Rent The Runway

When they introduced the Bag, Borrow, or Steal thing, I was intrigued. However, accessories are really easy to lose and designer handbags are really easy to steal, so I figured it wasn't worth it. Even though the idea of having a Chloe Paraty for a week is tempting. But renting designer clothes? Now that's an idea I can get behind. Say hello to Rent The Runway. Renting a cocktail or black tie dress for a few days is actually a really fantastic idea. How many little party dresses are sitting in your closet that you've never worn more than once or twice? You can really only wear your fancy prom dress once before people start remembering. This way you don't have to feel bad about wearing something only once, because the rental price tops out at $200. Plus, just in case you're worried about sizing, they'll send you two sizes of the same dress for the same price, so you can try on both. Am I the only one thinking that you and a friend in a similar size could split the cost for the one dress, so both of you get to wear a fab (albeit the same) dress for half the price of one of you doing it alone? I'm sure that's exactly what they don't want to happen, but it's just an idea...And I'm not sure about the details, but I saw somewhere on the site that if you rent two or three dresses at the same time the last two dresses are just $25. Serious style. You get to keep the dress for 4 days (you can pay extra for 8 days), they pay for dry-cleaning, and there's a $5 insurance charge in case something rips, there's a bad stain, etc. Unlike a lot of the sites I've seen doing this, they actually have a well-curated selection of fashion forward brands. Here are some of my top picks for your next cocktail party, gala, black tie affair, dress-up party (you know I would), or whatever.

Robert Rodriguez Collection Sequin Insert Mini Dress, rent for $75 at renttherunway.com, Tuleh Lace Embroidered Sheath, rent for $200 at renttherunway.com, Robert Rodriguez Black Label Go Gaga Rocker Dress, rent for $100 at renttherunway.com: The trim on the gold parts of this first dress are zippers. Zippers. OMG. It has a serious Balmain vibe, with a bit of '80s inspired opulence. This dress doesn't need any accessories--it stands all on it's own. The way the gold pieces are placed at the waist is really flattering, and sure to give anybody an hourglass shape. I'd rent this for a New Year's Party for sure. This Tuleh dress is so chic, with a bit of a gothic twist. The '20s inspired shape is a little Great Gatsby, the layered lace at the hem is very vampire romance novel, and the really fab part is that you could accessorize it so many different ways. You could really bling it out for a more rock and roll vibe, pair it with pearls for refined elegance, or even add a belt for a fun pop of color. The name of this green dress says it all. It's hitting on so many trends: '80s, asymmetry, draping, one-shouldered, body-con mini. It's such a statement that you wouldn't be able to get that much wear out of it, which is why it's a great dress to rent.


Herve Leger Sunset Ombre Dress, rent for $150 at renttherunway.com, Herve Leger V-neck Bandage Dress, rent for $150 at renttherunway.com, Brian Reyes Beaded Racerback Dress, rent for $100 at renttherunway.com: I love the idea of renting a Herve Leger dress. It's a realistic way to wear one of these ridiculously expensive bandage dresses, and I think these are really something you need to try in real life before you buy them. Wearing one of these dresses is an experience, and I don't think being wrapped skintight elastic is for everyone. Renting one of these lets you test drive a Herve Leger dress before committing, and since these dresses are so versatile, you could wear them two, maybe even three times in the four day period that you have them. This Brian Reyes dress is my absolute favorite. The fit is the perfect mix of casual and fitted, and there's something so charming about the white with the organic gold sequins winding around it. I remember him being inspired by rocks this season, and that pattern is the most elegant take on a rock that I've ever seen. I would totally rent this for my birthday party.


Helmut Lang Cold Shoulder Dress, rent for $50 at renttherunway.com, Alice + Olivia One Shoulder Sequin Mini, rent for $50 at renttherunway.com, Tibi Tribal Chic Chemise, rent for $50 at renttherunway.com: I die for this Helmut Lang dress. It's so, so on-trend, with the cut-out at the shoulder, the asymmetry, and the long sleeves/mini body. The exposed zipper at the back adds some edge (I love a good back detail), and this is actually a practical night out dress for winter. Pair it with some sheer tights and you've got your arms and legs covered without looking frumpy. If I'd known about this site/if it had existed when I was shopping for prom dresses, I would have been all over this Alice + Olivia dress. All over it. It's so rock and roll glam, and it has such a sculptural shape. I mean, all you need it this dress, a fab cuff bracelet, and some killer pumps and you are made. That means your prom dress could technically be under $200. Loves it. I would totally wear this Tibi dress to a summer wedding. The blue is so vibrant, the beaded detail gives it a bit of a Mediterranean vibe (and eliminates the need for jewelry), and the shape not only flattering, but would hide a multitude of sins.


Image Sources:
Robert Rodriguez sequin mini: renttherunway.com, Tuleh dress: renttherunway.com, Robert Rodriguez green dress: renttherunway.com, Herve Leger sunset dress: renttherunway.com, Herve Leger blue dress: renttherunway.com, Brian Reyes dress: renttherunway.com, Helmut Lang dress: renttherunway.com, Alice + Olivia dress: renttherunway.com, Tibi dress: renttherunway.com.