What I’m Wearing This Week: Armoire

Hey, y'all! I took a break last time because I was busy preparing for Nashville. It was my third time to visit, and it certainly doesn't disappoint. But after two days and nights on Broadway, I think I've had enough. My sister and I stayed with one of my besties from NYC and Baltimore who now lives there and they've got two young boys under three, two dogs, and a lot of staff. It was like Grand Central Station every morning!

Despite having a huge and lovely house, we felt like we were in the way so we'd get up early, get ready and head back downtown. It probably would've been cheaper for us to get a hotel room, rather than spending all our money on Lyfts, bars and restaurants. We didn't even get a cowboy hat or boots!

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 five items by Commando, Trina Turk, Avec Les Filles, and Hutch arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.

Commando Faux Leather Square Neck Crop Top, Retail Value $88, Armoire $75; Commando Faux Leather Smocked Jogger Pants, Retail Value $168, Armoire $113

About the designer: From cutting-edge intimates to luxury-technical ready-to-wear, Commando creates the styles that make you look and feel amazing. From thoughtfully sourcing fabrics to fit testing every style on real bodies—we care about where and how our garments are made. The result: luxurious, long-lasting, well-fitting garments that make your wardrobe work harder for you.

Commando founder, designer & CEO Kerry O’Brien is the face of Commando and the embodiment of a female entrepreneur. Having no formal design background, her unique approach to the fashion industry has broken boundaries and revolutionized an industry. In 2012 Kerry was introduced into the CFDA, and Commando currently holds two patents for innovative design in hosiery and slips

Why I rented it: I needed a lounge and athleisure set, and I've always wanted to check out Commando.

How I styled it: I paired the faux leather top and pants, and added a Lululemon jacket, Asics sneakers, and a baseball cap I picked up in Monaco.

Size and fit: I rented a medium in both pieces, and they fit true to size, although they are essentially made of plastic. I was thrilled to discover the pants were long enough for me! The crop top features wide shoulder straps and a square neckline, and the pants have an elasticized waistband and

Condition: Brand new with tags times 2.

Honest review: At first, I loved the sporty spice look, but then I discovered their totally shitty quality. Since the top was basically made out of plastic, it stretched out quickly and then had this horrible fishy baking soda powder scent that I couldn't get rid of. I hand-washed it twice with shampoo! And then, I tore the knee of the pants when I scratched a mosquito bite! It went through so easily, it was like a tissue! Wow, terrible quality, Commando.

Avec Les Filles Wide Leg Denim Jumpsuit, Retail Value $189, Armoire $159; Trina Turk Atwood Blazer, Retail Value $478, Armoire $382

About the designer: We’re AVEC LES FILLES, or “With the Girls”, en français. We launched in 2017 with a mission to offer trend-driven fashion that is distinctive and personal, yet versatile and accessible.

RETRO ★ STREET ★ RUNWAY

Our aesthetic style is based on three pillars: retro details, street influence, and runway inspiration. We are sure to have something that speaks to your authentic style. We are the culmination of “je ne sais quoi” style that Parisians innately possess. Born in LA, living in NYC, and inspired by Parisian chic, we were made for the world. We’re constantly evolving to fit your lifestyle, but we’ll always remain true to our values. 

About the designer: A genuine California local, Trina Turk is inspired by the Golden State’s multicultural mix, creativity, craftsmanship, architecture, and landscape--a synergy that permeates her contemporary, colorful aesthetic. Infused with bold signature prints and dynamic hues unique to each collection, Trina’s modern and optimistic outlook meld the best of classic American design with a California confidence, incorporating beautiful fabrications and impeccable quality for effortless élan and carefree glamour.

Founded in 1995 by Trina and her late husband, photographer Jonathan Skow, as a women’s contemporary line, Trina Turk has evolved into a print and color driven lifestyle brand, celebrating California style with eleven annual collections of chic women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, plus swimwear, eyewear, paper goods, a Mr Turk menswear collection, and residential goods.

