Facebook PixelWhat I’m Wearing This Week: Rent the Runway | My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

What I’m Wearing This Week: Rent the Runway

Mary Zubritsky
ByMary ZubritskyMar 11, 2022 | 11 comments

Rent The Runway
3.7 overall rating
7 Ratings | 3 Reviews

Happy Friday! Before we get started, you need to know about how badly I screwed up with RTR this month. With your subscription, you have the option to add an extra shipment (or more) for a fee, but what isn't clear is whether adding another shipment (whether it's just one item or more) will use up your next swap. Guess what? It does.

There's a dress that I really wanted to wear to my friend's birthday party that suddenly became available a few days after I received my shipment, so I added it to the bag for a fee (mid-month comes with a discount) and figured since I've paid for this item out of my own pocket, I'd still get the second swap. That was not the case.

Since I hadn't taken pics of the other outfits and I needed this dress pretty quickly, I added it, checked out, and paid the fee. RTR counted it against me and removed my 2nd swap for the month which seems completely unfair. If I'm paying for it on my own, why am I getting penalized and especially since I only received FIVE items for the month and paid extra? Meanwhile, I could've added another shipment for $41, but since I'm still not going many places and still have clothes of my own, why would I do that?

This feels a little dishonest to me. When someone adds an extra shipment for the month, RTR needs to add a pop-up or disclaimer when you're about to confirm it to warn you about losing your second shipment for the month.

They don't even spell this out in their FAQ section. Anyway, rant over, but just don't do what I did and waste an entire shipment.

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 

Just the Autumn Adeibgo Rowenna Floral Dress, which was fresh from the dry cleaner, on the hanger, and sealed in a plastic bag.

THE GOODS 

Autumn Adeigbo Rowenna Floral Velvet Dress, Retail Value $595

 

The backstory: I wore this dress to my friend's birthday party at the Four Seasons in Georgetown. It was a great night and I loved reconnecting with people I hadn't seen in two years. Since I dropped off the face of the earth and seemingly got kidnapped in the burbs in 2020-2021, I had to tell my story about all the drama I experienced — which included discovering my ex was a white-collar criminal who tried to money launder through my business.

Anyway, there was lots of wine flowing, and lots of good times, but the bill was ABSURD. We discovered each glass of wine was $40 and then they tacked on a $32 party fee to every check. A good BOTTLE of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is anywhere from $8 - $40 and Kim Crawford is one of the best. No one was thrilled.

How I styled it: I wore it with a pair of Charlotte Olympia suede pumps, a new-to-me coat I found on The RealReal (brand new with tags and 70% off retail price), and a pair of Wolford Logo Script Backseam Tights. Yes, Wolford is pricey, but they really do last longer than most other brands.

Funny thing about the tights — when I was at the bar, I noticed a group of people pointing and staring at me, so they motioned for me to come over. The one guy said his wife thought I got tattoos on the back-seam of my legs. He was trying to tell her that wasn't the case because he knew they were Wolford tights.

Size and fit: I ordered the 6 and it was perfect. It's stretchy so even if it's a little small, you'll still be able to slink into it. 

Condition: Fantastic.

Honest review: This dress is one of my favorites ever, and not just from Rent the Runway. It's soft and stretchy and features a beautiful print. The allover ruching details give the illusion of curves, the sweetheart neckline is dressy and sexy, and the short, puffed sleeves (which I wore off the shoulders) are very romantic. I will definitely rent this dress again! 

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? Yes, the dress is perfect! If I had more places to go, I'd even consider buying it.
  • Did they meet or exceed expectations? I think you know my answer to this question. 
  • 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

Now we're into the season of layering so I'll have to be a lot more strategic with my next batch of rentals. It went up to 80 here this week, and then down to 27 degrees with a little snow. Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic!

I have to say, even though Mr. HGL's balls have been deflated, he just might be one of the only middle-aged men I know who has balls. 😉

CAN YOU STILL GET THIS BOX IF YOU SIGN UP TODAY? Yes, the dress is 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 $42,811!

Do you subscribe to Rent the Runway? Let us know what you think down below!

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.

Mary Zubritsky
Mary Zubritsky

If shopping were an Olympic sport, I’d be a gold medalist. And while my bank account often feels the crunch, I just can’t stop buying secondhand clothing and accessories, under-the-radar designer goods, stuffed animal unicorns (I have about 75), and toys for my pet bunny rabbit. After 20 years of city slicking in NYC and DC, I now have a car and love to tour the Virginia countryside looking for vintage shops, undiscovered wineries and breweries, historic sites, and Thai restaurants—I’m addicted to Thai food. I never leave home without a spare phone charger because I love horror movies and therefore have an irrational fear of being stranded somewhere with a dead battery. 


Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

11 comments

Fumy

Hello Ms. ZUBRITSKY,
Where did you find Mr. Fluff?
Thank you for your assistance,

Reply ButtonReply

Caligirl

You need to write a book ! Dress is beautiful on you, you should keep it if it goes on sale. Sunny Cali has been 75 for weeks. We need rain.

Reply ButtonReply

Mary Zubritsky

My brother is on the west coast (Vegas) and loves it for that reason. I’d love to write a book and it’s on my to-do list. I’ve had way too many crazy life experiences to let them go to waste and it’ll have to come with a warning because my life experiences have not exactly been PC.

Reply ButtonReply

andreama

Whoa, this was a great read 😄 I never read the clothing reviews, but I couldn’t tell what you were holding so I came for the bunny and stayed for the dress 👗 It looks great!

Reply ButtonReply

Mary Zubritsky

Thanks. Mr. HGL (Mr. Hoppy Golightly or Fluff) is my little bestie. He’s helped me get through so many tough times in the past few years. Playing dress-up also helps me get through rough patches. I guess that’s why Barbies were my favorite toys as a child in the 80s. 🙂

Reply ButtonReply

Snow

Don’t even get me started on tights. You even look at them funny and they want to run. 😣 Weird the man knew what kind of tights those were and his lady didn’t?! Hmmmmmm. And I agree with the others, that dress is beautiful, romantic and what dream are made of (if you are tall that is!) Turn it into a mini dress and I’m all in. ☺️ Also wanted to say your makeup, Mary, looks fantastic! What an awesome all around look you put together. 👍💕

Reply ButtonReply

Mary Zubritsky

I love these Wolfords so much, but I also thought it was odd that he knew about them, and she didn’t. It was a cute convo, and, in some ways, it made my night. I researched the designer and I’m a fan of many of her other pieces. Thank you, Snow. My friend Rania, who works for Lancome, will love the makeup comments!

Reply ButtonReply

LuAnne Dupon

You look stunning in the dress….and it DOES give the impression of curves. Just lovely on you!

Reply ButtonReply

Mary Zubritsky

Thank you! My Irish grandmother would’ve loved this slightly Kardashian-inspired look. She always said I needed to eat more and fill out before I got sick.

Reply ButtonReply

Annie S.

You are right-she does look stunning in the dress!

Off topic-I’m glad that you discovered the truth about your ex before it really affected your business.

Reply ButtonReply

Mary Zubritsky

Oh, the stories. They’re being written up…every woman needs to know the warning signs.