Happy Lunar New Year! 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit and Mr. Hoppy Golightly is raking in the big bucks right now as brands all over the world are using his likeness to promote products and services—haha, I wish. So, what do you think about the Mulberry x Miffy collab and the Miffy Lunar New Year Tote? Maybe I should create some merch with Mr. HGL using this photo and inside the bag, you'll find 100s of his Cocoa Puffs!
WHAT I'M WEARING THIS WEEK: Rent the Runway
Welcome back to What I'm Wearing This Week — Rent the Runway where you can rent and wear designer items by names you know and love, and up-and-coming designers too!
For the newbies to WIWTW, every Friday I’ll take you on a trip through my life, where I’m going, what’s missing in my closet, my current obsessions, what I’m excited to try, and maybe even buy. Well, that's if the price is right!
For sizing reference, I am 5'11", weigh 140 pounds, and have a 33" inseam.
Rent the Runway is a clothing rental company, but it was the first clothing subscription platform that provided the everyday woman with access to authentic, luxury fashion. Since its launch in 2009, RTR has gone through many iterations, some of which were the result of the pandemic, and now it's also a sustainable resale platform where shoppers can rent, buy, or subscribe to secondhand clothing.
This is a review of the Most Loved Up to 8 Items Per Month plan.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
WHAT I RECEIVED
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All four items by Solace London, RIXO, Paco Rabanne, and Philosophy arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, on the hanger, and sealed in plastic bags.
THE GOODS
Solace London Magenta One-Shoulder Top, Retail Value $395, RTR $355
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About the designer: Solace London is a British womenswear brand founded by Laura Taylor and Ryan Holliday-Stevens in 2013. Longtime friends and collaborators, the duo share a dynamic background spanning design, production, retail, marketing, and creative direction. Their combined sensibilities are visible in pieces that continuously blur the line between statement-making and wearability.
With fabrication and technique driving the design process, the pair describe their aesthetic as “Bold, confident, refined. Modern futurism balanced with timeless minimalism”. The result is a distinctly graphic collection defined by precision cuts, craftsmanship, and a signature look of sophistication.
How I styled it: I paired this top with Petersyn Leather leggings and an Alice + Olivia Pleated Leather mini skirt. I also tried it with Coach Over-the-Knee boots, Giuseppe Zanotti Studded Combat boots, and the Balenciaga Graffiti City bag. I can't decide which look I like best, but the problem is that I can hardly walk in the Coach boots... and surely, they contributed to my bunion back in the day.
Size and fit: I got the US 6 and it's a little larger than I expected. This stretchy, magenta-hued, one-shoulder top features extra-long sleeves with slits. It's a pullover design with a fitted hem which is a nice break from the cropped everything that I'm seeing these days. Cropped doesn't work very well for this old lady!
Condition: Great!
Honest review: Did you catch Kate Middleton in that dreamy lime green, off-the-shoulder rental from a few weeks ago? This top is by the same designer. And while my cousin's little girl picked this rental out for me, of course I was excited because of Kate! Well, this top is beautiful and comfy (and I love the color), but it's actually big and the sleeves can get in the way. I wish it were more form-fitting and didn't gather so much.
RIXO Yas Dress, Retail Value $430, RTR $430
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About the designer: RIXO’s story began in 2015 in the London living room of best friends, then students Henrietta Rix & Orlagh McCloskey.
RIXO's philosophy is to evoke a wanderlust & free spirit in all their wearers, filling a gap in the contemporary market with easy-to-wear, feminine shapes, and high-quality materials. Always empowering, they aim to create a fusion of original hand-painted prints and timeless silhouettes to flatter every woman, irrespective of age, season, nationality, or time of day.
How I styled it: This dress can really be worn throughout the year (although maybe not on the hottest days of the summer) and I wore it with the Sheertex tights and Kat Maconie Ankle boots, but in the spring and fall, you can totally wear it bare-legged with high-heeled sandals and a fun hat. The ruffled slingback flats are by Carolina Herrara and I found them on TheRealReal for $38.
Size and Fit: This floral chiffon dress features a colorful poppy print. It's a pull-over design with a square neck, long puffed sleeves with elasticized cuffs, a smocked bodice, and a semi-sheer skirt with a ruffled hem.
Condition: Great (until I dumped half a beer down the front).
