As a New Mom, I Tried Stitch Fix to Revamp My Fall Wardrobe—Here’s How It Went

As a working mom, getting dressed in the morning was my least favorite activity. Between the toddler tantrums, 5 a.m. wake-up calls and a body that still doesn’t feel like my own, my chosen wardrobe had been reduced to two main categories: sweatpants and T-shirts (bonus points if one or both are free of mystery food stains). It was clear I needed a closet overhaul, and with my baby turning one and fall on the horizon, now felt like the perfect time.

With a hectic schedule and an aversion to fitting rooms, traditional brick-and-mortar was off the table. So, I turned to Stitch Fix—a personal online styling service that specializes in wardrobe building, delivering curated outfits right to your door with the help of seasoned Stylists.

Let's start with the basics: Stitch Fix is not a subscription—you can order a Fix (curated box) whenever you want or schedule regular deliveries. Newcomers start by filling out a style quiz, which helps Stitch Fix nail down your personal style, fit, budget and current lifestyle needs—do you head to the office five days a week or work from home in your favorite activewear? You'll provide your height, weight and body shape, along with fit and category preferences—are there patterns you can't stand or certain fabrics you'd like to avoid? Once complete, you’re matched with a (human!) Stylist who will curate your look and box up your pieces.

You can schedule a one-time shipment or set up a recurring delivery at your preferred cadence (monthly, quarterly, etc.). If you’re looking for something specific or need an outfit for a special occasion, you can even send your Stylist a note before each shipment. For my first few Fixes, I kept it simple, informing my Stylist that I’m a recent mom looking to revamp my wardrobe for fall, with a focus on comfort and versatility.

If you’re not a fan of surprises, you can preview your Stylist’s pulls prior to shipping and approve or reject anything you’re not feeling (Type A shoppers, you’re welcome).

Now for the fun part: After receiving your Fix, do yourself a favor and have a little Cher Horowitz try-on moment (complete with “Fashion” by David Bowie). Anything you love is yours to keep; just log into your account and check out. Anything that doesn’t work can be packed up in the provided prepaid return bag and shipped back free of charge. You’ll have three days post-arrival to send items back, but in case you’re traveling or want more time to decide, you can extend your try-on time via the website.

On top of saving me hours I’d normally spend browsing online (time I no longer have), my favorite part about Stitch Fix is that signing up is completely free and there’s no up-front membership or subscription required. You’ll only ever pay for the items you choose to keep (which for me, ranged in price from $50 to $200). Plus, the $20 styling fee goes straight towards your checkout total, so you really have nothing to lose. 

The directions for my Stylist (Leslie, hey girl) were simple: I needed timeless, comfortable pieces that could be mixed and matched with ease—using minimal brain power. As a newish mom, my goal was to revamp my fall wardrobe with pieces that would help me level up my style while still feeling like me. And now that I’m a few Fixes in, I can confidently say that my Stylist totally nailed it.

From knitwear to outerwear, no category was off limits, and in an effort to retire my usual sweatpants (at least during the work week), I shifted my focus to comfortable denim. These wide-leg Paige jeans have by far been my most worn item. The 31” inseam fits like a dream on my 5’6” frame, and the cotton material is buttery smooth without sagging or stretching out over time. I’ve paired them with countless outfits already, but some of my favorites include this striped rugby polo (in a trendy color combo) layered with this brown faux suede topper from the limited-edition Z Supply x Stitch Fix collaboration. And since my days typically involve running around town and racing after a wobbly new walker, comfortable sneakers are a must. I’ve been eyeing this pair from New Balance for months, so when it serendipitously arrived at my doorstep, I knew it was an instant keep.

For early morning daycare drop-off, I allowed myself to slip back into a cozy grey quarter zip, but to dress it up, I shrugged on an olive green trench with an oversized collar; a surprisingly versatile jacket thanks to its neutral (but not boring) hue. The cropped cut makes it way more wearable than a full-length trench, and since my hands are usually full carrying diaper bags and a clingy toddler, the massive pockets are much appreciated. To give the outfit a little pop of color, I slid into these red leather Veja tennis shoes; subtle and simple but oh so chic.

As the temperatures drop, I tend to live in sweaters, so this dark navy Alex Mill cardigan made me feel right at home. The chunky weave is perfect for the chilly days ahead, and pairs easily with a casual, true-blue jean. But the waxed canvas jacket by the same brand is the true star of the show here. The chocolate brown corduroy collar paired with the khaki shell and barn coat-style pockets are the epitome of fall. And I love the slightly oversized fit to ensure easy layering for turtlenecks, sweaters, sweatshirts and more.

The quality of the clothing and diversity of the brands available on Stitch Fix was a huge hit for me. From Madewell and Adidas to Barbour and Birkenstock, they truly have it all (and if you do feel like browsing online, you can purchase anything à la carte, no Fix required). As a mom, the convenience factor was everything, but I also appreciated that it gave me the chance to try certain styles and silhouettes I never would have pulled myself.

Stitch Fix helped me get out of my fashion rut, which gave me the confidence to start each day on the right foot, even if I only got four hours of sleep. Sure, being a mom is hard (and I may still be covered in mystery food stains), but now I look forward to picking out my outfit every morning—5 a.m. wake-up call or not.