Four Things I Bought from Rent the Runway

Earlier this summer, I realized that my current wardrobe wasn’t meeting any of my needs. The pieces were mostly workwear designed for the Capitol, not my home office. Of the few pieces that I was wearing, most didn’t fit as well as they could. And I really just wanted to chuck it all out and start over.

There were just two problems: 1) I’m not a wealthy heiress (unless my parents are seriously holding out on me), and 2) I’m trying to get into shape and might be in a temporary size.

That’s when I decided to give Rent the Runway a second try.

As some of you may remember, in 2019, I tried Rent the Runway’s subscription service and was less than impressed.  Shipments got lost.  It was tough to find the right sizes.  I never wore the clothes.  So I cancelled it and never thought I would look back.  But my life has changed a lot in those five years (seriously, whose hasn’t?), and a company that helps me refresh my wardrobe without spending Sloane’s college money away sounded like exactly what I was looking for.

After nine shipments — six good, two mediocre, one disappointing — it’s safe to say that I love Rent the Runway.  Under my current subscription, I receive five new pieces, twice per month at a cost of $144.  This way, I always have a fresh dress for date night, a fun top for my weekly Zoom meeting with my boss, or a great look for a lunch with friends.  I never feel the pain of a closet full of nothing to wear.

Also, the shipping issues that made prior subscriptions impossible to use was fixed when RTR switched to UPS.  I’ve also figured out how to (mostly) remedy the sizing issues and pick clothes that are right for my regular life.

It took me a little while to figure out how to get the most out of my shipments.  First, I visit the New Arrivals section each week to “heart” new pieces.  This way my selection of rentable selections always has something fresh in it.  Usually, I do this on my lunch break.

Second, before I choose a size in a particular piece, I Google the brand’s size guide to see where my measurements fall (knowing your measurements is key).  Once I think I have my size down, I confirm with the user reviews whether a piece fit small, large or true-to-size.  

Third, I make sure to order three pieces for every day, one for going out, and one that is either something I might not usually pick out or a fun accessory.  Unless I need clothes for a work trip or several events, this is the formula I stick to, and it usually leaves me with either zero unworn items or one unworn item.

Lastly, if I don’t return a piece for two shipments, that’s usually a good sign that I should purchase it.  And the great thing about RTR is that you can buy your rented pieces at a discount, sometimes as much as 80% off.  So here are the five pieces that I’ve purchased from RTR after renting and loving them.

01. BlankNYC Linen Summer Shorts // These shorts fell into the “piece I wouldn’t usually pick category.  First, they were linen, which I almost never wear.  Second, they had pleats.  But I wanted a pair of fun shorts to wear to a work baseball game, so I styled them with this Me + Em top for a casual, chic look.  

Three weeks later, I bought them for $70, a 20% discount, and cheaper than I could buy them at the department store.  And since they came to me with the tag on them, I was the only person who had ever worn them.  You can rent them here.

02. DvF Erica Dress // The graphic print on this dress was the first thing that caught my eye.  The black-and-brown combination was a bit of an unexpected choice for summer.  The v-neck, the fitted bodice, the flared skirt and the pockets really made it the perfect day-to-night dress for a work trip.  I loved it.  Wore it to dinner and drinks, but found it comfortable enough to chase a kid in.  

Sadly, this dress is no longer available to rent.  My wager is many of the renters loved it as much as I did and kept it.  I paid $165, so the dress was 65% off.  DvF makes this popular style in a few color ways, so it’s worth having a look at her site as well.

03. ba&sh Gaspard Cardigan // Truthfully, I rented this cardigan in the olive, and I loved it.  But before I hit purchase, I realized that I would wear an ivory cardigan more often.  Since (thanks to RTR) I now knew what size to order, I snagged it on Poshmark for a discount and never looked back.  If you’d like to rent the olive version, which would be perfect for fall, click here.

04. Madewell Sydney Crossbody // I ordered this purse to fill a spot in a bag that I needed for a trip.  At first, I didn’t think I would wear it much, but I was wrong.  This steely blue turned out to be the perfect thing to spruce up an all navy, black or white look.  The bag holds the perfect amount (wallet, keys, phone, lip gloss, small extras) and fits easily into a larger diaper bag.  I snagged it for $70, 60% off retail price.  You can rent it here.

Bottom Line. Rent the Runway has been a blessing to me.  I can wear something new and stylish without dropping hundreds of dollars on new pieces every month.  If I love something, I can buy it at a discount.  If I don’t, I just ship it back.  No hassle.  If you’re in a rut or want to try a few fun pieces, I highly recommend giving RTR a try.

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