StyleMethod® vs. Subscription Boxes: Which Fits You?
May 26, 2025 | Amy Salinger
Monthly subscription boxes promise style delivered to your door—like Christmas morning for your closet. It sounds dreamy, but here’s the catch: will the pieces actually suit your style? Will they fit your body or just add to the return pile? With so many options out there, it’s time to ask—are they really worth it?
The short answer: yes… and no.
The real answer depends on the process, the price, and whether it truly works for you. That’s where StyleMethod® offers a smarter solution. Start with The Intro—a one-time, 90-minute virtual session ($695) that gives you clarity on your personal style, a wardrobe audit, and a custom shopping list that actually fits your life. No guesswork, no wasted time.
So… are you hoping your next box gets it right, or ready to work with someone who already does?
Let’s find out which option is best for you. Let’s dive a little deeper into each.
How Monthly Subscriptions Work
You want some new duds, but don’t feel like online shopping or going to a physical store, enter monthly shopping subscriptions. The process is definitely streamlined to make almost any “technically capable” consumer’s life easy. How it works can be typically be summed up in 4 steps:
1. Fill out the Style Quiz
This is your moment to let them know everything you ever wanted to about what you love. And what you don’t. The main issue you may face is knowing what those things are. And knowing if what you love actually works on your body type. Add a Pinterest board to your account for specific visuals to help your stylist do a better job for you.
2. Get ready for your clothing to arrive
This is like Christmas morning for adults. Five shiney, new clothing items show up on your doorstep chosen for you by your stylist. And there is no shipping fee… It is typically a mix of clothing items and accessories based on your style quiz. The more specific you were in the quiz, the more specific the items will be. They also include outfit examples to give you an idea of how to use your new pieces. Remember, these are just examples for styling since you don’t own every item they are mixing together. You usually can set the delivery schedule to receive new clothes every 2-3 weeks, monthly, every other month or every 3 months. And you can cancel anytime.
3. How to return items
It’s pretty easy to return since they usually include a pre-paid label. Where it get’s a little tricky is that you typically only have 3 business days from when you receive the items to ship it back or you are charged for the entire box. Does this put the pressure on you to make a decision? You betcha, that’s why they do it.
If you decide to continue using Stitch Fix it is important to give your stylist feedback. You can review each stitch fix item in your account. This way your stylist can send more things you love next time. Your boxes will get better over time the more feedback you give. And if you still don’t love your new duds, you can request another stylist.
4. How much is it?
This varies depending on the subscription, but for Stitch Fix, there is no monthly fee, just a $20 styling fee per box if (and only if) you don’t keep anything. This fee will go toward anything you do keep. It’s a nominal fee that encourages you to keep at least one thing so you aren’t spending $20 on nothing. And then there is the incentive…. You will get 25% off of all 5 items if you keep all 5 items. Maybe you like 4 of the pieces but why not keep everything so you get a discount. Sound like you? Stitch Fix gets marketing, sales and everything in between. Unfortunately you end up keeping things you don’t love.
And then there was the mini Stitch Fix scandal. Why was a pair of shorts $68 on Stitch Fix and $24.97 at Nordstrom Rack? This is going to happen, you are paying for a service. The “free” personal styling is baked into the cost of the items.
So….. Are monthly clothing subscriptions worth it?
Not sure yet? Let’s dive a little deeper. You may have figured out by now that we are a luxury personal styling firm. So why is StyleMethod® offering a monthly clothing subscription review? And asking is it worth it? The answer is simple. Our shopping and styling services offer very different benefits, the question is what is better for you?
Are you an StyleMethod® client or monthly clothing subscription customer?
Not sure? It is as simple as answering 6 questions. Take a look at the statements below and choose which one of the two best describes you:
- I have VERY specific tastes and tend to be picky.
- I am extremely open to trying new things.
- I love shopping. I enjoy the search and finding things I adore.
- Shopping is NOT how I want to spend my free time.
- I want to check out lots of choices, I never know what I like until I see it.
- I am easily overwhelmed by too many options.
- I am not sure what looks good for my body type. Oh wait, what is my body type?
- I know what looks good on me.
- I keep buying things and then I don’t know what to do with them. Half my clothing still has tags on it.
- I look at my wardrobe and know where the holes are and what I need to buy.
- I pair my clothing together the same way every time. I feel like I wear a uniform.
- I love styling new outfits, but I could always use a “new eye”.
