Happy Memorial Day weekend, every bun!
While many of you are heading off on fun beach vacations, I am moving… again.
We’re back in the office three days a week, and my commute has become infuriating. If I leave around 6AM, it’s usually breezy (unless someone who's been out all night decides to cut off an 18-wheeler, causing it to flip over and block three lanes). Seventeen minutes and smooth sailing. If I leave after 7? Suddenly, I’m trapped in lanes of brake lights, contemplating every life decision that led me to the Express Lanes.
And after work? Ugh. Leaving at 3PM means anywhere from 35 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes just to go 13 miles. Some days, I really think I could walk faster.
So, my life became this brutal schedule where I needed to be asleep by 8PM, awake at 5AM, and out the door by 6... except my brain doesn't shut off until 10PM. Then I wake up somewhere between 3 and 4:30AM for no reason whatsoever and stare at the ceiling thinking about toll fees, traffic, and tractor-trailers flipping over on sharp curves.
Between the traffic, $150-$180 a month in tolls just to sit in traffic "faster", gas, car wear and tear, and the extra 3% tax in Bethesda, I finally waved the white flag.
Truthfully, I wish I had never moved there in the first place. Looking back now, I can see I was still deep in CPTSD survival mode. I just wanted to get as far away from my ex as possible. He knew where I moved, and even though I tried to build a new little life there, I never fully felt safe.
Add in my dad’s diagnosis, my stupid rebound situation, and Mr. HGL getting sick, and it became a perfect storm of stress, annoyance, grief, and survival instinct.
Sometimes you don’t realize you were running until you finally stop long enough to catch your breath. One of the main reasons I toured Florida in January was to figure out if I could move there in 2028, and while I may consider it further down the line, it will not be in the 2020s, so I decided to make my life easier and way more convenient. Now, I can walk to the office if I feel really, really adventurous!
Bye-bye 495! Anyway… here we go again. And this time, the tiny terrors will not have access to any of my new furniture or the walls.
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 four items by Maje arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.
Maje Chain-Embellished Denim Maxi Skirt, Retail Value $295. Armoire $103; Maje Broderie Anglaise Lace Blouse, Retail Value $345, Armoire $121
About the designer: This is the story of a sensitive brand,
It reinvents the idea of the uninhibited Parisian woman,
a woman who is comfortable with her decisions,
choosing to be elegant one day, vivacious the next, and then funny, then mysterious, but always captivating...
A woman who is fundamentally free.
Above all, Maje is the story of a united family:
Judith Milgrom's family.
The soul of this tribe is what inspired Judith Milgrom to create a brand
that is evidently cross-generational, where women and their daughters
share the pleasure of dressing.
Now, she's bringing the Parisian woman
Because ultimately, isn’t the Parisian woman
the most cosmopolitan of them all?
From New York to Singapore, and Beijing to London,
Maje conveys a whimsical grace that transcends time.
Why I rented it: I was looking for a casual, cool spring outfit.
How I styled it: I paired the lace blouse with the skirt, plus the Louis Vuitton Capucines, Alexis Bittar jewelry, a Matthew Williamson coat, and a new-to-me pair of Aquazarra denim point-toe slides.
Size and fit: Both the shirt and skirt were a medium. While the blouse felt a little cotton-y, it turns out it's a vicose blend, but the skirt was 100% cotton. The shirt is designed with a loose fit, a lace-trimmed high-neck collar, and long, puffed sleeves with lace-trimmed cuffs. It features a mother-of-pearl button-front closure and broderie anglaise panels throughout.
The faded denim skirt is waisted with belt loops and silver-tone chain embellishments. It features five pockets, front and back slits, a concealed button, a zip closure, and a deconstructured hem. Both fit true to size.
Condition: The skirt arrived brand new with tags, while the blouse was apparently like-new, as it had no reviews.
Honest review: Mixed feelings on this look overall. The skirt was definitely the star, and I loved the embellishments, and the hem had a slightly deconstructed look that Maje does well, but the front and back slit situation cheapened it a little for me. Meanwhile, the blouse was soft and comfy, but it looked and felt noticeably worn, like lived-in luxury. At one point, I wondered if Maje had found an old lace curtain in a French attic, stitched it together, and called it boho.
Maje Pyad Floral Jumpsuit, Retail Value $464, Armoire $488
Why I rented it: Because it looked absolutely darling. Like something one of my Strawberry Shortcake dolls would've worn in the 80s while frolicking through a berry patch.
How I styled it: I paired this sweet little jumpsuit with the Louis Vuitton Cappucines, a B-low-the-Belt belt, a Vince leather jacket, and Alexander Birman suede wedges. It felt very vintage meets off-duty fashion editor.
Size & fit: This really is the perfect summer jumpsuit. Crafted from an organic cotton blend, this floral-print one-piece features a round button-down collar, long puff sleeves with elasticized cuffs, a full front button closure, a matching belt, and a tapered hem.
I rented the medium (38), and the fit was spot-on, except the inseam was not 35", unless the model's legs begin somewhere near her ribcage.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: Loved it so much, I think I need to rent it again (or maybe buy it?)!
Maje Smocked Balloon-Sleeve Jumpsuit, Retail Value $530, Armoire $485
Why I rented it: Because spring is full of heat and deep freeze advisories, and I needed something I could easily layer or wear alone.
How I styled it: I wore this jumpsuit many different days and in many different ways, but for the photos, I paired it with a vintage leather belt, the Gucci studded leather jacket, Ferragamo slides, and the Balenciaga Graffiti bag.
Size and fit: I rented the medium, and the fit was perfect. Crafted from a breezy, slightly shiny polyester, this one-piece features a gathered tie-neck, long sleeves with elasticized cuffs, a back button closure, smocked waist, and side pockets because apparently Maje understands the importance of pockets.
The silhouette was flattering without feeling restrictive, and the lightweight fabric made it easy to wear all day without overheating or looking wrinkled by noon.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: Another winning jumpsuit from Maje. Comfortable, lightweight, versatile, and easy to dress up or down depending on your mood and occasion.
My only complaint? Trying to fasten the tiny back keyhole button by myself turned into practically popping my shoulder out of the socket.
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 got the most wear out of the jumpsuits, but all four items were pretty great.
- 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
Perhaps Armoire finally heard my complaints echoing through the fashion universe because they've started adding some new pieces… you just have to dig through the app.
Recently, I spotted new arrivals from Rhode, Sabina Musayev, Nicholas, CAMI NYC, and Avec Les Filles, which tells me they’re still investing in fresh inventory. That’s good news for all of us because for a while there, the selection was starting to feel a little like a trip to a consignment boutique.
I keep thinking I’m ready to end this review series, but then Armoire drops a few unexpectedly good pieces and suddenly I’m pulled back in! Also, my current closet simply does not support office-appropriate dressing three days a week. And let’s be honest, I'm willing to bet money that four is lurking around the corner.
Anyway, I’ll see you next month once I’m fully settled into the new place, emotionally recovered from move #3 (since the pandemic), and the tiny terrors are established in D&G Kingdom 2.0. And yes, I’ll absolutely share photos of their new bunny empire. I found the best castle ever!
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!
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