Happy Friday, y'all! What are the big weekend plans? I have a birthday party tonight for a close friend of mine in DC and I'm very excited to finally get to see some of my old friends whom I haven't caught up with since before the pandemic. Craziness!
Before we get started on this week's review, I mentioned my days at Victoria's Secret. I followed a former boss from Macy's to VS and it was quite a transition. Macy's office culture was like one big happy family, while VS was what I described as a "sorority morgue" — there was a lot of negative energy.
Did you know the original founder of VS, Roy Raymond, created the store because he wanted a place where men could shop comfortably for women's lingerie? Then he named the brand after the Victorian era in England and the vibe of the shop was supposed to be a boudoir in a castle where all these gorgeous women lived and shared secrets. When Les Wexner of L Brands bought the company in 1982 — it only cost him $1 million — he wanted VS to become a less expensive version of La Perla and focus on women, not men.
So, a few secrets? No one liked Kate Upton because they said she was weird and mean. Candice Swanepoel was everyone's favorite because she's not only gorgeous but smart and really nice. Adriana's stunning, but not quite on the same intellectual level as Candice. And lastly, VS had such a difficult voice for me to pick up. Writing sexily is not easy!
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 (recovered from COVID, vaccinated), 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
This time I chose more chill items, and I went with a dress by Tommy Hilfiger, a jumpsuit by Nicholas, an Ulla Johnson dress, and a skirt by Rokh. Each item was fresh from the dry cleaner, on the hangers, and sealed in a plastic bag.
THE GOODS
Nicholas Emma Jumpsuit, Retail Value $495
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The backstory: To be honest, picking out items can be a little stressful. There are so many options, and I don't always end up happy with my choices. Well, you know I'm not the best with jumpsuits, yet I still keep ordering them and here we are again. Nicholas' Emma Jumpsuit immediately caught my eye and I added it to my case. It looked like it was long enough, and the reviews were good, so I figured I'd give it a shot.
There's this new place at The Wharf called Boardwalk Bar & Arcade that I really wanted to try out, so I met one of my close friends there. It's kind of like a fancier and brighter Dave & Busters with indoor and outdoor seating, lots of bars, and carnival-style bites. We parked ourselves at the bar upstairs to discuss life and afterward we crawled to Del Mar for a more adult experience. I mean, you can only take video games and loud noises for so long.
How I styled it: Ok, now let's go back to last week when I said that sometimes I don't realize what items look like on me until I see them in pictures, and omg yikes. I wore it with rental jewelry, a gold-tone studded belt (which I then replaced with the obi belt), the Kat Maconie Sock Boots, and the vintage mink. Now let me tell you that NO ONE — not a single soul including my friends — complimented me on this look and I guess I can see why.
Size and fit: I ordered the 6R and omg it was huge. The torso portion of the jumpsuit was way too long, the waist was too wide and gathered with this really thick elastic, and the pants were too short. Not only that, but I swam in it. This is a look that would work wayyyyyy better on my little sister than me. You need to have some curves to fill it out and I couldn't fill it out at all.
Condition: Great, but a little wrinkly.
Honest review: I love the color and the fabric. It's lightweight and easy to put on and take off, but it's like wearing a parachute. I look like I'm going to work on cars. This look did absolutely nothing for me!
Ulla Johnson Lucinda Dress, Retail Value $595
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The backstory: Apologies for all the weird lighting. I kept getting into fights with the sun and the clouds and mother nature won.
When I was little my mom always dressed me in corduroy and the feeling gives me goosebumps — I cannot stand to touch it. Is this childhood trauma? Well, I didn't realize the dress was designed in corduroy and when I pulled it out of the plastic bag, I almost cried. I wore it anyway to brunch at Ted's Bulletin, and I'm glad I did. Despite all the negative feels, I love the design of the dress and the puffed shoulders. The design is quite Victorian and regal!
How I styled it: I wore it with cowboy boots, tights, and a long vintage coat with fox fur trim.
