Wow, I can't believe next week is Christmas! It seems like just yesterday I was planning on breaking my lease to spend more time with my dad, and now it's basically January so I guess I'll stick it out until the end. So, where are we moving (assuming Mr. HGL makes it to the spring)? More than likely to another part of Northern Virginia that's much closer to DC, but I may take a break for a few months and crash with my parents to spend more time with them. I can't move anywhere farther (like Florida or Nashville) due to a return to office mandate and the need to be closer to my parents to help out, but right now I live too far out, and I want to be closer to my friends.
Despite growing up in the Baltimore area, I have little interest in moving back there because there's not much to do and I don't really love it. And as for areas in Maryland that are on the DC border (and seemingly closer to home) like Bethesda and Chevy Chase, it's an incredibly congested area and traffic on Wisconsin Avenue and 495 are horrible.
I wouldn't mind moving back to DC proper, but crime is out of control, the mayor isn't doing much, and I want to feel safe. I have a few friends and acquaintances who've recently been mugged or victims of a carjacking and now they're moving out of DC too.
But anyway, enough about that. Just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas (if you celebrate) and I hope you have a splendid holiday break with your loved ones! I'll probably skip next week's review to focus on my family.
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 $87,377 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 BCBG Maxazria, Farm Rio, and Alexia Admor were fresh from the dry cleaner and neatly folded.
THE GOODS
BCBG Maxazria Double Breasted Belted Blazer, Retail Value $348
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About the Designer: Max Azria launched BCBGMAXAZRIA and opened its first headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles in 1989. The Tunisia-born, Paris-raised designer played an instrumental role in creating the contemporary category.
Azria moved to the U.S. in 1981, after designing a women’s wear collection in Paris for 11 years. He first launched a new concept retail chain called Jess, then launched BCBGMAXAZRIA merging European sophistication with an American spirit. BCBG stands for “Bon Chic Bon Genre” as in the French way to describe the stylish youth of Paris, and the brand set the template for a younger, trend-driven fashion tier that differentiated itself in feel and cut from the bridge category in department stores. With his wife, Lubov, they expanded the brand and added the Hervé Léger by Max Azria to the fold.
Why I rented it: A good option for work.
How I styled it: While there were many different ways I could've styled it, the blazer gave me some Clueless vibes, so I went with an Alice + Olivia Pleated Leather Mini Skirt, Rebecca Minkoff Button-Down Shirt, Coach Over-the-Knee Boots, and the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour.
Size and fit: I got a medium and the blazer was a bit long and oversized on me, and I'm tall! Fully lined and crafted in a polyester blend, this double-breasted blazer features peak lapels, long sleeves with buttoned cuffs, front double-breasted buttoned closure, left chest welt pocket and waist besom pockets, and a removable belt with D-ring closure.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: You know how there are some things you just don't like on yourself? For me it's blazers. I really like the plaid pattern and design, but it was just too big and maybe it's a little too 80s businesswoman for my style. Kind of reminds me of Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion.
Farm Rio Leopard Print Jersey Midi Dress, Retail Value $160, Armoire $109
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About the Designer: With over 20 years of history, FARM is Brazil’s most beloved clothing and lifestyle brand. The story began in 1997 in Rio at a local independent fashion market called Babilonia Feira Hype where founders Katia Barros and Marcello Bastos took their chances on launching a clothing line that embodies the feminine spirit and vibrant colors of Rio.
Brazilians quickly fell in love with the brand, the booth became a store, that grew into more stores, and now FARM is Brazil’s most recognized brand.
Why I rented it: It looked cozy and sleek.
How I styled it: I wore this dress many times and in many different ways like with my fave Kat Maconie Sock Boots, a vintage Burberry Prorsum Patent Leather Jacket and jewelry from Etsy.
Size and fit: I got a medium and it fit perfectly! This cozy midi-length dress features a crewneck, elbow-length sleeves, an exposed back zipper, and single back vent. It's crafted in a warm jersey material and it's unlined.
I wore this dress for brunch with a friend at the new Pisco y Nazca and both the food and drinks were splendid!
Condition: Very good, but a little worn.
Honest review: I love the design, colors and fabric, but it was a little worn and didn't look the same in person as it did in the picture.
