Happy Friday, y'all! Hope the weather is amazing wherever you are. It's my dad's birthday weekend so we'll be out and about celebrating, and tonight I'm going to a White House Correspondents' Dinner after-party in DC. Don't worry, it's not political for me — I'm always looking for a good reason to get dressed up and see my friends. I'll include those pics in next week's roundup.
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 items by Hunter Bell, Rokh, Marissa Webb, and Monse were fresh from the dry cleaner, on the hanger, and sealed in plastic bags.
THE GOODS
Hunter Bell Casper Leopard Dress, Retail Value $422
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The backstory: There was a dress I really wanted to wear to the Middleburg Spring Races, but the next day RTR contacted me to tell me I had to pick something else (I guess it was damaged), so I went with this dress, and it was such a fun choice! Met up with some friends I hadn't seen in a long time and made some new ones too.
I'm sure your town probably has its own version of the steeplechase, but I love these horse races because it's unlike anything I used to do in NYC and Middleburg is one of my favorite small towns in the US. Before we got to the races, I waited on my friends at the Best Thai Kitchen, the family that owns it is super sweet and the food is amazing — you know how much I love Thai food! Afterward, we went over to the Salamander Resort (which is owned by Sheila Johnson, founder of BET) and had dinner with the president of the resort, his wife, and some friends. If you ever make your way to DC, I strongly suggest you come out to Middleburg and drop by the Salamander too. It's divine!
How I styled it: Well, I thought it was going to be chilly, so I planned on wearing it with a gold-tone metal belt and my studded Gucci jacket, but I was actually quite toasty. Since we were walking around on the grass, I wore block-heeled sandals by Cole Haan and my Chanel 19 bag.
Size and fit: I ordered the 6 and it was a perfect fit. Sleeves were a little short because my arms are too long, but otherwise, it was great. It features a ribbed-knit waist and cuffs, and a back zip closure. It's super comfy too!
Condition: Great condition.
Honest review: Love. It's like Rainbow Brite got into a fight with a leopard and won. I'm really feeling Hunter Bell!
Monse Deconstructed Jersey Dress, Retail Value $1,390
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The backstory: There's really no backstory to this one. I considered wearing it to one of the weekend festivities but instead wore it on a bunch of video calls for work. Actually, I also wore it to take Mr. HGL to the vets because it's so comfy and heavy, it's the perfect driving dress. He's ok, just a runny nose that causes him to snort like a pig when he did figure 8s around my feet.
How I styled it: Just threw on a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo wedges.
Size and fit: It's hard to tell with the fit because it's been worn so many times, and it's been stretched out, that the medium seemed a bit large. It is really comfy — almost like a fashionable nightgown that men will never understand.
Condition: Fair condition. It's been worn A LOT and should probably be retired soon.
Honest review: I love Monse and I think it's a really cool dress, but it would need to be a lot cheaper to justify a purchase.
Marissa Webb Collective Puff Sleeve Canvas Dress, Retail Value $332
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The backstory: First of all, that's not my Birkin... I just had to hold it. It's owned by my fab friend Roxy who conquered some serious challenges in life to become one of the most inspirational women I've ever met! Since I was in a horsey mood, I rounded up another group and friends and we attended the Loudoun Hunt Point to Point Races. The weather was beautiful, we played around with cool hats, and swatted off a few ticks and bees.
Afterward, we (my friend Rania too) went over to Capital Burger and sat outside to recap on the day and gossip a bit. As a former waitress and bartender, and reviewer for the Zagat Guide, I like to call out good places because the hospitality industry really could use some extra help these days.
How I styled it: I didn't really change much about this outfit. Still wore the block-heeled sandals, Chanel 19, and my newfound favorite chain necklace off Etsy. I also brought a sunhat that reminded me of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. My favorite look from that movie is when she's running outside to catch a cab and runs into Fred Darling and his "Interior Decorator" and Holly is wearing oversized sunglasses, the wide-brimmed hat with a white scarf, and a little black dress.
Size and fit: I got the 6 and it fit very well. It's a little stretchy so it'll conform to your body shape, the sleeves are elasticized, the adjustable belt is attached, and you don't have to worry about the snap-front closure popping open on you.
Condition: Very good, but I can tell it's been worn a lot. And it wrinkles very easily.
Honest review: What a wonderful dress! All the reviews were glowing for a reason... because you glow when you're wearing it!
Rokh Floral Split Frill Dress, Retail Value $1,208
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The backstory: I didn't end up wearing it... let's discuss.
How I styled it: I've had this dress on my wish list since I first started with RTR, and my expectations were shot to sh!t. It was a strong contender for my weekend shenanigans, but once I put it on (after figuring out how to pull it on without tearing it), I felt defeated. For starters, it was missing the black belt or drapey fabric that was supposed to accompany the dress, and then I noticed the huge cutout on one side. Plus, it was very sheer and too short on one side to wear outdoors all day. I then tried on the shoes, hat, and jewelry with the Marissa Webb dress, and I was sold.
Size and fit: I got the US 6 and practically tore through this lightweight silk design. There's a hidden side zip closure that I finally discovered after practically dislocating my shoulder, trying to put it on. The asymmetrical skirt features a pretty ruffled trim, and the floral design is very springy and pretty.
Condition: Great condition, and probably better before I tried to slink into it.
Honest review: It's just too much. Between the asymmetrical skirt, the ribcage cutout, the weird necktie, and the missing black piece of fabric, I had to give it a huge thumbs down. It's so sheer... how does it retail for over $1,000? It needs a slip too! Even Mr. HGL has his back turned towards me!
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 got the most wear out of the Marissa Webb and Hunter Bell dresses. Loved them both!
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? RTR is almost always great.
- 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
I've been following some local Facebook groups and something I've seen trending is the stress of going back to the office and out into the real world because women have forgotten how to dress. They're constantly referencing how comfy they've become in leggings, loungewear and oversized sweaters, and since they sold or trashed their closets, they have nothing to wear.
I'm curious, pandemic aside, what are your biggest concerns and confusions about getting dressed now? And what are next steps? Are you going to start shopping again, and where? Or will you give rentals a try? Will you go the consignment and resale route? Or will you try out a subscription box like Wantable and Stich Fix? Clearly none of us will go out and replenish what we had in the past, but just how do we move forward now? Let me know in the comments!
In other news, I got a couch that doesn't feel like cotton balls glued atop a cardboard box, but it doesn't arrive until June 1st. Of course, Mr. HGL will get the most use out of it and his dirty butt will mark all the spots.
This photo features Ukraine's national flower and the colors of their flag too, but Mr. HGL is a Brit. Cheerio, and have a great weekend!
CAN YOU STILL GET THIS BOX IF YOU SIGN UP TODAY? Yes, all items are still available.
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 $50,953!
Do you subscribe to Rent the Runway? Let us know what you think down below!
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