BNTO update: Back with another review! I had high hopes this time around, but they’re still running low on stock. Hopefully, they get it together soon, because I really do love the concept and the pieces when I can actually find something to rent.
Hair update: On a brighter note, my hair has finally stopped breaking off. The culprit? A lovely cocktail of stress, anxiety, and too many heat tools. I’m pretty sure the conical curling iron and waving iron combo did the most damage. Since cutting them out and starting regular Olaplex treatments, my hair has actually started to grow back.
And yes, I know Olaplex was sued over scalp burns and hair loss, but my experience has been different. I’ve only used it three or four times, and so far, it’s been nothing but helpful.
DC update: Ok, ok... I was in the city last night at Barbouzard and didn't see a thing, but I have seen all the posts on social. The Palisades, Fox Hall, Kalorama, and MacArthur Boulevard corridor are technically DC, but that's where you've got multi-million-dollar mansions, lush greenery, and the occasional senator. So, yes, you'll likely feel safer there, and many of the circulating images and videos feature those areas to make a point.
You're not seeing Anacostia, Trinidad, or Deanwood.
Worth noting: the mayor had imposed juvenile curfews before any of this began.
WHAT I’M WEARING THIS WEEK: BNTO Box
Welcome back to What I'm Wearing This Week: BNTO. For the newbies, every other Friday on WIWTW I'll recap the clothing rentals I wore for the week. 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. We’ll explore designers and trends, and a variety of styles and brands. And each week I’ll fill you in on why I chose each item, the total value of the rental compared to the retail price.
BNTO, an AI-powered fashion rental company for women, offers the most coveted styles from both popular and emerging global brands and designers, allowing renters to curate their own monthly BNTO boxes. It’s fashion for the future. BNTO uses proprietary AI Technology to power supply chain optimization and product development, as well as to offer personalized styling suggestions for customers.
This is a review of 6 items for $98 per month.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
WHAT I RECEIVED
All six items by FARM Rio, Amanda Uprichard, Misa, and Simon Miller arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and zipped up in a shipping bag.
Farm Rio Palm Tree Eyelet Midi Dress, Retail Value $330, BNTO $315
About the designer: With over 20 years of history, FARM is Brazil’s most beloved clothing and lifestyle brand. The story began in 1997 in Rio at a local independent fashion market called Babilonia Feira Hype where founders Katia Barros and Marcello Bastos took their chances on launching a clothing line that embodies the feminine spirit and vibrant colors of Rio.
Brazilians quickly fell in love with the brand, the booth became a store, which grew into more stores, and now FARM is Brazil’s most recognized brand.
Why I rented it: Because I love FARM Rio and it's the perfect summer dress.
How I styled it: I paired this dress with Ferragamo Scarf-Tie Ankle Wrap Sandals, Mignonne Gavingan Mini Madeline Earrings, and the Louis Vuitton X Murakami Cherry Blossoms Satchel. Judging by the resale value of the LV bag, I might need to part with it and invest the funds instead.
Size and fit: I rented a size 6 and wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it ran quite large. Made from 100% cotton, this ultra-feminine frock features an intricate palm tree eyelet design, halter neckline with adjustable tie, back button closure, dropped waist, and a scalloped asymmetrical hem.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: I wore this beauty on repeat and seriously considered buying it. But despite the adjustable neckline, the bust and ribcage were still a bit roomy—which almost never happens to me. A rare miss on fit, but still a total win in style
Amanda Uprichard Tivoli Dress, Retail Value $260, BNTO $240
About the designer: Amanda Uprichard is renowned for crafting statement pieces in luxurious fabrics and bold hues, paying meticulous attention to details that make each style ultra-feminine.
Why I rented it: I fell in love with the painterly watercolor print.
How I styled it: I wore this one on repeat—at least half a dozen times. Whether I paired it with Cole Haan sandals, Kendra Scott jewelry, and the Fendi Fendista Crossbody, or went all out with the Prada Bunny Bag and Alexandre Birman suede wedges, every outfit felt like a hit.
