Hello, hello, and happy Fri-YAY! I'm writing to you from the garden at the Delirium Cafe (America's first Delirium Belgian Beer Café) in Leesburg, VA, and it's been quite a week. I had to get out of my place to get my head straight, and it's just too beautiful out to lock myself indoors. So, what's been going on? Well, just like the life we paint on social media, I'll only discuss the positives — after all, that's what therapists and pet bunnies are for. 😉
Anyway, it's my second installment of What I'm Wearing This Week — Rent the Runway. If you just discovered this review, get ready for bunny rabbits, designer rentals, and a snapshot into what's left of my closet after March 2020.
So, just what is WIWTW? Every Friday, I’ll take you on a trip through my life (recovered from COVID in March, now fully vaccinated), where I’m going (90% of the places are outside, and I wear a mask), what’s missing in my closet, my current obsessions, what I’m excited to try — and maybe even buy.
Ready? Let's goooooo.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BUNNY
We all know a woman who got bangs when she went through something traumatic, but this time I spared my hair and adopted an English Angora Rabbit. Almost five years ago when I picked up the Angora from the breeder in the parking lot of my former employer, Capital One, I felt shady because we exchanged money and I took the bunny in a box to the subway. When I got home I noticed mats and knots in his hair and the poor guy was shaking terribly. I quickly realized I needed a groomer and was able to find someone locally who had a mobile pet grooming service and he taught himself how to groom Angora Rabbits.
Yes, Angoras are adorable and they're also affectionate, cuddly (when they want to be), and wicked smart, but before you decide to adopt one it's very important you read all about them. They're also delicate, have wild hair that grows in the blink of an eye, and are a lot more work than everyday rabbits.
Today, he's hoppy and healthy and has an expert groomer and rabbit vet out in Northern Virginia. I named him Mr. Hoppy GoLightly because I love Breakfast at Tiffany's. 😉 He's been with me through thick hair and thin, and he'll turn five next month.
Bunny's first week in his new place.
WHAT I'M WEARING THIS WEEK: RENT THE RUNWAY
Ok, back to the fashion.
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.
Wanna know a secret? If you stalk the items you want to buy, you might be able to snag them at a huge discount. I don't know about you, but I love high-quality items for up to 85% off retail price.
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 the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
WHAT I RECEIVED
My bunny is making sure the RTR shipment is legit
From the time I ordered to the time I received everything, it felt like I went to sleep and woke up with a new wardrobe. It took about a day and a half, max.
THE GOODS
Rejina Pyo Aida Dress, Retail Value $925
Having fun at a vineyard in Middleburg
How I styled it: One of my besties from NYC came down to Virginia to visit me at Cana Vineyards. She wanted to share some news so she couldn't partake in the wine tasting but had fun nonetheless. Get my drift? Anyway, this dress was pretty simple so I just paired it with a pair of super-cheap Cole Haan block-heeled sandals I bought during the pandemic for $20, the same Chanel bag (I kind of dislike the floppiness of it), a pair of Dior sunnies I paid WAY TOO MUCH for at a Miami boutique (resale is half the price), and my B-Low the Belt belt.
Size and fit: Aside from the tightness in the shoulders which is probably due to the new elastic, it fits well. I got the UK 10, US 6. Hey, if you're looking at UK designers I strongly suggest Googling that designer on another site to find out the exact measurements of each size. It can really save you a lot of time and energy.
Condition: Perfect
Honest review: This dress is a cinch. Not only is it a great throw-on-and-go design, but it goes with just about anything...no matter your preferred color palette. I ended up wearing it three times in a week and I got tons of compliments too! Not from the Virginia locals, but from my friends who still live and work in fashion in NYC. I had to send them the link and tell them to rent it from RTR!
