Happy weekend! Mr. HGL is a week into his meds, and he seems a little better... hopefully, he keeps improving and I don't have to worry about having his bladder flushed. I rented this batch of easy, breezy summer dresses to wander around Nashville, but instead, I've basically turned them into nightgowns and layered them with various jackets at night because sometimes it gets chilly.
Since I'm super pale, I tend to wear much longer items until mid-May, once I start slathering on the sunless tanning lotion.
We were just informed we'll have to go back to the office 2-3 days a week starting May 2nd. While most of my coworkers are a little outraged, I'm actually excited to be around people again. Sitting at home alone can be such a bummer!
Well, that means I've got to start renting items that are more work appropriate and less about fun, fashion trends, and style. Starting in two weeks, I'll begin renting workwear, and I'll probably use Armoire's revolving closet for work and RTR for play.
What would you like to see regarding back to the office style? If you remember a post from about a year ago where I discussed Capital One's fashion police (funny I'm back there again), there's no doubt I will stand out and get some confused looks. But maybe I can inspire others too! Workwear doesn't need to be boring and conventional... especially in 2023.
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 $60,367 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 five items by Meghan LA, Halston, Lilly Pulitzer, Saloni, and Parker Black arrived on time and in great condition. Each item was fresh from the dry cleaner and neatly folded.
THE GOODS
Meghan LA Pleated Wide Leg Jumpsuit, Retail Value $399, Armoire $152
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About the Designer: A native of Southern California, Meghan learned to sew from her mother at the age of four, and the two of them together made much of the clothing she wore throughout her childhood. From those humble roots sprang a deep-seated passion for design and the creation of what she calls “wearable art.”
From the beginning, her vibe has been laid-back, hippie, and bohemian and her designs have come to anchor the wardrobes of successful, confident, sexy women all over the globe.
Drawing inspiration from quirky travel destinations, funky museums, cultural and religious iconography, and her own extensive collection of vintage haute couture, she has turned out numerous breathtaking designs over a career spanning more than two decades.
Inspiration from some of her heroes like Elsa Schiaparelli, John Galliano, Iris Apfel, and Marcia Curly Israel has led to intricate silhouettes featuring detailed embellishments and special touches that people often describe as “very Meghan.” An accomplished businessperson and a true force of nature, she started her first company at the age of 26 and has seen numerous designers who studied under her go on to open their own studios. Her work ethic, especially when targeted at realizing her vision, is breathtaking.
How I styled it: I wore this amazing jumpsuit with a pair of chain-link earrings, the Etsy Obi Belt, Chanel 19 bag, Gucci Studded Leather Jacket, and Tabitha Simmons Laser-Cut Floral Leather Sandals.
I wore this to meet a friend for dinner over on Bethesda Row where I got stopped twice on the street by women who wanted to know about the jumpsuit and rentals. I really need a business card for this type of stuff.
Size and fit: I got a medium and it's a little oversized. This sleeveless polyester jumpsuit features a mock-neck with back-tie closure, pleated blouson-style bodice, elasticized waist, and flared and pleated legs.
Condition: Very good. It's been washed a worn a bunch, so the pleats aren't as defined as they should be.
Honest review: This jumpsuit can be layered or worn alone, and despite being a little lightweight and sheer, it really can be worn year-round. I love the color, and it's very classy!
So, Armoire offered me a 25% off discount on this jumpsuit, but I still felt like it was too worn (where are the pleats?) to pay $122 so I hopped on Google and found the same jumpsuit in cobalt blue, brand new and on their site. After I applied the 15% off welcome discount, I paid $100 for shipping and taxes too.
Halston Midi Sheath Dress, Retail Value $295, Armoire $162
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About the designer: Roy Halston Frowick, known worldwide as Halston, was one of the most influential American designers of the 20th century. He helped define ’70s style with his elegant yet sexy dresses that were staples during the disco era. His fame rose when he designed the pillbox hat Jacqueline Kennedy wore to the inauguration of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, in 1961. Halston and his model and celebrity friends were fixtures on the New York City party scene of the ’70s and ’80s.
His partying inspired some of his most popular designs, including the halter dress, which became a go-to look for many women of that era, including friends like Bianca Jagger, Marlene Dietrich, Lauren Bacall, and many others. In his heyday, Halston described his design approach as “editing the mood of what’s happening” and modestly described his success as “a designer is only as good as the people he dresses.”
How I styled it: I had to wear it with a jacket overtop because it's too small for me, so I paired it with a metallic gold leather jacket I found at a sample sale in NYC, chain-link earrings, and a chain-link necklace from Etsy, a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood Block-Heeled Suede Sandals from TheRealReal and the Chanel 19 bag.
Size and fit: I got the 6 and this dress is the perfect example of how my swimmer shoulders and wide ribcage can cause items to fit a bit oddly. I couldn't zip it all the way so I covered the back with the jacket so I could still wear it!
