It’s fall! That means cooler weather, cozy sweaters, comfy outfitting and…shopping for wardrobe updates. Which isn’t always as easy as it sounds, right?
You’ve told us time and again: Finding the right fit can be frustrating. And you’re not alone: Stitch Fix research shows that a whopping 88% of people experience stressful or self-conscious feelings when trying on clothes or searching for items that fit.
We want to help fix that. So, we enlisted the expertise of body acceptance advocate Katie Sturino.
Known for her expert fashion advice and especially her inspiring stylish series, #SuperSizeTheLook, we just knew Katie would be the best source for tips on handling some of your most common fit frustrations.
Katie’s guide to tackling fit challenges is a testament to our shared belief that the right-fitting items are key to embracing your style with confidence.
So let’s get into it!
Check out Katie Sturino’s top 5 tips for overcoming fit-related challenges:
1. Listen to your body, not the tag
Clothing sizes can vary dramatically between brands, so don’t get hung up on the number on the tag. What matters is how the clothes make you feel. “If it fits and feels great, wear it with confidence,” says Katie.
2. Highlight what you love
“Confidence is your best accessory—wear what makes you feel incredible,” says Katie. Instead of focusing on hiding areas that cause frustration, celebrate the parts of your body you love. Love your legs? Try a mini skirt. Obsessed with your shoulders? Rock an off-the-shoulder top.
If you’re unsure how to style these pieces with other items in your closet, look to Stitch Fix to get you started. You get matched with your own personal Stylist, who sends a personalized Fix complete with styling advice and tips on how to wear each piece. Expert guidance can boost your confidence and inspire you to try new looks.
3. Create a “confidence capsule”
Our Stitch Fix research around style anxiety found that 59% of people feel more stressed trying on clothes in-store than at home. Which, for anyone who’s been in dressing room lighting, is no surprise. Creating a safe space for clothing try-ons at home is a great first step to increasing your style serenity. Take this a step further with one of Katie’s signature tips: pull together your very own “confidence capsule.”
Here’s how it works: Designate a space in your closet for clothes that make you feel the most amazing, then take photos of yourself in these favorite confidence-boosting looks. When you’re feeling self-conscious about your outfit, refer back to these pics to remind yourself how great you look. Use these as your very own personal archive of dependable, I-feel-empowered outfits.
4. Uncover your go-to brands
“Identify brands with the cuts and silhouettes that work for your body, and prioritize incorporating those in your closet,” advises Katie. If you’re overwhelmed with the guesswork associated with this approach, a personal Stylist is a great resource. For example, Stitch Fix Stylists get to know your build, fit preferences (whether you love oversized or form-fitting styles) and the features you love to highlight, helping to eliminate fit frustrations.
5. Find your style role models
In addition to looking for style inspiration from people with similar body types to yours—which can provide fresh outfit ideas—fill your social media feed with diverse body shapes and sizes. Seeing others confidently rocking different styles can boost your own fit confidence.
“This is something I do frequently with my Instagram #SuperSizeTheLook series, which I started as a way to demonstrate that women of all sizes can pull off celebrity-inspired looks,” explains Katie. “It’s important we retrain our brains to not declare one woman ‘the winner’ when we see them in similar looks side by side. I believe that style has no size—it’s all about finding your best fit to boost confidence in what you’re wearing.”
We hope you’re as inspired by Katie as we are.
Whether you’re navigating fit challenges, experiencing a size transformation or just staying on top of the latest trends, Stitch Fix is here to support you every step of the way. Take your style quiz, order a Fix and let your Stylist do the work for you. They’ll choose just-for-you pieces to save you time (and a trip to the mall). Keep what works, and return the rest—or keep 5+ pieces and get 25% off your entire order. Shipping and returns are always free, and there’s no subscription required. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. Take your style quiz to get started
