Happy Friday! Mr. HGL has been under the weather again, and after another round of medication, he still sounds like he's hacking up a furball. So, we went back to the vet on Wednesday, and she thinks he's allergic to his hay. Rabbits are experts at hiding their discomfort and pain, and one of the key signs to look out for is refusing to eat, but he's been eating like a little piggy.
Any time I go to the fridge, he's like a little white ghost that magically appears, and starts begging for treats. Whether I have a crinkly bag of ghost pepper chips or old bay popcorn, he goes absolutely crazy and chases me around the place. I do not feed him these foods, but sometimes he will sneak up on me on the couch and attack the bag!
The other night I went to dinner with some guy, and he wanted to know why I have a pet rabbit. "It's kind of weird. I don't know anyone who has a rabbit."
Whatever. So, I told him about my college days and how my bestie and I would go up to the local mall and buy rabbits. We moved out of our dorm and into a small house on Route 1, and the rabbits (Sweetie, Alfalfa, and Licorice) destroyed the place. They ate all the wires, attacked the rugs, and munched on the wooden trim around the walls. The owner was pissed!
When we'd order food from our local Italian spot, the guys would pick up the phone (old school caller ID) and say, "Hello, rabbit girls. You want salad and zeppolis for your rabbits?" And while they didn't eat zeppolis, they sure loved Cool Ranch Doritos.
When I moved to NYC in 2001, I gave the rabbits to my mom and sister. Since then, I always wanted to get another rabbit, but I never had the space until I moved back to DC. And here we are!
WHAT I’M WEARING THIS WEEK: Armoire
Welcome back to What I'm Wearing This Week: Armoire. For the newbies, every Friday on WIWTW I'll recap the clothing rentals I wore for the week. 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. We’ll explore designers and trends, and a variety of styles and brands. And each week I’ll fill you in on why I chose each item, the total value of the rental compared to the retail price (as of today I've rented $68,426 worth of clothing), and more.
Armoire, which is a clothing rental company for women, is all about female empowerment. From the hand-selected and curated inventory of styles that are designed by the Boss Lady, for the Boss Lady, to their involvement with female-powered brands, and their partnership with Dress for Success Seattle, they’re a brand built for today’s woman.
This is a review of the Unlimited Plan for $249/month.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get $30 OFF 1 month of the 7-item plan OR 50% OFF 1 month of the unlimited plan.
CODE: 7MSA89 or MSAUNLIMITED50
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
WHAT I RECEIVED
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All four items by Black Halo, Equipment and ASTR the Label arrived on time and in good condition. Each item was fresh from the dry cleaner and neatly folded. I only got four items because I held onto the Tanya Taylor and One33Social dresses.
THE GOODS
ASTR the Label Gaia Side Slit Dress, Retail Value $98, Armoire $83
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About the Designer: Taking inspiration from the latest trends and affinity for all things feminine, the creative collective behind ASTR The Label aims to immerse their customers into a world of effortless beauty. Since 2012, the brand has stood as a wearable interpretation of attainable style for all occasions. Featuring distinctive looks that exude romance, ASTR The Label offers collections that are recognized for their quality and unique combination of contemporary sophistication, versatility and chic design. By catering to the fashion needs of the #ASTRBabe, our collections continually feature on-trend and thoughtfully crafted garments for the modern woman.
Why I rented it: Love the color!
How I styled it: I wore it to places like Trader Joes and to get pizza with some friends at Rai's Pour House. As a former New Yorker, I'm always on the hunt for great local pizza, and it was absolutely worth the trip!
The dress didn't need much styling, so I paired it with gold-tone chain-link earrings and necklace, Ferragamo Wedges, and the Chanel 19.
Size and fit: The Gaia Midi Dress is available in many different colors and designs. This pullover design features a cowlneck, adjustable spaghetti straps, back tie closure, relaxed bodice and asymmetrical skirt with high slit.
I got a medium and it was complicated at first due to all the straps. After I separated and adjusted them and figured out how to squeeze my head inside without getting tangled up, it fit well. It's pretty sheer and lightweight, and in the cooler months you'll probably deal with static cling. The fabric also doesn't stretch at all.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: I know it's quite dressy, but slip dresses are totally in style right now and it's too hot to wear anything heavy. And as for the quality of the dress.... you get what you pay for, and the straps were really annoying.
ASTR the Label Floral Print Milkmaid Dress, Retail Value $89, Armoire $76
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Why I rented it: Not my first or third choice, but it seemed like a good summer dress.
How I styled it: I wore the dress with Cocoacentric Gold-Tone Hoops, Kendra Scott Maya Necklace, Saint Laurent Sace de Jour Bag, and a pair of Tabitha Simmons Laser-Cut Leather Pumps.
