What I Received in My Short Story Box #2

I can’t believe how quickly a month passed and my next Short Story Box arrived at my door. After an exciting first Short Story Box, I looked forward to this second box because I had a weekend getaway and a visit to the ballet planned soon after, so I wanted new clothes for those occasions. Check out what I got in my second Short Story Box below.

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An overview of Short Story Box

Short Story Box is a San Francisco-based styling service for women under 5’4” from size 00P to 18P. The company helps petite women find modern styles that help them look and feel their best.

Each box contains 5 items for a styling fee of $25 per box. The fee is credited toward any item that you purchase. The first box is free when you sign up with a referral code. You can cancel at any time.

How does Short Story Box know your style?

When you sign up for Short Story Box, you take a style survey so the stylist gets to know you better and picks clothes suited to you. The survey asks questions to learn about your preferences. That includes patterns and colors you favor, styles you like and don’t like, your price range for items, and things you’re looking for.

After my first box, I updated my profile to include more of my measurements and items I wanted and didn’t want. I wrote that I would like items I can wear to church on Christmas, dinner dates, and evenings out. I love attending shows, which requires dressing up for them.

I asked to be sent dresses and to stop receiving jeans.

What brands did I receive in my Short Story Box?

In my second box, I received

Petite Principle
London Times
Skies Are Blue
Petite Assembly

In my first box, I received

Laila Jane
Daniel Rainn
Sugarlips
Muse Petite
Prosperity Denim

What did I receive in my Short Story Box?

I received two dresses, a blouse, a bodysuit, and a pair of pants.

Petite Principle Camilla Floral Dress in SP - Retail: $62

I was happy to put on this dress and see that it fit rather nicely, but I didn’t love the look of it on me. It wasn’t particularly flattering and didn’t wow me. I’m not sure why because I usually like a crossover neckline, a side tie, black clothes, and floral prints. I think maybe the size and color of the print didn’t suit me.

It’s also a rather casual dress. It’s not one I would wear out to dinner on vacation or an evening at the ballet.

London Times Armida Keyhole Side Tie Sheath Dress in 2P - Retail: $58

This dress probably came closest to what I was hoping to receive - a semi-formal dress for an evening out. I like fit-and-flare dresses most of all, but I’m interested in trying other styles to find something new.

My first impression of the dress was that it’s office wear and matronly. Although the dress mostly fit, it really didn’t look good on me. The color and style didn’t suit me at all.

I don’t need office wear either as I wear scrubs to work every day, so I passed on this dress as well.

Skies Are Blue Chancie Crochet Sleeve Top in XSP - Retail: $54

This was a beautiful top with delicate detail and in a flattering color. It’s perfect if you like a top that’s a bit loose and flowy through the body.

The reason I didn’t keep it is that the crochet starts at the neckline so the shoulders are somewhat see-through where there is crochet. I’d want to wear a tank top in complementary or nude color, and I don’t see myself doing that to wear this shirt.

It would probably end up with a few wears or not worn at all because I’d pick to wear a different top over this one most of the time.

Petite Principle Colette Contour Bodysuit in SP - Retail $38

Throughout this whole process, I forgot that bodysuits exist and that I could be sent one, so I was surprised to see it show up in this box. I don’t need a bodysuit or have much interest in wearing one, so I sent this one back.

I think this bodysuit can work well for those with long torsos because it’s long with some stretch to the fabric. It’s not easy to find bodysuits, one-piece swimsuits, jumpsuits, and rompers that fit well when you have a long torso, so this bodysuit might work well for someone with those troubles.

Note that this bodysuit has minimal bottom coverage. It’s probably a cheeky style or something similar.

Petite Assembly Maia Front Seam Knit Pant in SP - Retail: $64

These pants were probably my favorite item in the box. It’s a tie with the Skies Are Blue top. I liked them because they’re an easy and comfortable slip-on style. They can go from day to night wear and be appropriate for nearly any occasion.

I didn’t keep these because they were a little too big, and I thought the material would be a fur magnet. The things you have to think about when you have a dog or cat!

I already have some clothes that are fur magnets, and I mostly avoid wearing them to avoid having to lint-roll them. I think the same would happen if I kept these pants.

Pros & Cons of this Short Story Box

Pros

1) I got what I asked for

I asked for dresses in this box, and I got two of them. While I didn’t keep either of them, I was glad to get what I wanted.

2) The clothes fit better

The clothes in this second box fit better than the clothes I got in my first box. That may be because I added more measurements to my profile, gave feedback on the fit of the clothes in the first box, or got lucky.

Nonetheless, I liked that I got to try on clothes that fit fairly well. I could evaluate the item itself and how it looked on me rather than guessing how a different size might fit better.

3) The items are based on my profile

I could tell the stylist read my profile. I tried to make my profile detailed so that I would get items that fit and that I liked.

I wrote that I like dark rich colors like emerald green, and I received a top in that color. I wrote that I like floral prints, and I received a dress in that pattern.

4) Reasonable prices

The items were reasonably priced from $38 for the bodysuit to $64 for the pants. If I had decided to keep any of the items, the $25 styling fee would have been credited toward the purchase.

I think the $25 styling fee is reasonable because someone spent time reading my profile, picking out clothes for me, preparing a box, and paying for shipping to me and back to them. The fact that it is credited is a nice bonus.

5) Reminder to edit my profile

Each box is another opportunity to further identify your style and edit your profile, so keep it up to date and add to it after every box if needed.

Now with my second box, I am more familiar with the brands and items that I may receive. I would add that I don’t want bodysuits.

Cons

1) Price points

The prices are both a pro and a con to me. The items are reasonably priced compared to similar items. It’s normal to find dresses that are $60 at retail stores. That’s often on the low end for many nicer dresses and brands.

I think the problem is that I selected a price range of $50-100 for dresses, and that’s too low for nicer dresses that I may like.

My favorite dress that I own is by Ted Baker, whose dresses easily run $300+. But I have another favorite dress by Apt. 9 from Kohl’s that was probably less than $50.

So I think it’s possible to find a dress I like for under $100, but it would be more likely to happen if I increased the price range to the $100+ category for it.

If you’re having a hard time finding items that you like, consider if your stylist needs more guidance in what to pick for you or if your price range may be limiting your options.

Final thoughts

I’ve enjoyed my experience trying out Short Story Box for many reasons:

I was excited to receive a box of clothes picked just for me in the mail.
I learn more about how subscription styling services work.
I learned about new brands and tried clothes I never would have previously.
The service is well priced with a free first box and then a $25 styling fee.
I saved time by having someone shop for items and send them to me.

I didn’t keep any of the clothes in my boxes. That was partly because some items didn’t fit my size and style. Some items I liked and would have worked with alterations, but I didn’t want to pay more for them. And some I was probably picky about. This is because I’m curating my wardrobe to only items I really love and will wear regularly.

I’m undecided about continuing to use Short Story Box. I ended up purchasing other clothes elsewhere recently, so I don’t have as much need for new clothes. I may lower the frequency of the boxes I receive to once every quarter or or when I need an update to my wardrobe again.

If you wear petite sizes and have difficulty finding clothes that fit you, I recommend giving Short Story Box a try. You may find the perfect clothes for you to look and feel your best.