awkward CHIC: Rent the Runway Cravings

Monday, October 25, 2010

Rent the Runway Cravings

For those of you that aren't familiar with Rent the Runway, it's a site that has a ton of designer dresses, which you can rent at a fraction (usually around a tenth) of the retail price. You get the dress for 4 days, and you can get the dress shipped to you in two different sizes for the same price, so you know it'll fit. You can also get a deal if you rent two dresses at the same time (so do it with a friend and save money on shipping too!). When I heard about this site a while ago, I thought it was a good idea but didn't know if I'd ever actually use it. I'd rather just buy the dress, you know? The cost per wear would even things out eventually. But I have a sorority formal coming up in a few weeks, and I totally forgot to get a dress. I wanted a nice dress, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money. Lightbulb moment! (I actually ended up buying a dress, which I'll talk about in my next post, but here are some of the ones I considered).

Robert Rodriguez On the Prowl Dress, $50 at renttherunway.com, Herve Leger Heartbreaker Dress, $100 at renttherunway.com: I just love the name of this Robert Rodriguez dress. I'm not entirely sold on velvet, but the cut of this dress is so flatteirng--the way it drapes at the waist creates an instant hourglass figure, and the leather trim at the neckline adds just the right amount of edge. This pink Herve Leger is my favorite. Hands down. It needs to be in my life. I love the sexy-but-simple cut, the grey and pink color combo, just everything about it. It's girly, but it's grown-up and sophisticated.

Herve Leger Royal Bandage Dress, $100 at renttherunway.com, Proenza Schouler Flirty Pocketed Bustier Dress, $150 at renttherunway.com: More Herve Leger. Love. Just love. I will be wearing Herve Leger on my birthday. I've decided this. This dress can get away with the fact that it's so short and so tight because the cut itself is so simple, and it's a lovely, monochromatic purple. I'd do this with a pair of nude heels and some statement earrings--that's really all you need. This Proenza Schouler dress is a little less formal, but it's just so darn cute! The bustier adds a little sex appeal, the high-waisted, a-line skirt balances that out with a little girliness, and the pockets are so convenient. Also adorable.

Badgley Mischka Screen Siren Gown, $100 at renttherunway.com, Brian Reyes Striking Sophisticated Gown, $250 at renttherunway.com: Okay, so I don't need a floor length dress, but these were just really pretty, so I had to post them. That Badgley Mischka dress is covered entirely in gold sequins. SEQUINS. ALL OVER. It's so sparkly it should be illegal. It's almost verging on Oscar statuette territory, but I think it would be really fun to wear to a black tie-ish event (provided that you aren't a wallflower and that you have a good sense of humor). This black dress is a more classic option. I love that it's such a basic silhouette, but the fit and details are so impeccable. The cut is sexy, but not too revealing, and the pleating on the bodice adds some visual interest without being too crazy.