Hello, every bun! On Tuesday I went to the office for the first time in years and it was like going back to school. The Capital One campus is its own little city. They've got restaurants, a brewery, an event hall, a hotel, a Wegman's, putt-putt, and they're about to open a distillery too. Since the buildings are massive, it's hard to tell if it was busy, but it seems the majority of the workers I saw were women. Did guys recently drop out of the workforce or what?
It's a busy week so let's hop to the review.
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 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 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
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All four items by Rixo, Simkhai, Paco Rabanne, and Bronx & Banco arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, on the hanger, and sealed in plastic bags. I kept the Philosophy dress from last time and never wore it again!
THE GOODS
Rixo Liza Dress, Retail Value $490 RTR $441
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About the designer: RIXO’s story began in 2015 in the London living room of best friends, then students Henrietta Rix & Orlagh McCloskey.
RIXO's philosophy is to evoke a wanderlust & free spirit in all their wearers, filling a gap in the contemporary market with easy-to-wear, feminine shapes, and high-quality materials. Always empowering, they aim to create a fusion of original hand-painted prints and timeless silhouettes to flatter every woman, irrespective of age, season, nationality, or time of day.
Why I rented it: I have no idea. Where did I think I was going? I've been working all week!
How I styled it: I really wanted to belt it because it's quite oversized, but it didn't work. I paired it with Jimmy Choo Wedge Sandals, chain-link earrings, a straw hat, and the Fendi Fendista Bag.
Size and fit: The reviews said to size down, but it wasn't an option for me, so I stuck with the 8 and yes, it's big. Crafted in black floral chiffon with an oversized floral print, this one-shoulder design is lined with a concealed side-zip closure.
Condition: Great!
Honest review: It's very well made and a beautiful, flowy fabric, but you really need somewhere to go to wear it. Might be best for a fall wedding.
Simkhai Nellie Slip Dress, Retail Value $545, RTR $545
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How I styled it: Founded in 2010 in New York, Jonathan Simkhai launched his namesake label after years of experience as a fashion buyer and merchandiser. He honed his technical skills at the Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology. The early success of the label propelled Simkhai into the CFDA Fashion Incubator program where he developed his eye for quality of craft. Simkhai is inspired by the built environment and architecture, which motivates his creative process and desire to push conventional design boundaries. His corporate headquarters are now based in Los Angeles where he opened his first retail store.
Why I rented it: I recently got into slip dresses because they're sexy, lightweight, easy to wear, and fun!
How I styled it: I wore this dress to my friend's Derby Party in Chevy Chase and paired it with a pair of Tabitha Simons Laser-Cut Heels and a vintage Chanel Bag.
Size and Fit: Since slip dresses can be quite revealing (you need shapewear) I went with a size 8 and it was a good decision. Crafted in light blue satin with an artful design, this pullover dress features a cowl neck, adjustable shoulder straps, back zip closure, and a handkerchief hem.
Condition: Like new!
Honest review: The perfect summer dress that doesn't need much thought or styling help at all. The fabric is also pretty heavy so if you skip a slip, you'll still be covered.
Paco Rabanne Colorful Tank Dress, Retail Value $1,250, RTR $1,250
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About the designer: Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo, more commonly known as Paco Rabanne, is a Spanish fashion designer of Basque origin who became known as an enfant terrible of the 1960s French fashion world. Rabanne's father, a Republican Colonel, was executed by Francoist troops during the Spanish Civil War and his mother was the chief seamstress at Cristóbal Balenciaga's first couture house in Donostia, Basque Country. She moved Rabanne's family when he opened Balenciaga in Paris in 1937, due to the Spanish Civil War.
Rabanne started his career in fashion by creating jewelry for Givenchy, Dior, and Balenciaga and founded his own fashion house in 1966. He used unconventional materials such as metal, paper, and plastic for his metal couture and flamboyant designs. Rabanne is known for the green costume worn by Jane Fonda in the 1968 science-fiction film Barbarella. In 1968, he launched Rabanne perfumes.
Why I rented it: Because I love the rainbow of colors and Paco Rabanne is one of my faves.
How I styled it: I had such high expectations for this dress, and it was such a letdown. It's boxy, the waist is too high so you can't belt it, and the tags poke through the fabric, and it's cheaply made.
I wore it to Morton's and paired it with oversized hoops, Kendra Scott Maya Necklace, Ferragamo Gavina Sandals, and the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Bag. My friends love Morton's for the outdoor cigar lounge... RTR doesn't love Morton's because the dresses I wear there come back smelling like a cigar lounge.
Size and fit: I got the 6 and you might need shapewear as the jersey fabric is completely unforgiving. This dress features squareneck, wide shoulder straps, side zip closure, and a ruffled hem.
Condition: Like new.
Honest review: I love Paco, but this dress is not it. The fabric is cheap, flimsy, and see-through, and it's just not flattering. For almost $1,300 you'd think they'd attach a lining. It's got to cost them an extra $1 max. Whoops, I woke up Mr. HGL from his beauty sleep.
Bronx & Banco Romi Metallic Gown, Retail Value $510, RTR $510
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About the designer: Launched in 2009, this Australian label is synonymous with cutting-edge style, vibrant hues, and slick tailoring. From the runway to the real world, the Bronx and Banco DNA reflects the impeccable style of its founder and creative director, Natalie DeBanco. Born in Russia and raised in Australia, Natalie has a love of all things fashion, and she opened up her first boutique at Bondi Beach while she was still in design school. Inspired by travel, exotic locations, unique characters, and city living, Natalie's collections are full of feminine, fun, flamboyant, and flattering silhouettes. She's quickly become a top choice for celebrities on the red carpet and influencers alike.
Why I rented it: I was invited to a gala and wanted something that wasn't basic gala attire which I tend to think of as mother-of-the-bride gear. I've rented Bronx & Banco in the past and I know their fit, so I went with this!
How I styled it: I wore this dress to the WINO Gala which was also the opening night of La Boheme. The opera was mesmerizing, and everyone was dressed in their best. Would you believe I actually saw a girl wearing the pastel purple dress from my last RTR review? I almost went up to her and said "What's up, RTR!"
I bought earrings and a lariat necklace off Etsy, wore Nicholas Kirkwood Block-Heeled Sandals, and carried the Chanel 19.
Size and fit: This blue lame dress is crafted in a metallic fabric with a plunge neckline, back zip closure, and a gently pleated skirt with two side slits. I got the 6 and it was a little tight in the waist. I was worried I wouldn't be able to wear it, but I made it fit. and I also used double-sided tape to keep it in place!
Condition: Like new, except there was some weird strip of slight discoloration on the back.
Honest review: Perfectly unique event dress... love the shine and design. Bronx and Banco is an unexpected favorite of mine for formalwear and cocktail gear. Yes, I have lipstick on my teeth and just realized it!
Had to have my own little Marilyn Monroe moment with JFK.
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 Simkhai dress, but this set wasn't very wearable since it was too dressy. What was I thinking? Luckily the Bronx and Banco dress was perfect for the event.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? They exceeded expectations.
- 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
Since I started reviewing rentals, I've become a little bit of an expert on certain designer quality, size, and fit, and while some of them are pretty consistent, others are not reliable at all.
Paco Rabanne's quality has always been on point, but this flimsy rainbow dress is a disappointment. So far, Bronx and Banco has been consistent, and the three items I've rented by Rixo have also been on point. I'll pay more attention to the designers I've rented and call out inconsistencies.
VALUE BREAKDOWN: The 10 Items a Month membership costs $104/month and goes up to $144/month after the first 3 months) and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $120,922.
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