Cinq a Sept Skyler Top , Retail Value $395
Cinq a Sept Skyler Top
How I styled it: Not only did I wear this top to take Fluff for a cut, but I also wore it to grab Thai food up the street. I paired it with my cut-out leather leggings (quite scandalous since they have sheer panels up to the hip), and an old-school pair of pointy-toed sock boots. It wasn't any eventful day and since I'm always overdressed, I actually felt underdressed for once 😉
Size and fit: So, I don't know how I keep ordering larger items off RTR and smaller ones off Armoire, but I'm both over and under-estimating my size. It's happening because I know higher-end designers used to run smaller and more mainstream, contemporary designers run a little larger, but maybe that's no longer the case. Now it seems designer items are bigger and contemporary are smaller. In any event, this size 6 top was a little big...and while you may think this is a reason not to rent clothing, let me tell you I'm learning a lot about designers, sizing, and fit! At least I didn't have to pay $15 dollars for returns and emit a huge carbon footprint this time around.
Condition: Perfect. Tags on all, to the point where I didn't realize they were there and I left them hanging out. Whoops...I suddenly looked like I was merching clothing for money like I'm Meghan Markle.
Honest review: I love the top, it's a little stretchy and very versatile, but I'd have to size down. Would I buy it? Ehh. Would I rent it again? Yes, as a size 4.
Monse M Dot Drape Scarf Neck Top, Retail Value $990, Monse M Dot Cascade Slip Skirt, Retail Value $1,090
1 of 2 | Monse Dot Drape Scarf Top & Dot Cascade Skirt
How I styled it: Monse, which was founded in 2015 by former Creative Directors at Oscar de la Renta, is a menswear-inspired clothing line for women that features classic tailoring with a deconstructed edge. And while Monse isn't exactly my style, I've been really intrigued by their designs and RTR has given me the perfect opportunity to try before I buy.
My family came to visit and I wore it for a night out on the town. While I was overdressed, as always, I got a lot of compliments too. I paired it with my vintage Gucci Studded Leather Jacket (retail is about $6,000 and I paid $295), another pair of designer resale Nicholas Kirkwood Flats (I love his shoes, but wish they'd disguise my bunion a little better!), and this vintage Ferragamo Bag I found on eBay.
Size and fit: Gah! They were a tad too big. I ordered a size 6 for both pieces and I definitely could've gotten away with the 4 for the skirt, and probably the top too.
Condition: Both arrived in excellent condition.
Honest review: When I looked at the items online, I didn't notice the M monogram and I wasn't wild about it. I'm glad I got to try this set, but I'd neither rent it again nor buy it. But I will absolutely try other items by Monse!
Wait...did you notice I finally bought one of those smartphone tripod things? I feel like a fool, and I hope my neighbors (or my crazy ex) don't spy on me using binoculars (and laugh at me too), but it had to happen.
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? Obvi, I loved the Rejina Pyo Aida Dress and so did everyone else. No matter the time of year, it's an easy, breezy design! And the denim shirt too since it also went with just about everything in my closet. I only wish the Monse outfit fit a little better...I would've worn it more.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? RTR always exceeds expectations. I'd love to spend a year living in their closet.
- 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!
FINAL THOUGHTS
RTR's process is seamless, simplistic, and stylish. I love how they send you hangers, and wrap every item in a separate dry cleaning bag...that way you know it's been cleaned and inspected. I have 188 items hearted on my wish list and there's 0% chance I'll get to try even half of them considering I keep adding more items every time I look!
As I mentioned above before you rent something you should Google it to see if you can find the exact measurements for your size. My one complaint about both rental companies is that they don't list measurements and as someone who spent almost four years writing product copy at Saks Fifth Avenue, I know how important it is to have this information in advance.
That's it for this week, every bunny! Have a Fluff-tastic weekend!
CAN YOU STILL GET THIS BOX IF YOU SIGN UP TODAY? Yes, all these items are still available to rent.
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 $7,125!
Do you subscribe to Rent the Runway? Let us know what you think down below!
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