Hoppy weekend, every bun! Last week, I traveled to NYC for work and rekindled an old romance—with Rent the Runway. I subscribed because I needed something fabulous to wear, but somewhere between the painfully slow shipping, rising delivery fees and a few other disappointments, the spark began to fade. Had RTR and I finally reached the end of our runway? Keep reading to find out why this fashion love affair may be over.
Meanwhile, it looks like I stumbled upon a little Smashing Thump-kins makeout session…
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 145 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 10 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
All five items by Alemais, La Double J, Delfi Collective, Carolina K and Ph5 arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, on the hanger, and sealed in plastic bags.
THE GOODS
Alemais Lucky Midi Dress, Retail Value $590, RTR $275
About the designer: ALÉMAIS is the creative expression of Australian designer Lesleigh Jermanus. A graduate in fine arts, Lesleigh has been designing and collaborating within the industry for over 20 years.
Under the creative direction of Lesleigh Jermanus, the Australian-based talent draws on her heritage, delivering a contemporary wardrobe of optimistic prints, patchwork, and embroideries. ALÉMAIS is a brand that celebrate artisinal techniques and plant-based fibres. It is about creating and curating a collection that includes artisinal communities, reducing environmental impact and partnering with highly-skilled suppliers.
Why I rented it: I needed a stylish yet sophisticated look for an AI conference at TikTok's NYC offices.
How I styled it: I paired it with my Givenchy Nightengale tote, a studded Gucci leather jacket, an Altuzarra belt, and Amazon Mary Jane flats that are a decent Rothy's dupe for $37.
Size and fit: I rented the AU 10/US 6, and it was slightly boxy and oversized. Crafted from lightweight European linen, this vintage-inspired dress feels sweet and summery. It features a crew neckline, short puff sleeves with elasticized cuffs and a curved empire seam. A back-zip closure and flared skirt complete the silhouette.
Condition: Very good, but also very wrinkled.
Honest review: I was so excited to receive this dress because I love ALÉMAIS, but sadly, it left me a little disappointed. No matter how many times I ironed it—and yes, I may have even attacked the hem with my hair straightener—it wrinkled almost immediately, and the hem kept flipping back up. Between the slightly strange print and the somewhat matronly silhouette, this dress just wasn’t the fabulous fashion moment I had envisioned.
La DoubleJ Crazy Daisy Breakfast Dress, Retail Value $640, RTR $128
About the Designer: "We are La DoubleJ, the inspiring authority on feel-good fashion, energy elevation, and the ebullient Italian way of life through heart-based design and community.
Why I rented it: Because I love the designer!
How I styled it: I wore the dress with a Fendi crossbody, Jimmy Choo patent leather peep-toe sandals, a B-Low the Belt belt, and a pair of Rocksbox earrings from back in the day.
Size and fit: I ordered a medium, and it was quite boxy and oversized. This pull-on dress features a ruffled off-the-shoulder neckline, ruffled armholes and a side slit. Unfortunately, no matter how many times I ironed it, the hem kept flipping up and the ruffles immediately crumpled.
Condition: Very good, but the fabric wrinkled if you so much as looked at it.
Honest review: Meh. I usually love La DoubleJ, but between the shapeless fit, high-maintenance fabric and slightly matronly design, this was a rare fail.
DELFI Collective Zona Dress, Retail Value $398, RTR $333
About the desginer: "Delfi Collective is a women’s fashion brand founded on the belief that the right piece has the power to transform how a woman feels. By blending old-world elegance with modern craftsmanship, we create pieces that allow women to step into the most powerful, magnetic version of themselves.
We honor creative energy, divine femininity, and embody a world of romantic expression – effortless silhouettes, artful textures, and sculptural pleating. Every design is created with one intention at its core: to make women feel beautiful, confident, and connected to their own magic."
Why I rented it: Just for fashion's sake in NYC.
How I styled it: I whipped out a vintage Chanel bag, knock-off Lele Sadoughi earrings from Amazon, and a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood sandals.
Size and fit: I ordered the 6/8, but despite the stretchy fabric on top, it felt a little snug across my back and under my arms. Perhaps it was the fit—or the few pounds I’ve gained—but I felt more self-conscious than fabulous (sigh). The dress features a square neckline, thin shoulder straps and a back-zip closure. A dropped waist flows into a full-length skirt with horizontal stripes.
Condition: Very good.
Honest review: I liked the dress and wore it out one night in NYC, but I didn't get enough wear to really justify the rental.
Carolina K Malla Dress, Retail Value $522, RTR $446
About the Designer: Coming from a family lineage of textiles and design that started in Bolivia and then Argentina, Carolina Kleinman utilized her extensive knowledge in the industry combined with her background in music to inspire and establish her own namesake brand in 2005. After traveling the world with her husband and children, Carolina and her family settled in the magical town of Tepoztlan, Mexico where she started to work with cooperatives of artisans. Her family continued to travel to La Paz, Bolivia, and Peru during the developing stages of her brand, where she combined the traditional work of these different cultures to create the differentiating ingredients of her emerging designs. Carolina’s desire to preserve the history and culture of these communities is a vital part of her DNA and philosophy.
