What I’m Wearing This Week: Rent the Runway

Happy weekend! Back with the second round of RTR for the month. Let's get to it!

forgot to add pics of Mr. HGL. When I WFH, he wants to be in my lap now, which makes typing quite complicated. And here are the measures I’m taking to keep him off the couch—he’s not impressed.

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

All five items by Cinq a Sept, Rhode, Charo Ruiz, MISA and Alexis arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, on the hanger, and sealed in plastic bags.

THE GOODS 

Cinq a Sept Provence Katz Dress, Retail Value $495, RTR $395

About the Designer: Sharing its name with the French term for the liminal moment linking late afternoon and early evening, Cinq à Sept brings the intriguing tension between day and night to a new advanced contemporary collection. Inspired by the hours between 5 and 7 p.m., when city streets are awash in the warm glow of the vanishing sun and office desks are abandoned for cocktails and as-yet unknown possibilities, Cinq à Sept embodies a deliberate balance between sophistication and ease, youthful daring and confident allure. The collection’s modern feminine aesthetic embraces unexpected details and striking silhouettes, resulting in clothing that draws their romance and sexiness from the woman wearing them.

Why I rented it: I kind of ran out of things I liked.

How I styled it: I wore this dress to the opening of River Club in Georgetown and paired it with macthing chain-link earrings and choker from Etsy, a vintage Chanel bag, and Nicholas Kirkwood Block-Heeled sandals.

Size and fit: I got an 8 because I heard it ran small and instead it was huge! I removed the straps to turn it into a strapless dress and that caused it to slide down even more.

Crafted in satin with a brilliant floral print, this silky dress features adjustable and removable straps, a square neckline, side zip closure, ruched bodice, tie waist, and high-low hem.

Condition: Great.

Honest review: I couldn't really tell from the photos that there was a pretty high slit in the front that was almost like a mullet. I don't like mullets, so it wasn't exactly the most pleasant surprise when it kept flying open, but at least it wasn't very revealing.

Rhode Madeline Dress, Retail Value $525, RTR $340

About the Designer: RHODE is a story of friendship that started on the corner of 6th Avenue and 18th Street in Manhattan. Purna and Phoebe became college roommates and met at Bed, Bath & Beyond to shop for their dorm room which led to a long-distance friendship spanning two decades. Even though Phoebe became a travel photographer and producer in NYC and Purna, a fashion buyer in Dubai, they’d meet up for trips all over the globe. During these visits, they'd discuss what was missing in their closets and eventually quit their jobs to combine a love of travel and style into their vision for Rhode: a line of timeless pieces that are ready for anything.

Why I rented it: I've really gotten to appreciate Rhode as a designer.

How I styled it: I wore the grand opening party of the Hotel Heron in Old Town and paired it with Robert Clergerie slides, Kendra Scott earrings, and the Chanel 19.

Size and fit: I got a 6 and it was a little small and definitely short, but I made it work! It's crafted in sturdy linen with a brilliant floral pattern, this frilly dress features a v-neckline with front toe closure, short, puffed sleeves, back zip closure, slight empire waist, and a full skirt. It's lined and the fabric is a little heavy, but really well made.

Condition: Great.

Honest review: Super cute and girly. Just difficult to wear a bra unless you double-side tape it to yourself.

Charo Ruiz Cisa Skirt, Retail Value $499, RTR $350

About the Designer: Daughter and granddaughter of dressmakers, she grew up in her native Seville among fabrics and patterns. She began her own career in the industry as a model in Barcelona in the sixties and at the end of the seventies, she settled in Ibiza, creating her own workshop and showroom on the island, reinterpreting the concept of Ibizan fashion.

The project that Charo unpretentiously started then is currently an independent family business led by his two children Pablo and Paloma, giving a new perspective to the business while respecting the DNA of the house and focused on continuing to project the purpose for which the company was born. brand: reclaim tradition, the admiration of the feminine and the freedom of the island where they grew up.

How I styled it: While this skirt has a matching top, I couldn't get my hands on it, so I just rented the skirt, which worked out even better. The waistband was a little stretched out and gathered a little on the hips, so I pulled it up to see what it would look like as a strapless dress and it was the best!

