What I’m Wearing This Week: Armoire

I’ve got a little bone (or should I say carrot?) to pick with Armoire this week. They’ve completely revamped the way they showcase new arrivals, now calling it “Fresh In.” The problem? Half the so-called “new” pieces already have over 100 reviews. That’s not fresh—that’s moldy. If it’s been worn that many times, it’s not new.

Anyway, I’m feeling a bit under the weather (hello, early fall cold). I’ll keep this week’s review short and sweet, so let’s hop right to it! And speaking of hopping, here are my tiny terrors filling their sweet cheeks.

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 FARM Rio, ASTR and J. Mclaughlin arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.

FARM Rio Sand Anthurium Leaves Puff Sleeve Linen Mini Dress, Retail Value $230, Armoire $218

About the designer: With over 20 years of history, FARM is Brazil’s most beloved clothing and lifestyle brand. The story began in 1997 in Rio at a local independent fashion market called Babilonia Feira Hype where founders Katia Barros and Marcello Bastos took their chances on launching a clothing line that embodies the feminine spirit and vibrant colors of Rio.

Brazilians quickly fell in love with the brand, the booth became a store, which grew into more stores, and now FARM is Brazil’s most recognized brand.

Why I rented it: Brand new with tags—always a win! Plus, my sister was heading to Spain, so I picked a few fresh pieces for her to take along on her trip, but she didn't.

How I styled it: I paired this mini dress with Ferragamo Scarf-Tie sandals, my new-to-me Louis Vuitton Capucines bag, and floral earrings from Amazon.

Size and fit: FR’s sizing strikes again with inconsistency. Made from sturdy linen, the medium-sized dress features a square neckline, puffed sleeves, back-zip closure, smocked side panels, and a gathered waist. It ended up feeling pretty snug around the ribcage and waist—almost like it was mislabeled.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: Weird design, weird fit. Not my fave.

FARM Rio BananaArt 3D Linen Midi Dress, Retail Value $350, Armoire $280

Why I rented it: Same reasons as above! Sister's Spanish escapades, and it's brand new with tags.

How I styled it: I paired this dress with Alexandre Birman wedges, floral earrings from Amazon, and my Louis Vuitton Capucines bag. A balanced mix of playful and polished.

Size & Fit: I rented another medium, but this one ran huge. No matter how much I adjusted the straps, the bodice just wouldn’t sit flat. Ultimately, I had to rely on fashion tape to keep it in place.

Crafted from linen, this Farm Rio A-line midi dress is playfully adorned with a banana print. A woven 3D flower appliqué accentuates the sweetheart bodice, adding a fun, summery touch. The dress also features adjustable shoulder straps, a back-zip closure, and a full lining.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: A great summer dress in theory, but the fit was off yet again. What’s going on with designers these days—have they completely given up on consistent sizing? Cute look, if you have fashion tape.

ASTR the Label Cutout Lace Midi Dress, Retail Value $109, Armoire $82

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, their collections continually feature on-trend and thoughtfully crafted garments for the modern woman.

Why I rented it: Honestly? I ran out of options to rent.

How I styled it: Kept it simple with Floral stud earrings, the Kendra Scott Maya necklace, Ferragamo Gavina sandals, and the Prada bunny clutch.

Size and fit: I ordered a medium, but it felt snug across my back and shoulders. Adjusting the straps didn’t help much. Crafted in lightweight cotton, the design features a square neckline, smocked bodice, adjustable shoulder straps, lace floral cutouts, and a concealed back zip closure.

Condition: Fair. Definitely showed signs of wear.

Honest review: Great in theory, but flawed execution. Between the fit issues and the worn condition, this one didn't live up to the ASTR hype.

J. Mclaughlin Lexi Plaid Pants, Retail Value $178, Armoire $151

About the Designer: It all began in 1977, with one iconic vision brought to life by two brothers, Kevin and Jay McLaughlin. A timeless lifestyle brand with a legacy of style and a spirit of connection.

