Top-Rated Women’s Clothing Subscription Boxes Tested by Our Fashion Experts
Forbes just dropped a hands-on roundup of seven women's clothing subscription boxes, after their fashion team tested more than a dozen services firsthand.
The goal: figure out which boxes are actually worth the styling fee — and which just send you a pile of poly-blend you'll return by Tuesday. Two services came out on top, with Stitch Fix earning the overall pick and Wantable taking best value.
What the testing actually covered
The Forbes evaluation zeroed in on plan flexibility, customization, sizing range, and overall value — the same checklist any sensible shopper should run before clicking "subscribe." Firsthand testing means real stylist conversations, real deliveries, real returns. Not a glossy landing page or a sponsored "we tried it for one afternoon" situation.
Stitch Fix won for its streamlined setup and curated results. The service works with more than 1,000 brands including Madewell, The North Face, Vince, Free People, and Good American. The in-depth style quiz gives the stylist real material to work with, and Forbes Vetted updates writer Claire Epting noted that her requests were actually taken into account when her box was assembled. Wantable matched the $20 styling fee but ships nine items per box instead of five — heavier box, more chances to find keepers, with brands like Thread & Supply, Eberjey, and Rhone in the rotation.
The two picks worth knowing
Stitch Fix sends five pieces per "Fix," with sizes running XS to 3XL plus maternity. The $20 styling fee credits toward anything you buy, and keeping all five items earns 25% off the entire box. Frequencies run weekly, monthly, or on demand — no forced subscription. You can also shop à la carte without enrolling in anything recurring. Cancellation is two weeks ahead through the website, or a phone call if you prefer a human.
Wantable is the better math for budget shoppers. Nine items per box, sizes S to 3XL, free shipping and returns both ways. Keep five or more pieces and you get 20% off the total. Before shipment, you set a budget, pick a theme (style edit, active edit), and can preview or edit your selection — a step that saves a lot of return shipping.
What to check before you commit
Both services charge the same $20 styling fee, applied to your purchase. The fee only pays for itself if you actually keep something — try-and-return every box and you're paying $20 a month for a dressing room that ships to you. Ask before signing up: can you preview selections before the box ships? Wantable lets you. Stitch Fix lets you request more try-on time through the app if three days isn't enough. Confirm the return window, confirm whether the styling fee itself is refundable if nothing fits, and check the size range — both top picks cover up to 3XL, but a lot of competitors stop at L. Worth asking customer service directly about anything Forbes didn't spell out.
