Hey, y'all! Welcome back to WIWTW with RTR. I learned my lesson the hard way and did NOT add an item after I confirmed my shipment, but due to that mistake, I was able to rent five items. I loooove what I got this time around and tried to be a little more strategic due to the mild Spring weather, but Mother Nature had other plans. I think I mentioned before that I hadn't driven in 20 years (lived in NYC for 14 years), but when the pandemic hit, I moved out of Washington, D.C., and had to get a car. Well, I've been driving for a year and a half, and I feel like I've got the hang of it, even though Mr. Hoppy Golightly might protest a bit.
Last weekend was my mom's birthday, so I drove to Baltimore to see her, and hit I-495 at the worst possible time on Saturday. Before I left, it started snowing — it had been in the 70s earlier in the week — then it got sunny and cleared up. I could see storm clouds in the distance (I'm pretty high up), so I got myself together quickly, gave Mr. HGL a quick little head rub, and sprinted to the car. As soon as I got on I-495, I hit a hailstorm, then there was a pretty bad accident a few cars ahead of me, and a serious backup because DC traffic is the worst. Then, it got sunny again, and I crawled past two more accidents before I hit another brutal hailstorm and two more people collided a few cars in front of me. Cleared up again and I got on I-95, only to hit a 3rd hailstorm (is this the end of the world or what?), and ANOTHER accident, so a trip that should've taken an hour and ten minutes took over two hours.
Anyone else experience that crazy weather? Well, I'm proud to say I'm officially a better driver than I thought because I expertly maneuvered myself through three hailstorms and about a half dozen accidents. Bumper cars are only fun at amusement parks.
Perhaps I should try out for NASCAR?
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 (recovered from COVID, vaccinated), 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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I totally forgot I had a "mannequin" in my place. Sometimes it freaks people out at night because they think it's a ghost! I grew up in a haunted house and love to share those stories so that's why they would get scared and assume maybe I brought it to Virginia with me.
All items by Adam Lippes Collective, ALC, Temperley London and Paco Rabanne were fresh from the dry cleaner, on the hanger, and sealed in plastic bags.
THE GOODS
Temperley London Stirling Plaid Dress, Retail Value $895
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The backstory: I wore this dress to Target where I somehow managed to drop $96 on nothing. I only needed some bars of soap, an eyeliner sharpener, and conditioner, and I guess I bought the whole store.
How I styled it: I wore it with a vintage studded belt, the vintage Gucci studded leather jacket (guess I like studs), and the Nicholas Kirkwood sandals.
Size and fit: I ordered the 6 it was a little tight around the ribcage. I fought with the zipper for about 20 minutes and finally got it to zip up! Phew.
Condition: Very good, but two of the buttons were about to fall off.
Honest review: It's so cute! It's like a mullet dress... business in the front, party in the back. I probably wouldn't rent it again though.
Paco Rabanne Geo-Printed High Neck Dress, Retail Value $840
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The backstory: I didn't get to wear this yet, so I'm keeping it!
How I styled it: I didn't go crazy styling any looks this time and wore Nicholas Kirwood sandals and Mignonne Gavigan earrings.
Size and fit: I ordered the US 6, and it fits perfectly. It's a stretchy fabric that is comfy and stylish, and there's a concealed side zip closure so you don't have to break your arms trying to button it up.
Condition: Great, except one of the top buttons was broken.
Honest review: Even though my stepmom told me she didn't like it because I look like a flapper, I'm looking forward to wearing it out this weekend.
Adam Lippes Collective Tiger Print Mock Neck Blouse, Retail Value $260, ALC Braelyn Faux Leather Jumpsuit, $450
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The backstory: I wore this outfit a half dozen times, like to my mom's birthday celebration, and to a delicious Afghan restaurant in McLean, VA called Aracosia.
Let's talk overalls — my obsession with them began in middle school when all I ever wanted was a pair of stonewashed Guess? Jeans Overalls. I added it to every Christmas and birthday wish list, but I never got a pair. In the 90s, Guess was like Alexander McQueen to me, and I'd go to the mall specifically to try on every Guess item I could find.
Well, I've grown up a little since then and realized overalls aren't the easiest piece of clothing to pull off, so I moved on from my obsession UNTIL I spotted Olivia Palermo (I love her style) in a pair of leather overalls, and then I found these faux leather overalls on RTR. SWOON!
How I styled it: I wore it with the Adam Lippes Tiger Print Blouse, a pre-owned Yves Salomon Shearling Jacket I found on The RealReal, and a pair of Sam Edelman Ankle Boots.
Size and fit: I ordered the 6 and it fit perfectly. Despite it being a little long, you can adjust the length using the adjustable shoulder straps, the material is stretchy, and it features a side-zip closure. As for the top, it's lightweight and billowy, and you have the option of using the front buttons, but you should really use the back zipper to put it on and take it off.
Condition: Fantastic.
Honest review: Love, love, love, love. I only wish it were made out of real leather. The top is great too. I'd buy both if they were cheaper.
Adam Lippes Floral Off-the-Shoulder Top, Retail Value $250
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The backstory: I wore this blouse about half a dozen times, but most notably back to Tiki Thai for my favorite basil dish and to watch the NCAA Sweet 16 playoffs. Every time I go there, the food gets even better! I also wore it to my mom's second birthday celebration (you'll see a pic of me with my dad and stepmom) at Joey Chiu's delicious Chinese restaurant in Baltimore. Yes, I love Asian food as much as I love the RTR items this week!
How I styled it: So, I mostly wore it with leather leggings, but for the pics, I decided to expose the world to my pale legs and paired it with a pleated leather mini skirt that is too short for grandma.
Size and fit: I ordered the medium and it fits well. It's a little big, but that's the design. It's a lightweight material with a gathered and elasticized neckline and cuffs, and a high-low hem that you can either tuck in or wear out.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: I love this blouse, it's the perfect springtime top. The only annoying part is it's practically impossible to get it to stay up. Felt like I was constantly adjusting and readjusting.
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 a lot of wear out of the two tops and the overalls, but since the weather changed so drastically, so quickly, I didn't get to wear the dresses much at all.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? Yay! Yes, of course.
- 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
My family will be mad at me if they know I included pics of them in my review this week so don't tell them! But ok, on that note, say "hello" to my Aunt Agnes! She's 93 years young, sharp as a tack, and barely has any wrinkles. She showed me the beginning of a book she's writing about Ireland. How does she do it?
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 $45,506!
Do you subscribe to Rent the Runway? Let us know what you think down below!
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