What I’m Wearing This Week: Armoire

Hoppy Friday!

It's been a while since I last checked in. February flew by in a blur of freezing cold air and snow, but if I'm being honest, Armoire hasn't really been flying off the racks. They quietly retired the “New Arrivals” section and replaced it with something called “Fresh In.” Cute, but not what I'm looking for. “Fresh In” may suggest brand-new pieces, but in reality, it’s mostly older inventory that’s been cleaned, steamed, and sent back into circulation. I can’t tell if they relocated true new arrivals or if this rename is a strategic way of disguising a slowdown in inventory. They've also slowed down their shipping times A LOT. They used to ship out within a day, but now it can take up to 4. Something's up.

Aside from the recent Maje and Altuzarra drops, the pipeline feels frozen. I’ve scrolled, filtered, and searched. Half the time I’m spotting dresses I rented in 2021, now back on the carousel after countless dry-cleaning cycles and a few visible stitches.

And Armoire isn’t exactly priced like fast fashion. At that monthly rate, you expect rotation, not resurrection. I still peek at Rent the Runway now and then, though my subscription has been paused since fall. Their inventory is stronger, no doubt, but lately it feels heavy on designer experiments and milkmaid-meets-Little-House-on-the-Prairie silhouettes. Charming if you’re 22 and headed to Coachella, but not so much if you're struggling through perimenopause and have evolved past ruffles, crop tops, and puff sleeves as a whimsical personality trait.

At $160 a month for RTR, I started asking myself a practical question: what else could I do with that money? Lately, the answer has been The RealReal. I’ll buy something interesting, wear it a few times, and resell. It’s less commitment, more control, and not a total loss of money.

I’m not giving up on rentals entirely — the market itself says there’s room to grow. In fact, the global apparel rental market was valued at over $6 billion in 2023 — more than twice its 2016 level — and continues to expand as more consumers embrace fashion access over ownership.

For now, I’ve pressed pause. There’s not much to rent.

Luckily, I found a few great pieces for my Miami and Palm Beach trip last week, which temporarily restored my faith in the concept. But as for what’s next in the rental universe? To be continued...

Perimenopause sidenote: The brainfog is unreal. I feel like parts of my personality have been muted. I lose my train of thought mid-sentence, and the words I’m reaching for vanish somewhere between my brain and my mouth. At first, I wondered if it was CPTSD resurfacing, and then I spiraled into fears about early-onset dementia because of my dad. Now, thankfully, I know better.

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 Altuzarra, Sabrina Musayev, DL 1961, and En Saison arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.

Sabrina Musayev Maya Foiled Plisse Dress, Retail Value $395. Armoire $237

About the designer: SABINA MUSAYEV is a women's ready towear fashion brand that was established in 2011 by the couple Meir Moyal and Sabina Moyal Musayev.

Musayev graduated with a B.A at Shenkar College for Design and Engineering in Israel. Growing up as a third generation of tailors in Baku, Azerbaijan, an area rich with textile heritage, she draws inspiration from decorative and ethnic aesthetics, combined with a modern receptiveness, she creates unique, poetic and feminine garments.

Why I rented it: I had plans to head to NYC to visit friends, but the weather had other ideas. Frozen Amtrak tracks are not exactly conducive to fashion week aspirations.

How I styled it: I never actually got to wear it out, but for photos, I paired it with Les Belles tights (don’t believe the hype, they tear), Twinset platform pumps, Alexis Bittar earrings, and a vintage Chanel bag. It deserved a proper nighttime debut, but instead, it got a hallway photoshoot.

Size and fit: I ordered a medium, and it ran a bit snug. It’s cut for a slim fit, so there isn’t much room to hide if you’re between sizes.

This foiled plissé knit minidress features an asymmetrically draped silhouette with a high neckline, long puff sleeves, and gathered detailing throughout. It’s designed to skim the body and catch the light, ideal for a night out on the town!

Condition: Great!

Honest review: It's great for a night out on the town, but I've been lame recently.

Altuzarra Poppy Long Sleeve Shirt Dress, Retail Value $1,396, Armoire $790

About the designer: Joseph Altuzarra was born in 1983 and raised in Paris by a Chinese American mother and French father. His multicultural upbringing and interest in everything from film to literature and art are key influences throughout his work.

Since the launch of Altuzarra in 2008, Joseph has received numerous accolades for his work, from inclusion in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and Business of Fashion’s BoF500 to the Swarovski Award for Womenswear Design.

In 2014, Joseph was named by the Council of Fashion Designers America as the Womenswear Designer of the Year and, in 2017, the Accessories Council’s Designer of the Year.

Why I rented it: Palm Beach, obviously.

How I styled it: I went full treasure-hunt mode on The RealReal and Poshmark to build this look out properly. The original belt that came with the dress was flimsy at best, so I swapped it for a sculptural B-Low the Belt find from Poshmark.

I also snagged a pair of Marni sandals for $39, which feels borderline criminal, and carried my Louis Vuitton Capucines for structure and polish. And after what felt like a year-long search, I finally found a Marques’ Almeida denim jacket that actually fits. Not the same one from last year’s review, but I love it just as much. Bonus: it was under $100.

Palm Beach, but make it resale strategy. And yes, I made a mandatory stop at The RealReal on Worth Avenue. Research, obviously.

Size & Fit: This Altuzarra midi dress is crafted from 100% viscose and features a printed design, side slit pockets, belt loops, and a detachable belt. The fabric feels substantial and refined, with enough structure to hold its shape beautifully. For once, I can understand the retail price.