I wore the skirt to work and paired it with a Splendid by Ella Moss off-the-shoulder top, Robert Clergerie slides, Kendra Scott earrings, and the Givenchy Nightingale bag. I also wore it to the pool and to run errands and got so many compliments as a dress.

Size and fit: I got a medium, and while it was a little big as a skirt, it was a perfect fit as a dress. This versatile floral print skirt features a smocked and elasticized bodice/waist, front button closure, and tiered skirt with embroidered trim.

Condition: Very good, but a little faded and slightly stretched out.

Honest review: Wore it so much, it felt like mine. Perfect for the summer months as it's lightweight, versatile and a no-brainer when it comes to throwing an outfit together.

Misa Andrea Jumpsuit, Retail Value $415, RTR $310

About the Designer: MISA embodies our late founder Shadi Askari-Farhat's romantic heart, bohemian spirit and wanderlust eye.  In 2016, she launched MISA, which is a combination of her daughters’ names.  Born in Los Angeles with an eye to the world, the brand is deeply inspired by her myriad passions — including travel, art and design.

Guided by our core principle of effortless femininity, MISA elevates the idea of easy dressing with fluid silhouettes that are brought to life through airy fabrics, confident prints and unique detailing.  We create many-moment dresses, separates and knitwear that take you from... day to evening, week to weekend, and home to travels away.

All of our pieces are handmade in Los Angeles by our team of designers, pattern-makers and sewists, most of whom have worked with us from the beginning.  Many loving hands touch each garment — some with over 50 steps — in order to bring the collection to life each season.

Why I rented it: I love jumpsuits!

How I styled it: I dressed it up and down to wear to the pool, to run errands and for a night out on the town. I paired it with Ulla Johnson sandals and the Givenchy Nightingale bag during the day, and switched to Kendra Scott Jewelry, a vintage gold-tone belt, Tabitha Simmons pumps, and the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour tote for nighttime.

Size and fit: I got a Small (4-6) and due to the smocked bodice and long length, it was a perfect fit. This pull-on, lightweight cotton jumpsuit features a vibrant floral print, smocked tube bodice, slash pockets, a wide-leg pants.

Condition: Very good.

Honest review: Easy, breezy and pretty! I would've purchased it had the price been better. I need a jumpsuit in my life ASAP.

Alexis Nolana Dress, Retail Value $759, RTR $530

About the Designer: Founded in 2008 by mother-daughter duo Ana and Alexis Barbara, ALEXIS is for the woman who embraces all aspects of femininity, sophistication, and elegance. The spirit of the ALEXIS brand echoes the personal style of Ana and Alexis, their worldly travels and passion for vintage have played an integral role in shaping their design style and aesthetic into what it is today.

Their advanced contemporary collections embody effortlessly chic sensibilities in a woman's everyday lifestyle. Opulent dresses and versatile separates serve as the perfect canvas for richly decorated laces, romantic silks, and striking textiles.

Why I rented it: It's been on my list for a long time, but they never had my size.

How I styled it: I wore this dress to my friend's going-away party and the office, and wore it with Mignonne Gavigan Lorenza Floral earrings, Karl Lagerfeld Strappy pumps, Louis Vuitton Graffiti Speedy (for work), a Vince Leather jacket (also for work), and the Devi Kroell clutch (for the evening).

Size and fit: I got the 8 because I know Alexis runs small, and this is what RTR suggested, but it was too big in the bust, waist and hips.

This intricately detailed, cotton blend A-line midi dress features knotted shoulder straps, square neckline, back zip closure, flounced hem and paisley embroidery.

Condition: Great!

Honest review: It's a beautifully designed dress slightly on the heavier side with intricate detailing. Probably a little too dressy for some parties in DC, but every day is prom in Mary-land.

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 wore the jumpsuit and skirt probably 10 times each, so I definitely got my money's worth.
• 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

Guess what's up next? FashionPass! Stay tuned either next week or the week after to find out if they get a passing or failing grade!

But as of right now, my order is still in transit (a week later) and I’m not impressed. Probably will have to skip next week because I won’t have anything to review.

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 $175,619.

Do you subscribe to Rent the Runway? Let us know what you think down below!