We Tried Stitch Fix to See If It Was Worth the Subscription
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
THE WAY we men think about clothes has changed a lot in the last few years. For the lot of us, we end up...not getting dressed at all in the morning. Or changing into workout clothes and not changing out again. Or, it means wearing a pair of jeans or joggers to the office, because wow, even if it's just us in these comfy pants, we still get the work done.
While dress codes for men have been getting progressively more casual long before the pandemic, now they are on full display. Even Ted Stafford, our Fashion Director here at Men's Health and a lifelong style guy, thinks so. "I used to wear a suit and tie every day to work, even as suits were becoming less of the in-office rule," says Stafford. "But right now, working remotely or taking quick trips to the office, I am looking to feel good. I want to be comfortable."
Read more: Learn How Men's Health Tests Products
Comfortable used to be a style editor's cringe language—it meant sloppy, wearing lounge clothes in–gasp—public, and it was for the meek, not for the stylish. That's all over now. Comfortable is for the wise! But the question remains: how do you stock up on clothes that are both comfortable and stylish without breaking the bank?
Enter Stitch Fix, a clothing subscription service that also works like a personal styling service to help you find your wardrobe. Knowing that Stitch Fix has gone full force with performance and athleisure clothes from menswear brands we already know and love, Stafford decided to try it out himself to help expand his own wardrobe, which needed a few more pieces that looked as good as they felt.
Stitch Fix
stitchfix.com
How Does Stitch Fix Work
As a tech brand that curates clothes and offers personal styling services, Stitch Fix uses an algorithm and a real-life human stylist to learn your style and put together some pieces they think you'll like and deliver them to you. You keep and pay for what you like, and return what you don't.
We start the process with a survey/quiz on your style—and a pretty in-depth one at that—that will ask some basic questions like what colors you wear the most and what would you never touch, but they get into more complex ones, too.
"They are very thoughtful from start to finish," says Stafford. "I’m always the person who wants to get through the questionnaires as fast as possible. But in filling this one out, I was surprised how often I thought, 'Oh yeah, they should know this!'" These "they should know this" moments included how much money he'd normally spend on individual pieces of clothing, like T-shirts, jackets, or shoes. This kind of detail is essential for someone like Ted, who loves a good T-shirt deal but is willing to spend more for a durable jacket.
Pricing and Delivery
In each shipment, you'll get five pieces sent home. You try them on. You keep the ones you want and send back the ones you don't. You'll only get charged for what you keep—and the returns back are free. (There is a $20 styling fee for each Fix, which covers your expert’s time and advice. It gets credited to any items you keep.)
You're not tied to any recurring shipments, either, unless you want to be. Stafford, for example, wanted to start slow with just one shipment to see what he thought. He loved—and needed—almost everything he received, like the puffy Save the Duck vest and a pair of waterproof Danner boots.
He's contemplating when he'll get his next shipment, and he has a range of options to choose from. He can do it as a one-time thing or opt into a single fix every time he feels like it, or he can put deliveries on a schedule: every 2-3 weeks, every month, every other month, or every three months.
AI-Powered Personal Styling
Of course that first shipment is fun to go through. But that algorithm—and your stylist—gets to know you even better as you keep working with them. In fact, the true power of Stitch Fix is its algorithm: as we said, it asks you questions about your style, habits, and preferred activities, and a stylist curates a set of clothes to fit it. As you move through the process, keeping the clothes you like and ditching the ones you don't, your profile becomes smarter and better understands your taste. It's like your progressively improving Spotify weekly playlist, only for clothes.
Algorithms aside, the options are expanding, too. When Stitch Fix Men launched back in 2016, there were 50 brands and 160 fit and size combinations. Now? There are more than 1,000 brands and more than 800 of those fit combos, sizing up to 3X shirts and 48 x 36 pants.
How We Tested Stitch Fix
Our First Stitch Fix Box
After Ted received his first Stitch Fix box, he couldn't wait to test them out and do so outside. Some of his favorite pieces were ripe for all that socially distanced, outdoor activities he's gotten into. First on his list? A Save the Duck puffer vest, Danner hiking boots, and a waterproof The North Face jacket. These items were perfect for hiking, something Ted is into. Plus, they still look sharp enough to take him to brunch after that AM hike, without feeling like he's in anything too bulky.
When putting this outfit together, he took a note from Stitch Fix's Shop page. It's a sneakily helpful service for those looking to lean into certain looks or need a little help putting one together or what to pair together. It curates whole outfits (!!) around some of the pieces from your Fix. This was especially helpful for something like hiking boots—would they really look good with a flannel or pants that felt active but didn't look it? They sure did. And Ted didn't even have to try them on to know it. Plus, the combinations change, so you can look at it every time you need a new way to wear your favorite jacket.
