my problem with Stitch Fix

"Our goal is to make shopping fun, effortless and empowering for busy women on the go.  We believe if you feel confident in how you look, it affects your life in positive ways.  From leading a meeting to laughing with loved ones, confidence has a way of boosting everything and everyone around you.  At Stitch Fix, we're here to make getting dressed simple and rewarding, so you can focus on being your best self."

This was made for someone like me.  Not that I ever had all that much fashion sense to begin with, but after two kids and a few extra pounds, I was left with no knowledge of how to dress my new shape and very little confidence. I really thought that stitch fix was coming to my rescue.  I was so excited to receive my first fix.  So excited.  I think I kept 3 of the 5 pieces.  It's not important, really.  I continued to get fixes and some were amazing, one was terrible and this last one was where I finally put it together - I felt like they were dressing me like a chubby skinny girl.  Like, if I were skinny, these clothes would look good on me.  They'd look good on anyone.  But at my size, and in my size, not so much.

I started to think about the whole process and how it works.  Ironically enough, I just did some bathing suit shopping recently, something every chubby girl enjoys.  I've been in this Healthy Mom Lifestylers group where we've been working a lot on diet, exercise, image, etc and I've been taking my measurements regularly.  So I went to order this bathing suit online and for once, I looked at the sizing info and actually ordered according to what my measurements were, not what size I thought I should be based on my self knowledge (it's clear I don't actually know myself at all, anymore).  And let me tell you, the numbers were frightening.  I've never ordered such big number sizes in my entire life.  And let me tell you something else.  That bathing suit arrived and I put it on and I've never felt better in a bathing suit since having my kids.  Even though I hadn't accepted the number size that I was, I felt beautiful and amazing.

And here is what I picture over at Stitch Fix.  I picture a skinny little fashion forward 20 something picking out my trendy outfits and just providing them in whatever size I say I am.  And here's the issue.  The size input is simply a number.  What is your pants size?  What is your shirt size?  Bra size?  Shoe size?  I can tell you right now sitting here that the shorts I'm wearing are a size 12, but I'm comfortable in size 10 jeans.  Nowhere was I asked to input my measurements and the things is, as women we all know that sizes are different based on brand, style, etc.  They sent me some Toms shoes in one of my fixes and they sent them in my shoe size.  Anyone who has purchased a pair of Toms knows that they run big so you need to order at least 1 size down. So that just makes it even more clear to me that they're not really using common sense while styling.

If I ran Stitch Fix, there would be an entirely different system.  There would be software.  I graduated with a degree in Textiles from North Carolina State University.  I know the software exists.  So there would be software that would require measurements and show what each body looks like.  If a woman is having trouble dressing her curves, let's explore her body shape and see how to make it look the most flattering. People study this.  People know this.  I don't, but people do.  Stitch Fix has several brands that are designed exclusively for them, so they really have the freedom to be making whatever they want, in whatever size, shape, style and color they want.

And here's the thing - with the extra weight that I'm carrying around, I feel like I should look to some plus sized stores to see what their models are wearing and how things look, to inspire me as to what I should be wearing.  Maybe I need to take a look at some magazines, some online publications, all of that.  Maybe I'm asking too much, but I think Stitch Fix should be doing this for me.  If a customer says she has extra belly weight and is uncomfortable as a result, pick out some middle flattering styles! Go back and ask Stacey and Clinton - get some rouching, color blocking, something.  Dress her for it!  If a woman is uncomfortable because of her flat chest, send her some giant necklaces and some tops with plunging necklines.  I don't know, I've always had huge boobs, I just assume that's what you do with a flat chest.  Uncomfortable with her thighs, well, this isn't my job, I don't know what kinds of things are flattering to shapely, no gap thighs, hence, why I signed up and asked for help in the first place.  This shouldn't be a one size fits all scene.  From what I've seen so far, that's really what it feels like.

These are some things I want for Stitch Fix.  I want to send a full body picture of myself.  I want to show you what I'm wearing currently and I want you to tell me what I should be wearing instead, to make me look my best.  Shoot, I'd even be willing to send you a picture of myself in my underwear so you can really see what my shape is like so you know how to dress it.  Birthing two children has clearly taken all of my modesty.  The only thing that gives me an option of uploading a picture is the app, and it needs to fit into this little circle shape, and this seems like a huge miss to me.  I want you to see my skin tone, my hair cut and color, how I wear makeup when I choose to, the length of my waist, all of it.  Next, I want you to shop for me based on my measurements. I think that things would be so much more likely to fit well this way.  Send me an XL instead of an L, if that's what will fit me.  I won't be upset, I'll be happy you made a decision and sent me something that fits my body.  Shit, for that matter, cut the size out - I can't go back and buy this stuff myself anyhow.  I don't need to know what size it is, I just need to know that it looks good on me and makes me feel beautiful.  I want you to really, truly listen when I say that I have two young kids and if you even consider sending me something that is 'Dry Clean Only' again, I will assume that we have made no progress and you don't know me at all.  My life is messy and does not get Dry Cleaned.  Please.  While we're at it, why not stick with one stylist per person?  That would give stylists a real shot at getting to know someone, instead of just getting to know them from feedback on previous fixes, picked out by other people.  Or here's a novel idea - how about pairing plus sized stylists with plus sized customers.  Do you have those? In the very least, just do your homework on how to dress every body shape and size instead of just "picking out cute clothes."

Clearly there is a need for this type of service.  When I initially signed up, there was a several month long wait list to get started (so I waited until after baby #2) and now you can typically get things within a few weeks of when you'd like.  So, I can see that you're responding to the demand.  And I'm not sure if this is part of the issue - maybe business is booming and so busy that the time simply isn't taken for each client and the staff can't keep up.  I'm not sure.  But what was promised to be a personalized experience, just didn't end up feeling like one and just left me feeling fatter and more self conscious than I was to begin with.  On a side note, I'd probably even be willing to pay a little money for a simple style guide on what I should be wearing, showcasing a model close to my size.  Just some food for thought.