Why I rented it: It's a cute and casual daytime look.

How I styled it: Not much styling is needed! I threw on my Apple Watch (got it to monitor my fitness and health), Kendra Scott Maya necklace, a vintage belt, Salvatore Ferragamo slides, a studded leather Gucci jacket... and the Trina Turk blazer.

As for the blazer, it goes with just about anything!

Size and fit: I was concerned this denim jumpsuit wouldn't be long enough for me, and I was correct! It's crafted in a cotton blend and features a square neckline, cap sleeves, front-zip closure, corset-style bodice, front slant pockets, and a flared hem.

As for the blazer, I got the 8 because the 6 was unavailable and it fit well. It's crafted in a buttery soft polyester blend with a peaked lapel, long sleeves, flap pockets, front hook-and-eye closure, and a cropped hem.

Condition: Great!

Honest review: The jumpsuit was cute, but it was just a little too short on me and looked ridiculous. The blazer was just what I needed for the office!

Hutch Ottie Wide Leg Jumpsuit, Retail Value $165, Armoire $145

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: I want a cute and summery jumpsuit.

How I styled it: I paired this simplistically chic jumpsuit with Cole Haan strappy sandals, a Louis Vuitton Murakami Cherry Blossoms satchel, and a Helmut Lang jacket.

Size and fit: This breezy cotton jumpsuit features a summery floral print, adjustable shoulder straps, a pleated and smocked bodice, side zip closure, side slant pockets, and wide legs.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: Cheery and colorful, but not the most flattering on me. I kept tripping over the hem!

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? Everything was great aside from Commando's quality issue.
• 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

Remember when I reviewed ModLux.Rent and Haverdash and said the business model seemed a little scammy? Well, it turns out I was onto something. It is a scam! Eek.

Let's revisit my review:

Pros:

• I love that I have a new batch of clothes to choose from, and it's even better that I can find designers that I haven't seen anywhere else.
• ModLux.Rent has way more clothes per month than RTR and cheaper too.
• Their product descriptions are better than RTR and Armoire.
• ModLux.Rent is still relatively new, so the pieces are in excellent shape.
• I like that the items arrive in a box, and you return them using a pre-addressed shipping bag.
• Haverdash is cheap!
• Better resale prices than others.
• Hugely discounted (or free) first month.

Cons: 

• Not many designers or style varieties.
• The shipping is slower.
• Just because you've added items to your closet doesn't mean you'll actually receive them.
• You have to purchase or send all the items back at the same time.
• The Dart system just doesn't work.

To recap, if you "Dart" pieces (a.k.a. choose what you receive) for an extra $5 to $7, you'll be presented a list of available items, and you can choose the 3-5 pieces (if you have that many options) 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 bypulling from items you previously selected for your own closet.

Since they see this as a major selling point, they really need to work on it. First of all, I have a say in what I actually receive on other sites... I wouldn't order a calfskin bodysuit in 98-degree weather. It's like they take the extra $5 to $7 so they can make you believe you have a say in your order, but most of the time I had the same items presented to me, whether I paid to Dart or not. And it seemed like even though I had 60 plus items in my closet, there were never more than 7 pieces available. So, I'd add dozens of pieces to my closet, pay the $7, and then discover there were only 3 or 4 items to choose from (pay for 3-5 at a time).

Then, I'd have to scroll through their site to add lots more pieces in hopes I'd find something I liked, but alas, most of the time they weren't available either. Sigh. I tried to outsmart the system and removed the out-of-season items from my closet in hopes seasonal pieces would appear, but they didn't. It was like playing hide and seek and I was always seeking.

Seriously though, if they plan to continue with and promote the scammy Dart as a selling point, they really, really need to invest heavily in their stock... or actually just get rid of Dart because I'd rather pick my own clothes for an additional $7 a month. CaaStle is a new company, and their rental platforms are new too, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, but stock should be their number one priority, and then after they're fully stocked, they can reintroduce Dart.

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!