The silhouette leans boxy, giving it that effortless, easy, beach-ready feel. It’s less about curve-hugging drama and more about polished nonchalance.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: It leans slightly frumpy, but in a very specific way. Think old money, Palm Beach, shopping on Worth Avenue before lunch. It’s understated, structured, and quietly expensive-looking. I may be holding onto this one a little longer than planned. Sorry, Armoire.

Altuzarra Lilly Smocked Cotton Midi Dress, Retail Value $1,695, Armoire $593

Why I rented it: Another pick for Palm Beach!

How I styled it: I cinched it with an Obi belt, slipped into Ferragamo patent leather slides, and carried my Chanel 19. Effortless, slightly dramatic, Palm Beach adjacent.

The Lily dress is cut from a soft cotton blend in a flattering smocked construction. It features hidden pockets and a subtle side slit, and the off-the-shoulder silhouette strikes that balance between elegant and whimsical.

Size and fit: Real talk. My body has shifted lately, and I’m adjusting. I ordered the 6. It fit, technically, but it was snug at the waist. I added the Obi belt to break up the smocking, which helped visually, but sitting at Bradley's felt sweaty and stuffy. There’s not much give once you’re seated and committed.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: I genuinely love this dress. I do not love it at nearly $1,700. It isn’t even lined, which feels inexcusable at that price point. A quick search turned up the same piece on multiple resale sites for under $250. At retail, it’s a fantasy. At resale, it’s a smart buy.

En Saison Gabriella Dress, Retail Value $198, Armoire $148

About the designer: En Saison is loved for its easy, everyday styles. Balancing trend with classic design, the label’s airy fabrics and relaxed silhouettes have a playful, of-the-moment feel. From flowy dresses to puff-sleeve tops, En Saison’s latest styles are an easy addition to your closet.

Why I rented it: Under consideration for Palm Beach.

How I styled it: Since the great freeze took over the DMV for an eternity, I wasn't able to wear it, despite purchasing in January. Once the weather finally broke 40, I paired it with Aquazurra suede pumps, a vintage fox fur coat, and the Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Graffiti speedy.

Size and fit: This minimalist midi shirt dress with a polished silhouette and subtle utility details features a shirt collar, button-front closure, strategic cutouts, and a drawstring waist. It's basically ivory elegance meets everyday ease, and the fit is true to size.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: A total beauty that's perfect for the spring and early summer days. The timeless design and elevated fabric make it an elegant, versatile go-to without breaking the bank. Big fan of En Saison.

DL 1961 Denim Dress, Retail Value $216, Armoire $194

About the designer:

DL1961 is a global premium denim brand that is carried in hundreds of stores. The brand was founded in 2008 using XFIT LYCRA, a fabric it has patented. XFIT is a cotton-wrapped Lycra thread intertwined with polyester made by DL parent company ADM Denim, which was founded by Faisal and Meliha Ahmed.

The company uses renewable energy from solar panels for their factory operations. According to the DL1961 CEO, Zahra Ahmed, the brand is "centered around innovation and technology". They also use an eco-friendly manufacturing process that it introduced in 2013 to use less water, waste, and dye.

Why I rented it: The pickings were slim, so I searched for something versatile.

How I styled it: I didn't put much thought into this look because the weather's been 💩. I threw on a pair of suede boots, the Yves Salomon shearling jacket, and the Balenciaga Graffiti bag.

Size and fit: Since my injury, I’ve gained about eight pounds, and everything feels a little snug right now. This dress was no exception. I ordered a medium, but the bust felt strained, and the waist was tighter than I’d prefer. There’s minimal stretch, so there isn’t much forgiveness.

Crafted in cotton denim, this short dress features a structured shirt collar, long sleeves with snapped cuffs, and a full front-snap closure.

Condition: Great.

Honest review: At the end of the day, it’s a simple everyday piece. It looks more polished than fast fashion, but the price tag suggests something a bit more distinctive.

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? The Altuzarra dresses totally did their job, and I loved the simplicity and versatility of the En Saison dress so much that I bought it!
• 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

Life updates.

My new physical therapist is incredible. She actually listens, which feels revolutionary, and she’s methodically working through the healing process with me instead of rushing it. She started dry needling recently, and it’s helping more than I expected. If things keep progressing like this, I might be running again in a month.

The tiny terrors are still tiny terror-ing and still mildly afraid of me. But, I am grateful I have bunnies and not an evil cat.

I stayed at a friend’s place in Miami, and her cat clearly had a vendetta. I’ve known this animal for eight years, but that did not matter. Every time I stood up, he followed me, bit at my calves, and tried to sink his claws in. He drew blood more than once. I carried a spray bottle like it was a pepper spray, and every time he came near me, I had to deploy it.

Nighttime was even worse... he would leap onto the bed, attack me, and swipe everything off the nightstand. A glass shattered, a candle exploded, and my phone was tossed across the room.

And then there was the climate situation: my friend does not believe in air conditioning. It was 82 degrees during the day and barely dropped below 78 at night. I was living in a sauna with an evil cat! She also does not believe in blinds or blackout curtains, so at 6:30 a.m., it felt like a production crew was filming directly through the porch windows.

Two nights. Zero sleep.

On the bright side, my bunnies may be tiny terrors, but at least they don’t launch coordinated attacks against me. Only against the walls and the couch. Next time I will get a hotel room.

VALUE BREAKDOWN: The Unlimited membership costs $249/month and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $166,487!

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