Size and fit: I rented a medium, and while the smocked side panels helped with some give, the bust ran a bit large—I had to tape it to keep things in place! The dress is crafted in 100% cotton with a strapless straight neckline, back-zip closure, dropped waist, and playful bubble hem.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: Totally obsessed. I considered buying it, but the price was a bit steep—and my closet is already bursting with dresses. Still, this one was hard to return!
Misa Samantha Maxi Dress, Retail Value $440, BNTO $385
About the Designer: MISA embodies our late founder Shadi Askari-Farhat's romantic heart, bohemian spirit and wanderlust eye. In 2016, she launched MISA, which is a combination of her daughters’ names. Born in Los Angeles with an eye to the world, the brand is deeply inspired by her myriad passions — including travel, art and design.
Guided by our core principle of effortless femininity, MISA elevates the idea of easy dressing with fluid silhouettes that are brought to life through airy fabrics, confident prints and unique detailing. We create many-moment dresses, separates and knitwear that take you from... day to evening, week to weekend, and home to travels away.
All of our pieces are handmade in Los Angeles by our team of designers, pattern-makers and sewists, most of whom have worked with us from the beginning. Many loving hands touch each garment — some with over 50 steps — in order to bring the collection to life each season.
Why I rented it: I was looking for something simplistically chic and totally lightweight—a true summer frock I could wear over and over again.
How I styled it: I wore this dress at least a dozen times—it was the ultimate throw-on-and-go piece. From poolside lounging to brunch and brewery hopping, it never let me down. I styled it with everything from Cole Haan sandals and flip-flops to a Valentino tote and the Fendi Fendista. Super versatile, super easy.
Size and fit: I got a medium again, but honestly, it’s hard to say how it fit—there’s not much structure to fit to. This printed and unlined maxi dress features a halter neckline with an adjustable tassel necktie, a concealed back zip closure, and high side slits that add just the right amount of drama.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: Loved the dress—it was effortless, flattering, and exactly what I wanted for summer. My only gripe? I had to wear a stick-on bra, and it was so annoying. It kept sliding down and driving me crazy. The dress itself? Perfection. The bra situation? Not so much.
Simon Miller Leda Knit Dress, Retail Value $345, BNTO $330
About the designer: Simon Miller is a playful world of luxury, where fashion meets lifestyle. Inspired by the mod world, bold graphics, classic cars, the cinema, and more, this retail brand is located in Los Angeles where they design a playful take on classic luxury. All about bold statements, colorful prints, and playful colors, they're all about having fun with fashion.
Why I rented it: I'm half Irish and green was my grandmother’s favorite color, so I naturally gravitate toward the shade. Plus, it looked really cute in the photos—how could I resist?
How I styled it: Whenever it wasn’t 105 degrees outside, I paired it with my Ferragamo slides, Lele Sadoughi dupe earrings from Amazon, my Apple Watch (because fashion meets function and I'm trying to end the year with an average of 4 miles per day), and the Prada Bunny Clutch—because it’s green, of course!
Size and fit: I got a medium, and it ran short, small, and totally unforgiving. The dress is made from an itchy and heavy polyester knit with braided shoulder straps and neckline, plus a tiered fringe hem that adds some movement—but not enough to distract from the fit issues.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: While I did rack up the compliments, this one was more style than comfort. The fabric was totally unforgiving, and the knit was way too heavy for a hot summer day. Between the length, the weight, and the heat, I was sweating—not swooning.
Simon Miller Spiral Fringe Dress, Retail Value $395, BNTO $365
Why I rented it: For a night out on the town.
How I styled it: For starters, I never actually wore the dress—it was way too hot! But in the photos, I styled it with Ferragamo Scarf pumps, a Devi Kroell snakeskin clutch, and, you know, a partridge in a pear tree.
