You guys may recall about six weeks ago that I asked your input on a very crucial life decision…what to wear to an uber-stylish event Mr. SP and I were attending in New York on Valentine’s weekend. 😉 Goodness knows I have a fair number of dresses in my closet to choose from, but I liked the idea of upping my style-game a bit, and using the opportunity to try something a little different.
I loved this fun skirt option, but most of you agreed it was too Christmasy for February. Then I fell down the rabbit-hole that is Rent the Runway, and suddenly I had more amazing options than I could choose from! For this second installment of Sugarplum Style Tips (a series dedicated to giving your style a little something-something extra), I’m sharing my experience with Rent the Runway.
If you’re not familiar with the dress rental site, let me give you the simple rundown….first you peruse the thousands of styles by over 300 top designers, using the filters to help narrow down your choices. Read the reviews (with photos!) by real-life women to see how your favorites fit and wear before selecting your size…and if you’re still not sure, you get a free second size as back-up!
Then select your timeframe (either 4 or 8 days), rent the dress for a fraction of the cost to buy it, and wait for gorgeousness to appear at your doorstep! Or in my case, delivered to our hotel. The dates of our trip didn’t allow enough time for me to receive the dresses at home before leaving, so I had it shipped to the hotel in New York.
They arrived perfectly laundered in a thick garment bag, complete with instructions for returning, and a pre-paid shipping label. They even cover the cleaning upon return!
I was nervous about the whole thing working right, having never tried Rent the Runway before (nor do I have experience with designer sizing), so of course I’d packed my own dresses as back-up…but as soon as I pulled these beauties out of the bag, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. And then started jumping around like Julia Roberts after her Pretty Woman shopping spree. #minusthewholehookerpart #namethatmovie
Since it was Valentine’s weekend, and I’d waited until last minute to rent, back-up sizes weren’t available in either of my top picks. Fortunately, you’re able to rent a second style for only $32.50, so I grabbed them both and hoped one would fit.
So just how great of a deal is Rent the Runway? Well, I rented two dresses that retail for $1000, for around $100! Granted it’s still $100 spent, and I don’t have a dress to show for it…but I’d likely have spent more than that buying a dress not nearly as spectacular, and might never have worn again.
Plus, it gave me the opportunity to wear and experience dresses well beyond anything I’d ever buy (hello, Halston!!??)! I’d never spend $500-plus on a dress. Ever. But I felt like a million dollars in those dresses that weekend. I may have even shed a tear when I packed them back up.
Both were a little big on me, so the smaller back-up size would have come in handy. But there is such a difference in the construction and material of designer clothes, that they both still fit my frame enough to wear without it being obvious.
* Be realistic and familiar with what styles fit your body…and what shapes you’re comfortable wearing. The downside of the service is you don’t get to try the dress on weeks before your event. (Although, they guarantee you’ll love your dress or they’ll overnight you a new one!)
* Read the real-life reviews, and stylist notes, they are hugely helpful in determining what size you’ll wear.
* Get the free back-up size if available!
* If you’re looking for a specific event, filter the options by your date range so you don’t fall in love with something not available when you need it.
* Don’t wait until the last minute…order as soon as you get an invitation to something fun (wedding, party, showers, etc) for a better chance at securing your favorite style and size.
* While you want to stick with a style and fit you’re confident will work with your body shape, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. After all, it’s not an investment piece you’ll be stuck with in your closet for years to come.
* If your event is out-of-town, have the dresses shipped to you there.
* Sign up for emails even if you don’t have any immediate events…they constantly offer sales and promotions. (If you use my referral link, you’ll get $20 of your first rental. This post is completely unsponsored…anyone can get a referral link to gain credits towards future rentals.)
I absolutely can’t wait for an excuse to rent again…now instead of that familiar pang of uncertainty over what to wear when invited to something fun, I’ll jump at the chance to try a new, amazing, designer dress! I’ve already favorited so many I hope to try in the future. Have you ever used Rent the Runway?
Okay, I would love to try this!! The only problem is that I never go anywhere fancy. Sigh. The first time I do though, I'M DOING THIS!
I absolutely LOVED this post! So helpful and those dresses are WOW WORTHY!
You look absolutely gorgeous in both of them; that KS dress is my favorite!
Thank you so much, Leslie!! I loved that one too! I wouldn't be surprised if I rented it again!!
