Happy Friday, every bun! Thanks to everyone who voted on the dress for last week's event. I wore my green Alexis gown and even though I tripped over it half the night, it was a hit. Afterward, we went over to a new spot in Georgetown called L'Annexe where we all had a nightcap and recapped on the evening.
Meanwhile, this week has been really busy! On Tuesday, I met some friends in Old Town Alexandria for happy hour, and last night attended a holiday party at this stunning home in the Palisades. Tomorrow will also be a busy day of holiday-ing around DC.
OMG my feet hurt from wearing heels so many days this week! Back in NYC, I used to live in them and despite being tall, I had no problem rocking 5" platforms whether I was walking to the subway, walking into a new lounge, or walking to the office. I have no idea how I did it back then, but my feet are really paying the price now.
So, I lived in Times Square for four years (yeah, it was loud and annoying) and I'll never forget one night we couldn't find a cab, so we had to subway back through TS at like 2am (back then it was so safe... wouldn't do that today). I could no longer walk in my heels, so I took them off and walked barefoot from 47th and Broadway to 49th and 8th. My roommate was so repulsed, she made me go to the tub and dumped Clorox Bleach on my feet!
Our crazy days in 2005
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 $46,201 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 Walter Baker, Paige, Rosetta Getty, and Michael Stars arrived on time and in great condition. Each item was fresh from the dry cleaner and neatly folded. I kept the Cynthia Rowley and Alexis Admor dresses so that's why I only got four items.
THE GOODS
Walter Baker Mishka Paisley Mini Dress, Retail Value $228, Armoire $173
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About the designer: Walter Baker began his career in finance, and after conquering Wall Street, he found a new calling in the fashion industry. Walter tapped into his creative spirit and passion for design and created one of the fastest-growing fashion companies in New York City.
Walter launched his very first signature label WALTER in the early 90s and quickly established a place in the fashion industry. His eclectic collection of flirty dresses and edgy jackets came to define the Walter label. Today, Walter Baker oversees a globally recognized brand with a wide range of high-quality leather outerwear, stunning evening dresses, and trendy apparel.
How I styled it: I added a vintage necklace, Etsy Obi belt, Sheertex tights, a pair of Tecova Cowgirl boots, and a shearling vest for a totally country western vibe.
Size and fit: This wrap-like dress features a v-neckline with snap closure, long puffed sleeves with elasticized cuffs, a back tie, concealed side-zip closure, and a tiered skirt. I got the 6 and it's a bit oversized in the chest but fitted in the waist.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: It's cute, but the crossover neckline is busted. If you leave it open, the flap exposes the brown lining and if you snap the closure, it looks weird because it's just too high and the snap should be farther down.
Paige Raundi Turtleneck Sweater Dress, Retail Value $299, Armoire $194
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About the Designer: Co-Founder & Creative Director, Paige Adams-Geller's journey began in Los Angeles, where her entrepreneurial spirit took her from working as one of the top fit models in the industry to launching her namesake collection in 2004. In late 2006, Adams-Geller launched a men’s line with the same commitment to quality and attention to detail. With the help of her leadership and vision, what started as a women’s denim brand quickly expanded into a full lifestyle collection for men and women, sold at premium retailers internationally.
Today, she sits at the helm of PAIGE continuing to lead with her commitment to cutting-edge design and passion for creating pieces to live in.
How I styled it: I added a belt, and a necklace and threw on my ostrich-skin cowgirl boots!
Size and fit: I got a medium and this wool blend sweater dress is boxy, bulky, and oversized. It features a fold-over turtleneck, cut-out shoulder, extra-long sleeves with ribbed cuffs, a removable belt, and a side-slit hem.
Condition: Very good.
Honest review: It's comfy but unflattering. I look like I pulled a blanket off the couch and wrapped it around my body. It's so oversized in the waist, it's difficult to belt without the fabric gathering.
Side note: Mr. HGL keeps peeing on the couch!
Rosetta Getty Cropped Slit Sweater, Retail Value $765, Armoire $230, Michael Stars Cecilia Faux Leather Mini Dress, Retail Value $168, Armoire $134
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About the designer: Rosetta Getty, who is the wife of actor Balthazar Getty, established her fashion line in 2015. The brand’s philosophy is derived from Rosetta’s personal bi-coastal lifestyle and intuition for dressing effortlessly for work, travel, and family life. Her collections focus on transitional pieces that work effortlessly throughout the seasons, and from day to night, and reflect the alternate attitudes of East Coast and West Coast styles. Discerning and timeless design plays into a line of elevated ready-to-wear and accessories that are relaxed and sophisticated.
Michael Stars was founded by Michael Cohen and Suzanne Lerner in 1986. Hailing from Cape Town, a young Michael Cohen began his career in the clothing industry by establishing an agency that distributed London-based fashion lines. Dismayed by the state of his country, he had an opportunity to leave apartheid South Africa in the late ‘70s and came to America.
Ten years after arriving in the US, he walked into the showroom of Suzanne Lerner, a natural-born entrepreneur in the apparel industry. It was this first meeting that ignited both their business and future marriage. In the late '80s, inspired by the graphic designs of a local artist, the Michael Stars label was born.
How I styled it: I decided to wear these two pieces together, and also wore a Pucci scarf, the Etsy Obi belt, Sheertex tights, a Tiffany & Co. bracelet, Rag & Bone Studded Ankle boots, and a Balenciaga City Clutch.
Size and fit: Both pieces are a medium and they're a little boxy. The sweater is crafted of an itchy wool and cashmere blend and features a ribbed mock neck, long sleeves with ribbed and slit cuffs, and a ribbed hem with side slits. The faux leather dress is a sleeveless, pullover design with a v-neckline and side slit pockets.
Condition: The sweater is quite worn; it feels like a rag you'd use to wash your car. And the dress is in good shape, but it feels and looks like a trash bag.
Honest review: No, no, no. They need to donate the sweater to charity and the trash bag dress belongs in the trash alongside Oscar the Grouch.
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? Eh, nothing. The Walter dress was the best of all and that's not saying much.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? The items I received this week left a lot to be desired!
- What’s the return process like? Place the items in the bag, seal it up and that's it!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I sent these items right back as soon as I wrote them up!
In other news, during the pandemic, I started an LLC for my writing business, and then I added on a DBA for retail rentals and styling. A few months later, I had the not-so-genius idea of opening up a designer resale shop in Middleburg that would've been connected to a bunch of white-collar criminals who had already done time for real estate fraud and a Ponzi Scheme. So, as you may recall, I decided jail was not an option, so I tore up the commercial real estate lease and moved out a few weeks later.
During that time, I went down a rabbit hole trying to figure out a clever name for my shop as the plan was to eventually franchise my idea. I wanted it to be cute and memorable, and I also wanted Mr. HGL to be a part of it. So, after a few weeks of brainstorming names and checking to see if they were available, I landed on WonderFrill (Wonder for Alice in Wonderland and the white rabbit + frill because I love frilly things) and I spent about $1,500 trying to trademark the name.
Well, after a year and a half of going back and forth with the lawyers, it looks like I'll be granted my trademark any day now, so I need to figure out what to do with it. I mean, I can't have a trademark without a business, and I'd eventually love to open up a shop, but I don't have the funds RN at all.
Anyway, if there were a shop that opened up near you that was NOT going to be a traditional retail boutique, what types of services would you be looking for? Of course, I'd offer women's styling and rentals, but there's definitely something new and different that I haven't thought of yet. Any ideas? Maybe I'll start writing blogs in the meantime.
Netflix & chill? No fluffin' Markle!
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 $46,201!
What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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