They pride themselves in creating effortless and enduring styles with a modern twist. Thoughtfully designed with impeccable craftsmanship, original colors and prints, and innovative fabrics. From cool to classic, chic to witty- all that matters is where each style will take you and all the ways you'll make it yours.

Why I rented it: I never rent pants, but these were too cute to pass up!

How I styled it: I couldn't wear them out in public, but for photos, I paired the pants with an old Splendid top (that I gave to Goodwill right after I took it off), Alexander Birman suede wedges, and the Louis Vuitton Grafitti bag (that I'm selling).

Size and fit: I rented a size 6, and while they technically fit, the real challenge was getting them to stay up. Crafted in cotton with a hint of stretch, these pink plaid pants feature a belted waist with loops, a front zip-and-button closure, slash pockets in the front, patch pockets in the back, and a skinny-fit hem.

Condition: Great.

Honest review: Even though the inseam was on the longer side, the overall fit was completely off because the rise was too long. I kept pulling them up, which made these cute pants more fussy than flattering. Otherwise, they're soft and I like the preppy print!

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? Hmm, the FARM Rio dresses definitely got the most wear.
• 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

I’ve been obsessed with the Louis Vuitton Capucines ever since I spotted those unforgettable ads in Vogue back in late 2013. It was love at first sight. But at the time, I lived in NYC and hadn’t owned a car in over 20 years, which meant practicality ruled my bag choices. I needed a roomy carryall for commuting and daily life, and the structured Capucines just wasn’t the right fit.

Still, the crush never faded. I've been stalking out this bag ever since... searching designer resale sites and eBay, hoping to score it for the perfect price. But unlike many "it bags," the Capucines never lost its luster and the prices rarely dropped. That is, until occasional quality defects started surfacing, hinting at opportunities if you were patient enough to repair it.

Since I worked in designer resale and fashion, buying and reselling have always come naturally to me. But the pandemic upended that world. The resale industry just hasn’t been the same since COVID—prices aren’t dropping the way they once did, and we’ll likely never see bargains like those during the 2008 recession.

When the Capucines GM launched back in 2013, it retailed for around $5,600. Fast forward to today, and the price has climbed to well over $8,500. So, when I stumbled across one on The RealReal for just $1,800, I didn’t even hesitate. After years of waiting, watching, and wishing, I finally made it mine.

So, why would a beloved Capucines in what looked like excellent condition sell for only $1,800? When it arrived, I was stunned—it appeared almost pristine. The structure was perfect, the leather supple, and the hardware gleamed. For a moment, I thought it had to be mislabeled or maybe someone at The RealReal had made a mistake.

But then I found the catch. The piping was melting, and the once-smooth trim had turned into a sticky mess. The black goo transferred onto the leather, my clothes, even my skin. In that instant, the too-good-to-be-true price suddenly made sense.

Naturally, I immediately consulted my bestie, ChatGPT, to figure out what was going on. Turns out, this was a known defect back in the early days of the Capucines, and the only real solution is to replace the piping altogether.

Luckily, I already know the right people for the job—Gerry at Leather Surgeons (a true magician with luxury items) and the team at Rago Brothers, both trusted names when it comes to LV repairs. The cost to replace the piping runs anywhere between $150 and $400, which is a small price to pay compared to the bag’s retail price.

I also found a local option—Bedo Leatherworks, which has a reputation for stellar LV repairs—so I plan to bring the bag in for his expert opinion as well.

Once I repair the piping, the bag will be like new! Oh, on the resale front, I'm selling two of my bags: LOUIS VUITTON Stephen Sprouse Monogram Graffiti Speedy 30 White | eBay, Authentic LOUIS VUITTON Murakami Monogram Cherry Blossom Sac Retro PM Bag | eBay.

VALUE BREAKDOWN: The Unlimited membership costs $249/month and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $134,803!

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