It can be hard to make decisions. We’re constantly bombarded with SO many options daily that it can feel overwhelming. If you’ve ever thought of getting a clothing subscription box and Googled it, many different options would come up.
So, how do you choose which one to try without dumping your money down the drain through a bunch of duds? Well, unless you did want to be the subscription boxes guinea pig, we can help you out by testing and comparing subscription services so you don’t have to! That way all you have to do is make an informed decision.
To start out we will be comparing two clothing subscription boxes, Gwynnie bee and Stitch Fix. The difference between Gwynnie Bee and Stitch Fix is that Gwynnie Bee is a clothing rental service, so their closet is yours. Stitch Fix on the other hand sends you clothing items they think you may want to purchase based on your detailed style quiz. No more hours of in-store shopping necessary. Stitch Fix also does not require a monthly subscription, and Gwynnie Bee allows you to purchase anything you want to keep at a discounted price. But before I get too far ahead of myself, let’s get into the nitty gritty of both of these boxes.
tl;dr: We like Gwynnie Bee
How They Work
Both of these subscription services send you clothing that you can either buy or rent.
Gwynnie Bee
Want a rotating closet that keeps you in style constantly and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? That’s the dream right? Well Gwynnie Bee offers you just that! Gwynnie Bee is a clothing rental service that lets you ‘raid their closet’ and return the clothing when you want to. The ultimate big sister right?
So this is how it works. First, you browse through the various styles and brands, adding anything you want to try to your “closet.” After checkout, a box of the items will be sent your way, no leaving the house necessary. You can wear the items as much as you’d like, and you can keep them as long as you want. When you’re ready for some new styles, you can return items in exchange for more. Shipping and returns are always free!
If you really like something and want to purchase it, you can buy it from Gwynnie Bee for less than retail price. There are also great Gwynnie Bee member perks such as unlimited exchanges, thorough cleaning of clothing once it is returned, and new styles that are launched weekly.
Stitch Fix
Stitch Fix doesn’t do clothing rentals, but instead sends you clothing that they think you’d like based on your style quiz for you to purchase. To start with Stitch Fix you’ll take a very comprehensive (and fun) style quiz. The more descriptive you are the better because they will pair you up with a personal stylist and base your first box on your answers. They’ll also show you various outfits that you can rate to really hone in on your personal style. I will say that although the style quiz is so comprehensive, it may take a couple of boxes for your stylist to hit the nail on the head.
After you complete the style quiz, you’ll pay a $20 stylist fee which can be credited toward any purchase you make. Stitch Fix does not require you to have a subscription- that’s awesome! You can either decide the consistency in which you’d like to receive a box, or you can get a one time “fix.” Before your box is ready to ship you’ll get access to a preview of what’s coming. You can then decide if you want to accept or reject items before they ship. Once your box comes, you’ll have 3 days to try everything on. If that feels too aggressive, no problem! You can always extend the try-on window. Purchase what you want, and whatever you dont want, send it back- shipping and returns are free. Bonus! If you purchase everything in the box you’ll get 25% off the whole order.
Pros vs Cons
Here are the nitty gritty pros and cons of Gwynnie Bee and Stitch Fix.
Gwynnie Bee
Pros:
- Access to an unlimited closet.
- Free shipping and returns.
- Unlimited exchanges for sizing.
- Free dry cleaning.
- If you end up loving something, you can purchase it for less than the retail price.
Cons:
- Not a good service for one-time events.
- A personal stylist doesn’t pick out clothes for you.
- More pricey compared to other clothing rental boxes.
Stitch Fix
Pros:
- Comprehensive style quiz and personal stylist.
- Set a monthly budget for the clothes you’d like to purchase.
- No monthly subscription is required. Get your “fix” when you want!
- Lines for men, women, children, and maternity.
Cons:
- Quality can be inconsistent.
- Patience is key for the first couple of boxes until you and your stylist get into a groove.
The Cost and Perks
Stitch Fix has a lower monthly cost, and it doesn’t require a subscription, but you do need to buy the clothes you want to keep. Gwynnie Bee is more expensive but gives you a rotating closet without having to buy everything you wear.
Gwynnie Bee
Your subscription cost depends on how many clothes you want to receive in your monthly box. You can get 1 item starting at $49, all the way up to 10 items for $199/ month. Specific pricing is as follows:
- 1 item – $49
- 2 items – $69
- 3 items – $95
- 5 items – $139
- 7 items – $179
- 10 items- $199
Currently, Gwynnie Bee has a promotion where you can get your first month for half off. You can cancel this box at any time by calling their customer service line, or going through their app DoNotPay.
Stitch Fix
As touched on earlier, Stitch Fix requires a $20 styling fee per box, but that fee gets credited toward anything you choose to buy. A really cool thing about Stitch Fix is that you can set your budget for the items of clothing you’d like to purchase, and also, if you invite your friends you can get referral credits toward your account. If you decide you love it all and want to purchase everything in your box, get 25% off your entire order. So awesome!
What Style Of Clothes Can You Get?
Both clothing box services offer a wide variety of brands, styles and sizes.
Gwynnie Bee
At Gwynnie Bee you can rent clothing from well noted brands such as Vince Camuto, London Times, and more! They carry everything from dresses, to denim, to tops. Gwynnie Bee used to be a plus size service only, but is now more inclusive and has sizing options from 0-32. Gwynnie Bee will keep your wardrobe feeling fresh and stylish.
Stitch Fix
Stitch Fix carries selections from top brands such as TOMS, Dolce Vita, Cole Haan, Sperry, etc. You also have a variety of items to choose from (tops, slacks, shoes, etc), and sizing is as follows:
- Women’s 0 – 24 W (they have a Stitch Fix plus option)
- Men’s XS – 3XL
- Children 2T – 14
They also have a Maternity line and options for petites!
Final Thoughts
After looking at all the nitty-gritty details, it is our opinion that if you’d like to try a clothing rental service, Gwynnie Bee is the way to go.
They have a great service, free shipping and returns (always a plus), and If you’d like to keep anything, you can purchase it at a discount. Stitch Fix has always been a favorite of ours. It doesn’t require a subscription, the stylist fee goes towards anything you buy, and they have a very comprehensive and fun style quiz. These are both amazing services that help you update your wardrobe and stay in style. And those are the nitty gritty details.