Hey, every bun, we're back! This week it's Armoire, and they keep adding new items to their mix by designers I know and love, so all's not lost. And surprisingly enough, almost every single item I rented last week was brand new with tags, and mostly by Sachin & Babi!
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 $70,953 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 five items by Sachin & Babi and Alexia Admor were fresh from the dry cleaner (or brand new) and neatly folded.
THE GOODS
Alexia Admor Diane Floral Print Sheath Dress, Retail Value $225, Armoire $157
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About the Designer: Alexia Admor is a family lifestyle and fashion business spanning three generations. Launched in 1989 by Joseph Gurfinkel, Alexia Admor is a brand focused on creating unique social occasion dresses for day and night, work and play, and dedicated to quality, beauty, and effortless design.
Why I rented it: Thought it would be perfect for work, and it was.
How I styled it: I wore this dress to the office and out at night, and I paired it with Pierre Hardy Strappy Espadrille Sandals, oversized hoops, the Etsy Obi Belt, and a Louis Vuitton Mirabeau Tote.
Size and fit: I got a medium and it was a bit stretched out. Crafted in polyester and spandex, this sleeveless sheath design features an asymmetric neckline, back zip closure, and a back vent.
Condition: Very good, but a little worn.
Honest review: The dress, which was clearly inspired by the Black Halo Jackie O., was stretched out and a little boxy, so I added the belt. I like it way better without the belt.
Sachin & Babi Dalia Spaghetti Strap Dress, Retail Value $319, Armoire $319
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About the Designer: Sachin and Babi met as students at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where they were instant friends. The two were cut from the same cloth, bonding over their common interests, ambitions, and upbringing in India. Friendship grew into love, and soon after, a company. Together, Sachin and Babi built a design and embroidery business, working for top houses including Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Manolo Blahnik, among others. Sachin and Babi were one of fashion’s best-kept secrets behind-the-scenes until they set out on their own.
Driven by a commitment to incredible craftsmanship and a desire to connect with customers, Sachin and Babi launched our brand. By owning a family-run factory in Mumbai, we are able to control the design and production process from start to finish, cutting out the middlemen. The result: extraordinary clothing and accessories with tremendous value.
As a brand, Sachin and Babi believe in celebrating every day and dressing with joy. Their collections are designed for the special moments in life, that can and do happen every day, both big and small. Attention to embellishment, color, and silhouette guides the design and is at the heart of the brand’s DNA. Inspired by the women who wear Sachin & Babi, and each season brings with it the desire to offer a uniquely beautiful, and infinitely wearable collection.
Why I rented it: It was brand new and perfect for summer.
How I styled it: I loved it on the model, but when I slipped into this dress, I wasn't a huge fan. There's something about the bodice that feels very mother of the bride. I didn't end up wearing it out but paired it with Ferragamo Block-Heeled Sandals, gold-tone hoops, a vintage belt from Etsy, and the Louis Vuitton Cherry Blossoms Bag.
Size and fit: I got a 6, and it fit perfectly. The Dalia dress is crafted in a pink and yellow floral pattern on polyester chiffon with spaghetti straps and floral appliques, a surplice bodice, a seamed high waist, concealed back zip closure, and a tiered A-line skirt with gathered hem.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: I don't know what it is, but the bust area of the dress makes it frumpy and matronly. Otherwise, it's lovely otherwise.
Sachin & Babi Darcy Top, Retail Value $195, Armoire $156, Sachin & Babi Leighton Pleated A-Line Midi Skirt, Retail Value $295, Armoire $221
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Why I rented it: Instantly fell in love with this 50s-inspired set and the color too!
How I styled it: Obviously I wore them together as an adorable set to see The Barbie Movie. I wore it with both the Prada Bunny Clutch and Chanel 19; plus, Kendra Scott Collette Hoops, and a pair of Ferragamo Strappy Suede Wedges.
So, what did I think of the movie? Well, I love Barbie and have a collection of vintage dolls in the box that I started collecting during the pandemic. I thought the movie was really cute, loved Margot Robbie as Barbie, enjoyed seeing a lot of the dolls I had when I was younger, and loved the fashion, but they started to lose me with the Ken dance routine, and I thought the ending was a little weird.
What did you think?
Size and fit: When Armoire suggested an 8 in both pieces, I stuck with the 6 in the skirt, and it ran a tiny bit small. I got the top in an 8 and had I gotten a 6, I wouldn't have been able to wear it. Since the skirt was a little small, I popped off the hook and eye closure on the back. Both pieces are crafted in polyester and the top features a sweetheart neckline, wide shoulder straps, side zip closure, open back with knotted detail, and elasticized and smocked strap. The skirt features a banded waist with back hook-and-eye and zip closure, box pleats, and side pockets.
Condition: Brand new with tags, y'all!
Honest review: Such an adorable set. I only wore them together and didn't break up the look. While the set ran small, I loved the color, and the timeless design, but I really can't wear crop tops anymore.
Sachin & Babi Lola Square Neck Dress, Retail Value $285, Armoire $285
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Why I rented it: Because it's by Sachin & Babi, and new with tags.
How I styled it: I couldn't wear this out because it kept falling off, but in these pics, I'm wearing the Fendi Fendista Crossbody and Ferragamo Block-Heeled Sandals.
Size and fit: Um, huge... and I got a 6. Crafted in printed cotton slub, this dress features a square neckline, three-quarter-length puffed sleeves with floral lace cutouts, a smocked bodice, and a tiered skirt.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: The dress was huge and wouldn't stay on my shoulders, so I sent it right back. Maybe it was mislabeled?
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? The green top and midi skirt set, for sure.
- 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
Life has been a roller coaster. I was recruited for another bank which led to salary negotiations between myself and Capital One, and the other bank won (so did I!). I finally feel like I'm in control of my life again after 3 1/2 years of struggling and so much pain... I wasn't sure I'd ever make it out of the fog.
But then we got bad news about my father so I'm trying to decide whether to sublease my apartment (resigned my lease last month), move back home for 3-6 months, and relocate somewhere closer. Mr. HGL is still sneezing and coughing, but I brought him to Baltimore with me, and he seems better so it must be something in my apartment—I clean often and now realize I may need to trash and switch out all my cleaning supplies. I hope that's the answer.
As for rentals, of course, they're still my favorite way to get dressed every day! And I love discovering all these new clothing rental sites, whether they look alike or not. Stay tuned, because RTR is back next week.
Oh, and I signed up for By Rotation. Here's a link to my closet that you can check out. I'll add many more items in the next few weeks.
Mr. HGL thinks he's soooo cool.
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 $70,953!
What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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