My Short Story Subscription Box Review

Disclosure: This post is based on my personal experience with Short Story Box. If you sign up using my referral link, I may receive a $25 credit toward my account. You are not charged anything extra.

There were many reasons I wanted to try Short Story. I had been curious about clothing subscription services, but I was hesitant because I’m short and wasn’t convinced the clothes would fit properly.

Even though I’m 5'4", I typically haven’t purchased petite clothing. Short Story is beginning to change my perspective on that.

For the past 10 years, about 70% of my wardrobe has come from Duluth Trading Company. Their clothes are of great quality, comfortable, and generously sized. But after losing approximately 30 pounds, which is a story for another day, I needed new clothes and was ready to change my style a little.

Although I have lost weight, I’m still fuller through my hips, butt, and chest. Depending on the brand and fit, I generally wear a large or XL. I also have a short torso. Because I sit at a desk for most of the day, comfort matters to me, but I don’t want comfortable to automatically mean overly casual.

I wasn’t trying to replace my entire wardrobe. I simply wanted to feel more pulled together. I had reached the point where walking through a store left me frustrated.

What Finally Convinced Me to Try Short Story

Around the same time, I met with a friend who is a few inches shorter than I am. Her clothes fit her beautifully, so I asked where she had been finding them.

She told me she had been using Short Story and shared her referral link.

The final push came when I started thinking about an upcoming vacation to Florida. I had donated most of my summer clothes because they were too big, and I suddenly realized I didn’t have much left to wear, let alone enough clothes to pack for a trip.

That gave me the excuse I needed to finally try a clothing subscription service.

Completing the Short Story Style Profile

One of the things I immediately appreciated about Short Story was how detailed the style profile was. You can provide your sizes and actual body measurements, which gave me more confidence that the stylist would understand my proportions.

You can choose from several style categories, including:

• Athletic

• Business casual

• Business formal

• Laid-back casual

• Night out or date night

I selected business casual and laid-back casual because those categories best reflect my real life.

You can also choose your preferred dress and jean styles. The profile asks how closely you follow trends. I selected “sometimes” because I tend to lean toward classic pieces that won’t go out of style quickly, but I’m open to trying something new.

You can tell your stylist about your favorite brands and clothing stores, colors and patterns you don’t like, and the types of clothing you are currently looking for. There is also space to add your own comments and requests.

I particularly appreciated that Short Story asks which types of clothing you have trouble fitting properly. The choices include:

• Coats and jackets

• Dresses

• Jeans

• Pants

• Shoes

• Shorts and skirts

• Tops

I frequently struggle to find pants and dresses that fit well, so I made sure to include that.

You can also tell your stylist which items you don’t want to receive. I specified that I didn’t want coats, accessories, or shoes. I liked having the option to rule out categories rather than receiving items I knew I wouldn’t keep.

Give Yourself Time to Take Your Measurements

The longest part of signing up was taking my measurements.

Give yourself enough time to do this carefully and use a flexible fabric measuring tape. Short Story included one in my first box, but you will need your measurements while completing your initial profile, so it helps to have one available before signing up.

The process wasn’t difficult, but I didn’t want to rush through it. If someone was going to select clothes based on my measurements, I wanted those numbers to be accurate.

My Husband Was Very Skeptical

When I told my husband I was signing up for a clothing box, he was skeptical. He didn’t think the clothes would fit, and he wasn’t convinced I would like anything someone else selected for me.

I placed my first order in early March, and my box arrived on March 24. I don’t remember exactly how long the first order took, but I received email notifications when it shipped.

I was excited when it arrived and immediately started trying everything on. I showed my husband each piece as I tried it.

After the first item, he admitted he was surprised that it fit. He told me it looked nice, wasn’t something I would typically choose for myself, and that I should keep it.

By the third piece, his opinion had changed completely.

He told me, “Clearly, everything is going to fit and look nice, so just get everything.”

That was quite a change of heart from the man who had been convinced the entire experiment probably wouldn’t work.

What Short Story Costs

We agreed that receiving a box every other month would be a good cadence to start.

Short Story is not the cheapest way to buy clothes, but the style profile allows you to set different budgets for dresses, tops, bottoms, jackets, and coats. You enter what you would typically be comfortable spending in each category.

I am usually very good at finding clothes on sale, so I increased my normal spending range when completing the profile. I wasn’t looking for bargain pieces. I wanted to find well-made, well-fitting clothes that would last.

My first two boxes came to just under $500 per box. I felt that was a reasonable value for having a personal stylist find attractive, well-fitting clothes that I probably would not have discovered or chosen for myself.

The value will depend on your clothing budget and how much you typically spend. If you enjoy bargain shopping and rarely pay full price, some of the prices may be harder to justify.

You don’t have to keep everything in the box. Short Story includes a prepaid return bag, so you can place the unwanted pieces inside and drop it off with the carrier listed on the return label. Return shipping is free.

Short Story also offers exchanges. During checkout, mark the item you want to exchange and select the replacement size. If your preferred size isn’t available to select, it is currently out of stock. You’ll be charged for the replacement item upfront, but shipping is free, and exchanged items can be returned within 15 days.

You Can Make Specific Requests

Another feature I appreciate is the ability to ask your stylist for specific items.

For example, I like longer shorts for summer. My stylist found me two pairs with 10-inch inseams, and I have been very happy with both.

That request was specific enough to give my stylist direction while still allowing her to choose the brands, colors, and styles.

The stylist also includes a personal note and asks for feedback about every item. The note makes the service feel more personal, but the feedback serves an important purpose too. It helps the stylist understand what worked, what didn’t, and what you would like to receive in the future.

The more detailed your feedback is, the better your next box should be.

Changing My Delivery Schedule

After my second box arrived, I moved my next delivery approximately two and a half months out. I requested clothing suitable for late summer and early fall.

I have really liked the dresses I’ve received so far, so I asked for another dress. I also specified that I don’t need any more shorts.

I like that I can adjust the timing and requests based on what I already have in my closet, instead of receiving the same categories every month.

Did I Really Like Everything?

When I say I have liked everything, I mean it.

Short Story did not give me these boxes, and I am not associated with the company. I paid for the clothing myself and am writing about my personal experience.

I do have a referral link. If you use it, your first $25 styling fee will be waived. If you check out and purchase an item, I will receive a $25 credit toward a future Short Story box.

Who Short Story Is Best For

Short Story may be worth trying if you:

• Are 5'4" or under

• Have trouble finding correctly proportioned clothing

• Dislike shopping in stores

• Want to try clothes at home

• Need help updating or defining your personal style

• Want someone to push you slightly beyond your usual choices

• Are willing to invest in a few well-fitting pieces

It may not be the best fit if you:

• Prefer clearance racks and bargain shopping

• Want complete control over every item you receive

• Have a very limited clothing budget

• Don’t want to risk losing the styling fee if nothing works

• Don’t want to manage returns within a limited window

For me, the biggest surprise wasn’t simply that the clothes fit. It was that my stylist selected pieces I probably would not have noticed in a store, yet they still felt like me when I put them on.

That was exactly the kind of help I had been looking for.

If you use my referral link, I may receive a $25 account credit at no additional cost to you.