What I’m Wearing This Week: Armoire

Since our move, Mr. HGL has found a new friend in himself. He has daily conversations with his bestie, and I'm while I'm hoppy he has a friend, what if this is a coup and they're plotting to overthrow me? 😁

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 $100,849 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 

All three items by Yumi Kim, Farm Rio, and Hutch arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.

Yumi Kim Claire Spaghetti Strap Maxi Dress, Retail Value $248 Armoire $198

About the Designer: Surrounded by extraordinary women her entire life, including her mother who wore exotic prints and bold florals and proudly donned the classic Ao Dai (a traditional Vietnamese dress), Kim Phan was inspired by these bold women who gave her strength. When she moved to New York in 2004 and adopted a loving Yorkshire Terrier named Yumi, YUMI KIM was born.

Every piece has a story to tell. Coveted for its sunny color combinations and array of florals, the brand reflects the unique experiences that have shaped her life.

Why I rented: I love slip dresses!

How I styled it: I paired this dress with a vintage gold-tone belt from Etsy, gold-tone hoops, Jimmy Choo Patent Leather Peep-Toe Wedges, and the Fendi Fendista Crossbody.

Size and fit: Crafted in rayon and viscose, this colorful maxi dress features spaghetti straps, v-neckline, back zip closure, smocked bodice, and full tiered maxi skirt. I got the dress in a medium and while it fit mostly great throughout, I had issues with the way the smocked bodice bunched up and caused indentations.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: Meh, the smocked bodice didn't lay properly and bunched up in weird places. I looked like Madonna boobs from the 90s!

Farm Rio Sweet Jungle Open Back Kaftan Dress, Retail Value $290, Armoire $232

About the Designer: With over 20 years of history, FARM is Brazil’s most beloved clothing and lifestyle brand. The story began in 1997 in Rio at a local independent fashion market called Babilonia Feira Hype where founders Katia Barros and Marcello Bastos took their chances on launching a clothing line that embodies the feminine spirit and vibrant colors of Rio.

Brazilians quickly fell in love with the brand, the booth became a store, that grew into more stores, and now FARM is Brazil’s most recognized brand.

Why I rented it: Summery, sunny, cheery, and brand new!

How I styled it: This dress is perfect for a day at the beach or a night out on the town. I slipped on the Crocs sandals to run errands and also wore Alexander Birman Suede wedges, Jimmy Choo Patent Leather Peep Toe wedges, and carried the Fendi Fendista Crossbody.

Size and fit: Inspired by the lush landscapes of Brazil, this flowy kaftan is rendered in a breezy fabric with a deep V-neckline, kaftan sleeves, open back with top button closure, center back zipper, pleated bodice, banded waist and asymmetrical hem.

I got a medium and it fit like a kaftan--oversized, ethereal and flowy. I had to double-side tape the front because it was big and exposed too much.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this dress, but when I wore it shopping on Memorial Day, women stopped me on the street and screamed at me from their car to compliment me and find out where I got it!

Hutch Eddi Floral Print Midi Dress, Retail Value $297, Armoire $238

About the Designer: Established in 2010 by New York native Daniel Saponaro, Hutch is a women's contemporary fashion brand headquartered in NYC. Renowned for its effortless, feminine designs, the brand is celebrated for creating bold, flattering, and versatile pieces. Every garment reflects Daniel's passion for vibrant colors, imaginative prints, and timeless elegance. The brand takes pride in its commitment to size inclusivity, ensuring that their fashion-forward styles cater to diverse body shapes and sizes. Hutch is now carried in over 350 boutiques nationwide and sold on Nordstrom, Anthropologie, RentTheRunway, Nully, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdales starting in 2024. Hutch is not only loved by their customers but has been worn by A-List celebrities such as Lucy Hale, Iskra Lawrence, Mary Fitzgerald, and Shanina Shaik. 

Why I rented it: Pretty, colorful, perfect for summer and brand new with tags!

How I styled it: I wore this dress with Croc sandals (for running errands), Alexander Birman Suede Tie Wedges, a gold-tone chain necklace from Etsy, Rocksbox earrings, and the Devi Kroll Python clutch.

Size and fit: Rendered in poplin (not cotton, but polyester), this lightweight dress is perfect for summer! Featuring a square neckline, adjustable shoulder straps, smocked back, Basque waistline, and gathered midi skirt, this floral printed dress is perfect for running errands or a night out on the town.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: The dress runs a little big, but otherwise I loved it! Oh, take a look at the back of my head and notice how my hair is angled on one side. Details in the conclusion of the article.

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 Hutch and Farm Rio dresses a lot, and stuck with Yumi Kim to run errands.
• Did they meet or exceed expectations? Exceeded expectations.
• What’s the return process like? Place the items in the bag, seal it up and that's it!

FINAL THOUGHTS

He's allowed on the couch when I can monitor his butt! I probably shouldn't have taken this pic right after I ate a ton of spicy Thai food that turned my face red.

Two quick stories that are making me wonder if I'm losing my mind too!

The other morning when I was pulling out of the garage for work, I swiped the concrete column to the left and scratched up my car quite a bit. I totally forgot it was there and was more focused on checking out traffic than looking to my left. SIGH! That's not going to be cheap to fix.

Now, back to my hair drama. When I took pictures of my back in the Hutch dress, I noticed the angled cut on the lefthand side. That's where my hair breaks off most quickly and has caused me to believe the left side is growing out slower than the right.

Oh, but then it dawned on me that my hair growth issue is due to the Chanel 19 bag. I almost always carry it as a crossbody (and sometimes even flipped over because of crime) and wear it over that shoulder. So, the broken hair is due to the chain strap! WTF is wrong with me.

I'll get my hair cut and evened out very soon and I will never wear the crossbody over my left shoulder again. How has it taken me over a year and a half to put this together? I think I need to get my brain checked and make sure I'm not following in my dad's footsteps.

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 $100,849!

What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!