What I’m Wearing This Week: Armoire

Hoppy Friday, every bun! Back with Armoire, but I had a few repeats because the flow of new clothing has either stopped or is still hidden. They renamed their "Fresh In" section to "New To You", which basically shows me items I've never rented, and that's because most of the pieces are not my style. I still don't understand why they hide their newest pieces, unless it's simply because they're not buying enough. And, if that's the case, they'll eventually lose a lot of subscribers because those items from 2020 aren't worth it (and they're literally hanging on by a string).

But, anyway. The buns have been pretty chill and still loving their new space, but Gabby has started using the rug as a toilet, so I had to move everything around to block her and now she's mad! If that doesn't change her habits, I'll take her to the vet to find out what's going on.

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 Altuzzara, Avec Les Filles and Diarrablu arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.

Altuzarra Lydia Denim Midi Dress, Retail Value $1,345, Armoire $336

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: My closet's prepared for summer and winter, but the awkward period between seasons? Apparently, we’re pretending that doesn’t exist. Whether it’s summer to fall or spring to summer, I always seem to have a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear.

How I styled it: This dress got plenty of airtime! I mostly paired it with my Bally sandals and Balenciaga Graffiti bag, then switched to my Chanel 19 and Ferragamo pumps when the occasion called for a little more polish.

Size & fit: The Lydia denim cotton-blend dress has a wrap-style silhouette, spread collar, and wide surplice neckline that slips slightly off the shoulders. Elbow-length sleeves with buttoned cuffs, an elasticized waist with a matching belt, and an A-line skirt with a front opening complete the look. I rented a size 6, which ran a little large everywhere except the arms. Apparently, the sleeves didn’t get the relaxed-fit memo.

Condition: Excellent.

Honest review: If this dress looks familiar, it’s because we’ve been here before—in several fabrics, prints, and colors. Some women have a type. Apparently, I have a silhouette. This version’s heavier denim makes it especially good for the transition into fall. Wear it to Sunday brunch, or to the office and the happy hour you’ve been thinking about since your first meeting. It’s versatile, well-made, and sophisticated without requiring much effort.

Avec Les Filles Animal Print Sleeveless Maxi Dress, Retail Value $148, Armoire $133

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. 

Why I rented it: I wanted something longer and ready for fall’s entrance—even if summer wasn’t quite ready to leave.

How I styled it: I paired it with my Marni colorblocked heels, Louis Vuitton Graffiti Speedy, and a Vince leather jacket. Animal print, graffiti, and leather? Don't tell the bunnies!

Size & fit: I rented a medium, and it fit beautifully! The sleeveless silhouette features an animal print, mockneck, back-zip closure, and gathered maxi skirt.

Condition: Like new.

Honest review: I loved this dress enough to consider making our relationship permanent. Then I found it online for a little less and brand new. I may be a romantic when it comes to clothes, but I still believe in shopping around.

Diarrablu Jant High-Rise Wide Leg Pants, Retail Value $275, Armoire $248

About the designer: DIARRABLU is a contemporary lifestyle brand born from Diarra Bousso's daydreams. The brand's mission is focused on weaving sustainability seamlessly into a unique design and manufacturing process focused on thoughtfully merging the worlds of artisans and algorithms with the goal to reduce waste.By marrying the ancient techniques of artisan communities in Senegal and various parts of the world with the latest technological advancements in creative mathematics and AI, DIARRABLU has created an ethereal realm where tradition meets innovation

Why I rented it: The print caught my eye, and the dramatic wide-leg design sealed the deal.

How I styled it: I paired these printed pants with an Alice + Olivia leather top, a vintage Chanel bag, and Ferragamo patent leather slides. The pants brought the drama; the accessories had no intention of being outdone.

Size and fit: Made from flowing jacquard fabric, these high-waisted, wide-leg pants feature an elasticized waistband and side slit pockets. I rented a medium, and the waist was a little snug, but everywhere else? Fabric and flow for days.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: This designer recently popped up on Armoire, so I decided to see what we were working with. Breezy and beautiful, these pants are light enough for summer heat and easy to carry into the transition months with a leather top or jacket. But the real headline? They were long enough for me! At 5’11”, finding pants that don’t accidentally become capris is reason enough to celebrate.

Altuzarra Honey Silk Wrap Midi Dress, Retail Value $1,895, Armoire $474

Why I rented it: It’s Altuzarra in pretty fall colors. I’ve justified rentals with considerably less.

How I styled it: This dress clearly had a workday on its calendar, so I paired it with Marni sandals, a Valentino Rockstud tote, and a denim jacket. Our office is still maintaining its commitment to refrigeration.

Size and fit: Crafted in Italian silk with a striking mythical print, this wrap dress features a crewneck, short sleeves, a back-zip closure, and a wrap waist with hardware detail. I rented a 6, which ran slightly large.

Condition: Like new.

Honest review: The belt buckle nearly made my head explode—and then my thumb, which I whacked trying to figure it out. It took me and two other women at the office to solve what I can only describe as the Rubik’s Cube of fashion. I expected to accessorize, not assemble a task force. Once we cracked the code, the dress looked much better. Pretty silk, beautiful colors, and a buckle that should come with a training video.

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 a decent amount of wear out of all the items in the shipment.
• 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

It’s been a few months since I moved, and I’m beginning to question the woman who packed my boxes. Unfortunately, that woman was me.

In a moment of apparent genius, I sold or donated a sizable portion of my winter wardrobe. Now that the temperatures are dropping, I’m standing in my closet thinking, “Wait. Did I trash that? Donate it? Sell it? Whyyyyyy?”

Sometimes being the anti-hoarder gets expensive.

At the time, I was focused on how much easier moving would be if I didn’t bring everything with me. I got rid of all my furniture and started over—but did half my wardrobe really need to go with it? Apparently, I confused a fresh start with a closet liquidation.

And at least I didn’t drop the bunnies off at Goodwill.

Or did I?

Nah. They’re still here, acting like it’s their apartment and I’m just the teacher from the Charlie Brown cartoons. “Wah wah wah.” Apparently, my name is on the lease, but my input is strictly background noise—occasionally acknowledged with a disapproving stomp.

VALUE BREAKDOWN: The Unlimited membership costs $249/month and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $213,287!

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