Size and fit: This romantic floral dress features a sweetheart neckline, self-tie shoulder straps, chest cups with underwire, ruched bodice, smocked back, side zip closure, and side-slit hem. I got the medium and while it fit, it seems to run a little small. Despite being lined, it's still a little sheer.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: Very feminine, but not the best quality. I also feel like the slit is in the wrong place.
Equipment Arles Silk Satin Dress, Retail Value $430, Armoire $301
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About the designer: Since 1976 from its founding maison in Paris, Equipment has fused unparalleled French sophistication with an air of chic nonchalance. Equipment today calls upon the classic minimalism of the original collections through the use of noble fibers in its pure design yet signifies modernity with its discreet sexiness and androgynous silhouettes.
Why I rented it: Does this dress look familiar? It should.
How I styled it: I wore this dress to my cousin's graduation party and since they live on the water, I brought lots of necessities. I wore this dress with the Robert Clergerie Platform Sandals that tried to kill me at the 80s concert, oversized hoops, a straw hat, and a Givenchy Nightingale Bag which is a black hole that can fit everything and the kitchen sink.
Size and fit: This time I ordered the 6 and it was a better fit than the 8, but still twists a little. I didn't wear shapewear because it's too hot and maybe I didn't need it after all! This pullover dress features a subtle floral print, adjustable spaghetti straps, a deep v-neckline, and a side-slit hem.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: Loved it so much the first time, I had to order it again in a different color.
Black Halo Daria Sheath Dress, Retail Value $415, Armoire $290
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About the designer: Black Halo Founder and Creative Director, Laurel Berman, has transformed the way women dress today with the iconic Jackie O dress; known for its versatility and ability to enhance a woman’s figure, it laid the foundation for the brand’s success as a leader in the contemporary dress market. Laurel's architectural designs summon a natural inner beauty and confidence that are both liberating and empowering.
In 2012, the brand debuted a cocktail and evening wear collection, Black Halo EVE by Laurel Berman, broadening its appeal to existing clientele while reaching a new audience. The brand has grown to include jumpsuits, two-piece dressing, and separates.
Why I rented it: Love Black Halo and it seemed like a great work dress.
How I styled it: I wore this dress to the office and paired it with Kate Spade Earrings, Kendra Scott Maya Necklace, Gucci Studded Leather Jacket, Saint Laurent Sac de Jour, and the Tabitha pumps.
Size and fit: While Black Halo is notorious for running small, I got the 6 and it fits like a glove. Crafted in a scuba-like fabric, this floral print dress features a sweetheart neckline with banded trim, adjustable shoulder straps, concealed back zip closure, banded waist, and form-fitting skirt.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: Such a fan! Comfy, feminine, and cheery.
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? Lots of easy, breezy looks this week and since it's been so humid, the lighter the better! I wore the Equipment dress a TON!
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Armoire met expectations.
- What’s the return process like? Place the items in the bag, seal it up and that's it!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Back in the day, you couldn't go into an office with exposed shoulders, or open-toed shoes. Skirts needed to be a certain length, earrings were tasteful, and blazers were always neatly pressed. Do these rules still apply? No, not unless you work in a super corporate environment that requires formal attire, but I've heard even lawyers are rolling up to the office in more casual looks.
So, imagine my surprise when I first started working in the federal government back in 2015 and noticed people would literally roll up in sweats and pajamas. And believe it or not, people slept (and snored!) at their desks, brought mini kegs of Heineken into their offices, showed up wasted, and were maybe in the office for about three hours a day (if they ever showed up) due to horrible DC traffic. Yes, the rumors are true about government workers and your taxpayer dollars.
Where am I going with this? The dress code is even more relaxed nowadays, so while you may be stressing about what to wear to the office, Capital One isn't much better than the federal government. I've noticed the majority (I'd say maybe 55%) go to work in outfits that are so casual, they look like they're going to an 8am college class on a Friday. And while I used to worry about covering up my shoulders, I don't really care about following that rule anymore because if others can get away with torn skinny jeans and unbrushed hair, why should I worry about wide straps on a pretty Black Halo dress?
I still bring the jacket just in case, but mainly because I'm always cold. What are you seeing in your office?
CAN YOU STILL GET THIS BOX IF YOU SIGN UP TODAY? Yes, all these items are still available to rent.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get $30 OFF 1 month of the 7-item plan OR 50% OFF 1 month of the unlimited plan.
CODE: 7MSA89 or MSAUNLIMITED50
VALUE BREAKDOWN: The Unlimited membership costs $249/month and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $68,426!
What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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