Phew...what a stressful eight weeks! But guess what? October 24th came and passed, and Mr. HGL is getting better! He's eating, hopping, sleeping, pooping, and begging for treats just like he used to. And while I think he'll always be a little snotty and congested with Pasteurella, at least we seem to have it a bit more under control. But of course, the true test is what happens after he's finished the medication.
Hi, every bun! Thanks for your well wishes. Here I am begging for head rubs this morning.
I told my friends I'm going to change his name to Fendi or Prada because he has cost a designer handbag since August. Good thing I'm not on the market for anything at all (and if I feel the itch, I'll just rent something).
WHAT I'M WEARING THIS WEEK: ModLux.Rent
Welcome back to What I'm Wearing This Week — ModLuxRent where you can rent and wear designer items by names you know and love, and up-and-coming designers too!
For the newbies to WIWTW, every Friday 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. Well, that's if the price is right!
For sizing reference, I am 5'11", weigh 140 pounds, and have a 33" inseam.
ModLux.Rent is a new luxury clothing rental service curated by Modern Luxury editors. Powered by CaaStle, the leading B2B rental technology and logistics company in the U.S., ModLux.Rent is the first apparel subscription service offered by a media company.
This is a review of their only plan, which gives you 5 items at a time with unlimited box swaps for $125 per month. You can try the service for 30 days for only $25 (a $100 discount).
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
WHAT I RECEIVED
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All five items by Derek Lam 10 Crosby, RtaA Brand, Cleobella, Rocco Sand, and The Kooples arrived fresh from the dry cleaner and neatly packed inside a cardboard box.
THE GOODS
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Marcelyn Twisted Cardigan, RtA Brand Cobain Leather Pants
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About Derek Lam: 10 Crosby is the lifestyle brand that makes refined, timeless looks for every occasion. With wardrobe-defining statement pieces made for a casual world, our designs are equal parts substance and style. Named after the original flagship store in downtown Manhattan, the eclectic New York brand creates effortless chic for women everywhere. Lam is an American designer who grew up in San Francisco and launched his eponymous brand in 2003. Designing with classic femininity for every part of life is at the heart of our mission.
About RtA Brand: RtA was launched with the purpose of creating a movement. A movement of like-minded individuals who share a belief that clothing should be used as a form of expression.
Why I rented it: Wanted a cute and cozy sweater for Fall and I have a huge love for leather leggings.
How I styled it: So, you may recognize the sweater from another CaaStle review, but I wanted to show it with the leather pants. For this look, I paired the leather pants with the sweater and zipped off the plaid fabric. When I wore the pants with the Alice + Olivia Cropped Leather Top, I attached the plaid fabric because it adds a little color and style. I also wore the Tecova Ostrich Cowboy Boots.
Size and fit: The ribbed-knit cardigan is crafted in a soft cotton blend, and features a V-neckline, long puffed sleeves with twisted details, and an embellished silver-tone button-front closure. I got a medium and it was a little tight to button, so I left it open. The twists in the sweater made it a little breezy!
These stylish high-rise pants are made of buttery soft lambskin leather with a removable plaid fabric, front button and zip closure, belt loops, and a five-pocket silhouette. I got a size 27 in the Cobain Pants and while they were a little tight at first, the leather stretched out a tiny bit. The seams rested on my knees which made it a little uncomfortable, but I wore them at least a half dozen times anyway.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: I wanted to buy the leather pants so badly, but I couldn't justify the purchase because they were a little too short. The sweater is cute, but a little small as well. Sigh.
Cleobella Fringe Sweater
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About the designer: At Cleobella, sustainability and ethical practices are at the core of all we do. Our designs, which celebrate traditional craftsman techniques, are ethically handmade by independent artisans around the world. By helping preserve traditional heritage techniques through partnerships, we also help create sustainable income for these makers.
Why I rented it: Needed a fun and fashionable sweater for fall.
How I styled it: I wore this sweater over a dress from Haverdash a few weeks ago, and I also paired it with the RtA Leather Pants, Tecova Boots, and I carried both the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour and the Givenchy Nightengale Tote.
