Hoppy weekend, every bun! My little friends are still getting used to me, but they are warming up. Dolce is so sweet, and Gabby can be a total B. She's molting and in heat, so she goes from being relatively calm to anxious, trembling, and angry! I have to separate them sometimes because she'll hump his face, and he'll get freaked out and sprint away. I'm going to make an appointment to get her fixed ASAP.
The other day, I woke up to find hair everywhere! And I discovered a clump that looked like a toupee. Poop was scattered all over the floor and the pee pads were bunched up and moved. Looks like they had a big fight while I was asleep. The bunny tornado is for real.
I got them each a little cat hideout with two circular windows, a cushioned inside and roof, and they tore them up! Luckily, they're super study aside from fabric and they like to sleep in there during the day and party all night! Whenever they hear the fridge door open or a bag crinkle, Dolce will stick his face out of the drive-thru window, and she'll just run through hers.
It's pretty wild that just three months ago she could fit in my hand, and now she's almost bigger than him! They fought again after he got a haircut, but they were back to being in love in less than a day.
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 four items by Tanya Taylor, Ronny Kobo Collective, Ulla Johnson, and Rachel Antonoff arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, on the hanger, and sealed in plastic bags.
THE GOODS
Tanya Taylor Georgie Dress, Retail Value $595, RTR $475
About the designer: Tanya Taylor is an independent fashion brand based in New York City. Founded in 2012, the brand presents a unique and refreshing vision inspired by the city's energy, art, and the diverse women who inhabit it. Tanya's world is modern, artful, and liberating.
Raised in a creative environment, Tanya was encouraged to explore art from a young age. From taking art classes to painting vibrant murals on the walls of her childhood home, it all led her to find her purpose as a creative entrepreneur.
Taking an artistic, thoughtful approach to fashion, she intertwines the use of color, texture, and original hand-painted prints with uplifting and celebratory silhouettes into each size-inclusive collection, so all women have a way to express themselves creatively and confidently.
Why I rented it: For the holidays!
How I styled it: I paired it with the Kendra Scott Maya necklace, Amazon earrings, a Kobi leather belt, the Chanel 19, and a pair of Kat Maconie ankle boots.
Size and fit: I rented a 6, and it was oversized in some areas but fitted in others. The belly ruching accentuated the area rather than concealing it.
This off-the-shoulder dress is designed in a luxe crepe fabric. It features an asymmetrical neckline, long puffed sleeves with fitted cuffs, draping at the left shoulder, hidden side and sleeve zippers, ruched waist and hips, and it's fully lined.
Condition: Like new.
Honest review: I have a love/hate relationship with this dress. It wrinkled easily, the off-the-shoulder design was annoying, and the length wasn't great on me. But the fabric is lovely, and the color is bold and beautiful!
Ronny Kobo Collective Midi Sweater Dress, Retail Value $380, RTR $230
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: I needed a warm and stylish winter dress!
How I styled it: I wore this dress so many times! In the photos, I paired it with the Kendra Scott Maya necklace, Amazon earrings, a vintage studded leather belt, Kenneth Cole kitten heel boots, and the Prada bunny bag.
Size and fit: I got a medium, and it was a perfect fit! This pullover sweater dress features a timeless cable-knit pattern, a crew neck, long sleeves with ribbed cuffs, a cutout back, and a ribbed midi hem.
Condition: Excellent.
Honest review: Ok, so I know I said the Collective items suck, but the ones by Ronny Kobo are actually quite good! I loved this dress so much that I wanted to buy it. It's cozy, cute, slim-fitting, and the color is fantastic! My only minor complaint is that the cutout back can be chilly.
Ulla Johnson Amaya Dress, Retail Value $590, RTR $385
About the Designer: Born and raised in Manhattan, the daughter of archaeologists, Ulla Johnson honed her signature style between the streets of New York and the far-flung destinations of their family travels. Her eponymous line, founded in 1998 just after graduating from college, immediately caught the attention of the fashion press.
