Stitch Fix

Have you tried Stitch Fix? I know it's been featured all over the blog world and Pinterest, I actually read about it in an issue of Southern Living a few months back.

I was skeptical at first, but if I'm being totally honest most of the clothes I own were bought in high school, some in college. Being in the working world and a "real grown up" now, I thought, why not give it a try and let someone else (presumably a grown up) pick out a few age appropriate pieces for my wardrobe? So I did.

Here's what I think so far:

1. It can be a little pricey. You have some control in this area, though, as you can set your own preferences in regards to the price you would be willing to pay for an item of clothing in each category (i.e. dress, tops, bottoms, accessories, etc.).
2. Another person, with tastes that no doubt differ from your own, is picking out the clothing for you to try. This means you may not love every piece included in your shipment. It also means that your shipment will include pieces that you would not normally pick (which in my case is exactly what I was hoping).
3. The fit has been pretty spot on every time. I am terrible at buying clothing in the right size, ask any of my friends or family. I think way too long term when it comes to any decision, I want the best return on my investment, so to speak. If there's a chance the jeans will shrink, if there's a chance I'll gain 5 pounds over Christmas, if there's a chance I'll want to wear layers or thick socks, I will always size up. I almost always size up. Needless to say, most of my wardrobe has a rather baggy fit. Stitch Fix takes all of the guess work out of ordering online and forces me to try clothes in my size, even if I'd never believe it to be my size on my own in a clothing store. 
4. I am more relieved than I thought I would be by the fact that I do not have to go into a store with one particular brand or theme, search for something that's my style, find the right size, try it on in a public fitting room, wait in line, and then find that the top doesn't actually really go with those pants and just hold on to it hoping I'll find some way to wear it, until I end up giving it away in one of my regular Goodwill purges.
5. It is really nice to try on the pieces with items I already own and walk around in them a bit, see if they really are "me." I feel like I have plenty of time to make a good decision, and then when it's time to make the purchase and give feedback, it's really easy to sit down and type up my honest opinion of the clothing. Feedback which will be read and taken into consideration when compiling my next fix.

All in all, I've enjoyed this service. I actually have not gone into a clothing store since subscribing. If you want to check it out, here is my personal referral link. Stitch Fix has no idea who I am, other than a random customer, but I do get "store" credit if you sign up using that link.

I tried Birchbox for a while, a similar subscription service with samples of professional beauty products, and that was fun, too. Just to get a fun package with a little surprise in the mail once a month, what my mom would call a sursey. I don't use professional beauty products nearly as often as I wear clothing, so I discontinued use after I'd accumulated enough product samples to fill the cabinet in the guest bathroom. If you're interested in a sursey subscription of your own, I've kind of enjoyed checking them out.