Another week, another new clothing rental company (woohoo!). This one is Adorned in Style, and the site looks just like Haverdash and ModLux.Rent, and they even share the same corporate address. In fact, the USPS tracking said it came from Gwynnie Bee. Can someone explain what's going on here?
So, how did I discover Adorned in Style? There's a DC fashion influencer who's got some of the best style I've ever seen, and she advertised it on her Instagram. She's all over their site too. And since her husband used to be the Editor in Chief of DC Modern Luxury, I assumed ModLux.Rent changed their name and rebranded because it looks exactly the same and they rent some of the same products too. I reached out to corporate for extra info, but they said they're totally different companies. Maybe they all use the same rental platform and that's why the addresses are the same?
P.S. You can sign up now and get your first month free!
WHAT I'M WEARING THIS WEEK: Adorned in Style
Welcome back to What I'm Wearing This Week — Adorned in Style where you can rent and wear designer items by names you know and love, and up-and-coming designers too!
For the newbies to WIWTW, every Friday I’ll take you on a trip through my life, where I’m going, what’s missing in my closet, my current obsessions, what I’m excited to try, and maybe even buy. Well, that's if the price is right!
For sizing reference, I am 5'11", weigh 140 pounds, and have a 33" inseam.
Adorned in Style is a new luxury clothing rental service that gives members unlimited style options for one flat fee. Powered by CaaStle, the leading B2B rental technology and logistics company in the U.S., Adorned in Style is just like ModLux.Rent except they're not owned by a media conglomerate.
This is a review of their only plan, which gives you 10 pieces per month and 5 at a time.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
WHAT I RECEIVED
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All five items by Cynthia Rowley, Saloni, Hemant & Nandita, and arrived fresh from the dry cleaner and neatly packed inside a cardboard box. Obvi, I can't fit a romper over the mannequin.
THE GOODS
Cynthia Rowley Delilah Taffeta Dress
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About the designer: Cynthia Rowley began her career in fashion while studying at the Art Institute of Chicago (where she had every intention of becoming a painter). After graduation, she took what little seed money she had and moved to NYC to start her fashion brand. Whether she’s exploring on a far-flung getaway, surfing secret spots in exotic destinations, or scuba-diving in an arctic glacier, it’s safe to say the designer is known to take risks. It’s this unparalleled sense of adventure that effortlessly translates into the spirit of the brand through a playful assortment of pretty dresses, beachy separates, and swim/surf.
Cynthia Rowley has gone on to win numerous accolades including a CFDA Award and Designer of the Year at the American Image Awards. She is also a best-selling author and has appeared on numerous television shows.
Why I rented it: It's Barbie time, duh!
How I styled it: I wore this dress to meet my friend at Patsy's for happy hour and I paired it with the Louis Vuitton Cherry Blossoms Bag and a Ferragamo Laser-Cut Leather Sandals.
Size and fit: I got a 6 and it's a great fit, but maybe slightly large in the abdomen area.
Crafted in bright pink silk taffeta with a colorful cherry blossom print, this eye-catching dress is frilly and fun with wide shoulder straps, a square neckline, a smocked back, dropped waist, side pockets, and a darling bubble hem.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: Love, love, love. So much frill!
Saloni Neelam Dress
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About the designer: Saloni Lodha founded her eponymous label in 2011 with a vision of elegant femininity imbued with vibrant color.
SALONI means beautiful in Sanskrit, and true to its name, the brand empowers its customers of all ages to experience the unabashed joy of living life in different hues. The brand’s unique alchemy comes from Saloni’s own story, her love of textiles and intuitive sense of everyday dressing. For Saloni, creating beautiful things is a meditative journey, inspired by her childhood in India and a nomadic life lived between Hong Kong, Seoul, London and Italy.
Why I rented it: It's just so pretty!
How I styled it: Sadly, this dress was unwearable due to the fact that I couldn't get it on properly and the fit was weird.
Size and fit: I got the 6 and it was a little tight in the bodice, but big on the bottom.
Condition: Like new.
Honest review: The back buttons make it incredibly difficult to put on. While I was able to button up three out of the four, the open back and side zip closure was odd too.
Hemant & Nandita Vana Short Layered Dress
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About the designer: Established in 2004, RTW label Hemant & Nandita, has quickly carved a niche for its extremely luxurious yet wearable aesthetic that combines the old with the new. The Hemant & Nandita label is synonymous with an aesthetic that brings together two seemingly disparate sensibilities that share a common vision.
Their seamless ability to blend traditional elements with the contemporary bohemian bits fused with the international silhouettes has since been their stronghold & hallmark. Over the years, brand has carved a niche for itself in the world of fashion with ingenious quirky, witty designs, prints & textures. A beautiful blend of ethnic Indian traditions & contemporary western style, it's also a celebrity favorite.