This strapless design features a sweetheart neckline, racerback with zip closure, textured waist that creates an hourglass shape, high side slit and it's lined.
Condition: Very good, but the twisted straps in the back weren't ideal.
Honest review: I really like this dress, the textured sides, the stretch, and the length. Only wish I could've zipped it all the way, but I'm glad I could wear it anyway!
Lilly Pulitzer Maybella Tiered Lace Dress, Retail Value $248, Armoire $188
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About the designer: Lilly Pulitzer set out to create her own happiness, opening a juice stand in Palm Beach. In need of an everyday uniform, she asked her dressmaker for something to camouflage splashes of citrus juice.
The result was a comfortable, sleeveless shift dress made of colorful printed cotton. Since those early days, Lilly designs have been beloved for their casual glamour, vibrant optimism, and endlessly joyful spirit. Lilly was an original with the confidence to break all the rules, the humility to pull it off, and the vision to make women feel as good as they look. Today, her spirit is reflected in the brand’s distinctive prints and lively colors, which inspire everyone to shine bright and stand out.
How I styled it: I paired this dress with a new-to-me pair of Jimmy Choo Patent Leather Wedges from TheRealReal ($30!) and the Louis Vuitton Murakami Cherry Blossom Bag.
I've worn this many times, like to take Nr. HGL to the vet.
Size and fit: I got the 6 and it's true to size. This cotton-blend sleeveless dress features gingham stripe jacquard and inset lace trim with a round neckline, back-zip closure, self-tie sash waist, and a tiered lace inset skirt.
Condition: Great, I just needed to iron the belt.
Honest review: It's ironic I used to laugh at Lilly Pulitzer, and now I really like some of her designs. It's so dainty and feminine... perfect for brunch, a vineyard, or a day out on the boat.
Saloni Jemma Floral Maxi Dress, Retail Value $625, Armoire $406
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About the designer: Saloni Lodha founded her eponymous label in 2011 with a vision of elegant femininity imbued with vibrant color.
SALONI means beautiful in Sanskrit, and true to its name, the brand empowers its customers of all ages to experience the unabashed joy of living life in different hues. The brand’s unique alchemy comes from Saloni’s own story, her love of textiles, and intuitive sense of everyday dressing. For Saloni, creating beautiful things is a meditative journey, inspired by her childhood in India and a nomadic life lived between Hong Kong, Seoul, London, and Italy.
As a working mother of two boys juggling offices in different time zones, Saloni designs from an innate sense of what her customers need and desire. The playful and effortless collections allow the wearer to seamlessly transition from a formal occasion, a dinner at home, or a far-flung travel destination. The brand’s signature shapes, textiles, and custom prints are crafted with love and care to be collected and cherished over time.
How I styled it: I replaced their belt with my vintage gold-tone belt from Etsy and paired the dress with Jimmy Choo Strappy Patent Leather Sandals, vintage knot earrings, and the Fendi Fendista Pochette.
Size and fit: I got the 6 and this cotton and silk-blend dress features a subtle animal print in bright fruity colors, a square neckline with flutter sleeves, ruffled yoke, tiered seams, front button closure, adjustable self-belt at waist, tiered skirt and flounced hem.
Condition: Very good.
Honest review: I'm not wowed by this dress. I loved it on the model, but it's underwhelming in person. I much prefer the Saloni dress I wore to the St. Patty's Day festivities.
Parker Black Twist-Front Striped Maxi Dress, Retail Value $538, Armoire $221
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About the designer: Parker Black is New York based fashion label Parker’s luxury formal collection. Known for its fearless and citygirl fashion, Parker Black line channels the same energy into its special occasion styles. From glamorous cocktail dresses to red-carpet gowns, each style has delicate finishings such as hand-beaded motifs, special prints, feathered fringe, and stunning draping. Shop the latest collection of dresses of gowns from Parker Black, perfect for your next special occasion.
How I styled it: I'm having a really hard time with zippers these days, and this one wouldn't shut because it's too small so I couldn't wear it.
Size and fit: I got the 6 and it was way too small in the ribcage. I couldn't wear this...
Condition: Very good.
Honest review: A little too dressy for everyday wear and I wasn't expecting the metallic stripes, but the extra-long length would've been perfect for me if I could've zippered it up.
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 the Meghan LA jumpsuit, the Halston dress and the Lilly dress too!
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Armoire met expectations.
- What’s the return process like? Place the items in the bag, seal it up and that's it!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I wish these rental companies would list the measurements on each piece. It would make all of our lives so much easier! I used to add measurements for everything I wrote at Saks Fifth Avenue, so why can't Armoire and RTR do the same?
Grr...
Also, the resale prices are absurd. $162 to buy it totally used, whereas the retail value is $118 for the jumpsuit. Ugh.
Have a great weekend, every bun!
CAN YOU STILL GET THIS BOX IF YOU SIGN UP TODAY? Yes, all these items are still available to rent.
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 $60,367!
What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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