Rent the Runway
by Stephanie Berenbaum - January 26, 2012
One Night Only
Last weekend, I was at a tres chic friend's bday party, and the Birthday Girl was wearing a fantastic cocktail dress. Believe me, it looked very fabulous - and not at all frugal. So, of course, I had to ask where she got this piece of couture. My fashionable friend immediately replied, "Rent the Runway!" Though we've mentioned this online service before, I myself wasn't a member. But I was so impressed with my friend's look, that I went directly home from the party, signed up and discovered a whole world of Fab & Fru fashion right at my fingertips!
What is Rent the Runway?
Rent the Runway lets you rent (you probably figured that out) designer fashion for a fraction of what it would cost you to buy it. We mean really a fraction - like up to 90% less. YUM! And while I have visited actual stores that rent fashion, I have never used an online service and was curious…
How It Works….
I was a little skeptical about renting clothing online - until I read the details. Here's the scoop - at Rent the Runway, you work with fit specialists to determine the best dress for you - and they even send you a 2nd size for free! What sealed the deal for me is - if it doesn't fit - you don't pay (less the cost of shipping)! The site boasts a 99% success rate, which is WAY higher than my typical success rate when shopping for dresses live. Another advantage - you can rent your WHOLE look from them - including Spanx, handbags and jewelry!
Fashion Emergency!
I admit it, I am a procrastinator. Whether you put things off 'til the last minute like I do - or you get a fabulous last minute invitation to the Oscars - you are in luck. Rent the Runway ships same day in NYC and overnight to the rest of nation to help you avert a fashion emergency!
No Hassle…
Ok, I wondered - but after a night of partying - what about cleaning and returning, etc? After a fashion victory, the last thing I want is to have to worry about schlepping to the dry cleaner. The good news is they deal with the dry cleaning! All you need to do is stick it in an envelope and put in mailbox - which is why many refer to the service as the "Netflix of Fashion". Send it off and let them worry about getting the champagne stains out of your rented Nina Ricci!
Make it Your "Own"
I also noticed on the site you can buy items at deep discounts, and they have a huge clearance section. Either way, Rent the Runway gets my vote for one of the most Fab & Fru fashion finds I have seen in a while!