Variety and Versatility of Clothes
While all that outdoor gear is great—and has already gone to good use—Stafford was also looking forward to trying out some pieces that hit the more performance, casual, and athleisure categories. Some of his favorite brands from this pick are Rhone, Four Laps, Public Rec, Bonobos, New Balance, and Stitch Fix's in-house brand.01Algo. "I love wearing the Rhone performance workout gear they sent when I 'm at home but going for a run or errand later," says Stafford. "And all of the pieces look great with a pair of the New Balance sneakers—and for either occasion."
One of the most important things Ted has been keeping in mind throughout this wardrobe refresh is clothes that fit the specific situation, which might include a Zoom meeting from home and then a quick photoshoot at the office. "They sent this great henley, which has become one of my favorite first layers," says Stafford. "You can be comfortable all day long on Zoom calls, but you can also go out and feel confident that you’re not in a ratty T-shirt." You can layer a sweater over it, or swap out joggers for a pair of jeans without having to take that henley off.
Another one of Ted's favorites for those work-from-home outfits is an athleisure-y feeling polo shirt, which provides even more structure than a henley. "The collar really makes it feel put together," says Stafford. "Plus, everyone's only seeing you from the chest up anyway, right? When you have that bit of structure, you can still feel like a guy who cares about the details. These kinds of athleisure fabrics never feel sloppy."
The Quality of Clothing
Ted's goal for his wardrobe refresh was to have some more items that he didn't dread wearing all day long, so he was picky about fabrics that perform, feel good, and actually last. And his items from Stitch Fix boxes delivered–most notably, on some of the softest, sturdiest fabrics he has worn. That includes a super soft Four Laps hoodie—mostly cotton with a touch of stretch—and Public Rec joggers, which feel stretchy but never stretch out. And that go-to henley from.01Algo? It's quick-dry, moisture-wicking, anti-odor, with UV SPF 40—and it's made from recycled water bottles.
"Even if I 'm not always in a suit, I still want to pay attention to the finer details of getting dressed," he says. "I appreciate that can find them in the softer jackets, unlined pieces, and stretchy shirts that Stitch Fix provides." That's because Stitch Fix's personal styling AI and stylists specifically curate from brands that have leveled up their fabrics without pulling down the fit and style of the pieces. "For example, the shirts and joggers have stretch, but it's not some weird, stretchy fabric," he says. "There’s an elevated sophistication to it. They’re always looking to make fabrics to make technical but look lifestyle and sharp."
More That We Love About Stitch Fix
There's one more bonus section Stitch Fix has under its sleeves: Extras. Well, Stitch Fix calls it Extras. But we think of them more like essentials since this section includes the wardrobe basics like socks, underwear, and undershirts. That way, when you buy an outfit, you're buying a whole outfit—and don't have to spend any mental energy completing the package. Ted was especially happy to see some of his favorite items here for easy purchase, too, like Mack Weldon's boxers and Tommy John's undershirts. "Now, we're really learning how to dress for the day and for how that day evolves," says Stafford. That means having button-down shirts and chino pants that can do remote work and in-person office days, and athletic socks and boxer briefs that'll support you at the gym right after.
Final Verdict
Our experience with Stitch Fix was exceptional. We received a mix of performance gear and versatile athleisure pieces that fit our lifestyle perfectly, thanks to Stitch Fix’s powerful personal styling AI as well as expert stylists. The variety and versatility of clothes also impressed us, and the quality of the garments exceeded our expectations with fabrics that performed, felt good, and lasted.
The convenience and flexibility of Stitch Fix are major selling points: the combination of algorithms and human stylists really took the hassle out of shopping by catering to our preferences, schedule, and budget considerations.
While the $20 styling fee as well as costs for individual items may seem like a small drawback, it's a reasonable investment considering the expertise and convenience you receive. Overall, with its customized approach and high-quality clothing, Stitch Fix is a subscription worth trying for any man looking to upgrade his wardrobe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can benefit from Stitch Fix?
Stitch Fix Men is a great choice for men who want to upgrade and stock up on their wardrobe without the hassle of traditional shopping. It's also great for guys who are always looking for comfortable and stylish clothes.
Can I choose the items I receive in my Stitch Fix subscription?
While you can't select specific items, you can provide detailed preferences in your style profile so that Stitch Fix's stylists and algorithm can use this information to curate personalized selections for you. You also can't directly choose specific brands, but Stitch Fix does have over 1,000 brands under its sleeves, including popular menswear labels like Rhone, Bonobos, and New Balance. The algorithm and stylists take your style preferences into account to curate a shipment that matches you and you only.
What if I don't like any of the items in my Stitch Fix box?
If you don't like any of the items in your Stitch Fix shipment, you can return them free of charge within a designated period. Stitch Fix even provides a prepaid return envelope for easy and hassle-free returns. While the $20 styling fee is non-refundable, if you decide to purchase any items, the fee will be applied as a credit.
You Might Also Like
