This is my fifth box from Stitch Fix! I had so much fun trying on these items, and there were some keepers! I still focused my request on ethical/U.S.-made made pieces, rather than specific styles, and there were more in this Fix than in my previous boxes. While my stylist claimed all 5 pieces were ethical, sustainable, or made in the US, I wasn't able to verify that myself for some items. Here's the run down on what I got, what I kept, and what I thought.
{Stitch Fix Basics: Stitch Fix is a style box of 5 items chosen for you by a stylist and delivered to your door! A style survey tells your stylist about your style, size, and price point preferences. The stylist fee is $20, which also includes shipping and return shipping, and is credited toward any items you keep from your Fix! You can get Fixes every few weeks, monthly, every other month, or every 3 months. You can share links to your Instagram and/or Pinterest board to give your stylist ideas of what you like. You can also leave a note for your stylist about what types of things you might like to see in your next Fix. If you want to try it out, this link will get you $25 off any items you keep from your first box!}
How to determine if it's a good zip-front hoodie: Does it look good over what I'm already wearing? I already had on this tee and jeans, and just added the hoodie. I thought it looked okay, so it passed the first test. Joules has a relatively well-rounded social responsibility and manufacturing statement, a "Modern Slavery Statement" (required by UK law), and is a member of several groups and initiatives promoting better sourcing and supply chain practices. Besides having policies, according to the website, the factories and suppliers are audited annually by a third party and receive training on improving their standards. You can read more about the company on their website (particularly the UK site, rather than the USA site). I ended up keeping the hoodie, and plan to get a lot of use out of it this fall!
I've received this brand from Stitch Fix before, and have the same issue this time. The Loveappella site proudly claims their products are made in Los Angeles, but the Stitch Fix pieces apparently aren't, and manufacturing ethics aren't addressed on the brand's site. It might be something to contact them about, were I considering keeping the product. (Side note, this was labeled "Made in Mexico of US components," which I found interesting.) Regardless, it wasn't love, and the dress was too small and a bit short for my preferred maxi length.
This skirt was cute, but I didn't love any of my tops with it. The real deal-breaker style-wise though, was the fold-over waist band didn't want to stay in place on my figure. I could not find any manufacturing info about Max Studio.
Loved both of these pieces! I wear jeans a ton and always use them until they wear out. I enjoyed reading about DL1961's sustainability practices on their site, including cotton sourcing and several techniques that result in safer, cleaner environment for garment workers. I wish they had more to say about fair wages and work environment though. Another thing I didn't like is that they promote themselves as a "New York-based brand," but that really doesn't mean anything about their standards. Even on the tags in the garment, the "Made in Pakistan" label was in tiny print on the last tag, buried behind several other tags. When brands do this, to me it seems intentionally misleading, keeping people from noticing where things are actually manufactured. I decided to keep the jeans, but honestly probably won't buy from this brand again, as I'd rather support a company focused on people (or, you know, both people and the environment).
(Update in September: Bummed about how the jeans are holding up. Went from worn patches to holes in one wash - which is why I usually go for less distressed denim. Also, they are losing color VERY fast. Still cute, but aren't going to last as long as I would want, especially as the most expensive pants I've ever owned. However, the color fading also has me wondering if most of my other jeans have been dyed more "chemical-y." Something to look into sometime.)
The sweater is that mustard/marigold color I can't get enough of lately, plus I love the little contrast edge at the wrists. This was the first Fix that I didn't research the brands myself before I did my returns, so I kept this based on my stylist's statement that the brands in this fix were all ethical/sustainable/made in the USA. The Absolutely brand is made by Creative Worldwide, whose website states they manufacture in the US. However, the sweater is actually labeled "Made in China" and the company website doesn't mention anything about their international manufacturing. If I had looked into this before mailing my returns, I would have returned the sweater, so lesson learned for the future. I'm not impressed with these companies that are saying one thing on their sites, but obviously doing another in practice.
I'm going to be changing my scheduled Fixes to every other month. I can't deny the fact that, even though it's fun, I really don't need five new items of clothing to try on every month, even if I don't keep them all. Also, while it's interesting to research or read about the ethics (or lack thereof) of the different brands I receive, there are other uses for my time. I would rather do more with my existing wardrobe or using brands I know and trust. What do you think?