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Trunk Club vs. Stitch Fix—What’s the Best Personal Styling Service?

Anna Reilly
ByAnna ReillySep 2, 2020 | 21 comments

trunk club vs stitch fix comparison which is the best clothing subscription box

In the world of personal styling services, there are two heavy hitters—Stitch Fix and Trunk Club. Both companies make shopping for clothes easy and convenient. Both let you try before you buy. And both keep your unique sizing and preferences in mind, so that what you get matches your lifestyle. But is one better than the other? Which one is right for you?

My Subscription Addiction has been reviewing both services for years, meaning we've experienced the highs, lows, similarities, and differences between the two. If you're thinking of trying one of these popular styling services, check out our helpful breakdown before you dive in!

Table of Contents

Let's start with the basics. How do these services work?

On paper, Trunk Club and Stitch Fix work in similar ways:

Trunk Club is Nordstrom's personal styling service for women and men. When you sign up, you'll be paired with a stylist who'll get a feel for what you like to wear, what you're looking for, your price point, and of course, your sizing. Then, they'll curate a box of 6-12 pieces, which can include dresses, separates, shoes, and more, that you can try on in the comfort of your home. Keep what you like, and return the rest. (Shipping and returns are free!) Each "trunk" costs $25 to style, but that fee will go towards anything you decide to keep.

Sign up for Trunk Club here!

Woman-owned styling service Stitch Fix also serves women and men, as well as kids. Start by filling out a style profile, in which you'll share your tastes, budget, and sizing information with a Stitch Fix stylist. From there, your stylist will curate a collection of pieces to suit your needs. Try them on at home, keep what you love, and return the pieces that don't work out. (Shipping and returns are free!) Each "Fix" costs $20, but that fee will go towards anything you decide to keep.

Sign up for Stitch Fix here!

Do I have to get clothes every month?

Fun fact, both of these companies offer boxes as one-offs, or on a recurring basis if you prefer! That means you can get a single Fix or Trunk of styled clothes anytime you need one, like for an upcoming job interview or a special event. Or, you can choose a recurring styling schedule that fits your needs and lifestyle so that you're always keeping up with the latest seasonal trends.

How much does it cost?

Both services charge a styling fee for each order, but shipping and returns are free. You can also set preferences around what you'd like to spend on the pieces you receive.

Trunk Club costs $25 per "trunk" of clothing you request (and that fee goes towards anything you choose to keep). The clothes inside vary in price based on the preferences you set with your stylist, but pricing tends to start around $40 per item. Because Trunk Club is associated with Nordstrom, we've found that the clothes generally live up to their price point. (Think brands like Madewell, Theory, Original Penguin, and Vince.)

Our Tip:

Use your Nordstrom credit or debit card to waive the $25 styling fee!

Stitch Fix costs $20 per Fix you request (and that fee goes towards the pieces you choose to keep). Stitch Fix uses your budget preferences to determine which department-store-quality items are included in each Fix—their men's and women's clothes range from $25 per item, and their kids' pieces start at $10 per item.

Our Tip:

Keep everything in your Fix, and you'll get 25% off! (Remember, the $20 styling fee you already paid goes towards that purchase, too!)

What sizes do they offer?

Stitch Fix offers women's sizes XXS-3X, men's sizes XS-3XL, and kids sizes 2T-14. They also offer petite and maternity options for women.

Trunk Club offers women's sizes XXS-4X and men's sizes XS-3XL. They also offer a service called Trunk Club custom, which offers bespoke options at Trunk Club Clubhouses (their brick and mortar locations). And because Trunk Club is a Nordstrom company, you can pop into a Clubhouse or a Nordstrom store to have your pieces tailored!

Our Tip:

Because number/letter sizing can vary slightly between different clothing brands, we recommend being as precise about your sizing as possible when talking to your stylist. It never hurts to mention your measurements!

What kind of clothes can you get? What's the style?

With both of these services, the style of the clothes you get is ultimately determined by you! Whether you're looking for something sophisticated, bold, tailored, or comfy-casual, Trunk Club and Stitch Fix both offer plenty of options.

