Hoppy Friday, every bun! We're back with ModLux.Rent which is part of the CaaStle B2B rental platform. Since they're part of the same company, ModLux.Rent has a lot of similarities to Haverdash, and there are a few differences too like the designers, the price, and the number of pieces you can rent at a time.
Let's dive in!
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 Cynthia Rowley, Eva Franco, CeliaB, and Rhode arrived fresh from the dry cleaner and neatly packed inside a cardboard box.
THE GOODS
Cynthia Rowley Oversized Shirt Dress
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About the designer: Cynthia Rowley began her career in fashion while studying at the Art Institute of Chicago (where she had every intention of becoming a painter). After graduation, she took what little seed money she had and moved to NYC to start her fashion brand. Whether she’s exploring on a far-flung getaway, surfing secret spots in exotic destinations, or scuba-diving in an arctic glacier, it’s safe to say the designer is known to take risks. It’s this unparalleled sense of adventure that effortlessly translates into the spirit of the brand through a playful assortment of pretty dresses, beachy separates, and swim/surf.
Cynthia Rowley has gone on to win numerous accolades including a CFDA Award and Designer of the Year at the American Image Awards. She is also a best-selling author and has appeared on numerous television shows.
Why I rented it: Honestly, there weren't many other options.
How I styled it: This dress was great when it was just me on Zoom calls, but the one time I wore it to the grocery store, I felt like I was wearing a fancy trash bag. I tried to cinch it with the Etsy Obi Belt, but since it was so oversized, it bunched and gathered all over the place. I also pulled on a pair of over-the-knee leather boots, added a wool fedora, the Balenciaga Graffiti City Bag, and a Yves Salomon Reversible Fur and Suede Jacket.
Size and fit: It's one size fits all and I was swimming! This cotton button-down features a blue and white pinstriped design, shirt collar, button-front closure, and shirt hem.
Condition: Great!
Honest review: My dad legit wore PJs like this back in the day, and never once did I think about borrowing his shirt. This dress is one size fits all, but Cynthia Rowley definitely should've created this in a few different sizes because I was swimming in it. This pinstriped dress was not easy to work with, but it was a cozy work-from-home outfit.
Eva Franco Everly Dress
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About the designer: Eva Franco is a Hungarian-born, LA-based designer whose creations bridge two continents, the old world and the new, and have a playful glamor mixed with modern femininity. Eva embraces creativity as a means of self-expression. As a young girl growing up in rural Romania, she was always seeking ways to be independent and free in a traditional society. When her family immigrated to the US, she found the power in what she wore.
“Clothes weren’t really important in Romania, but US high school was like a fashion show!” It was here she started to experiment with clothes as a way to delight and surprise her new friends with a unique look every day.
Why I rented it: It looked like a good dress for the office (and it was).
How I styled it: I wore it to work and paired it with Charlotte Olympia Suede Pumps, a Just Cavalli Leather Jacket, and carried the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Bag.
Size and fit: Crafted from a lightweight jacquard satin crepe (a very fancy way of saying polyester), this chic dress features a V neckline, long puffed sleeves with elasticized cuffs, faux button-front design, back tie and zip closure, banded waist, and tulip hem. I got the 6 and it was a little snug throughout.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: I got this dress for work, and while I loved it on the model, I felt like it didn't look right on me. Between the tightly fitted bodice and the odd tulip hem, I couldn't wait to get home and take it off.
CeliaB Moselle Dress
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About the designer: Founded in 2012, Celia B is the namesake label of Spanish-bred Celia Bernardo. Above all else, Celia B is an ode to freedom, a celebration of the joy of life in all its forms. We design fun, statement and timeless pieces, from Spain with love.
With a passion for textiles, a slight obsession over quality and a sensibility for craftsmanship, the brand is strongly committed to creating long lasting clothes for your wardrobe that break the molds defined by mainstream fashion. We understand clothing to be more than just fabric, it is an extension of your identity, and place the relationship you build with your clothes at the very center of our efforts. We encourage you to shine brightly, live boldly and celebrate life.
Made for women who take the world by storm. In a world which is increasingly becoming monochromatic, where colors are losing vibrancy and black and white are chosen above the beauty of colors, CELIA B stands out as an activist of color. No matter if it is in the depths of winter, or the sunniest of springs, our clothes aim to spark joy by making your wardrobe brighter.
Why I rented it: Despite the odd prints and frilliness, I'm kind of fascinated with the designer.
How I styled it: Since the weather is changing, I paired the dress with black tights, Twinset Platform Pumps, the Chanel 19, and Yves Salomon Reversible Suede and Fur Jacket.
