Happy Friday! I can't believe it's almost Christmas. Before we get started, there has been some shipping and subscription confusion, so I will post Armoire in two parts and then start back up with Rocksbox and RTR right after Christmas. I also taught myself how to use TikTok to create a video montage of the looks and OMG is it awkward.
Before we get to the first part of this series, I'll tell you about my Devil Wears Prada experience. Magazines used to pay you in glamour, fun events, and free beauty products which were great if you had some massive trust fund, but I was working two jobs to pay my rent and bills. I met some big-time publicist at an event and told him I'd like to learn the PR side of the industry, so he connected me with his daughter who worked at a top firm in NYC.
I met with the co-founder, who was also one of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's besties before that tragic plane crash, and she brought me on staff to help with Bobbi Brown, a plastic surgeon, and others. The firm itself was full of well-heeled, socialite-type, ivy league-educated, twentysomething daughters who carried REAL Birkins that were gifted to them by mom. Most came to the office in chauffeured black cars and wore Bottega, Prada, and other Italian brands I could hardly pronounce. I mostly wore Levis jeans and tops from TJ Maxx. I looked like Raggedy Anne and did not fit in at all.
The office was located on one large floor of a building in the Flatiron District. When the elevator doors would open up in the morning, we'd have to duck to avoid flying textbooks that were flung at us by the co-founder who was known for his all-night coke benders. As we'd try to avoid losing an eyeball or getting a massive gash on our face, he'd scream "You stupid c*&ts! Did you see who was on The Today Show this morning? That should've been Diane or Vera! How did we not get the cover of the NY Times? How did we not get the cover of Vogue? You're all a bunch of worthless idiots."
One of my final weeks there, the firm hosted a literary awards ceremony at NYC's Museum of Natural History, and I had to escort Salman Rushdie and Padma Lakshmi to their table. The very beaded strap of my dress popped as we were walking into the Hall of Ocean Life, the beads went flying and so did a prominent woman behind me. A few weeks later the firm lost a few clients, I got laid off and waited tables full-time (instead of just weekends) for about eight weeks and couldn't have been happier.
There is a lot more to this story...but it'll have to wait till another time.
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 (recovered from COVID in March, now fully vaccinated), where I’m going (90% of the places are outside, and I wear a mask), 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 $19,792 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.
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
Sniff, sniff. This time I got dresses by Bailey 44, Maje, Ted Baker, Magashoni, Alice + Olivia, and Anna Sui.
THE GOODS
Bailey 44 Pippa Lace Raw Hem Dress, Retail Value $188
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The backstory: I threw on this dress for a morning Zoom call and didn't take it off until later that night after I met my boyfriend for wings at Crafthouse. It's cute and comfy, but quite short on me and the skirt is pretty sheer!
How I styled it: I wore the dress with black lace thigh-highs, a vintage mink jacket, Sam Edelman ankle boots, my Prada Bunny Clutch (duh), and stud earrings.
Size and fit: It's a bit short on me and the wide elastic waistband twists and flips a little bit which causes the skirt to appear crooked.
Condition: It looks pretty worn.
Honest review: This dress is for someone about 20 years younger than me, and the raw-edge hem (why do designers do this?) makes it look cheap rather than cool.
Ted Baker London Ruffled Shift Dress, Retail Value $335
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The backstory: My friend hosted a holiday party in Georgetown, so I wore this dress to her little gathering. Beforehand, we hit up one of my favorite restaurants, Martin's Tavern, where we had a little bite to eat and some wine. This historic restaurant, where JFK proposed to Jackie O, was my second home before COVID hit and I was thrilled to see they're back and better than ever. They're always festively decorated for the holidays, play the best music, and it really is like one big happy family. If you end up in the DC area, this is a place you must visit!
How I styled it: I finally got my vintage mink jacket repaired so I wore this dress with a pair of Wolford Logo Back Seam Tights, an Audrey-inspired hat, and suede Charlotte Olympia pumps.
Size and fit: I got the Medium and just like the reviews say, it runs a little big, but I was fine with that since everything seems to be too small and short these days.
Condition: Great condition, no issues.
Honest review: It's cute and sweet, but not an item I'd rent again or buy.
M by Magaschoni Cashmere Asymmetrical Hem Sweater, Retail Value $248
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The backstory: Since I am in need of separates, I ordered this cashmere sweater because it looked super comfy. I wore it to take my little man to get a haircut and then had lunch at Social House while I waited for him to get primped and ready for the holidays!
How I styled it: Yay, another reason to carry my Louis Vuitton Speedy! I paired it with leather leggings, cowboy boots, a black newsboy cap, and a leather jacket.
Size and fit: It's an oversized, breezy, lightweight knit that should only be paired with a form-fitting pair of pants or leggings.
Condition: Very good condition.
Honest review: I like the sweater, but I'd get way more wear out of it if it were in black.
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 Bailey 44 and Magaschoni sweater the most.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Armoire met expectations. I'm still on the fence about them, only because I think I'm too old for their rentals.
- What’s the return process like? Place the items in the bag, seal it up and that's it!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I have lots of thoughts, but I'm going to keep them to myself until next week when I complete this shipment's review. In other news, Mr. HGL was having no part in today's photoshoot. When he saw me bring out the tripod, he sprinted to the bed and hid.
Think I should tell him he's terrible at hide and go seek?
CAN YOU STILL GET THIS BOX IF YOU SIGN UP TODAY? Yes, all these items are still available to rent.
VALUE BREAKDOWN: The Unlimited membership costs $249/month and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $19,792. What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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