Growing from a handful of directional boutiques and with an early endorsement from Barneys New York, Ulla Johnson’s collection has gained a dedicated following and the support of retailers across the US, Europe, Australia, and Asia. She has never wavered in her steadfast attention to the details of construction that have become her hallmark, basing each of her collections on a foundation of natural fibers, beautiful finishing, and ease of fit and form. Ulla lives in Brooklyn with her husband and three children.
Why I rented it: For the holidays.
How I styled it: I wore this dress with gold-tone hoop earrings, Kendra Scott Maya necklace, an unbranded shearling vest from eBay, a vintage Chanel bag, and d'Orsay pumps.
Size and fit: Crafted in Ulla's signature tricot jersey fabric, this maxi dress features a turtleneck, long sleeves, back zip closure, gathered dropped waist, and full skirt. The fabric is pretty thin and unlined. I got a medium and it was a perfect fit!
Condition: Brand new with tags.
Honest review: The fabric was smooth and cozy, but the design was a bit frumpy. I liked it a lot better on the model! Yes, that's Dolce in the background!
Rachel Antonoff Lilly Dress, Retail Value $298, RTR $240
About the Designer: Rachel Antonoff aims to reclaim the art of getting dressed. With thoughtful design, inclusive sizing, and a stringent code of ethics, every garment is more than just a way to avoid a sunburn and a misdemeanor: It’s ready-to-wear that’s actually ready to wear. Saturated colors and elevated-irreverent prints go from day to night to morning-after. Our pieces are constructed to withstand actual activity, including but not limited to sitting, dancing, and undressing with abandon. Wear us to meet your partner’s mom, and to leave an upper decker in the guest bathroom if she sucks. Wear us to the office and to the pillow fort you’re using as a home office. Keep us in your closet because someone absolutely smashed your heart to smithereens in us, but you can’t bear to let us go just yet. We make clothes for your most told stories, your fondest memories, and your closest community. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Why I rented it: Because I was blinded by the newness.
How I styled it: I didn't wear this out in public, but for the photos, I paired it with Amazon earrings, an unbranded shearling vest, a leather Obi belt, Chanel 19, and Kat Maconie ankle boots.
Size and fit: Crafted in silky mesh with a clownish caviar print, this stretchy, lightweight mini dress features a turtleneck, long sheer sleeves, and a layered hem (that doesn't stay down). I got a medium (size 8-10), and it was tiny!
Condition: New with tags.
Honest review: I wish I had noticed the random caviar print before renting it! I never wore the dress because it's better suited for a Halloween party than a night out in Georgetown. Plus, the fabric was cheap, too short, and the hem kept riding up.
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 Ronny Kobo dress about a dozen times, Ulla Johnson maybe 3 times and the Tanya Taylor dress twice.
- 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
This is my last RTR post for a bit. Here are the reasons why I've paused:
- Their collective line defeats the purpose of renting "designer" items. Why waste money on the Nordstrom Rack or outlet versions of the designers (they license out their name and have someone cheaper create it)? The point of RTR is to rent designer items. It's NOT the same thing!
- The quality of the exclusive line is lacking. The silhouettes, fabrics, cuts, and fits are totally off. The stitching is bad, the fabrics are sheer and flimsy, and they stretch out too quickly!
- Items are in rotation for far too long. There are things I rented in 2021 that they've pulled apart and stitched back together.
- Some items are heavily worn, torn, and stretched out.
- Often, I cannot find the items I want, so I settle for things I don't love or wear.
- 10 items a month is too much!
- It's expensive.
- I'm not going out enough to justify it!
- A lot of the newer items seem geared toward a younger audience (or maybe I'm old).
- Most items are available for a one-time rental, so the pieces I REALLY want are impossible to score!
- The weather in DC is totally inconsistent. I may rent some winter clothes for two weeks in February, and suddenly it's 70 degrees! Sigh, then I can't wear anything.
I'm not cutting off RTR completely, but I'm taking a short break so they can restock and get it together. I'll try the 5-item monthly plan for $119 when I resubscribe. Sadly, The Collective pieces have soured me a bit.
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 $203,029.
Do you subscribe to Rent the Runway? Let us know what you think down below!
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.