No wonder you couldn't choose, they are both gorgeous and looked amazing on you!!! I have been wanting to try them for a couple of years now, but sadly, never have anywhere fancy to go. My husband's company needs to start having Christmas parties for the sole reason of me being able to use Rent the Runway. Makes sense to me 😉
Perfect sense from this end, too! 😉 xo
Those dresses are AMAZING! This post came at the best time, I literally just pushed the I believe button a few days ago and rented a dress from rent the runway. Your post made me feel a whole lot better about getting a dress in the mail the day before a huge event! THANK YOU!!
Oh yay…have so much fun, and let me know how the dress works out!! xo
So pretty! I love both on you!
I used RTR for the first time this Valentines Day also. We had a black tie formal event. I have one more tip to share:
IF you are over say 45, order UP on size. I read all the reviews for the dress I wanted and I specifically looked for people who were not a willowy 20 something year old, to decide what size to order. Based on reviews of women similar age and size to me, I ordered my usual size and a smaller backup size. Neither fit. My husband was able to get me into my usual size but it took some serious work and some pliers for him to get it UNzipped. LOL They overnighted me the next size up and all was well.
As for the dress….. OMG!! My husband knew I was in a slight panic because the new dress was suppose to be delivered by noon on the DAY OF the event, so he told me to go to the mall and find a backup. I went and everything was so blah in comparison to the designer dress. I bought a suitable but not flattering dress for double what I paid to rent a spectacular dress. Luckily the dress got to me in time and I looked great and I returned the dress I bought.
This review is spot on.
Thanks so much for the great insight, Nikki! I'm thrilled your experience with them worked out…it's so great knowing RTR does everything they can to make it work! xo
Oh you "need" to buy the KS bow back one! That is perfect for you! Love! Love! Love!
Oh honey…don't think I didn't try to find out what it would take to keep that one!! I loved loved loved it!
File that under 'WOW'! That bow back dress looks amazing! I'd love to use Rent the Runway for a cruise I'm taking in two weeks, but there's no way I could return it in the 8 day time frame. Don't suppose they deliver to Puerto Vallarta?!
I'd recommend calling their 800-number…they are beyond helpful and accommodating! I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have an idea or method in place for your trip! Let me know!!
Both of those dresses are fabulous on you! I've used RTR twice and had good experiences both times. One outfit arrived damaged, but the customer service was outstanding, and if I remember correctly, they gave me another dress for free. I love their photos of real people wearing the clothes so you can see how they fit different body types.
I remember one of those dresses on you…so smoking hot! I've found their customer service to be top-notch too…nice to know it's across the board! xo
Those dresses were beautiful and looked great on you! I've never had a reason to use Rent the Runway before but I hope I do in the future!
Thank you, Kristen! Now I find myself looking for reasons to rent…it doesn't even have to be anything fancy, just a reason to wear a dress. There's lots of everyday styles, too! xo
We used RTR for a formal sorority event for my daughter last fall. She ended up wearing the smaller back up size, so I was glad we had that. We ordered almost two months before the event. The dress was STUNNING on her and I hated sending it back. They do clearance sales a couple times a year, and I haunted the last sale hoping that dress was in it and I could buy it for her. No luck that time, but I'll keep looking!! We are about to use them again for her Spring formal- no point in spending money on a dress she will wear once. God forbid you repeat a dress for a sorority event – Gasp, the horror!!
That bow-back dress is perfection!!
I LOVE Rent the Runway and have used it so many times!! Both dresses you chose were gorgeous on you!!!
Xox Dana Ivy // http://www.iadorewhatilove.com
So much fun!! I seriously hope I have somewhere fun to try this one day. You look presh as always.
That pink dress with the bow back looks fabulous on you. I used RtR a few years ago, and did not have a good experience. I ordered a dress for a work Christmas party, to be delivered on Friday and worn on Saturday. It was not delivered on Friday. I called UPS Friday night to track the package, and they said it was ground delivery and they were "unable to get it delivered on Friday, so it would be there Monday". I thought perhaps I could just go and pick it up at the UPS facility, but when I called RTR at 8 am Saturday, they tracked the dress down to a facility six hours away. The customer service was very apologetic, they refunded my money and gave me a credit for a free rental in the future, but still, I ended up buying a pair of very uncomfortable spanx and squeezing myself into a dress I already owned. I never did use the free credit, I couldn't bring myself to trust that the dress would get there when I needed it.
I love love love RTR! I have about 5 black tie events a year and I end up renting for all of them. It's so fun to wear something completely different and high end. I always get tons of compliments!