What I’m Wearing This Week: Armoire

Hello, all! We're back with another Armoire review, and I've got a treat in store. And no, I'm not talking about the bunny kind. But first... whatever happened with that children's book that I started pitching to literary agents? Well, AI happened.

Just as I finally worked up the courage to move forward with one of my longtime passion projects, the publishing world was suddenly flooded with AI-generated books.

The timing couldn't have been more ironic. Literary agents and publishing houses were inundated, and many stopped accepting submissions altogether. Meanwhile, the few who expressed interest and referred me to colleagues at their agencies never reopened their submission windows.

So, for now, Mr. Hoppy Golightly is patiently waiting in the wings. Hopefully, one day, he'll get his moment to hop onto bookstore shelves. Until then, I'll keep sharing fashion rentals, chasing creative projects, and believing that some of my stories eventually find their readers.

Below are some pics of the tiny terrors loving life. They’re always out and about—whether in their castle, sprawled out in front of the TV, cuddling under a table, or using the toilet—and they’re so much happier now (aren’t we all?). Gabby doesn’t leave the main room because of the quicksand (hardwood flooring), but I allow Dolce to run around after a haircut because she still disapproves of any other woman touching him, and she'll attack him.

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 ASTR the Label, Cleobella, Altuzzara, and Exquise arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.

ASTR the Label Blythe Pleated Midi Dress, Retail Value $164, Armoire $109

About the designer: Taking inspiration from the latest trends and affinity for all things feminine, the creative collective behind ASTR The Label aims to immerse their customers into a world of effortless beauty. Since 2012, the brand has stood as a wearable interpretation of attainable style for all occasions. Featuring distinctive looks that exude romance, ASTR The Label offers collections that are recognized for their quality and unique combination of contemporary sophistication, versatility and chic design. By catering to the fashion needs of the #ASTRBabe, our collections continually feature on-trend and thoughtfully crafted garments for the modern woman.

Why I rented it: I've rented this dress before in a different color and print and wanted to try it again.

How I styled it: I paired this dress with Ferragamo pumps and the Louis Vuitton Capucines!

Size and fit: Crafted in breezy polyester, the strappy Blythe dress features a plunge neckline, gathered bodice, cutout back with adjustable tie closure, concealed side-zip closure, and a gathered, pleated midi skirt. It was perfect to wear out in Georgetown.

Condition: Very good.

Honest review: Super cute and perfect for the sweltering hot summer, but now that I'm three years older than the last time I rented it, I might've aged out of the open-back design. Doesn't help that I've also gained 8 pounds since then.

Cleobella Gladys Flutter Sleeve Dress, Retail Value $268, Armoire $140, Altuzzara Wrap Belt, Retail Value $795, Armoire $479

About the designer: At Cleobella, sustainability and ethical practices are at the core of all we do. Our designs, which celebrate traditional craftsman techniques, are ethically handmade by independent artisans around the world. By helping preserve traditional heritage techniques through partnerships, we also help create sustainable income for these makers.

Why I rented it: I needed another work dress, and the soft periwinkle color immediately caught my eye. The feminine details gave it a polished look that felt office-appropriate without being overly formal.

How I styled it: I wore this dress to the office and paired it with Ulla Johnson sandals, a black Altuzarra belt, a Valentino Rockstud tote, and Alexis Bittar jewelry.

Size & fit: I rented a medium, and it fit true to size. The elasticized smocked bodice comfortably hugs your shape without feeling restrictive, making the fit both flattering and forgiving.

Made from 100% cotton poplin, this pullover dress features a V-neckline, flutter sleeves, a smocked bodice, a ruffle-trimmed waist, and a flounced skirt finished with pintuck detailing. The craftsmanship really stands out, and the silhouette strikes a nice balance between classic and romantic.

Condition: Like new.

Honest review: This dress was a bit heavier than I expected because of the cotton poplin, but it still wore comfortably throughout the workday. The quality is excellent, and it's one of those dresses that manages to feel both sophisticated and effortlessly feminine.

One small note: Armoire listed the retail value at $568, but Cleobella's website lists this dress at $268. I always recommend doing a quick price check before purchasing any rental piece. It's a good habit regardless of the service you're using.

Exquise Maxi Dress, Retail Value $275, Armoire $248, Altuzzara Loopy Belt, Retail Value $695, Armoire $417

About the designer: EXQUISE was established to design stylish, creative and timeless clothes for women who enjoy every moment of life. It invites women to dream and feel happy with its modern design approach, bold color palettes, innovative patterns and different perspectives, which it has been trying to demonstrate since its establishment.

The collections prepared by the EXQUISE design team with different combination options and unique details are produced in Istanbul with high quality standards ensuring that all materials used from the design stage to the production phase comply with these standards.

Why I rented it: This looked like the perfect summer dress for everything from lounging by the pool to strolling the beach. Simple, lightweight, and effortlessly chic? Into my closet it went.

How I styled it: The beauty of a no-fuss dress like this is its versatility. For a day by the pool, I paired it with Crocs, sunglasses, and a beach bag. When I wore it to the office, it took on a completely different personality with an Altuzarra belt, Jimmy Choo peep-toe sandals, and my Louis Vuitton Capucines.

Size and fit: I rented a medium, and it's intentionally designed with a relaxed, boxy silhouette. It was a little snug through the shoulders, but that's more a reflection of my linebacker shoulders than the dress itself.

Crafted from a linen blend, this sleeveless shift dress features a round neckline with elegant pleating, a back keyhole button closure, side slit pockets, and a full lining.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: I received so many compliments every time I wore this dress. It's the definition of easy, breezy summer style and transitions seamlessly from poolside to the office with just a few accessory swaps.

My only complaint is the lining. It has a slightly synthetic feel that traps heat, which is the last thing you want on a sweltering summer day. Had the lining been a little more breathable, this would have been close to perfect.

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? All three dresses were great, and the belts were the cherry on top.
• 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

Now for the treat! Armoire is now renting accessories, which is pretty exciting. I can't wait to get all wrapped up in their belts, and I have a feeling a designer handbag or two will eventually find its way into my closet. They're also renting scarves, necklaces, and beanies. Check it out!

But there's one thing that's made me dust off my tinfoil hat and embrace my inner fashion conspiracy theorist...

Remember ModLuxRent, the rental platform affiliated with Modern Luxury? If you've been following along since 2023, you probably remember my never-ending saga of trying to rent pieces that were perpetually unavailable, and then paying extra to ensure I get them, but still no dice.

Then, ModLuxRent shut down amid fraud allegations.

Recently, I started noticing many of those exact same designer pieces popping up on Armoire. At first, I figured Armoire had simply expanded its inventory. But then some of the garments arrived without original tags and showed a little more wear than I'm used to seeing from their newer pieces.

Does that mean Armoire purchased some of ModLuxRent's inventory? I honestly have no idea. It's entirely possible. It's also possible I'm connecting dots that don't belong together, but the timing certainly sent my imagination into overdrive.

Whatever the explanation, I'm not complaining. I finally get to rent some of the pieces that spent months taunting me from behind an "Unavailable" button. Sometimes fashion has a funny way of giving you a second chance to make a first impression.

On that note, did anyone see Devil Wears Prada 2? I finally watched it the other night, and I thought it was cute and loved how they tied it all back to the book, but the first one was better. And the wardrobe was better back then too.

VALUE BREAKDOWN: The Unlimited membership costs $249/month and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $202,586!

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