Hello and happy Friday! Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving, and you were able to score some awesome deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
I bought a wall repair kit and wood filler because my rodents ate the wall when I was out of town. I used packaging tape on the woodwork to block them, but Gabby tore it off and became a little beaver. The damage is quite bad and it's a brand-new building, so there's no way I can get out of this one. Unless I tap back into the "skills" I learned in my high school tech ed class and repair it myself.
There goes my security deposit! She'll calm down once she's fixed, but I can't schedule that until she's at least 6 months old. In the meantime, she'll continue to tear up everything in her way. Sigh.
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 $113,007 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
All four items by Sachin & Babi, Trina Turk, Go Couture, and Badgley Mischka arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.
Sachin & Babi Patrizia Asymmetric Neckline Dress, Retail Value $475, Armoire $313
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: I've rented this dress before but wanted to try it in a different color.
How I styled it: I paired this dress with Aquazzura pumps, Yves Salomon Shearling jacket, and the Balenciaga Graffiti bag. The color and design reminded me of the dress Melania wore to the inauguration.
Size and fit: I got a medium and the fit was perfect! This sheath dress is crafted in thick stretch crepe fabric with a boatneck, long sleeves, v-back, back-zip closure, fitted bodice and waist, and a midi-length hem with asymmetrical front slit.
Condition: Like-new condition.
Honest review: I rented this a year ago, but I can't find the review. Well, this dress was a total hit with the men! They approached me at the grocery store, restaurant and at work, and they all said the same thing: "That dress is so classy!"
Trina Turk Gina Boatneck Dress, Retail Value $194, Armoire $154
About the Designer: A genuine California local, Trina Turk is inspired by the Golden State’s multicultural mix, creativity, craftsmanship, architecture, and landscape--a synergy that permeates her contemporary, colorful aesthetic. Infused with bold signature prints and dynamic hues unique to each collection, Trina’s modern and optimistic outlook meld the best of classic American design with a California confidence, incorporating beautiful fabrications and impeccable quality for effortless élan and carefree glamour.
Founded in 1995 by Trina and her late husband, photographer Jonathan Skow, as a women’s contemporary line, Trina Turk has evolved into a print and color driven lifestyle brand, celebrating California style with eleven annual collections of chic women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, plus swimwear, eyewear, paper goods, a Mr Turk menswear collection, and residential goods.
Why I rented it: I haven't worn anything by Trina Turk since NYC!
How I styled it: This dress sure made me look like the hunchback of Notre Dame! I wore the dress with Sheertex tights, the Patou jacket, Tamara Melon strapped pumps, and a vintage Louis Vuitton tote.
Size and fit: Crafted in Jetstream Knit Jacquard, this wrinkle-resistant dress features a boatneck, drop shoulder, dolman sleeves, and a cocoon-style silhouette.
I ordered a medium and it was pretty snug around my hips and collarbone. I would say it actually runs small.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: I had high hopes, but it looked ridiculous on me. The fit was totally off, and I didn't like the metallic threads.
Go Couture Blouson Jersey Maxi Dress, Retail Value $158, Armoire $126
About the Designer: Go Couture is a fashion brand that offers stylish, high-quality apparel for the modern woman. With a focus on timeless designs and luxurious fabrics, Go Couture provides the perfect blend of fashion and comfort. From classic blazers to statement dresses, Go Couture has something for every occasion.
Why I rented it: I couldn't find anything else.
How I styled it: I didn't wear this dress out in public; It was more of a house dress for me. In the photos, I paired it with a vintage belt, Kendra Scott Maya Necklace, Gucci studded leather jacket, Twinset platform pumps, and the Prada bunny bag.
Size and fit: I got a medium and it's long and blousy but fitted in the waist. This pullover design is crafted of modal with a hint of stretch, and features a crewneck, long sleeves, elasticized waist and ankle-length hem with side slits.
Condition: Average.
Honest review: While it's comfy and versatile (a great daytime house dress!), it's worn, stretched out, and ready to be retired.
Badgley Mischka Balloon Sleeve Mini Dress, Retail Value $140, Armoire $119
About the Designer: Mark Badgley and James Mischka have been hailed by Vogue as one of the “Top 10 American Designers” and as the darlings of the Hollywood set. The design duo has made their mark over the past three decades with glamorous, stylish and wearable evening wear and accessories.
There is a unique synergy between the talented duo, who met while studying at Parsons School of Design in New York. They share a similar aesthetic about clothes and the way people dress. Both men spent time designing for leading names — Mark for Donna Karan; James, the men's collection for WilliWear WilliSmith — before starting their own line.
Mark and James joined forces to launch Badgley Mischka in 1988 and since the beginning Badgley Mischka have captivated the fashion press and prominent retailers around the world with their sophisticated style that caters to a younger, more modern couture customer, without forsaking women of any age. They have remained true to this design philosophy and the consistent integrity of their collections. Their timeless designs appeal to a range of fashionable women, including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Mirren and Ashley Judd.
Why I rented it: I am always down to try something that is brand new with tags.
How I styled it: I paired it with Twinset platform pumps, a Kendra Scott necklace, Calzedonia nude nylons, and the Prada bunny clutch.
Size and fit: Crafted in pleated satin, this double V mini dress is holiday ready with a front and back V-neckline, long balloon sleeves, back zip closure, cinched waist, and flared skirt.
I ordered the 6 and while it fit well most places, the bust was slightly oversized on me.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: It was a little too mother-of-the-bride for me, but it's well-made and a total winner for a fancy occasion 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? The only dress I wore out was the Sachin & Babi. The others just didn't make the cut.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Met expectations.
- What’s the return process like? Place the items in the bag, seal it up and that's it!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Going to keep it short this week and play catch up from the holidays. Have a great weekend!
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 $113,007!
What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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