What I’m Wearing This Week: FashionPass

Hoppy Friday! Let's dive right into FashionPass so we can get to my first impressions review.

WHAT I'M WEARING THIS WEEK: FashionPass

Welcome back to What I'm Wearing This Week — FashionPass is where you can rent and wear designer items by names you know and love. FP started in 2016 by a husband-and-wife duo to solve a serious personal problem—spending WAY too much money on clothes. Back then, the couple ran FP out of their guest bedroom where they had a whopping 2 racks of clothing and 5 members (shout out to my best friends). They'd ship orders and process returns at their kitchen table and drive everything to the cleaners. With no office and no venture capitalists, they were just two people with some big & crazy dreams.

Then, now, and always, the sole reason for FashionPass is to make every woman look and feel like the best versions of themselves every time they walk out the door.

For the newbies to WIWTW, (almost) every Friday 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. Well, that's if the price is right!

For sizing reference, I am 5'11", weigh 140 pounds, and have a 33" inseam.

This is a review of the 10 Items Per Month plan. They're currently running a limited-time deal where you can rent 10 clothing items and 2 accessories for one month for $59.

ACTIVE DEAL: Get your first rental for $29!
CODE: MSA29 

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)

WHAT I RECEIVED

All six items by For Love & Lemons, Sau Lee, Selkie, Love Shack Fancy and B-Low the Belt arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in plastic bags.

THE GOODS 

For Love & Lemons Meadow Maxi Dress, Retail Value $290, FP $203

About the Designer: The story of For Love & Lemons began with two adventurous 11-year-olds and a tiny lemonade stand. When Laura Hall and Gillian Rose Kern found each other in their small Wyoming town, they began a lifelong friendship and business partnership rooted in fearless individuality, unapologetic femininity, and unconditional familial love. Eventually, they replaced their bucolic countryside surroundings with the sprawling, creative neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Here, lemonade stands gave way to vibrant dresses and delicately designed lingerie. Today, with a small team of 40 people, Laura and Gillian continue to stitch these principles into every fiber of their collections. For Love & Lemons is a 100% women-led team comprised of collaborative dreamers who value innovation, curiosity, and free-thinking fearlessness in everything they do. For Love & Lemons is a mighty band of talented individuals dedicated to bringing you otherworldly designs with imagery to match.

Why I rented it: I needed a dress for a friend's birthday party.

How I styled it: I wore this dress to celebrate the birthday boy at Barcelona Wine Bar, my old stomping grounds! I miss living in DuPont Circle, but the crime makes it pretty unlivable these days. Plus, the DC taxes are pretty outrageous.

Anyway, I paired this dress with Lele Sadoughi Crystal Lily earrings, a Devi Kroell Python clutch, and a pair of Cole Haan Addie sandals.

Size and fit: I got a medium and it fit very well. This colorful dress is crafted in polyester with a sweetheart neckline, shoulder ties, back-zip closure, corset-style bodice, defined waist with grosgrain trim, semi-sheer tiered and ruffled skirt with back slit.

Condition: Great.

Honest review: Once I made sure it wasn't completely sheer and figured out how to tie the shoulder straps, I became a huge fan! Love the colors and design.

Sau Lee Angela Knit Dress, Retail Value $350, FP $245

About the Designer: SAU LEE holds a special place in every woman’s wardrobe that celebrates a new era of female glamour in contemporary Eastern chic that perfectly balances elegance and sensuality envisioned by women for women.

Each piece is meticulously designed for our heroine to feel effortlessly beautiful, captivating and deserved; crafted for every SAU LEE girl who knows and shows she’s worth it.

Founded in 2014, the story began with one woman’s reimagining of sensuality and sensibility in a new age of femininity. SAU LEE was born as a love letter to women – women who see each other and bring each other up, empowered and cherished through the female point-of-view.

Cheryl, having roots in both Hong Kong and California, is fulfilling a need for stronger representation in fashion, building a house of glamour that brings polycultural depth and inclusivity to international fashion beloved by women around the world.

Why I rented it: This green hue was my Irish grandmother's favorite.

How I styled it: I wore this dress to the office and out at night and paired it with the Louis Vuitton Graffiti Speedy and my Crocs sandals to run errands. I also paired it with Ferragamo Gavina Block-Heeled sandals, an Obi Leather belt, a Gucci Studded Leather jacket, and a Louis Vuitton tote for work.

Size and fit: This open-knit dress is the perfect throw-on-and-go dress. This sleeveless maxi features a crew neckline, ribbed armholes, knotted details at the side seam, and a gathered hem. The dress is unlined,, and undergarments will show through.