OK, and what the fluff is Mr. HGL doing on the floor? Funny answers only!
Farm Rio Patchwork Bananas Maxi Dress, Retail Value $345
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Why I rented it: Now I really like Farm Rio!
How I styled it: I wore this lovely dress with Twinset Platform Pumps, and also a pair of Plein Sude Over-the-Knee Boots and a shearling vest I found on eBay!
Size and fit: I got a medium and it was a great fit! With the smocked waist and blouson top, it flatters any bust size, and you can pull it up or down to your desired length. Crafted in a colorfully printed fabric, this flowy maxi dress also features a smocked high neckline, long sleeves with elasticized cuffs, back zip closure, ruffled trim, and floral appliques.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: Loved it so much, I wanted to buy it! Such a great fall and winter dress that's breezy but warm and has so much country girl style. It was perfect for our little jaunt out to 8 Chains Winery with friends and Ryleigh's Oyster Bar with the fam.
Alexia Admor Jacki Pleated Mini Blazer Dress, Retail Value $265
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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: Work, work, work.
How I styled it: I wore this tartan plaid print dress with a Yves Salomon Shearling Jacket, Hermes Clic-Clac Bracelet, Charlotte Olympia Suede Pumps and the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour.
Size and fit: This plaid blazer dress features notched lapels, double-breasted button front closure, and a pleated skirt. I got the medium and while I thought it fit perfectly, it must've been a little small because I popped off one of the buttons.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: Loved it so much, I wanted to buy it, but then realized I could find it on their site for a lot less... and brand new.
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 loved everything except for the BCBG blazer.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Armoire exceeded expectations.
- What’s the return process like? Place the items in the bag, seal it up and that's it!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I haven't reviewed Armoire in a while because I had to get the CaaStle (ModLux.Rent, Haverdash) reviews out of the way, and here are my thoughts on CaaStle rentals.
Pros:
- I love that I have a new batch of clothes to choose from, and it's even better that I can find designers that I haven't seen anywhere else.
- ModLux.Rent has way more clothes per month than RTR and cheaper too.
- Their product descriptions are better than RTR and Armoire.
- ModLux.Rent is still relatively new, so the pieces are in excellent shape.
- I like that the items arrive in a box, and you return them using a pre-addressed shipping bag.
- Haverdash is cheap!
- Better resale prices than others.
- Hugely discounted (or free) first month.
Cons:
- Not many designers or style varieties.
- The shipping is slower.
- Just because you've added items to your closet doesn't mean you'll actually receive them.
- You have to purchase or send all the items back at the same time.
- The Dart system just doesn't work.
To recap, if you "Dart" pieces (a.k.a. choose what you receive) for an extra $5 to $7, you'll be presented a list of available items, and you can choose the 3-5 pieces (if you have that many options) for your next shipment. But be aware that the Dart option is only available for 24 hours, and after that, your shipment will be stocked by pulling from items you previously selected for your own closet.
Since they see this as a major selling point, they really need to work on it. First of all, I have a say in what I actually receive on other sites... I wouldn't order a calfskin bodysuit in 98-degree weather. It's like they take the extra $5 to $7 so they can make you believe you have a say in your order, but most of the time I had the same items presented to me, whether I paid to Dart or not. And it seemed like even though I had 60 plus items in my closet, there were never more than 7 pieces available. So, I'd add dozens of pieces to my closet, pay the $7, and then discover there were only 3 or 4 items to choose from (pay for 3-5 at a time).
Then, I'd have to scroll through their site to add lots more pieces in hopes I'd find something I liked, but alas, most of the time they weren't available either. Sigh. I tried to outsmart the system and removed the out-of-season items from my closet in hopes seasonal pieces would appear, but they didn't. It was like playing hide and seek and I was always seeking.
Seriously though, if they plan to continue with and promote Dart as a selling point, they really, really need to invest heavily in their stock... or actually just get rid of Dart because I'd rather pick my own clothes for an additional $7 a month. CaaStle is a new company, and their rental platforms are new too, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, but stock should be their number one priority, and then after they're fully stocked, they can reintroduce Dart.
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 $87,377! It looks like renters have scooped up the majority of the items I wore this round.
What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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