As mentioned earlier, Trunk Club pieces tend to mirror the quality of clothes you'd find at Nordstrom. The quality is really nice, even towards the less-expensive end of the pricing spectrum. They feature brands like RACHEL by Rachel Roy, TopShop, Kate Spade, and Free People. We love how fashion-forward the pieces are—get a better idea of the types of looks Trunk Club sends by checking out some of our recent reviews!

Stitch Fix also offers a broad array of brands that promise to match a wide variety of styles, from traditional to edgy. The department-store quality brands they include don't always have the same name recognition as the ones featured in Trunk Club (some recent brand names include Evolution by Cyrus, Emory Park, DM Collection, and Papermoon), but they're just as trend savvy! If you're in need of undies, Stitch Fix also offers something called Stitch Fix Extras—bras, panties, and other undergarments from top brands. Check out the Stitch Fix pieces our reviewers have received recently!

Our Tip:

Don't be afraid of over-explaining what you want to your stylist! Both Trunk Club and Stitch Fix give you lots of visual and written ways to communicate just the kinds of looks you're interested in. Be honest, and be thorough!

What's it like to work with a stylist?

The first step in signing up for Stitch Fix or Trunk Club is taking a fun quiz about your sizing, style, likes, and dislikes. Then, the company will match you with a stylist who will curate your box for you.

With Stitch Fix, you can leave a note for your stylist with any particulars you have about your Fix. You won't automatically be matched with the same stylist each time you place an order, but you can request them if you'd like. Your stylist will include a note about what they chose for you and why in each order, plus styling tips for making the most out of each piece.

With Trunk Club, you can call, chat, or email your stylist in addition to sharing your preferences in your quiz. The Trunk Club app makes communicating with your stylist super simple, but it's up to you how thorough you want to be. You can send them links to products or outfit ideas you're interested in, chat them with questions, and even send photos of yourself for fit and styling feedback. One of our favorite parts about Trunk Club is that your stylist will always give you the chance to preview what you're set to get before it ships. You have the chance to edit the box and remove items you know won't work for you, noting things you'd like your stylist to swap with something else. Or you can decline the entire trunk if you're really not feeling it, and you won't be charged the styling fee!

Our Tip:

With Stitch Fix, if you get a stylist you like, we highly recommend requesting them for future Fixes. (We have found that Trunk Club stylists typically stay consistent from trunk to trunk unless you request a change.) That way, your stylist can get to know your personal style, and get you better and better picks in each order! Leaving feedback on what you got also helps your stylists make better choices in the future.

How long do I have to try on the clothes?

Once you get your personalized box of clothes, you'll have a few days to try them on and decide which looks you want to keep.

Trunk Club gives members five calendar days to try on their pieces and send back anything they don't want. On the day you receive your trunk, you'll also get an email with handy tips for setting up a free UPS pickup. (You can also drop your trunk off at a Nordstrom or Trunk Club Clubhouse location to make your return.) Trunk Club has you use the same cardboard box your trunk picks arrives in for your return. You'll get a free return shipping label with your package, as well as super-sturdy tape strips that you can use to reseal your box.

Stitch Fix gives you three days to make your decision. Use their app or your online account to "check out", selecting which pieces you're keeping and which you're returning. Then, just pack anything you're not keeping in the pre-paid shipping envelope included with your fix and drop the USPS package at your mailbox or post office.

Our tip:

We like to set a calendar reminder for the day our returns are due in the mail as soon as our package shows up, just in case. Be sure to let customer care know ASAP if you think you'll need more time!

What if I like something, but it's not the right size?

This one's easy—both Trunk Club and Stitch Fix allow for size exchanges! Stitch Fix users can note what they need to exchange during the checkout process, and Trunk Club users can note what they'd like to exchange online or by letting their stylist know. (Just be sure to communicate your exchange within your try-on period.) Trunk Club also allows for color exchanges as well as size exchanges!

What other questions do you have about online personal styling services?

Let us know your burning questions! Have you tried Trunk Club or Stitch Fix?