Size and fit: This dress creates an hourglass figure, even if you don't have one like me! It's cinched in the waist with an attached belt (almost corset-like), with puffy shoulders, slightly cropped sleeves, and a full, gathered skirt that hits just around the calf. From my experience in the size 6, I think it's a little tight around the waist and bust.
Condition: Very good, but clearly worn a bit. Corduroy seems to wear out quickly when you wash it often.
Honest review: Um, yeah. While I like the dress, I can't do corduroy. I need to pay better attention to the fabric next time.
Tommy Hilfiger Red Leather Shirt Dress, Retail Value $690
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The backstory: I love leather. I have many leather dresses, pants, jackets, and tops and I simply can't get enough of it! But despite loving leather, I didn't really end up wearing this dress anywhere special.
Fun fact: Back in like 2005, I went to this dive bar in the Meatpacking District called The Hog Pit and Tommy Hilfiger was standing next to me at the bar. He made a comment about how ugly my sweater was (see photo below from that night) and wanted to know who made it. I had no idea... I probably got it at TJ Maxx. Well, anyway he kept making fun of it in a playful manner, but he was really nice. Then he bought me shots of Jack to make up for it. We chatted for a few minutes, and he took my info to send to someone at his company for a potential job that never panned out, but I'll always have a special place in my heart for Tommy.
How I styled it: Since the dress is a bit bulky, I tried to belt it and wore it with my Giuseppe Zanotti combat boots, a shearling vest, and a newsboy cap.
Size and fit: I ordered the 6 and it was a little oversized. The buttons were difficult to snap, but at least they stayed closed and they're gold-tone hued, so they go with my accessories. The sleeves were a little short for my long arms. The leather is buttery soft and plush.
Condition: It's in great condition but smelled a little like it had been worn somewhere where people were smoking.
Honest review: One of the problems with leather is that it absorbs all the smells. I've worn countless leather pieces to bars, restaurants, and even to hang out with my friends who smoke cigars and it's almost impossible to get rid of that scent. And while I love leather, this dress didn't wow me. It's more of an everyday dress or something I'd wear to country line dance, but not something I'd rent again or buy.
Rokh Navy Scarf Inset Skirt, Retail Value $625
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The backstory: I've had this skirt on my heart list since the very beginning and it was finally available. I wore it to dinner at Morton's Steakhouse on Valentine's Day. When I opened up the RTR shipment, I noticed a little pocket with a bulge and when I stuck my hand in there (get your mind out of the gutter LOL), I found the belt for this skirt. So, I guess the dress I brought to Miami did have a belt after all, but I had no idea where to find it. Now I know for next time.
How I styled it: I wore it with my own belt, an Adam Lippes cashmere sweater, the Gucci jacket, rental earrings, and these Nicholas Kirkwood flats that I discovered are broken. The suede is attached to a PVC trim and the stitching has torn away which is pretty disappointing since these shoes are not cheap, even on the resale market. So, then I switched to these older Aquazzura flats that really accentuate the bunion I carefully crafted after years of impossible heels in NYC. Ewwww...
This skirt made me realize I need to buy a tan or beige top and maybe expand my wardrobe ever so slightly.
Size and fit: I got the 6 and the fit is just fine. I think if you're on the shorter side, the asymmetrical hem could be a slight issue, but I'm only saying that because that's what some women have said in the reviews.
Condition: Great!
Honest review: I like the skirt, but I don't think it's versatile enough to justify a purchase, and I probably won't rent it again either. I have a hard time pairing items with navy blue.
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? Ehhh, I'm not wild about anything I chose.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Everything was fine on RTR's end.
- 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
Mr. HGL has been a bit finicky recently and I think he's kind of annoyed by the length of his hair. Once it grows out a bit, it gets nasty, his poop gets stuck, and he drags it around the place. Luckily, I was able to score an appointment for him. Check out his before and after shots!
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He's also still avoiding the camera as much as possible, but I did try to trick him into some bunny bombs this time.
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 $42,216!
Do you subscribe to Rent the Runway? Let us know what you think down below!
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