Why I rented it: It's a very girly, summery dress.
How I styled it: I paired this dress with Cocoacentric Seset Transparent Dangles, Jimmy Choo Patent Leather Wedges, and both the Louis Vuitton Graffiti Speedy and the Cherry Blossoms Bag.
Size and Fit: I got a medium and it runs quite large. This pullover floral print dress is crafted in a textured viscose Georgette fabric with cross stitching and features thin shoulder straps, a deep v-neckline, a braided self-belt, and a tiered body. It's fully lined and a little on the heavier side.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: To be honest, I had to add a little stitch to the straps in the back to get it to stay on. The straps were way too long for me, which means they're way too long for anyone else. Otherwise, it's a beautiful summer dress!
Hemant & Nandita Tula Off-the-Shoulder Romper
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Why I rented it: Super cute and Barbie pink!
How I styled it: I wore this girly romper to an outdoor concert and was definitely one of the most dressed-up people there. I paired it with a Kendra Scott necklace, oversized gold-tone hoop earrings, Ferragamo Laser-Cut Block-Heeled Sandals, and threw on the Fendi Fendista Crossbody so I could jump around on the muddy grass.
Size and fit: I got a medium and it was a great fit. The sleeves were long, the belted waist was adjustable, and the neckline stayed up (from what I can remember). This floral-printed, pull-on romper is made of a viscose Georgette fabric and designed with an elasticized and ruffled off-the-shoulder neckline, bishop sleeves with ruffled cuffs, a self-tie belt, side slash pockets, and ruffled hem.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: While it's a bit short, I really liked the design and the floral print. The fabric was a little heavy for a hot July evening, but once the sun went down, it was pretty perfect.
Ok, on second thought, I'm too old for short shorts. Byeeee.
Eva Franco Alder Dress
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About the designer: Eva Franco is a Hungarian-born, LA-based designer whose creations bridge two continents, the old world and the new, and have a playful glamor mixed with modern femininity. Eva embraces creativity as means of self-expression. As a young girl growing up in rural Romania, she was always seeking ways to be independent and free in a traditional society. When her family immigrated to the US, she found the power in what she wore.
“Clothes weren’t really important in Romania, but US high school was like a fashion show!” It was here she started to experiment with clothes as away to delight and surprise her new friends with a unique look every day.
Why I rented it: I thought it would be great for the office but ended up being a little too dressy.
How I styled it: Since I didn't wear it, I didn't really style it. Just wanted you to see what it looks like on!
Size and fit: Crafted in a sheer lace fabric with detached lining, this green dress features a ruffled high neckline, short, puffed sleeves with ruffled and elasticized cuffs, gathered yoke, back bow lace-up detail, and a tiered midi skirt.
I got a 6 and it's an odd fit. Wide, yet a little snug too. The back ties are really complicated to do on your own.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: It's beautiful, but best for a fall or holiday. The fabric was a little itchy and unbreathable despite being lacey.
DID THEY DELIVER?
- What items were most helpful and versatile to own this week to ensure I got the most out of my rental and completed the look I craved? I got a lot out of wear out of both Hemant & Nandita pieces, and the Cynthia Rowley dress.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? As a new company, they definitely exceeded expectations.
- What’s the return process like? Simple! Just place your items in the pre-paid garment bag and drop it off at one of your nearest USPS.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I did a little more research, and there are many similarities among these new clothing rental companies. Aside from sharing the same rental platform called Caastle (which stands for Clothing as a Service), they're working with the same designers, and renting out the same pieces for the same price. Confusing, huh? And what's the point in having so many rental companies if they're all the same? RTR and Armoire are still standouts in this area.
But hey, I'm not complaining. I enjoy trying new things (especially for free) and I'm being introduced to new designers all the time, but I really wish FashionPass would do a free trial.
Actually, never mind. I just went through their site and the items are way too young for me!
Seriously, what the FLUFF?
OMG wait... I just discovered ANOTHER rental company called The Collective, and it looks just like Adorned in Style and ModLux.Rent. What is going on in this industry? Am I in the Twilight Zone or what? Ha, well I'll sign up for a free trial, and you should too! And guess what? RTR sent me a free month, so I'll be reviewing them again in 2-3 weeks so stay tuned!
Seriously, why buy clothes anymore?
VALUE BREAKDOWN: As of right now, you get 10 items a month for $125/month, but I'm sure that'll change. I don't know the total value because I can't find the prices.
What are your thoughts about Adorned in Style? Let us know what you think down below!
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