Why I rented it: I needed an outfit for the Luke Bryan concert!
How I styled it: I paired this dress with a Kendra Scott necklace, Alexandre Birman wedges, a Fendi crossbody, a frayed denim jacket, and a cowboy-inspired hat I picked up in Key West. Yee-haw, but make it fashion!
Size and fit: Crafted from soft cotton with a Western-inspired print, this strapless dress features a gathered bodice, back-zip closure and dropped waist with a full-length skirt. It also has side-seam pockets, which were very handy at the concert! I ordered a medium, and the overall fit was perfect.
Condition: Very good.
Honest review: This dress worked perfectly for the concert—and another event, too. My only complaint? The strapless bodice kept slipping down, so I spent quite a bit of time pulling it back up. Cute, but a little high-maintenance!
PH5 Mushu Mixed Media Tank Dress, Retail Value $395, RTR $257
About the Designer: "Established in New York in 2014, PH5 is an advanced contemporary women’s knitwear brand founded by Wei Lin, the daughter of a knitwear manufacturer and designed by a Parsons-trained, award-winning designer, Zoe Champion. The label challenges the conventional vision of knitwear by marrying whimsical designs with architectural dimensions of knitting techniques.
PH5’s moniker is based on the numeric pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 as neutral. If 7 represented androgynous unisex labels and 1 represented the extreme feminine or sexy brands, PH5 would be a brand that's leaning more towards the edgier side while keeping a touch of femininity.
Innovative, functional and hugely stylish knitwear is at the heart of PH5. Empowered by its scientific name, PH5 is set out to inspire people to completely rethink knitwear and tell the world that knitwear is more than just a winter fabric. Knitwear is breathable, lightweight, colorful and fashion forward.
Using knit as our vehicle of innovation, we are here to create a fashion label that reaches beyond womenswear, but into other categories and industries. By collaborating with many innovative tech firms, we are redefining the relationship between fashion and technology, which is what will allow us to succeed long term and create value in the world. At PH5, we are designing beyond products; we are redefining knitwear and what knitwear can be for generations to come."
Why I rented it: Love the color and I'm a big fan of Ph5.
How I styled it: For the pics, I paired it with the Balenciaga graffiti bag, Alexis Bittar jewelry, and a pair of Bally sandals, but for the Social Distortion concert, I carried my Chanel 19 and Ferragamo slides.
Size and fit: Rendered in a mixed-media combination of a knit bodice and cotton skirt, this unique dress brings a jolt of high-energy color to a futuristic silhouette. The pull-on design features a square neckline and adjustable, buttoned shoulder straps with fringe trim. A fitted bodice gives way to a gathered skirt along a scalloped, dropped-waist seam, while side-seam pockets add a practical touch.
Condition: Very good.
Honest review: I received lots of compliments on this dress! The electric color and futuristic design made it a real standout. I considered a purchase but the price is too high. I'll wait until it ends up on The RealReal. So, my only complaint was the cotton skirt—it was nearly impossible to keep looking pressed, and that stubborn hem refused to stop flipping up.
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 Carolina K, La DoubleJ and Ph5 dresses.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Ehh, they fell short.
- 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. You can also drop it off at one of their exclusive drop-off points in some of the major cities.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m going to wrap this up quickly because I’ve caught whatever sinus-y cold/virus has been making the rounds for weeks.
While looking back at my last RTR post from more than a year ago, I realized I had already put the company on blast over its Nordstrom Rack– and Saks OFF 5TH–style collaborations. Those feelings haven’t changed, although this time, I wisely avoided the so-called “exclusive” lines altogether.
Back in the day, RTR had the best shipping in the business. I could place an order at 7 p.m. on Monday, and it would arrive by 5 p.m. Tuesday. It was truly that fast and that reliable.
Well, those days are long gone. From the moment I submitted my order until the package finally arrived, it took FIVE DAYS. A few days later, I considered adding another dress to my shipment, but RTR estimated that it would take FIVE MORE DAYS to arrive. Needless to say, I passed.
By the time your rentals actually reach you, nearly a week of your monthly membership has already disappeared. And when I changed my delivery address to a location just 30 minutes away, three of my selected items suddenly became unavailable. I had to start all over—although, luckily, the new address also unlocked clothing that hadn’t been available before.
What exactly is going on, RTR? A fashion relationship can survive the occasional bad fit, questionable print or rebellious hem, but without reliable shipping, the whole thing begins to unravel.
And here’s the best part: RTR recently emailed customers about an additional shipping charge intended to improve the experience. Really? After waiting five days for a shipment, I couldn’t help but wonder: Where, exactly, is that extra money going?
We're breaking up again.
VALUE BREAKDOWN: The 5 Items a Month membership costs $129/month and goes up to $138 after taxes and shipping. So far, I've received styles with a retail value of $232,616.
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