Size and Fit: Crafted in cotton with a hint of stretch, this colorful frock features a scalloped stand collar, short sleeves with scalloped trim, button-front closure with scalloped placket, banded waist with tie, and tiered hem. The medium fit was a little more babydoll than Barbie (I may be too tall), but Mr. HGL seemed to love it.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: Super cute. It reminds me of a dress I wore when I was a little girl!
Cynthia Rowley Garden Bonded Mini Dress
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Why I rented it: Looked like a good dress to wear out at night (and it was).
How I styled it: Our weather goes from 78 during the day down to 50-something at night so layering is key. Since the dress was a bit too short, I paired it with Calzedonia tights, Coach Over-the-Knee Boots, a Burberry Quilted Patent Leather Bomber Jacket, and a Balenciaga City Clutch.
Size and fit: I got a 6 and it was a tad snug and quite short. This sleeveless mini dress features a colorful floral print, a jewel neckline, and an exposed back zip closure. It's crafted in a wrinkle-free neoprene-like fabric and it's quite comfy!
Condition: Very good, but a little worn.
Honest review: While I loved the print and the thick neoprene fabric, it's not my fave dress.
Rhode Pia Dress
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About the designer: RHODE is a story of friendship that started on the corner of 6th Avenue and 18th Street in Manhattan. Purna and Phoebe became college roommates and met at Bed, Bath & Beyond to shop for their dorm room which led to a long-distance friendship spanning two decades. Even though Phoebe became a travel photographer and producer in NYC and Purna, a fashion buyer in Dubai, they’d meet up for trips all over the globe. During these visits, they'd discuss what was missing in their closets and eventually quit their jobs to combine a love of travel and style into their vision for Rhode: a line of timeless pieces that are ready for anything.
Why I rented it: I've gotten to know and love Rhode.
How I styled it: I wore this dress to the opening of Open Road Distillery and paired it with gold-tone chain-link earrings and necklace, a vintage belt from Etsy, Calzedonia tights, Kat Maconie Sock Boots, a Gucci Studded Leather Jacket, and the Chanel 19.
Size and fit: Crafted in lightweight cotton (I thought it was linen) this breezy dress features a round neckline, elbow-length puff sleeves, back zip closure, banded waist, and gathered skirt. It's slightly sheer and runs a little small, and definitely short!
Condition: Like new.
Honest review: This dress was flimsy, lightweight, and a little see-through. Not a big fan of the fabric and much preferred the fabric I got with the other Rhode pieces.
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? Oddly enough, I got the most wear out of the Cynthia Rowley Shirt Dress, but my favorite piece was the CeliaB dress because it's just so fun and whimsical.
- 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, how does ModLux.Rent work? Just like Haverdash, you can filter, sort, and choose pieces from hundreds (if not thousands) of styles by dozens of designers you know and love. On the picture of each item, you'll see a small hanger icon on the top right, and you need to tap on the hanger to choose your size and add it to your closet. Once you've added items to your rack, slide over the Prioritize button to identify your favorites for the next box.
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If you Dart pieces for an extra $7, you'll be presented with a list of available items, and you can choose the 5 pieces for your next shipment. But be aware that the Dart option is only available for 24 hours, and after that, your shipment will be stocked by ModLux.Rent pulling from items you previously selected for your own closet.
If you decide against Darting, your shipment will arrive a little slower, and you run the risk of being sent an item that's not seasonally appropriate (or that you're not totally wild about), so I definitely think it's worth the $7. Once your pieces arrive, show everything to your bunny rabbit for approval, and then try it on! With ModLux.Rent, you can get up to 15 pieces a month as long as you Return Notify within a few days of receiving your first box each month, but once you've got 10 pieces, you need to send back one shipment to receive the 3rd shipment of the month.
You can reuse or recycle the shipment box right away because they include a pre-paid garment bag, so you just need to place the unwanted items in the bag and send it back via USPS.
So, how do I feel about this service? It's off to a great start, but it's a little confusing and there are some kinks (I may offer suggestions in my next post), but it's a new company and they're still figuring it out! Side note: I've had so many rentals recently and my head's been so clouded by my dad and Mr. HGL, I'm worried I might've spaced and sent some items to Armoire by accident... but I did contact them to find out for sure.
VALUE BREAKDOWN: As of right now, you can get up to 15 items for $125/month, but you have to be really strategic with your shipments and returns. I don't know the total value because I can't find the prices.
What are your thoughts about ModLux.Rent? Let us know what you think down below!
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