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Rent The Runway Unlimited Subscription Review – January 2016

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeFeb 24, 2016 | 12 comments

RENT THE RUNWAY JANUARY (#1) - BOX

Rent The Runway
3.7 overall rating
7 Ratings | 3 Reviews

Rent the Runway has begun their new Unlimited subscription! (I believe there still is a waitlist, but they recently opened it up). It’s a designer rental service – think Le Tote, but higher-end. You pay a monthly fee and as long as you’re subscribed you can rent up to three items of designer clothing and accessories, and can swap out any of or all three items at a time for new ones. However many items you send back is how many new items you will be sent next. There is no “keeping items to buy them,” like Le Tote does; if you want to buy an item, you checkout online and get 30% off. (Rent the Runway takes care of dry cleaning.)

RENT THE RUNWAY JANUARY (#1) - packaging

The items come in a zip-up, fold-out garment bag on hangers, which are yours to keep. Also inside, in a zipper pocket, is your return shipping label and a little plastic lock to loop into the zippers when you ship things back.

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

RENT THE RUNWAY JANUARY (#1) - all items

The Subscription Box: Rent the Runway Unlimited

The Cost: $139/month

COUPON: Coupons do not apply to subscriptions, but you can save 20% off your first regular RTR order with code FIRSTRTR20P

OR

Save $20 off your first month of the unlimited service with code FFUNL19113F!

The Products: Up to 3 items of designer clothing and accessories, which you can swap out for new ones an unlimited number of times

Ships to: US

Check out more clothing & accessory boxes in the Women's Subscription Box Directory!

RENT THE RUNWAY JANUARY (#1) - item 1

RENT THE RUNWAY JANUARY (#1) - item 2

Badgley Mischka Emerald Scarlet Gown - $615 Retail, my price: $430.50 ($100 a la carte rental)

The second we decided to review Rent the Runway I knew I needed to get an all-sequin gown! I don’t wear much green, but I love this color. I really like the cowl neckline, too. It’s just a little too short for where I like floor-length gowns to hit.

RENT THE RUNWAY JANUARY (#1) - item 3

RENT THE RUNWAY JANUARY (#1) - item 4

Clover Canyon Liquid Jade Maxi Dress - $385 retail, my price: $269.50 ($75 a la carte rental)

I am so obsessed with this dress! I want to wear it everywhere, for everything. The print is fabulous, and the material is a nice, thick, comfy, stretchy knit. I adore the florals and the cut out detail.

RENT THE RUNWAY JANUARY (#1) - item 5

RVN Woodblock Dress - $425 retail, my price: $297.50 ($70 a la carte rental)

This dress is really uncomfortable, actually! It looks cute but it’s super warm, which I didn’t expect from the sheerer details. However, it’s short enough that maybe that’s enough air flow and ventilation for this dress, haha. It’s also way shorter than I expected.

Verdict: I’m really excited about trying Rent the Runway. It’s so fun to be able to try on clothing I’d never get the chance (or occasion) to wear otherwise (RTR offers normal/casual clothing, too! I just chose all formal items to be more adventurous)! It’s expensive, but you have to keep in mind the value you’re getting from it – I think, practically, this is a subscription perfect for people who either already spend a lot on designer clothes each month, and/or have a lot of black tie/formal events to attend.

What do you think about Rent the Runway? What kinds of items do you think I should rent next?

Starting at $94.00
Subscribe Now

Choose from thousands of designer clothes and accessories. Try new styles and trends for any occasion. Mail everything back for free via UPS. We handle the dry cleaning. RTR offers both one-time, on-demand rentals as well as an unlimited rental that charges a monthly fee.

Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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12 comments

JPM

My wife used them for a recent wedding in NYC for the first and last time. Everything went very well until we returned the dresses. We stayed in an expensive boutique hotel and the day after our event I asked that the hotel arrange a UPS pickup. They agreed then immediately failed to do so. 9 days later we were notified by RTR that we have accrued $435 in late fees! I immediately contacted the hotel and resolved the issue then argued and eventually settled for them covering $200 of the total fee. RTR declined to reduce their fee to help with the other $235. My issue with Rent The Runway isn’t their dresses or their service or the fact that they charge late fees. My issue is that they waited 9 days and $435 before notifying us they didn’t have the dresses. That is unethical.

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Sydney

I did RTR Unlimited for a year and LOVED it. I frequently got between 6-9 items per month if I timed what I was renting right and I usually had a 2 day turnaround both way. I had problems with both UPS and USPS (which they switched to). On occasion if an item was supposed to arrive on Friday with UPS it would (only a couple of times) get delayed until Monday which could throw everything off. USPS always delivered on Saturdays, but also took longer. You have to be very careful when reading reviews and realistic when you order. I am also very tall so had to double check the length and photos.

I got a lot of great work clothes, casual wear, and formal wear out of this subscription (and even bought a jumpsuit I received NTW) however there is no way the price increase is justified. They offered ‘more of a selection’ but not the ability to choose delivery dates or guaranteed # of shipping days. Its really unfortunate because the splurge kept me from shopping as frequently.

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Tia

I agree. I tried it for less than a month (this month) and the turnaround times are so slow (compared to Le Tote). I would only get 2 maybe 3 shipments a month and when it’s that expensive I want 4 (which is what I get with Le Tote). I cancelled and I’m supposed to get a refund. Hopefully I do!

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Ks

I did Unlimited for a year. It was fun but I don’t think their price increase is justified. There have been many times when they would take several days prior to shipping out my items. Usually, they would claim that my selection was unavailable/damaged. However, getting 1 or 2 shipments in a month doesn’t scream unlimited to me. When I initially signed up with them, I was able to rent 8-12 items/month. Now, with the slow turnover rate, I would get 3-6. Not only that, but a lot of items can be found at the Rack or Saks off 5th for fraction of their rental prices.

Again, it’s fun. But it hasn’t always been worth the $

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Ann

That Badgley Mischka is amazing and looks amazing on you!

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Andrea

I think I need to try this one! Well if I am being honest, I just want the garment bag!! Note to self: Get invited to a gala.

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Haley Faye

Haha, Andrea… heads up: the garment bag is what you ship the items back in. If you don’t send the garment bag back, they charge you $50. May as well just go buy a garment bag for that much, lol! ;]

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Dayle

As soon as I saw it was RTR, I was excited because I knew this would be a “Haley” review! You look lovely in all of the dresses! Thanks for sharing!

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Heather

You look fabulous in that green gown! I think you need to find a gala to crash immediately. 🙂

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JL

No one would be looking at your feet in that dress, Haley, even if it is too short! Ivy green is your color!

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stephanie

I also rented that Clover Canyon dress when I had unlimited RTR. It is so cute! You look fab

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Monica

Aww how cute. I like the sequin one the best for you.

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