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Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service for women, men, and kids too! You tell them all about your style and size preferences through their style quiz, and then they send you a package of carefully selected stylish goodies to try on at home. No two Fix shipments are alike and each one is ha... read more.
Anna Reilly
Anna Reilly
Anna loves collecting little treasures, be they pop-culture finds, handmade mementos, or new potions to put in her makeup bag. Beauty boxes got her interested in the subscription world, but now she's swooning for all things kawaii!

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21 comments

Jess

I just got both Stitch Fix and Trunk Club for the first time. I’m a fairly classic dressing person needing business casual attire.

Trunk Club, sadly, missed the mark on almost everything. I ended up keeping only a work-appropriate dress (with pockets!). The shoes just weren’t comfortable on my feet, and that is not their fault. They sent me 2 pairs of pants – neither had pockets! I get women’s pants sometimes don’t have pockets, but seriously, both pairs without? The tops were awful. I felt like my “do not wear” colors were what I was sent. Plus they were entirely too trendy and likely wouldn’t be worn past this season, were more than I would ever spend on tops and two were actually just purely and simply ugly.

Stitch Fix hit the mark with all items but one, and even that one was something I would wear on occasion, just not all the time. Everything else was on point with what I described as my style.

I was off on my top size with both, but sadly none of the Trunk Club items even made me want to exchange them for a different size.

For both: I wish there were questions about “dry clean only” items or things that need ironing, because I want wash and go items, no real extra effort required.

Negatives for both (for me personally): Trunk Club return via FedEx and Stitch Fix return via USPS. Both FedEx and USPS have a terrible track record with things I send.

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Rob

We signed our 15 year old up for SF (every other mo) since the nearest shopping to us is about an hours drive and fitting rooms were closed during covid19. She just got her 4th box and her stylist has pretty much nailed it every time. There’s been 1 shirt that she really didn’t like but her friend did so that became a gift. Now, in all fairness, my 15 yo is not typical, she’s more…classic I guess. Her closet is getting rather full so we’ll probably slack off but SF has been really good and a big hit!

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Elise

I’ve tried both services, Trunk Club once, Stitch Fix three times, and I prefer TC. I got more variety and the stylist and I messaged directly back and forth to make a few changes. I found that very helpful.

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Elizabeth

I had subscribed to both Trunk Club and Stitch Fix when Covid-19 hit and we were on an indefinite stay at home order. I have several family members using Stitch Fix who loved them so I started there. The first box was iffy but chose to not use the same stylist. At that time I tried Trunk Club. TC felt rushed to me with time constraints on choosing items. I don’t think my stylist and I clicked. By the time all was said and done, I received a box of 20 items or so and only one fit which I kept. I tried to communicate my best and it did not work out so I cancelled my subscription. 4 stitch fixes later, I have kept the whole box. My taste is simple, classic pieces that are comfortable and SF seems to fit my body well. I have been on the fence whether or not to try trunk club again with a different stylist. It was hard spending so much time to have nothing work. SF just sends things without a preview. I like the blind surprise box.

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Lynnie84

Truck club charged me $1025 for a Stella McCartney Tote Bag, come to find out it was fake and not worth $10. On top of that the stylist always change within the same trunk and do not communicate. I’ve tried them twice and both times was a horrible time consuming headache. Over four grand later I still don’t like anything they sent. It’s also too late to send back because it took to long to get it to me

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Olivia

Trunk Club was a terrible experience. I spent a couple hours with the stylist going through a lot of clothes so that she could learn my preferences. I bought a bunch of stuff from them and then my stylist left. I didn’t get any notification and my last order was as never delivered! When I spoke to customer service they treated me really poorly. Stitch fix has always treated me well

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Dot

I tried Stitch Fix a few years ago. The first box, everything was a hit. Box 2, all duds. Box 3, same thing. When I asked about specific pieces or styles, I was told my size limited what they could send. I was a size 16. I cancelled and never went back.

