Hey, y’all! I will skip next week because I just received my first Nuuly shipment and I need time to check it out!
Busy week at work and in life, so let’s get straight to the review.
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 $91,655 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 Mikael Aghal, Wolford, Yumi Kim and Isabel Marant arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.
Mikael Aghal Floral Bodice Midi Dress Retail Value $1,185, Armoire $391
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About this designer: The Mikael Aghal Collection is designed by a collaborative, creative team based in New York City. Focused on a vision for our core customer, the brand is dedicated to helping women look and feel great in their day to day lives as well as all those important moments and special events.Since 2007, Mikael Aghal has established a loyal following and continues to evolve by answering the needs of our customers. Feminine and sophisticated details are anchored in hallmark heritage prints, creating a consistent aesthetic that inspires and delights. Quality workmanship and designer finishes are foundational elements for each and every style. The collection offers a variety of sleeves and skirt lengths for women who feel overlooked by what is available in the market, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident at any time of day or night.
Why I rented: I wanted another dress for the office.
How I styled it: I paired this dress with Ava Rose Memphis Twisted Hoops, Calzedonia nylons, Karl Lagerfeld Strappy Pumps, a vintage fox fur coat, and the Louis Vuitton Cherry Blossoms Bag.
Size and fit: I got an 8 because a 6 wasn’t available, and it fit really well. Therefore I’d say the dress runs a little small. They said this dress retails for $1,185, but it’s crafted in polyester so either that’s not the real price, or maybe the writer messed up on the fabric!
Anyway, it’s fully lined and features a sweetheart neckline, long sleeves, concealed side zip closure, ruched bodice and a ruffled hem.
Honest review: It’s really pretty, flattering, and very well made, but I should’ve held off on renting it until the weather warmed up a little bit. I will rent it again!
Wolford Montana Virgin Wool Dress Retail Value $618, Armoire $250
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About this designer: Wolford is the leading global brand in luxury skinwear, established in 1950 on the shores of Lake Constance in Bregenz, Austria. Driven by creative passion and a pioneering spirit, we specialize in innovative fabrics and the highest-quality legwear, lingerie, and bodywear.
Over the past decades, we have partnered with the most prominent photographers and designers to create epic advertising campaigns and unique brand collaborations.
Grounded in our core values, we continuously strive towards greater sustainability by funding strategic initiatives and driving technological innovation. This long-term commitment led us to become the first and only company in the apparel industry to be granted the prestigious Cradle to Cradle Gold Certificate – the highest level of recognition.
Why I rented it: Brand new and I love Wolford!
How I styled it: I took pics of this dress with a vintage suede belt, Aquazzura Suede Tassel Pumps, the Armoire French Connection Coat, and Louis Vuitton Cherry Blossoms Bag.
Size and fit: I never wore this out in public because it fit terribly. For a brand-new virgin wool dress in a medium, it was oversized and difficult to belt because of the extra fabric. Even the mock neck, ribbed sleeves and banded hem stretched out as soon as I pulled it on!
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: It’s a Wolford fail—felt like a piece of toilet paper and fit like a sack. Super thin fabric and shapeless.
Yumi Kim Teyona Printed Ruffle Dress Retail $238, Armoire $190
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About the designer: Surrounded by extraordinary women her entire life, including her mother who wore exotic prints and bold florals and proudly donned the classic Ao Dai (a traditional Vietnamese dress), Kim Phan was inspired by these bold women who gave her strength. When she moved to New York in 2004 and adopted a loving Yorkshire Terrier named Yumi, YUMI KIM was born.
Every piece has a story to tell. Coveted for its sunny color combinations and array of florals, the brand reflects the unique experiences that have shaped her life.
Why I rented it: It was finally available!
How I styled it: Since the dress was so short on me, I wore it with Kate Spade My Love Cluster Studs, black opaque tights, Kat Maconie Toni Ankle Boot and a Yves Salomon Shearling Coat.
I also wore it with vintage Coach Over-the-Knee Boots, Balenciaga City Clutch, Saint Laurent Sac de Jour, and an unbranded shearling vest.
Size and fit: Yumi Kim runs very small, and the dresses are ridiculously short on me, so I will size up in the future, so I don’t waste a great rental spot.
This time I rented a medium and because the zipper was broken, I had to practically remove one of my hips to get it on. Crafted in Viscose Georgette with a polyester lining, this paisley print dress features a high neckline, long puff sleeves with banded cuffs, concealed back zip closure, gathered bodice, and a ruffle-tiered skirt.
Condition: A bit worn, and the zipper was broken.
Honest review: I love this dress and got so much wear out of it, but there were way too many issues!
Isabel Marant Metallic Skinny Trousers Retail $525, Armoire $173
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About the designer: "I never dreamed of being a big designer, I don't care about being known all over the world." Isabel Marant told the WSJ.
Marant began designing only for her friends, but following her collaboration with Christopher Lemaire, Marant chose to make fashion her profession, quickly establishing herself as a fixture of Paris’ ready-to-wear week. Her laid-back aesthetic is littered with rock girl references, tactile fabrics and a Parisian’s attitude to silhouette: long and lean or louche and short.
Marant’s designs both her main collection and her diffusion line, Isabel Marant Étoile, which are both sold all over the world. The brand also has nearly 40 directly-owned boutiques globally and an e-commerce site. However, the designer told W she approached own store expansion with caution, “When you have too many stores, everything is so important; if you have a failure somewhere, everything comes crashing down.”
Why I rented it: After my awesome experience with the Veronica Beard jeans, I wanted to try a pair of unique pants, and the gold really caught my eye.
How I styled it: I literally tried these pants on, took pics, and sent them right back, but I did create a dressed up and dressed down look. The first group of pics I wore the pants with an Adam Lippes Cashmere Sweater and Giuseppe Zanotti Studded Combat Boots.
And for the second look I wore a Self-Portrait Blouse, Kendra Scott Brielle Gold Drop Earrings, Kat Maconie Ankle Boots, the Chanel 19, and a vintage mink jacket.
Size and fit: This is a perfect example of why rental companies should include measurements. The rise and inseam were too short for me! I got a medium which is probably the equivalent of a size 26-29.
These gold metallic skinny pants are crafted in cotton with lurex threads and feature a waistband with belt loops, front button and zip closure, and a five-pocket style. They were fitted with almost no stretch and pretty uncomfortable!
Honest review: Too small, too short, and too glittery for everyday wear.
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 Yumi Kim dress, despite being a little too small and broken.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Eh, Armoire delivered some complications this time around.
- What’s the return process like? Place the items in the bag, seal it up and that's it!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Talk amongst yourselves—I’ll give you a topic.
Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce a PR stunt and business deal designed to boost the profile of the NFL and attract younger Gen Z and Alpha women?
Now, Taylor has been in many faux-mances and there’s been a rumor about her and Karlie Kloss for years, but when I look at them together, she looks genuinely interested in him and their families are involved too. I can’t decide!
But Jlo and Ben are a PR stunt, and their families are involved too. So, what do you think?
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 $91,655!
What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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