Size and fit: I got a medium, and the fit was… odd. Definitely boxier than I expected. Sure, there’s a lot of movement, and in photos it looks like it could be sexy, but it just didn’t deliver. Made from a jersey-like, ribbed fabric, this pullover dress features a crew neckline, ribbed armholes, and asymmetrical fringe detail.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: This one just didn’t hit the mark. It was kind of shapeless, surprisingly heavy, and not nearly as flattering as I’d hoped. The jersey-like fabric made it tricky—it felt too hot for daytime, too casual for dressy events, and somehow not quite right for anything in between. A swing and a miss.
Saemdi Zebra Mesh Dress, Retail Value $188, BNTO $175
About the designer: SÆMDI is a female-founded premium brand based in Paris. SÆMDI takes its name from the French word Samedi, meaning Saturday. Our mission is to create high-end Saturday wear for every day.
Our fabrics are carefully selected to ensure comfort and quality, while our designs are tailored to flatter a wide range of body types.
We are committed to ethical production practices and only work with suppliers who share our values.
Why I rented it: There wasn't much left in my size.
How I styled it: I never actually wore this dress out, but for the photos, I paired it with strappy Tamara Mellon pumps and the Chanel 19—because if you're going bold, go all the way.
Size and fit: I got a medium and it was a good fit and surprisingly super comfy and stretchy! Crafted in zebra-printed mesh, this wild design features an asymmetrical neckline, adjustable spaghetti straps, ruched side seams, asymmetric hem, and a side slit. It's also lined and pull-on style.
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: This dress transported me straight back to my late-‘90s rave days at The Limelight and The Roxy. Honestly, I’m too old—and DC is way too basic—for something this wild. It’s definitely comfy, but this piece belongs on a girls' trip to NYC or Vegas… not at your neighborhood wine bar or hotel lounge.
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 really only wore three pieces, and the other three didn't work well for multiple reasons.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Met expectations.
- What’s the return process like? Place the items in the zippered bag, seal it up and that's it!
FINAL THOUGHTS
So, here’s the deal—I canceled my subscription. As much as I love the idea of a fresh, new rental service (and yes, the brand-new, in-store pieces are a huge plus), there just wasn’t enough to rent. A lot of the selection felt too young or too trendy for my style, and I couldn’t justify keeping the subscription with such limited options. I’ll definitely keep an eye on their new arrivals, but for now, it’s a no.
As for Mr. HGL’s story, I’ve been learning how to design using AI. I’ve already created my main characters, but keeping them consistent across different scenes, outfits, and scenarios has been a real challenge. I’m currently getting certified in AI prompting through work—and I may need to add a design certification to my to-do list too.
After lots of research, I’ve found that OpenArt AI is the best tool for generating consistent characters. That said, it’s still a bit of a mystery. Just look at this ridiculousness—those aren't the characters I created and selected! Why are there suddenly so many bunnies? And is she holding one by the ears… or is that a pile of poop on its head?
Off-topic and totally ridiculous, but I've also canceled my Bumble Premium subscription (paid specifically for Incognito Mode). My friends have been hounding me to get back online, but after spending $89 for one month on a human clearance rack of walking red flags, I’m out. The first guy had serious addiction issues (handles of vodka, weed, nicotine, and whatever else), the second one got blackout drunk and irate off tequila shots and then drove an hour home, the third was very married with kids—a.k.a. "separated but living in the same house for the kids" (ummm, not according to your wife's FB), and the fourth—well, he forgot to mention he clearly has early-onset Parkinson’s (it wasn't nerves and I doubt he was going through withdrawal of some sort) and then casually bragged about accidentally killing his cat with a lily. (Yes, you read that correctly.)
It’s like the pandemic baked everyone’s brains and left us with a surplus of alchies, cheaters, and weirdos. So, while I’ll continue to rent dresses—because some things are worth trying before buying—I’m officially returning these dud(e)s to sender. No thanks, no refund needed. Back to the streets (or their wives) they go!
VALUE BREAKDOWN: The 6 pieces per month membership costs $98/month and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $1,814.00!
What are your thoughts about BNTO and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!
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