For the uninitiated, here’s the low-down on Stitch Fix:

• Register with Stitch Fix and complete a style survey based on your sizes/measurements/likes/dislikes/current lifestyle/etc.
• Choose a date for your first “Fix.”
• Pay a $20 styling fee for a stylist to review your survey, blogs, Pinterest boards, etc.
• The stylist chooses five items and sends them to you directly.
• Try on all of the pieces: keep what you want, send back what you don’t in a prepaid shipping envelope.

If you buy any one to four items from your Fix, then SF will take off from the total the $20 styling fee they charged you originally. And if you decide to keep all fives pieces, then they take off the $20 fee AND an additional 25% off the total price, which is simply awesome.

Now, to the Fix review!

I was at first dubious about the SF’s claim that you get a personal shopper with their business. Why? Because I had to go through five (FIVE!!) other shoppers before Alessandra stepped in and finally seemed to get what I wanted. She understands my quirky mixing of romantic and professional, my love of “organic patterning” (which means, really, no trendy chevrons?), and how I seem to bounce between floaty and fitted on a whim. If you read this, Alessandra, THANK YOU!

I think I must have changed my note to my stylist at least a dozen times! I’m too verbose, and too picky, so I edited it repeatedly until I made myself stop. I finally settled on this, figuring direct requests were best:

That was Monday night. By Tuesday early afternoon, when I logged in again (yes, crazy lady), my Fix was in progress. Then, within hours, I had an email saying my Fix shipped and was scheduled to arrive TWO DAYS EARLY! (Again, Alessandra is amazing!)

My Fix arrived Thursday morning, bright and early. I couldn’t wait and tore into it — and I loved the color selection!

Here’s the note and style cards for anyone interested. I love how Alessandra directly addressed my requests!

Piece #1: Kut from the Kloth’s Caleb Dress ($98)

I love the watercolory floral pattern of this dress. It reminds me a Donna Morgan dress that SF featured in the spring: both are bright, whimsical and perfect for warm weather. While the print was lovely and the fabric was silky and luxe, the sizing was all off. This is a size 12 — my normal — and it’s easily a size, maybe two, too big for me.

While I did track this dress down elsewhere online (and for $20 more), I decided to email SF about exchanging it for a smaller size. They told me that they were out of 10s, but could supply an 8. I originally said I would take an 8 and hope for the best, but then changed my mind and decided to get the dress elsewhere ($20 more, but free shipping and exchanges). I’m planning on wearing it to a wedding in August and don’t want to risk it not fitting — and, simply, being out $98. Returned.

Piece #2: Brixon Ivy’s James Laser Cut Dress ($78)

Perfect! It fits snugly on the top, but then bells out just right to a flared skirt. I was a little concerned when I saw that this was in my Fix because SF sent me a dress in the same cobalt blue last summer, but I’ve put on some weight and it doesn’t fit quite right currently. (Oops!) This has enough interesting detailing between the laser cut outs and the gap in the back to make it worthwhile. It’s also a nicely made dress for this price point. I’ve styled it here two different ways — one for going out and another for work. Kept!

Piece #3: Mystree’s Serratoga Lace Trim Damask Print Tank ($48)

I like this shirt much better in photos than I do in person. My first thought when, online, I saw I was getting it: “Nope, nope, nope.” This is technically called “navy” on the packing slip, but it falls awfully close to black and white, which I specifically asked to not receive. Plus I didn’t like the pattern much or the lace at the neckline when I pulled it out. Then I put it on and it was rather shapeless on me. Don’t get me wrong, the fabric is deliciously soft against the skin — but I can’t spend $48 on a “fancy blouse” only to want to nap in it. Returned.

Piece #4: 41Hawthorn’s Breyson Split Neck Pleated Sleeveless Blouse ($54)

I had asked for golden yellow, but Alessandra said that they didn’t have anything in stock that shade, so she sent this. I surprisingly liked the color quite a bit — it’s bright and buttery, not garish or harsh. (And I think it looked really good with my hair.) With a specific bra on (ha!), this fit me perfectly, but the fabric was scratchy (kind of like $15.95 blouses from H&M that fall apart after a wash or two). Returned.

Piece #5: Mavi’s Hattie Skinny Jean ($98)

Yeah, you’re not getting a picture of these on me. These are a size 31, the pant size I wear at the usually-runs-a-little-large LOFT. Simply: I can’t get these on past my knees. (C’mon, ladies, you’ve all been there too!) I liked the color a lot out of the box, until I realized that, when I tried pulling them on, they were deceptively similar to my skin tone. Hm… Skin-tight, skin-toned pants I can’t pull up? Returned.

Hit or miss? More hit than miss, but not perfect. I got, mostly, what I asked for: two flirty dresses, two sleeveless blouses, and colorful jeans. Only one item — the damask blouse — was a flop. In the end, I’m leaving with one SF purchase and a purchase elsewhere but of the same article. I’ll also just come out and say it: I don’t mind when some items are flops — my bank account is happier when I only buy one or two pieces!

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(Full disclosure: Stitch Fix did not ask or endorse me in any way to write a review of their service. If you click through the links above though, I will receive a $25 credit when you order your first Fix.)