Trunk Club vs Stitch Fix: Which Online Personal Styling Service Is Best for You?
Hey there, fashion friend! If you‘re like me, you love the thrill of discovering new clothes and accessories to refresh your wardrobe each season. But let‘s be real – who has time to spend hours browsing the racks or scrolling through endless online stores? That‘s where personal styling services like Trunk Club and Stitch Fix come in clutch.
Both will mail you a curated box of goodies to try on at home, keep what you love, and send back the rest. Easy! But with so many options out there, you might be wondering how Trunk Club and Stitch Fix stack up. Think of me as your style fairy godmother, here to break it all down for you.
Tale of the Tape: Trunk Club vs Stitch Fix
First, let‘s lay out the basics. Trunk Club is owned by Nordstrom and offers clothing from the same high-end and contemporary brands you‘d find in their stores. After filling out a style quiz, you‘re matched with a personal stylist who hand-picks 6-10 items for you based on your preferences and requests. You get a preview of your "trunk" before it ships and can swap out pieces. Each trunk has a $25 styling fee that‘s credited toward any items you keep.
Stitch Fix, on the other hand, is its own entity with exclusive in-house brands as well as pieces from a wide range of other labels. Their detailed algorithms (along with a human stylist) curate 5 items for you in each "Fix" based on an extensive style quiz. It‘s a bit more of a surprise since there‘s no preview, but they‘ll hone in on your taste over time. A $20 styling fee applies to each Fix and is credited if you keep anything.
By the Numbers: Brand and Product Selection
Let‘s talk brands. Trunk Club carries over 300 brands for women and 200 for men, so it‘s great if you‘re looking for designer pieces. Some fan favorites you might find in your trunk include:
- Women: Madewell, Rebecca Minkoff, Theory, Vince
- Men: Hugo Boss, Rag & Bone, John Varvatos, AG
Stitch Fix stocks a whopping 1,000 brands across the style spectrum, from casual to workwear to athleisure. I‘ve personally received items from popular brands like Free People, Madewell, Adidas, and Citizens of Humanity. They also have 30+ in-house labels that offer both trendy and classic pieces. Some of my faves:
- Women: 41Hawthorn, Market & Spruce, Pixley, Fairlane
- Men: Hawker Rye, Even Tide, Alesbury, 01.Algo
Here‘s a quick snapshot of the average price you can expect per item*:
| Item | Trunk Club | Stitch Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Tops | $50-200 | $20-100 |
| Dresses | $100-400 | $50-150 |
| Jeans | $150-300 | $50-200 |
| Shoes | $70-400 | $50-200 |
| Accessories | $30-300 | $20-50 |
*Based on my personal experience and research
As you can see, Trunk Club skews more high-end while Stitch Fix has a wider variety of price points. It really just depends on your budget and what types of pieces you‘re looking for.
Sustainability Snapshot: Eco-Friendly Fashion
If supporting sustainable and ethical fashion is important to you, both services have initiatives worth noting. Trunk Club has a "Re-Trunk" program that donates gently-worn returns to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. As part of Nordstrom, they‘re also working toward a goal of sourcing 70% of materials from recycled or renewable sources by 2025.
Stitch Fix has an impressive 80+ eco-friendly and sustainable brands, like Reformation and Patagonia. When requesting your Fix, you can even opt into specific values like organic cotton or recycled materials. According to their website, the average Stitch Fix item is produced with 50% less CO2 emissions compared to conventionally manufactured clothing.
Packaging and Unboxing: That New Clothes Feeling
This might seem minor, but the unboxing experience can really affect how special these services feel. When a Trunk Club box arrives, it definitely has that "treat yourself" vibe. The clothing is neatly wrapped in tissue paper and they include a handwritten note from your stylist along with styling suggestions for each item.
Stitch Fix has more of a standard brown box with your items and styling cards tucked inside. It‘s not quite as luxe, but I do appreciate that their packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable. And maybe it‘s the element of surprise, but I always get those Christmas morning butterflies opening up a Fix!
More Than Just Trunks and Fixes: Other Styling Services to Consider
While Trunk Club and Stitch Fix are the OGs, there are a handful of other styling subscription services that might pique your interest. Here are a few worth checking out:
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Rent the Runway – Clothing and accessory rentals for special occasions or everyday. Perfect if you‘re always chasing the latest designer pieces!
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Dailylook – Offers a styling service similar to Trunk Club with preview options and unlimited exchanges. They also have a huge range of sizes from petite to plus.
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Fashom – An affordable Stitch Fix alternative that lets you preview your items and only charges a styling fee if you don‘t keep anything. Great for budget-conscious shoppers!
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Wantable – Separate subscriptions for fitness, loungewear, and everyday style with 7 items per box. They cater to sizes XS-3X and have a stellar rewards program.
Of course, trying all of these could get expensive (and cluttered) real quick. My advice? Read reviews, browse customer photos, and take advantage of any discount codes for newbies before committing.
Final Thoughts: So, Which Service Gets My Style Seal of Approval?
Drumroll please…the winner of the Trunk Club vs. Stitch Fix showdown is…different for everyone! Okay, I know that sounds like a cop out. But really, it comes down to your personal style, budget, and what kind of shopping experience you‘re after.
If you‘re a loyal Nordstrom shopper looking to treat yourself to some quality investment pieces, Trunk Club is your guy. The high-touch service and curated preview options make you feel like a VIP. Just be prepared to shell out a bit more per item.
If you‘re wanting to upgrade your everyday wardrobe with a mix of familiar brands and new finds at reasonable price points, Stitch Fix has you covered. It‘s like having a cool, in-the-know BFF pick out pieces just for you. The element of surprise and variety can be really fun!
Personally, I find myself turning to Trunk Club when I have a specific event or splurge item in mind, and Stitch Fix for more regular wardrobe updates and trend pieces. Having both in my style toolkit makes me feel like I have a whole team of fashion experts in my corner.
At the end of the day, you really can‘t go wrong with either service. It‘s all about finding the one that fits your needs and makes you feel like your best self when you open that box. Because let‘s be real – is there anything better than slipping on a killer new outfit and thinking "damn, I look good"? I think not.
So go ahead, give Trunk Club or Stitch Fix (or both!) a whirl and report back. I‘m always here to dish on the latest and greatest in the style service world. In the meantime, happy shopping!
Xoxo,
Your Style Bestie
