Happy New Year, every bun! I spent the holidays at home with my family and saw an 80s cover band on New Year's Eve with some friends. This will be a quick review because I'm playing serious catch up, so let's get back to RTR!
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 five items by Rocco Sand, Ronny Kobo, and PatBo arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, on the hanger, and sealed in plastic bags.
THE GOODS
Rocco Sand Paisley Puff Sleeve Dress, Retail Value $356, RTR $249
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About the designer: Rococo Sand is a sister label of the designer duo Hemant and Nandita who also have a namesake label called “HEMANT and NANDITA”. The heart of Rococo Sand lies in exotic vacations and effortless style. Vibrant, bold and edgy define the labels design perspective. We have come a long way since the label was launched in 2014 to dress the modern woman and leave a mark on the world. The designers blend breezy tops, sand-sweeping skirts and flared dresses with colorful and eclectic appeal in bold prints and glittery embellishments. Rococo Sand’s styles are the perfect additions to your wardrobe, boosting your look from a poolside lounge to seaside sunset cocktails.
Why I rented it: Wanted something fun and festive for the holidays.
How I styled it: I wore this dress to grab drinks with a friend at The Valley Inn and to a holiday party in Georgetown and both times I paired it with a vintage mink jacket, the Chanel 19, and Twinset Platform Pumps. I skipped wearing the black tights out in public after seeing these photos.
Size and fit: I got a 6/8 and it fit really well, but not without some double-sided tape. This elegant A-line dress features paisley print lame with a plunge neckline, long princess sleeves with puffed shoulders and loop button cuffs, concealed back zip closure, ruched bodice and hips, tulip hem, and it's fully lined.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: Love it! Perfect for the holiday party season.
Ronny Kobo Rocky Dress, Retail Value $588, RTR $529
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About the designer: Originally from Tel Aviv and raised in Hong Kong, Ronny Kobo's interest in fine art, travel, and culture eventually led her to New York City, where she graduated with a master's degree from NYU. She speaks fluent English, Hebrew, and Spanish.
Ronny started off her career by founding her own line of accessories and ultimately launched the trendsetting apparel brand Torn by Ronny Kobo in 2009. Additionally, she held a seat on the board of Christie’s Auction House. Ronny Kobo's current collections are best known for standout prints, upscale versatility, and timeless silhouettes.
Why I rented it: Wanted another festive holiday dress.
How I styled it: Just threw on tights and pumps for the pics.
Size and fit: Ronny Kobo's designs tend to run a little small, but the bust area of this dress was a bit larger. Crafted in shiny silk blend, this mini dress features a mock neck with rosette detail, long balloon sleeves with buttoned cuffs, open back with bottom zip closure, and a draped bodice and mini skirt with a fabric tail.
Condition: Great.
Honest review: I didn't end up wearing it because I didn't like the attached rose detail, the open back, and the side tail was weird. Whoops...guess I woke Mr. HGL.
Ronny Kobo Collective Puff Sleeve Dress, Retail Value $350, RTR $158
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Why I rented it: I wanted something new, and after I received it, I realized I rented it in the past.
How I styled it: I wore this dress to the office and then out at night. I simply switched out the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Tote for the Prada Bunny Clutch. I also wore Kendra Scott Collette Hoops, Capezio Back Seam Fishnet Tights, Charlotte Olympia Suede Pumps, and an Yves Salomon Shearling Jacket.
Size and fit: Crafted in green satin with a swirl design, this midi-length dress features a mock neck, long sleeves with puffed shoulders, back zip closure, wide waistband, and a draped skirt with overlay. I got a 6 and it was a perfect fit all over!
Condition: Great.
Honest review: I remember I didn't love it the first time I rented it, but this time I got a lot of wear out of it and didn't want to send it back!
PatBo Lurex Keyhole Top, Retail Value $375, RTR $300
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About the designer: Patricia Bonaldi, PatBO's Founder and Creative Director began designing and making clothes as a child. While growing up in Uberlândia, Brazil, buying new clothing was not accessible to Bonaldi and her family, so her mother taught her to sew and soon she was making her own dresses. Bonaldi fell in love with the process of creating and felt pride in bringing beauty and craftsmanship to a family necessity.
