Stitch Fix has popped up in a lot of people’s Facebook ads lately, and at the beginning of April, I decided to give it a try. If you haven’t heard of it, here’s the description the company gives on their website:

Stitch Fix is an online styling service that delivers a truly personalized shopping experience, just for you. Fill out your Style Profile and a personal stylist will hand pick pieces to fit your tastes, needs and budget—and mail them directly to your door. Each box contains five items of clothing, shoes and accessories for you to try on at home. Keep what you love, send the rest back in a prepaid USPS envelope. Shipping and returns are free—even for exchanges!

It sounded great. I have a hard time finding clothes that work on my body, and when I do, my choices don’t tend to be very adventurous. A stylist choosing my clothes seemed perfect, and the small fee of $20 per “fix” could be applied to anything I bought from that package. Your Stitch Fix profile even has a section where you get to link your Pinterest fashion board. I was excited to get something that would match my personality and body. I filled out a profile (noting that I wanted some stylish and simple pieces to wear when I study abroad in Spain, some high-waisted jeans and jean shorts that fit my high hips, and some cute professional clothes—as well as asking for my items to be as cheap as possible because I’m a struggling college student), paid, and waited.

My first fix was disappointing to say the least.

I pulled out each item one by one, growing more and more frustrated. As someone with curves (something I noted), I expected to get clothes that showed off my small-ish waist. Instead, I got a top and a dress that were loose and flowy, hitting just my bust and hips to make me look a lot bigger than I was. I also got a necklace that was okay-looking but not worth the price and a pair of high-waisted shorts that didn’t get close to reaching the top of my hips. I didn’t even bother trying on the jeans because they were way out of my price range. Lamenting the fact that I couldn’t use my $20 credit towards anything, I returned the whole package and left feedback about why none of it worked. I figured that this was a loss.

Then, to my surprise, I got an email shortly after asking if I wanted to try a free Stitch Fix to make up for the one I disliked so much. I figured I didn’t have anything to lose, so I ordered another fix (after updating my profile to elaborate that I really need most of my clothes to hit my waist even if it is really high).

With low expectations, I opened my next fix to be pleasantly surprised. It had a pair of jeans, two shirts, a tunic, and a dress. I tried the tunic on only to immediately put it in the returns bag because it really wasn’t for me. One shirt was a halter top that I might have liked if it weren’t for the pattern which, again, wasn’t for me. However, the super high-waisted jeans and professional blouse were exactly what I was looking for. I was pleased to note that my stylist had figured me out. The dress, though, was really the kicker. It was an off-the-shoulder blue maxi dress that fit me perfectly but that I gave no indication I needed, and I knew immediately that my stylist dug deep into my Pinterest to find out that I’m obsessed with that style even I’m too nervous to buy it for myself. This fix was finally tailored to me.

Unfortunately, I kept the jeans and sent everything else back. The three things I liked added up to $200 total, and I couldn’t justify spending so much on a dress I had probably three occasions a year to wear and a blouse that was so see-through that I’d need to wear another shirt under it. The jeans were still expensive, but I knew I’d get my money’s worth by wearing them for a long time until they wore out. In the end, the last thing Stitch Fix struggled with was my budget.

I might use Stitch Fix again the next time my closet needs a change, but I can’t afford to keep up with their scheduled fixes. Another downside is that you can’t go back and order something you got in an old fix, just request it again in a new fix, so I can’t easily change my mind on things I returned before. That’s tough for someone as indecisive as me who needs to take the full three days offered to decide on what to keep and even then, feels unsure about the decision. Along with that, I wish I could look through my old fixes and feedback to consider how I want to update my profile.

To anyone looking to try Stitch Fix, I’d say it’s worth it if you have the patience to let your stylist get to know you over your first few fixes and the budget to afford products that are on average $55 (even if you request the cheapest they have). For me, it’s a place to request statement and investment pieces that I wouldn’t mind splurging on, and I doubt I’d turn to it if I thought a cheaper alternative would work just as well. Just be specific and honest, and you might get something you love.