Condition: Great.

Honest review: I got a lot of wear out of this dress. It's long, cozy, breezy and attractive too, but you need to wear something underneath—otherwise you may end up getting some weird looks and comments!

Selkie Duchess Corset, Retail Value $198, FP $138; Selkie Aurora Skirt, Retail Value $249, FP $174

About the Designer: Fanciful, nostalgic and extra romantic...Meet Selkie! By former Wildfox Co-Founder, Kimberley Gordon. This ready-to-wear collection is an imagination driven brand and encourages artistic self expression. Selkie offers a range of stand out party dresses, and after party sweatsuits. With timeless pieces sizes XXS-6X they are made to keep, and pieces you will treasure forever. Selkie is a low waste company, producing small inventories to test the success of items, then using pre-sale to predict how much to buy on popular styles for future rounds. This ensures no dangerous dumping or contribution to landfill.

Each collection tells a story and presents a dreamy world through its imagery. 

Why I rented it: I've always wanted to try something by Selkie.

How I styled it: I was excited to get this as a set, but once I received the outfit, I was less enthusiastic. I wore the skirt with a Splendid by Ella Moss Off-the-Shoulder top, the Louis Vuitton Graffiti Speedy, and Alexader Birman Suede Wedges to the office. I covered the top with a leather jacket.

I tried on the Selkie corset top with the skirt and had to unlace and lace it back up twice. I didn't really like the combo and felt self-conscious. And finally, I paired the top with Veronica Beard Bell Bottom Jeans.

Size and fit: I got both pieces in a medium and while you can lace up the corset to find your perfect fit, it still didn't work right for me. This fully boned corset laces up with two draw chords, so that you can control the cinching effect to your desire. It's crafted in double-lined heavy cotton with a scoop neckline and wide shoulder straps.

The high-rise, A-line skirt is crafted in 100% cotton with a romantic floral print, and it's very heavy with multiple layers, a defined waistband, side pockets, and back zip closure.

Condition: Great!

Honest review: The skirt was incredibly heavy which made it tricky to wear in the dead of summer, and the top looked ridiculous on me, and it was super complicated to get on!

Love Shack Fancy Gwen Dress, Retail Value $395, FP $276, B-Low the Belt Ophelia Gloss Belt, Retail Value $220, FP $154

About the Designer: LoveShackFancy is a global fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle brand founded by Rebecca Hessel Cohen in 2013. It was created to celebrate love and revel in the beauty of a flower-filled, rose-colored world. Here, everyday is an occasion and your wildest dreams can become reality.

The LoveShackFancy aesthetic marries vintageinspiration with a fun and modern take on femininity: An overflow of pink, prints, ruffles and lace that speaks not just to romantics at heart but anyone who wants to feel beautiful and confident in their own skin. The bows that can be found across LoveShackFancy clothing, perfume, bedding and kids collections perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the brand—a balance of softness and strength, and an undeniable charm that has no age or time limit.

Why I rented it: I ran out of options, and this looked cute and versatile.

How I styled it: I couldn't wear this dress because it's too short! But for the photos, I paired it with the B-Low-the-Belt belt that was included with the shipment, Cole Haan Addie sandals, and the Prada Bunny clutch.

Size and fit: Crafted in cozy cotton, this pull-on style mini dress features a V-neckline with snap closure, tiered and ruffled shoulders and skirt, and an elasticized waistband.

Condition: Great.

Honest review: Unwearable. Way too young and short!

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 wore the Sau Lee dress the most and the For Love & Lemons 2nd. The rest of the items were wayyyy too young for me.
• Did they meet or exceed expectations? They barely met expectations!
• What’s the return process like? Simple! Just place your items in the pre-paid garment bag, slip and drop it off at FedEx.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So, here are my thoughts halfway through the month. The shipping was awful—it took 8 days to receive my first shipment. I'd complain and ask to keep the items a few more days, but there's nothing I want! The clothing is too young for me, the brands are just OK, and they don't have enough stock.

The app and website don't deliver the best user experience, but I've dealt with worse. I liked how each item was folded neatly and placed in a separate bag... it makes me feel like everything is neat and clean. I love that they send out B-Low the Belt belts—they're my fave!

Stay tuned next week for my final review. Have a great weekend!

ACTIVE DEAL: Get your first rental for $29!
CODE: MSA29

VALUE BREAKDOWN: The 10 Items (or 12 if you consider the bonus accessory item) a Month membership costs $59/month at time of publication and goes up to $125/month after the first month).

Do you subscribe to FashionPass? Let us know what you think down below!