After a few detours, including a period of studying law, Bonaldi created her eponymous label of couture, evening wear in São Paulo, Brazil. Tapping into her passion and talent since childhood, Bonaldi first established herself as a designer by creating one-of-a-kind gowns for clients and sewing everything by hand.
In 2002 Bonaldi founded PatBO, bringing her penchant and skill for fit, craftsmanship and print to ready-to-wear and swimwear. Bonaldi also established a school in her hometown, along with PatBO's atelier, where local women are taught craftsmanship skills that enable them fulfilling work as artisans.
Why I rented it: I wanted a pretty cropped top to go with my new jeans.
How I styled it: I wore this top with Kendra Scott Hoops, my new pair of Veronica Beard Flared Jeans (review next week), Kat Maconie Toni Boots, and the Chanel 19.
Size and fit: Crafted in chiffon, this colorful lurex top features a high neckline with button closure, a front keyhole cutout, ruffled shoulders, long sleeves with buttoned cuffs, a concealed side-zip closure and pleated wide waistband.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: Loved it so much, but the keyhole opening was huge, and I had to double-side tape it to my body many times. It still didn't stay closed.
Rocco Sand Tie-Dye Ruched Mesh Dress, Retail Value $446, RTR $401
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Why I rented it: It looked sexy and slinky, and I wanted a fitted dress!
How I styled it: I wore this dress with black Sheertex tights, Lele Sadoughi Pearl Drop Earrings, Kat Maconie Sock Boots and a vintage Chanel bag.
Size and fit: I got a medium and this lightweight mesh dress hugged me in all the right places. It features a mock neck, long gathered sleeves, back keyhole button, concealed side zip closure, and double-layered with all over ruching.
Condition: Great! Although I broke the back button closure.
Honest review: Absolutely loved this dress. It fit like a glove, it was warm and cozy, and flattering too! The catch? It's a bit tricky to pull on and take off.
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? Despite being oversized, I wore the PatBo top many times. And I also got a lot of wear out of the Rocco Sand dresses.
- Did they meet or exceed expectations? They met 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
Remember when I said I wouldn't get on a dating app? Well, RTR included a Golden Ticket to The League, and since it's not one of those swipe-swipe apps and members are vetted and verified, I decided to try it out.
What's my experience been like? I've chatted with about two dozen guys and haven't met up with any of them!
I know people lie about their age on dating apps to hide from their significant other and snag someone much younger or older, but 10+ years is a huge difference. After what I've witnessed with my dad and stepmom (a 10-year age difference, and my stepmom is now basically a caretaker), I've decided to date closer to my age. I’d even consider dating a younger guy, which is something I wouldn’t have done in my 20s, 30s, or early 40s. After all, I've got lots of life left to live, and I'm not ready to become a caretaker. It was fun when I was 30 and dated guys in their 40s, but now I'm at the tipping point. Of course, if I met the most amazing man and he happened to be 15 years older than me, I'd still give it a shot, but the age difference would be in the back of my mind.
Anyway, back to the app. It's not worth $1,000 or even $10 a month. Your options are limited, and you get access to the same guys whether you pay or not. So, for $1,000, Alex, I can match with 6 DC snoozefest dudes per day instead of 3, see when they read your message (really, who cares?), scout people in other cities (I'd instead use that money and take a trip), get profile boosts, create events, and more. For $1,000?! I'd rather sit at the bar at a steakhouse and spend $25 each time to scout my own prospects after work! I learned this trick from Kim Cattrall when I interviewed her for a magazine article in NYC. Anyway, I have two weeks left, and there's no way I'd pay for it. I'll delete the data and delete the app!
In the meantime, I was invited to go to an NFL football game this weekend, and I might go. They're club seats, so that means I won't freeze or get soaked, and there will be less chance of running into someone I know.
Should I go? And what will I wear?
VALUE BREAKDOWN: The 10 Items a Month membership costs $104/month and goes up to $152/month after the first 3 months) and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $150,061.
Do you subscribe to Rent the Runway? Let us know what you think down below!
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