What I’m Wearing This Week: Armoire

Happy Friday! I've had some technical difficulties accessing WordPress so we're trying to find a fix, and I think it's also time I get a new laptop.

Well, we're back with Armoire and at the end of this week's review, I'll give you my honest thoughts and feelings since I haven't done that in a long time! And just so you know, Armoire is the only clothing rental company still working with me, but I will subscribe to RTR when it makes sense. I'm really not going anywhere right now so I feel it's a waste of money to pay for it, and a waste of pretty clothing! With that in mind, I'll probably end up skipping a week each month, but I'll give you a head's up in advance. Soon, I will try Nuuly before I pay for RTR again since I'm not familiar with them and they're a lot cheaper!

Over the holidays, Armoire sent me a free one-month membership to gift to one of my friends or family members and no one accepted it! I asked four different women and they all said it's overwhelming, they don't know about sizing, they didn't like filling out their profile, and it's too time consuming to scroll through thousands of items.

I offered to help them with everything (designers, sizing, savings items, putting looks together), but after downloading the app and looking through a few items, they changed their minds and told me to give it to someone else. So, this free month of Armoire went to waste because it was overwhelming and they weren't willing to do the behind-the-scenes work to get free clothes!

Ugh, I was totally perplexed... you get free clothes for a month! How could anyone turn that down? But they did. So, now I'm wondering what would make the process easier and less overwhelming? Let me know in the comments!

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 $90,114 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 French Connection, Sachin & Babi, Veronica Beard and Boden and were fresh from the dry cleaner and neatly folded.

THE GOODS 

French Connection Favan Faux Fur Removable Collar Coat, Retail Value $298

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About the Designer: We were founded in 1972 and set out with the aim to create design-led, fashionable clothing. Today, we design contemporary clothing, accessories and homeware – everything you need in one destination. Signature dresses, responsible denim and relaxed staples are what we do best, so expect compliments. We offer eco-conscious pieces and accessible, quality products that stand the test of time, giving you confidence to look and feel your best every day.

In more recent years we have also expanded our portfolio into new exciting areas including men’s and women’s toiletries, sunglasses and opticals, watches, footwear and a growing range of furniture and home accessories.

Why I rented it: I didn’t own a neutral-hued coat and I needed one for the chillier months.

How I styled it: Not one style in particular...I paired this coat with many matching looks!

Size and fit: I got a 6 and it was a perfect fit! This long coat is crafted in an ultra-soft felt and faux fur fabric with a removable faux fur collar, front button closure, long sleeves, self-tie waist with belt loops, two side slash pockets, piped details, and it’s fully lined.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: Since Armoire offered me a great deal on a brand new coat, I strongly considered making it mine. The only reason I decided against it at the last second was because I found a vintage fox fur jacket on eBay for less, and realized it probably made more dollars and sense to invest in fur from a resale perspective.

Sachin & Babi Moyer Embroidered Pleated Yoke Dress, Retail Value $299, Armoire $194

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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.

Why I rented it: It's brand new and very pretty.

How I styled it: I paired this patchwork dress with nude tights, Aquazzura Lace Up Tassel Pumps, Kendra Scott Colette Hoops, Louis Vuitton Graffiti Speedy Bag, and the French Connection coat.

Size and fit: I got a medium and it was a bit boxy and oversized. Crafted in printed poly chiffon, this lightweight dress features hand-stitched embroidery, pleated yoking, round neckline, front button closure, long balloon sleeves with semi-sheer panels and buttoned cuffs, pleated bodice, slight empire waist, and a tiered circle skirt.

Condition: Brand new with tags!

Honest review: Expertly made and totally gorgeous, but I didn’t love the way it looked on me. It was a little too boho for my tastes.

Veronica Beard Sheridan Notched Waist Bell Bottom Jeans, Retail Value $345, Armoire $93

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About the designer: "We believe in enduring personal style. We believe in the doers and makers, the movers and shakers.  We believe that a dream wardrobe has to work for real life. Look good, feel good, do good." - The Veronicas

Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard are the sisters-in-law and design duo behind namesake contemporary label Veronica Beard. Launching with a signature jacket style, the “Dickey” single-button blazer, the company found its niche in the contemporary market, as the jacket’s popularity quickly caught on with celebrities and influencers. The brand is carried by over 500 global distributors, including Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Bergdorf Goodman, and is one of the top-performing contemporary labels in the industry.

Why I rented it: I love bell bottoms and needed a pair of dressy, dark-hued jeans.

How I styled it: You’ve seen me wear these jeans many times and in many different ways. I just wanted to review the bell bottoms so you know more about them!

