Rent the Runway Rents Designer Dressers. Consume Less, Glam More

Rent the Runway is a green fashionista’s dream.  Less consumption with different looks for every occasion.  I know.  That sounds like an oxymoron but hear me out.  Let’s face it, girlfriends, who wants to be caught dead in the same dress more than twice? For you uber fashionistas, more than once.

Why Rent versus Buy?

Tell me if you fit into any of these sizes:

• The dresses you own don’t fit you (either too small or too tight.  Sadly, these days as I sit on my rump and blog, I am fitting into the later category.)
• Dresses are outdated.  The Joan Collins style went out, um, in the eighties.
• You attend multiple parties during the year.  Sweet 16s, Bar Mitzvahs, 30th, 40th, 50th birthday parties, or charity events?
• You are a major fashionista and love the most current style.
• Other.  You are shallow and can’t be caught in the same dress twice.  It is okay to admit it.  No judgement here.  I know lots of you.
• You have champagne taste on a beer budget.  I understand your pain. Check in this category.

What happens if I told you there was a place where you could rent different types of dresses AND accessories to match from designers ranging from Nicole Miller to Badgley Mischka.  Personally, I am love with the above off the shoulder magenta cocktail dress which sells for $395 but I can rent for $50.00!

You can rent their dresses for 90% off of retail prices.  You heard me.  90% off of retail. No more husband screaming at you because you run up the credit card again with your shopaholic tendencies.

Tell Me More.  Do They Have Designer Dresses?

Really into the expensive designers?  Rent the Runway has you covered. They have lots of designers to pick from. Your friends will be jealous with envy when you show up in the above Missoni which retails for $3000, which you rented for $300.

 

Don’t forget the matching accessories! Earring and bracelets.

Don’t believe me?  Check out my video about the website.  My enthusiasm is catchy so watch out!

 

I’m Sold. How Does it Work?

In a nutshell, on the homepage, you select the date and the size, and see which dresses are available.  See here for a slide show of  how RTR works.  The dress is shipped to you a few days before your date.  The Company suggests that you rent 2 different sizes just in case it does not fit you.  You get a back-up dress for free.  Better yet, you can get a different style for only $25.00 just in case the your first pick does not look good at you. I love this concept so I can hedge the hips issue.

To get the whole scoop, take a look at their FAQs. Ideally, you want to put your order in 3 weeks before your event so that you get the best selection.

The day after the event, just slip the prepaid mailer into the mail and you are done.  Doesn’t that sound simple?

Having a Stylist for a Friend.

My biggest concern is my pear shaped body.  Lots of really cute dresses look horrible on me. After four kids, my hips have become wider than the Holland Tunnel, and my bust, well, let’s just say, it is gone forever unless Dr. 90210 helps me.  I barely had anything and breast feeding just took any hope away.  Even gaining weight doesn’t help.  *Sign.*

You can rent dresses based on occasion so you don’t look too overdressed when you attend a day to night party, meet the parents, or prom.  They even have bump friendly dresses!  Additionally, they have dresses based upon body type, sleeve, neckline, length and more.

How do you know what size to get?  The Company contains a detail description of the dress, if the dress runs “true to size,” and for what height is the dress intended. In addition, they have a size chart based upon measurements.  (Getting out the measuring tape can be scary, but ladies, if you want a better fit, you got to do what you got to do.) Personally, I am going to have to stick with their petite line unless I buy really high shoes and basically sit the entire night.  Tall shoes and I are a disastrous pair.

My favorite part of the site are the reviews. Many of the dresses have reviewed by people like you and me saying how the dress fits, what is comfortable, etc. I know me. I would worry that the dress would be too small or too large.  Each designer is different.  Some think that all women are size 2’s and others oversize so that you can fit into a size that is at least two sizes smaller. I think they do this for psychological reasons.  Wouldn’t you buy a dress that is 2 sizes smaller than you normal dress size if you looked fabulous in it?

Still not sure?  You can chat with a stylist.

Why so Green?

Think about it.  How much clothing  do we buy in a year since fashion changes so much? Come on.  Be honest.  Energy, raw materials, and labor is being used to make our clothes.   So, if you can rent a garment (albeit a fashion statement) which can be worn many times by others, see how you reduce your clothing carbon footprint?  So, who said being green isn’t fashionable?

I do hope in the future that they carry green fashion designers as well.  If there is a particular designer that you like, then just contact them to voice your request.

How Do I get over the Ick Factor?

Some of you are saying, how can I rent a dress after someone has worn it?  (Stop saying “ewww” and ick right now, and focus so I can get you over the hurdle.)  Many have and here are their testimonials how much they love Rent the Runway.

The Company states,

“All Rent the Runway dresses will ship to you directly from the RTR designer warehouse, where all dresses are cleaned, without any handling in between. We’ve partnered with a premier dress specialist in NYC and developed a process that ensures stringent quality control. We’ll only ship dresses that receive a 100% fresh seal of approval. Our dry cleaner is an expert in eco-friendly, luxury dry cleaning. They utilize an environmentally safe process that certifies that every garment is thoroughly cleaned and cared for, maintaining the impeccable quality of the garment while being kind to the environment (not to mention to your health!). Our packaging is also specially designed to fully protect the dresses during shipment.” (emphasis added.)

As for the accessories,

“All of the jewelry is hand cleaned at our warehouse. Additionally, customers receive alcohol wipes with all earrings and new earring backs with pierced earrings.”

So, get over your badself, and become a Rentanista!  I know I will be.

Pictures courtesy of Rent the Runway and  a shout out to Climate Mama for the tip.

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