what you're going to send back. I recommend taking most of that time to make your decision.

In my last fix I received a necklace that I liked right out of the box. I was pretty sure I was going to keep it, and I even found a few things that it matched with.

My 4 Best Stitch Fix Tips DSC_0292

But after about two days, I was kind of over it. If I'm going to invest in a piece of jewelry (even a fairly inexpensive one) I want it to be something I'm excited to wear over and over again. If I'd made my decision on the first day I probably would have kept it, but ultimately I felt better about my choice to send it back and hold out for something I really loved.

If any of you guys have any of your own Stitch Fix tips to share or any questions, fire away! And if any of you are interested in trying out Stitch Fix, I'd greatly appreciate you using my affiliate links throughout the post.

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Laura @ Little Bits of Granola

Wednesday 30th of December 2015

Alyssa, I hate taking selfies too. Is this an INTJ thing?? I don't know, I just feel completely ridiculous when I do it!!! I have been seriously thinking about updating my wardrobe after Baby #3 is born and I really hate shopping in stores. But I also need to try everything on! I am totally going to try out Stitch Fix - probably next spring or early summer!

Alyssa

Wednesday 30th of December 2015

It's perfect if you hate shopping in stores, and even more perfect when you have littles at home! I wish it had been around when my kids were babies -- it was so rare that I could actually go out and shop in peace! I have more time to shop now, but I still love using Stitch Fix for the fun factor, and the convenience of trying everything on in my own home without anyone knocking on the dressing room door and asking me "how I'm doing." ;)

Ruthie

Sunday 27th of December 2015

I got my first fix the day before Christmas and I love it all. I kept the whole thing and look excitedly forward to the next. I kept the cards showing different combinations and pinned them to the wall in my closet. I can't wait to start making other combinations from the pieces I received.

Alyssa

Wednesday 30th of December 2015

So glad you love it! I also love seeing how they put things together in the cards they send - I always get new ideas.

Jenn

Friday 11th of September 2015

Wow! I really love what you received from Stitch Fix! I have never tried it, and here's why: when I see bloggers post about their fixes, almost every single time, they talk up Stitch Fix, and then don't like any of the items they've gotten! But I appreciate your perspective, and haven't really thought about the concept that you get to try clothes in the comfort of your home with your own accessories and shoes! That's pretty cool. Plus you got really cute stuff - I love that sleeveless cardigan!

Alyssa

Friday 11th of September 2015

Thanks for commenting, Jenn! I think the whole idea of trying things on at home is my favorite part of the service. I know I can always bring things home from the store and try them on (and return if I don't like it), but with Stitch Fix I'm forced to try on things I might normally pass over without a second thought -- and some of those have turned out to be my favorite. I definitely have not loved everything I've gotten from them and some things miss the mark in terms of style and/or size, but I really love the items that I've decided to keep, and so far there has only been one time when I haven't kept at least one thing.

Denay DeGuzman

Sunday 6th of September 2015

Oh, my goodness! What lovely selections you received. I love the maxi dress and the green top the best, followed by the sleeveless cardigan. I am 5'3" and I have NEVER found a maxi dress that wasn't made for a giant. I'm going to look more into Stitch Fix and see if it could be a great fit for me too. Thanks for sharing AND for being brave and sharing some selfies.

Kari

Sunday 6th of September 2015

Hmm. I'd never heard of stitch fix. These boxes seem to be getting very popular.

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