Size and fit: I ordered the 27 and regretted it after reading the reviews that said the jeans run small, but luckily they fit me perfectly. These dark blue jeans are crafted in cotton with a hint of stretch, and a super high, notched waistband with a self-tie waist, double front button and zip closure, a five-pocket style, and flared hem.

It says the inseam is 34” and they're maybe a tiny bit short on me. No way I have a 35” inseam!

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: Loved them so much, I bought them for $93. How's that for a deal?

Boden Hotch Potch Tulle Midi Dress, Retail Value $320, Armoire $240

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About the Designer: Johnnie Boden launched Boden with a hand-drawn catalog featuring eight menswear styles he wanted in his own wardrobe (and wanted to order from his armchair). That was 1991, and back then, catalogs for stylish people who like stylish clothes weren’t really a ‘thing’ in Britain. Today, after a wild, unpredictable and exciting 30 years, Boden is a global company, but it still has the same family vibes. It’s the opinion of the women in his life – his wife Sophie (who pushed him to follow his dream in the first place), his three discerning daughters, and Johnnie’s feisty female sidekick – Sprout the dog – that he values over anything.

Why I rented it: Looked like a great holiday dress.

How I styled it: I paired this lovely swiss dot dress with a pair of black Calzedonia Tights, Charlotte Olympia Suede Slingback Pumps, a vintage Chanel Bag and a vintage fox fur jacket from eBay.

Size and fit: Crafted in mesh tulle with polka dot details, this eye-catching design features a mock neck with ruffled details, short puffed sleeves with elasticized cuffs, back keyhole button closure, elasticized waist, and tiered polka dot tulle skirt with ruffled trim. It’s fully lined, a little heavy (but not warm), and quite cozy!

Condition: Excellent.

Honest review: This dress is a stunner and worth way more than its retail price. The details and tailoring make this an elegant dress for a black tie affair, or a night out on the town.

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 so much wear out of the French Connection and the jeans!
• 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

Since I've been reviewing Armoire for the past two and a half years, let's dive into current the pros and cons, and how I feel it stacks up to other rental companies.

Pros:

• I love that I can rent so many pieces per month!
• The revolving wardrobe is awesome! If I try something I don't like or doesn't fit properly, I can send it right back and choose a replacement immediately.
• They keep investing in new clothing and designers.
• They've updated their website and added lots of sort and filter options. I complained about this in the past.
• The prices are reasonable for the amount of clothing you receive.
• A lot of the items arrive brand new with tags.
• The clothing and designers aren't so high-end that it feels overwhelming.
• Lots of sizing options.
• Speedier shipping.

Cons: 

• The clothes aren't exactly my style, but I can still find pieces to wear.
• Product descriptions are still lacking information.
• The photography could be a lot better. Sometimes it's hard to tell what you're receiving, and the customer photos aren't always helpful either.
• It's a bit pricey.
• Some of the items arrive a bit worn (like other rental companies) and should be taken out of rotation.
• Resale prices are high.

Compared to Rent the Runway, ModLux.Rent, Haverdash, Le Tote, and others, it's really down to style, taste, budget, and wardrobe needs. Rent the Runway will always have clothing that best fits my high-fashion tastes—they offer the best brands and coolest designs so you will get the biggest bang for your buck (from a retail value perspective).

But if their options overwhelm you or you're not familiar with the designers or fits, you may be better off trying a rental company that offers more everyday brands like Armoire, Haverdash, and Le Tote.

One of my biggest complaints about the CaaStle brands (Haverdash and ModLux.Rent) is that you have to return everything at once, whereas I can send my Armorie rentals back whenever I want, and receive a replacement two days later!

If budget is an issue, stick with Haverdash, but if you've money to spend and can afford all the designer rentals, go with RTR's top tier.

If you want a truly revolving wardrobe, you've got nothing to wear, and high fashion isn't your passion, do Armoire!

Here are a few hard truths about rentals:

• The items may arrive dirty, worn or damaged.
• The shipment may be delayed or doesn't arrive at all.
• Designers aren't consistent with sizing. You can be a US 4 in an American designer and a US 10 in a British designer.
• They might make a mistake about an item's availability and send you something else in its place.
• You may find your size, but it could be totally stretched out due to too many wears.
• Photos aren't always accurate and the piece could show up looking totally different.
• If you don't have an active social or work life, it may be a complete waste of money.
• While they clean the items, sometimes they still end up smelling like armpits, cigarettes, or someone's very strong perfume.

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 $90,114! I

What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!