Happy Memorial Day weekend! Hope you've got something fun planned and found the perfect pieces to pack and wear. Did you rent anything? Since I rescheduled my Nashville trip again, I'm going to hang tight this weekend, maybe catch a golf match and just relax.
I've been holding on to two Armoire pieces for a few weeks because I really like them, and I can't find anything else I like enough to replace them.
Since I have all these pictures of Mr. HGL and the rentals, people suggested I create a separate Instgram account featuring him, so I did. It's called Rent the Bunway. Hopefully RTR doesn't yell at me for the name.
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 $64,902 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 Halston Heritage, Lilly Pulitzer, Vince, and Tonya Taylor arrived on time and in great condition. Each item was fresh from the dry cleaner and neatly folded. I only got four items because I held onto two others.
THE GOODS
Lilly Pulitzer Rivera Smocked Dress, Retail Value $248, Armoire $179
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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.
Why I rented it: It's me, hi, renting more Lilli Pulitzer after making fun of the brand for decades. I'm the problem, it's me. Love the color, length, design, and the flow.
How I styled it: This dress is simplistically chic, so it's easy to dress it up or down. Whether heading to the beach, a vineyard with the girls, or weekend brunch in NYC, it's a great transition piece.
I paired it with Kendra Scott Maya Earrings and necklace, a pair of Ferragamo Wedges, and a vintage Chanel for a night out on the town. And with flat sandals, a straw hat, and the Balenciaga Graffiti Bag for daytime or casual.
Size and fit: I got a medium, and thanks to the smocking in the bodice and the adjustable tie shoulder straps, you can make it fit perfectly. Plus, if you untie it, the dress doesn't fall down. This midi dress is crafted in textural jacquard with a square neck, fitted bodice, slash pockets, a ruffled and tired skirt, and a flounced asymmetrical hem.
Condition: Very good. It's a little worn, but nothing noticeable.
Honest review: These days, if I like something enough, I'll Google it to see if it's possible to get it for less. This time Armoire appears to have the best price. And while I love everything about this dress (and I'm sure they're about to send me a warning to send it back), I won't make a purchase.
Halston Heritage One-Shoulder Dress, Retail Value $525, Armoire $236
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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.”
Why I rented it: Y'all, I've been trying to snag this dress for a year, and it finally happened! Patience is a virtue, huh?
How I styled it: I wore this dress to a Cinco de Mayo party with a friend and I was the most over-dressed person there. Gotta love DC! I wore it with the Fendi Fendista Pouch, my "new" Jimmy Choo Wedges that cost $75 to repair, and a pair of Kendra Scott Maya Hoops.
Size and fit: Crafted in breezy silk with a fiery print, this one-shoulder dress has serious Grecian vibes. It features a concealed zip closure, a self-belted waist, and an asymmetrical hem, and despite being lined, it's still quite sheer. I got a medium and it's a little oversized.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: Love! My only complaint is that the belt situation isn't exactly working.
Tanya Taylor Cindy Midi Dress, Retail Value $465, Armoire $186
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About the designer: Tanya Taylor is an independent fashion brand based in New York City. Founded in 2012, the brand presents a unique and refreshing vision inspired by the city's energy, art, and the diverse women who inhabit it. Tanya's world is modern, artful, and liberating.
Raised in a creative environment, Tanya was encouraged to explore art from a young age. From taking art classes to painting vibrant murals on the walls of her childhood home, it all led her to find her purpose as a creative entrepreneur.
Taking an artistic, thoughtful approach to fashion, she intertwines the use of color, texture, and original hand-painted prints with uplifting and celebratory silhouettes into each size-inclusive collection, so all women have a way to express themselves creatively and confidently.
Why I rented it: It's a fun-in-the-sun everyday dress.
How I styled it: I wore a pair of Ancient Greek Sandals and carried the Louis Vuitton Steven Sprouse Graffiti Speedy.
Size and fit: I got a medium and it's definitely boxy and oversized, but that's just the design. This is an archival dress that was brought back in cotton poplin with cross-back shoulder straps, a smocked and embroidered bodice, dropped waist, and a gathered skirt.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: Sorry Armoire, but I'm holding on to this one for a bit too.
Vince Satin Slip Dress, Retail Value $295, Armoire $221
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About the designer: Since their founding in 2002, Vince has been focused on timeless designs and California-inspired ease.
The enduring wearability of each piece attracted a growing affinity for womenswear — so in 2007, Vince introduced men’s, reflecting the same quality and quiet sophistication that people expected season after season.
Today, the collections have grown too, with women’s and men’s ready-to-wear complemented by shoes, handbags, home goods, and more, each rendered in lasting materials carefully selected by their design team — from luxuriously soft, signature Plush Cashmere to buttery leather and incandescent silks.
Why I rented it: Since I loved the Equipment Silk Slip Dress so much, I decided to try this one too.
How I styled it: Another simplistically chic design, I wore Kate Spade Candy Corn Earrings, Robert Clergerie Slide Sandals, and the Chanel 19.
Size and fit: I got a medium and this bias-cut dress has a little bit of a boxier fit than the Equipment dress. This slip-on style features a scoop neck, adjustable shoulder straps, and a midi-length hem. The fabric is a little heavier and there's no stretch.
Condition: Brand new with tags (winning!).
Honest review: It's a little dressier than expected so I haven't had a chance to wear it yet.
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've worn the Lilly Pulitzer dress like a dozen times.
- 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
Armoire sent me this email, and I decided to investigate:
Did I receive this email because I haven't sent my items back? Ha! While I think this is a great idea, I have a hard time finding 12 pieces a month that I really love from Armoire, so this option wouldn't work for me. Plus, the items in their staples collection are quite outdated. Slashed skinny jeans are so 2018.
Since I have kept certain pieces for over a month at a time, the only way this plan would work for me is if I paid a little extra to hold on to whatever I love. What do you think?
And I have news... I stumbled upon a brand-new clothing rental company that is free for the first 30 days. I just received my first box yesterday and I'm absolutely loving it! Stay tuned for all the details and to find out how you can sign up for free too (as long as you remember to cancel the subscription). Maybe I'll sneak it in next week and push RTR back.
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 $64,902!
What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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