Honest review: Pretty, lightweight and comfy. Can easily transition from day to night and summer to winter! My only complaint is that it's stretched out in the shoulders, and I had to constantly adjust the neckline and sleeves to keep it in place... and it can't even be worn off the shoulders.
Paco Rabanne Corseted Bubble Hem Mini Dress, Retail Value $1,640, RTR $1,558
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About the designer: Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo, more commonly known as Paco Rabanne, is a Spanish fashion designer of Basque origin who became known as an enfant terrible of the 1960s French fashion world. Rabanne's father, a Republican Colonel, was executed by Francoist troops during the Spanish Civil War and his mother was the chief seamstress at Cristóbal Balenciaga's first couture house in Donostia, Basque Country. She moved Rabanne's family when he opened Balenciaga in Paris in 1937, due to the Spanish Civil War.
Rabanne started his career in fashion by creating jewelry for Givenchy, Dior, and Balenciaga and founded his own fashion house in 1966. He used unconventional materials such as metal, paper, and plastic for his metal couture and flamboyant designs. Rabanne is known for the green costume worn by Jane Fonda in the 1968 science-fiction film Barbarella. In 1968, he launched Rabanne perfumes.
How I styled it: I tried to pair this dress with a necklace and a pair of gold earrings, but the black seemed to work best. I wore it to my friend's baby shower with Lele Sadoughi Azalea Earrings, Calzedonia Back Seam tights, and Charlotte Olympia Suede Slingback pumps. The invite for the baby shower said, "dress to impress" and this dress definitely made a statement!
Size and fit: Omg, this dress is so comfy... just like the long, floral Paco Rabanne dress I wore a few weeks ago. It's stretchy and hugs your body, but those damn shoulder pads! I got the 6 and this dress is a little Black Swan meets Wicked. It's crafted in an acetate and viscose blend, this silky dress features a round neckline, long sleeves with flared cuffs, back zip closure, velvet corset inset, and gathered bubble hem.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: I must admit, I've developed a little bit of a crush on Paco Rabanne, and while this dress is too fancy for almost anything in the DC area in January, I had to rent it just because it was finally available. It's gorgeous and a total showstopper, but the shoulder pad situation is a little bit of a disaster and in some angles, it legit looks like I'm wearing a trash bag. SIGH.
Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Green Velvet Midi Dress, Retail Value $1,180, RTR $1,121
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About the designer: Femininity, lightness, and sensuality are the key elements of Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini’s collections. Led by Creative Director Lorenzo Serafini, the brand offers effortlessly elegant dresses and versatile separates stealing the spotlight with eye-catching prints and precious decorations.
A go-to fashion label for a plethora of A-list celebrities, including Chiara Ferragni, Rita Ora, and Hailey Bieber, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini seduces with a balanced mix of glamour and edgy romanticism.
How I styled it: This trippy velvet dress has a lot going on, so I decided to up the ante and make it even busier! I threw on the Gucci Studded Leather jacket, black tights, retro platform pumps and carried the Prada x James Jean Bunny clutch in honor of the year of the rabbit (also the swirls on the bag complement the optical illusions on the dress).
Size and fit: Ah, it's warm and cozy! Crafted in soft velvet, this midi dress features a gathered turtleneck, long sleeves, concealed back zip closure, front and back ruching, and a midi-length hem. It's a bit stretchy so it'll give a little and hug your curves (or in my case, bones).
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: The shoulder pads on this dress are an absolute disaster. I spent 30 minutes trying to straighten them out. I feel like dresses and tops with strong shoulder pads aren't a good choice for rentals because they only stay structured and in place for just a few washes. Also, the dress smells a little like cigarettes.
DID THEY DELIVER?
- What items were most helpful and versatile to own this week to ensure I got the most out of my rental and completed the look I craved? I definitely got the most wear out of the Solace top because it's stylish, versatile, and simplistically chic.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? RTR met expectations.
- What’s the return process like? Simple! Just place your items in the pre-paid garment bag, slip in the return label, and send it back via UPS. You can also drop it off at one of their exclusive drop-off points in some of the major cities.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Even though I'm typically a fan of strong shoulder pads, this week's batch makes me rethink my stance on this feature. Busted shoulder pads can really ruin a look! And velvet, while it's a lovely and buttery soft fabric, really holds scents and it may not be the best choice for rentals either.
VALUE BREAKDOWN: The Up to 8 Items membership costs $99/month and goes up to $135/month after the first two months) and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $96,382.
Do you subscribe to Rent the Runway? Let us know what you think down below!
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