If you related to more #1 statements then it might be time to fill out the StyleMethod® style questionnaire and set up your complimentary 30 minute video chat! If you felt #2 statements described you better, you are a contender for either monthly subscriptions or StyleMethod®. All personal shopping services are definitely not designed the same. At StyleMethod®, we curate a luxury experience creating a customized wardrobe for you. We take all of the guess-work out of the equation, involve you as little or as much as you like and get it right the first time.
How StyleMethod® works
You want to look and feel amazing, but don’t have the time (or ability) to make it happen? StyleMethod® is a full service luxury virtual personal styling firm here to save the fashion day.
1. Fill out the StyleMethod® Style Questionnaire
It’s as easy as answering 4 multiple choice questions (we like to make things pretty stress-free). Once submitted, schedule your 30-minute complimentary video chat to discuss your wardrobe goals and propose service suggestions. Got questions? We answer all of them so you feel comfortable with the entire experience.
2. Choose your style adventure
We are here to offer our professional opinion on exactly how to get you to the style finish line most efficiently, but you are in the driver’s seat. You decide what online personal styling services (link to choose your style adventure) work best for your lifestyle and budget. We offer 3 stress-free options for you to choose from.
- The Intro is a 90 minute session to reveal your authentic style and build a wardrobe that fits your life and body perfectly.
- The Custom is a complete image revamp program developed by your StyleMethod® stylist curated from top to bottom based on your needs. Sit back, relax and let your stylist do all the hard work!
3. Love your look
It’s official, you are obsessed with your closet. You get excited to get dressed everyday because you just look at your digital wardrobe to choose an amazing outfit. You wear 100% of your wardrobe and you never say, “I have nothing to wear” again!
4. How much is StyleMethod®?
That totally depends on you, your specific needs and how you would like to get to the finish line. We offer everything from a single session to a complete image revamp. We work with you to create the best plan for your lifestyle and budget. StyleMethod® totally understands that everyone’s personal needs are completely different and we want you to be comfortable with the entire process.
The Verdict: Are monthly clothing subscriptions worth it?
What kind of client are you—someone spending time on a subscription box hoping they’ll get it right, or someone working with StyleMethod® knowing we will?
Stitch Fix Customer:
- Fill out a quick quiz and hope the stylist gets it right
- Pieces are picked without knowing what’s already in your closet
- You try on, return most, repeat
- It’s fast—but often a gamble
- Great if you have time and like being part of the process
- Trendy, transactional, and hit-or-miss
- Works better when you enjoy shopping
StyleMethod® Client:
- Outfits and shopping are curated based on your real life and body
- No more guessing—everything aligns with your style goals
- Saves you time, stress, and styling mistakes
- You don’t have to be hands-on—your stylist handles it all
- High-touch, expert-led, and fully personalized
- Built for people who want confidence without the scroll
- Not sure how to build your wardrobe properly
- Ready to outsource style dilemmas
- Spend free time having fun
- Eager to get it right the first time
Remember, you know what works for you
But….. Working with StyleMethod® is more than a wardrobe upgrade—it’s a lifestyle shift. If you’ve ever stood in your closet feeling overwhelmed, spent hours scrolling just to end up buying something you barely wear, or tried a clothing subscription only to send everything back, you’re not alone. Those services keep you in a cycle of guessing, reacting, and settling. StyleMethod® ends that. We don’t just send you clothes—we teach you how to dress with intention. Your style becomes clear, your outfits make sense, and your closet finally supports your real life and body. No more impulse buys, no more closet clutter, no more wondering what actually looks good on you. With StyleMethod®, getting dressed becomes effortless—and confidence becomes your daily default.
Not ready to fully commit?
You don’t have to dive in all at once—The Intro is the perfect first step to experience the power of working with StyleMethod®.
This one-time, 90-minute virtual session ($695) is designed to kickstart your style journey with clarity, ease, and expert guidance—no matter where you live. Together, we’ll uncover your authentic style, assess what’s working (and what’s not), and identify exactly what your wardrobe needs to reflect your life, body, and personal aesthetic.
Instead of spending $695 on a few pieces you might only wear once…
What if that same amount gave you:
- A clear set of personal style adjectives to guide every outfit
- A wardrobe audit based on your lifestyle and body type
- A personalized, strategic shopping list
- Style confidence and direction—without the overwhelm
- The option to continue into our custom, private client service if it’s the right fit
Your closet already holds so much potential—The Intro shows you how to finally unlock it. Get started here!