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tpop

I’ve only used Stitch Fix, for the last two years, but have kept quite a few items, maybe a dozen? You have to realize that various brands have different sizing, just like in any store. I don’t expect everything to fit, especially since I am plus size, and people carry their weight differently. It can be frustrating if something fits but isn’t in a color/print that you like, or vice versa. My biggest hint is to ask specifically for what you want, but know you may not get the exact item. This month, I asked for a specific dress I saw on Pinterest, but then said “or something similar.” The stylist sent two possibilities. I also asked for short-sleeved tops and she sent 3. They do have limited inventory, like any store, and I have basic, classic tastes, so I don’t know how other styles go. I never expect to like the whole box, it’s only happened once.

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Joy

I thought Trunk club was too pricey so I canceled. I did like some of the clothing that was sent to me and felt that they were good quality. Stitch fix is hit or miss for me; the last couple of boxes had been blah but I did have a few boxes in the past where I kept the whole box.

My favorite clothing subscriptions are daily look and le tote currently. I felt the styles were more catered to me and tend to fit much better.

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Alettep

I have kept a couple items from Stitch Fix but even with detailed likes/dislikes & showing pinned ideas from Pinterest, it always felt very generic to me. I did several and gave feedback but never felt remotely like they listened. Sizes were all over the place. I have not tried Trunk Club yet, but plan to this summer.

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Marcy

You can extend you check out date. I just took advantage of this because of the holiday.

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Erin

Hmm…what happens if your 3rd day with Stitch Fix is a Sunday? For instance, if you receive your box on Thursday the final day for your drop-off is Sunday and the post office tends to be closed. Anyone ever dealt with this? Three days is tight!

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Melissa

I don’t believe they count sunday as a day … I think they only count business days (so may take holidays into consideration, I don’t recall). My last box I got on Friday and I was due to check out by Tuesday. I believe there is a grace period between checking out and actually placing the items in the mail too.

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Melissa

*On Tuesday, so by midnight Tuesday prior to becoming Wednesday.

Lacey Volk

I don’t know the answer to that question specifically, but I do know you can just log into your account and it’s one button click to get extra time added. So it’s not like you have to chat/call someone from customer service to ask for an extension or anything like that, it’s pretty simple.

When I returned my last box, the mailman picked it up from work on the very last day of the return window, and it didn’t get scanned in by USPS until the next day… but it was not an issue.

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Lee

Which is best for business casual or business professional attire?

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Melissa

I don’t have any issues with stitch fix for business casual/professional attire. It’s mainly what I get. My last box included a blazer (most of mine do), gray slacks (most of mine include slacks of some sort, but sometimes jeans), a dress that is work appropriate, a second dress that is work appropriate and a different style than the other dress, and a work appropriate shirt. My stylist checks out my pinterest board and pays attention to my comments about items (like certain styles I prefer a size up, and she takes that into account). If I ask for something, she’ll try to find it but will note that if she wasn’t able to find what I was looking for (like TRUE capri length work appropriate pants for my short height). Sometimes it takes trial and error with a stylist – they may not get it right away and it could take a few boxes to pin things down. It may be worth trying both boxes for a few months and seeing which shakes out.

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louis peer

great comments and accurate on Stitch Fix. I have been using Stitch Fix for a year now and the 1st couple boxes were duds. I sent feedback, did the style questions and then started getting boxes I would keep SOMETHING from. A couple boxes i kept it all.

Ks

Trunk Club.

Stitch Fix only sends 5 items and seem to have limited inventory when it comes to specific items. For example, when I asked for athleisure, I was told they don’t have enough to create a whole box around that 🤷‍♀️

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jenny

I am plus sized and have fairly boring taste when it comes to clothing – I tried trunk club twice and wasn’t impressed. Stitch fix was iffy at first but I found a stylist I clicked with and now I’m super happy with my fixes. You can request additional time to keep clothes from stitch fix, just make sure to do it within that three day window.

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Ragan

I did three Stitch Fixes and one Trunk Club shipment. But I only kept one garment ever from Stitch Fix (didn’t want to lose my styling fee) and two from Trunk Club. I feel like Trunk Club was a much better match for me (am wearing a shirt from them right now), I just don’t need any more clothes right now.

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