Happy Friday! Hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving. And thanks so much for the well wishes for Mr. HGL—I contacted the vet two weeks ago after he started peeing on the couch, and noticed he was suddenly too lazy (or weak) to get off and use his litter box. She said she thinks "it's time." So, of course I had another breakdown, unexpectedly dropped eight pounds, and mentally prepared myself for a weekend trip to the vet, but then he got better!
Yes, I know he'll never fully recover, but he suddenly sprung back to life, was running around my feet, stealing my desk chair, and eating a lot so I decided to hold off. This is a serious roller coaster ride, and one that I know won't end positively, but the more time I have with him, the happier I am. I'm beginning to think he was very overmedicated and perhaps it was killing his good bacteria and hurting him more than helping. Now he's acting pretty normal, and he may have at least a few more months left. Hey, even the vet is shocked by his recovery!
We'll continue to take it day by day, but in the meantime, check out my little stuffed animal begging for treats. He said, "don't count me out yet!" Oh, and yesterday was his 7th birthday so we celebrated with bananas, cilantro, carrots, celery, and his favorite treats.
Life has been so stressful! The retina on my dad's right eye burst last week and he had to go in for emergency surgery Wednesday morning (he finally recovered from the tear on the left eye the day before—what irony), and my Aunt Agnes fell and broke her hip in three places earlier this week and also went in for emergency surgery. I feel like I'm living in the Twilight Zone. And of course, some people say I shouldn't let my family's health issues impact me, but how is that even possible?
It's me, hi, I'm the problem it's me.
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).
ACTIVE DEAL: $25 for your first month. No coupon needed - just use this link.
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 Sachin & Babi, Hemant & Nandita, Cleobella, and CeliaB arrived fresh from the dry cleaner and neatly packed inside a cardboard box.
THE GOODS
Sachin & Babi Kit Knit Striped Sweater
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About the Designer: Sachin and Babi met as students at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where they were instant friends. The two were cut from the same cloth, bonding over their common interests, ambitions, and upbringing in India. Friendship grew into love, and soon after, a company. Together, Sachin and Babi built a design and embroidery business, working for top houses including Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Manolo Blahnik, among others. Sachin and Babi were one of fashion’s best-kept secrets behind-the-scenes until they set out on their own.
Driven by a commitment to incredible craftsmanship and a desire to connect with customers, Sachin and Babi launched our brand. By owning a family-run factory in Mumbai, we are able to control the design and production process from start to finish, cutting out the middlemen. The result: extraordinary clothing and accessories with tremendous value.
Why I rented it: Wanted something cozy for the chilly weather.
How I styled it: I paired this cozy sweater with a pair of metallic leather leggings, a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti Studded Leather Combat Boots, and the Givenchy Nightingale Bag. I also tried it with an Alice + Olivia Pleated Leather Skirt, and a pair of Coach Over-the-Knee Boots. The skirt combo reminded me of something Cher from Clueless might wear.
Size and fit: I got a medium and it was a little oversized and kept sliding off my shoulders.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: Loved it so much, I considered buying it but the resale price was too high.
Sachin & Babi Griffin Knit Sweater
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Why I rented it: The color caught my eye.
How I styled it: I paired the sweater with Plein Sud leather leggings, Nicholas Kirkwood Ankle Boots, Lele Sadoughi Lily Earrings, the Balenciaga Graffiti Bag, and the Yves Salomon Shearling Coat.
Size and fit: I got a medium and it was a little oversized due to the open back. This mockneck sweater features dropped shoulders, long embellished balloon sleeves with ribbed cuffs, pullover design, self-tie back detail, and high-low hem.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: It's very well made, and I love the color, but the open back defeats the purpose of wearing a sweater. You need to wear something underneath or else the breezy opening will cause you to freeze!
Hemant & Nandita Ruched Dress
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About the designer: Established in 2004, RTW label Hemant & Nandita, has quickly carved a niche for its extremely luxurious yet wearable aesthetic that combines the old with the new. The Hemant & Nandita label is synonymous with an aesthetic that brings together two seemingly disparate sensibilities that share a common vision.
Their seamless ability to blend traditional elements with the contemporary bohemian bits fused with the international silhouettes has since been their stronghold & hallmark. Over the years, brand has carved a niche for itself in the world of fashion with ingenious quirky, witty designs, prints & textures. A beautiful blend of ethnic Indian traditions & contemporary western style, it's also a celebrity favorite.
Why I rented it: I like Hemant & Nandita designs, despite running a bit small on me.
How I styled it: I wore the dress with very thick Sheertex Tights (I couldn't bend over at all without exposing my butt to someone), Twinset Platform Pumps, the Chanel 19, and necklace and earrings off Etsy.
Size and Fit: Made of a toasty wool and cotton blend, this mini (very mini) dress features a plunge neckline, puffed shoulders, long balloon sleeves with smocked cuffs, front-button closure, ruffled-trimmed empire waist, and a tiered, scalloped mini skirt. I got the 6 and the front-button closure was a little tricky, and the dress was very short on me! Also, this designer runs small.
Condition: Very good.
Honest review: Love the dress and design, but way too small and short on me. I'm going to order more H&N pieces, but in a large to see if that makes a difference.
Cleobella Collette Mini Dress
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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: Looked like a cute and super versatile dress.
How I styled it: For pics, I tried it with Wolford Back Seam Nylons, Lele Sadoughi Crystal Lily Earrings, Kendra Scott Maya Necklace, and a vintage Chanel.
Size and fit: I couldn't wear this dress because the weather was all over the place, and it was way too short and small. Crafted in 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, this mini dress features a round neckline, ruffled bubble sleeves, back keyhole button closure, smocked bodice, dropped waist, and ruffle-trimmed mini skirt.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: Too short and too small. Also, the fabric wasn't great.
Celia B Yara 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: I didn't have any other options.
How I styled it: I couldn't wear it. First of all, it was too cold out and secondly, it was way too small.
Size and fit: Just like the other CeliaB pieces, this dress was too small for me, and I got a medium. It was too short, the waist was too high, and the buttons wouldn't close properly so I sent it back.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: Super cute and perfect for Spring and Summer, but I need to order a size larger next time (and try to get this in the right season).
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 striped-green sweater all the time, and also got a lot of wear out of the Hemant + Nandita dress.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? As a new company, they're meeting 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
A bunch of my coworkers are now totally down with my clothing and jewelry rental obsession, and now I've got women coming to me to help them pick out dresses for the holidays. Since I've been reviewing clothing rentals for almost 2.5 years, I feel like I've got an awesome feeling for so many of the rental companies, designers featured, and the fits too. So, when people now ask me what they should wear (or rent) to certain events, I'm able to suggest the perfect rental company based on factors like their age, event, and personal style, and also help navigate them through the designers. It's actually quite fun! Maybe there's a market for a rental stylist, and if so, I can definitely help!
ACTIVE DEAL: $25 for your first month. No coupon needed - just use this link.
What are your thoughts about ModLux.Rent? Let us know what you think down below!
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