Size and fit: This sweater was super cool, and I only wish I had more time to wear it out! It's made of 100% organic cotton (honestly, not the softest) and it was hand-made in India by the designer's artisans. I got a medium and it was a perfect fit, but maybe a little too cropped on me, and it features a round neckline, long sleeves, and a fashionable fringe trim.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: It's a cool and cozy sweater with serious downtown style.
Rocco Sand Aime One-Shoulder Dress
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About the designer: Rococo Sand is a sister label of the designer duo Hemant and Nandita who also have a namesake label called “HEMANT and NANDITA”. The heart of Rococo Sand lies in exotic vacations and effortless style. Vibrant, bold and edgy define the labels design perspective. We have come a long way since the label was launched in 2014 to dress the modern woman and leave a mark on the world. The designers blend breezy tops, sand-sweeping skirts and flared dresses with colorful and eclectic appeal in bold prints and glittery embellishments. Rococo Sand’s styles are the perfect additions to your wardrobe, boosting your look from a poolside lounge to seaside sunset cocktails.
Why I rented it: I wanted a fashionable fall dress to wear out at night.
How I styled it: I had a difficult time with this one because it was a bit chilly out, and it's super short so I absolutely needed tights, but I didn't have a pair of neutral shoes for the fall and winter, so I stuck with black. I wore it with Julie Voss Gold-tone Hoops, a vintage belt from Etsy, Twinset Platform Pumps, and the Chanel 19.
Size and Fit: Crafted in breezy viscose with metallic threads, this flirty one-shoulder dress features a ruffled asymmetrical neckline, single sleeve with elasticized cuff, removable waist tie, elasticized waistband, and asymmetrical ruffled skirt. It's a pull-on design that's fully lined.
I got a medium and the waist was a bit high, and the skirt was quite short too!
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: It's stylish and sweet, but the fit was a little off. I guess I'm just too tall for it.
The Kooples Faux Leather Mini Dress
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About the designer: By leading the way in accessible luxury with its immediately recognizable Dandy Rock silhouettes and unforgettable campaigns, The Kooples has influenced style since the 2000s. A unique and subversive signature look which breaks down the barriers of conventional fashion. Today, The Kooples relentlessly questions the notion of subversiveness in the 2020s and makes a new commitment: to contrast playfulness, style and the quest for beauty with standardization and chaos.
Why I rented it: I like little black dresses.
How I styled it: The dress itself is a little boring, so I paired it with a wide B-Low the Belt Patent Leather Belt, Sheertex Double Seam Tights, L'Ecole Des Femmes Metallic Leather Jacket (it was a sample from 2011), and Kat Maconie Sock Boots.
Size and fit: I got a size 3 which was suggested to me, and despite being their largest size, it was still a bit tight throughout. This little black dress is crafted in rubbery faux leather with a round neckline, elbow-length puffed sleeves, back zip closure, defined waist, and mini skirt.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: Easy to style and very versatile (and Mr. HGL liked it), but a bit short and small on me.
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 leather pants were amazing, and despite being a little too small, I never wanted to take them off.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? As a new company, they definitely exceeded expectations.
- What’s the return process like? Simple! Just place your items in the pre-paid garment bag and drop it off at one of your nearest USPS.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So, I'm not sure if it's because I've been eating and drinking my feelings, or if it's the designers I chose, but all the pieces were a little small. I guess that's expected as I get to know new-to-me designers, their sizing, and their styles. So, I was surprised to discover Rocco Sand is part of the Hemant & Nandita brand, but it makes sense since the designs are kind of similar and equally small on me.
Did you know CaaStle not only runs multiple rental programs, but also manages the sites for other B2C brands like Vince, Maje, Express, and Ann Taylor? And you can even rent clothing directly from their sites too. And for those of you who are all about sustainability, Maje and some of their other brands (like ba&sh) also have a secondhand shop.
What are your thoughts about ModLux.Rent? Let us know what you think down below!
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