Hoppy Memorial Day Weekend, every bun. The weather here is iffy, and the traffic is trafficky, so I may just hang tight. And yeehaw, I'm heading to Nashville in a week and a half, which will be a scene and a half. We already have many Nashville-y things planned, like the CMA Fest, a pool party at Soho House, designing a custom cowboy hat at American Paint, and devouring all the fried chicken, BBQ, and Tennessee bourbon my liver and stomach can handle. Just kidding, I'd end up in a hospital if I drank bourbon.
I only have three items to review this week—I'm running out of pieces on Armoire. So, does this mean it's time to retire this column? Perhaps! I'll see what else I can squeeze out the rest of the summer, but after four years of reviews, the tap may be running dry. And honestly, I'm sick of seeing my face and talking about myself.
But don't fret. I found a new rental company that I subscribed to, and I'll review BNTO Box ASAP. It won't become part of the rotation; it's more of a curiosity-killed-the-bun type of thing.
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.
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.
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 Karen Millen, Free People, and Vince arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.
Karen Millen Halter Neck Stretch Midi Dress, Retail Value $299, Armoire $229
About the Designer: In 1981 with a loan of £100, Karen Millen bought 1,000 metres of cotton and began creating white shirts to sell to friends. The rest, as they say, is history.
Four decades later, we’ve evolved into a destination for thoughtful styles with exceptional design, creative talent and craftsmanship we’re truly proud of.
The Karen Millen logo is an assurance of enduring style and the utmost quality – now and forever.
Why I rented it: I love Karen Millen!
How I styled it: Obviously, I wore this dress to the office, and then out to dinner. For work, I threw on this Trina Turk Blazer, a pair of gold-tone hoops, a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood sandals, and carried the Balenciaga Graffiti Bag. At night, I ditched the blazer and grabbed another Balenciaga bag.
Size and fit: I got a 6, which fit me perfectly... any smaller and I would've choked. This sleeveless figure-hugging, tailored dress comes in a colorblocked pattern with a halter neckline. It's slightly stretchy, fully lined, and features a keyhole button closure and zipper, as well as a thigh-high leg split in the back.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: I first discovered Karen Millen on a trip to Dublin in 2006, and her brand has held a special place in my heart ever since! This dress is fantastic. It's incredibly well made, the lines are slimming and elongating, and it can easily transition from day to night! Should I buy it?
Free People Come As You Are Denim Skirt, Retail Value $168, Armoire $126
About the designer: Back in the 1970's, a young man named Dick Hayne planted a seed in the maze of streets and trees that make up West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He opened a store and called it Free People. Free People nurtured the young people who lived there and shopped there, who looked for a little of their own freedom in the clothes they wore.
As Dick's store grew from one to two, the name was changed from Free People to Urban Outfitters.
In time, his wife Meg came on to tend Urban's private label division, which supported product exclusive to Urban Outfitters. Demand was almost immediate and to meet this overwhelming need, she and Dick decided to create a wholesale line. It was very well-received, so much so that Dick separated the businesses. For a while, the wholesale line took on many personalities: Bulldog, Ecote, Cooperative, Anthropologie, and then in 1984 a new life was breathed into the name Free People. And that's us.
During 2001, we realized that it was really Free People that invoked some of our favourite images, those of femininity, courage, and spirit. It was time to get back to our roots.
Free People shed its junior image and evolved into a more mature, contemporary brand. This allowed twenty-something women to appreciate the line of clothing that catered to their intelligence, creativity and individuality, while keeping with its great quality and affordability.
And that's just who we wanted to reach: a 26-year-old girl, smart, creative, confident and comfortable in all aspects of her being, free and adventurous, sweet to tough to tomboy to romantic. A girl who likes to keep busy and push life to its limits, with traveling and hanging out and everything in between. Who loves Donovan as much as she loves The Dears, and can't resist petting any dog that passes her by on the street.
Why I rented it: I wanted to buy a denim skirt, but I wanted to try one first.
How I styled it: With this skirt, the styling options are endless. I often wore it with a cute tube top I found on Amazon, a pair of Ferragamo heels, and the Louis Vuitton Cherry Blossoms Satchel.
Size and fit: I got a 4 because a few reviewers said it runs large, and it was a perfect fit for me! Crafted in heavyweight cotton, this stylish denim skirt features a banded waist with belt loops, a front zip and button closure, slant hip pockets, back patch pockets, and a raw-edge hem.
Condition: Great!
Honest review: I wore this skirt probably a dozen times, but I finally sent it back after multiple people told me it wasn't flattering and I looked like a kindergarten teacher (which is not the look I was going for).
Vince Satin Slip Dress, Retail Value $295, Armoire $206
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: Because it's brand new and has a timeless design.
How I styled it: I kept it simple and chic. I wore this dress with Mignonne Gavigan fan earrings, Tabitha Sorenson Laser-Cut Pumps, and the Prada Bunny Clutch!
Size and fit: I got a medium, and this bias-cut dress has a little boxier fit than other slipdresses I've tried. 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.
Honest review: This is my second time renting a Vince slip dress. The first time was in lilac, but it felt too dressy. I like it better in military green!
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? That denim skirt got so much wear!
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Met expectations.
- What’s the return process like? Place the items in the bag, seal it up and that's it!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Going to wrap this up now and get ready for the weekend!
VALUE BREAKDOWN: The Unlimited membership costs $249/month and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $124,947!
What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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