I usually look like I’m about to go to a yoga class or (later in the day) like I went to a yoga class and didn’t change.
I do actually go to yoga and it’s entirely possible that’s the case, but my wardrobe doesn’t vary too much- I like comfort. If I so much as put on jeans, one of my kids will ask me where I’m going.
In the warmer months, I do love sundresses, but most of them are appropriate for the beach, not anything fancy.
So, that leaves me with nothing to wear when I actually have to get dressed up.
This past weekend, I had to attend a work dinner for my husband- some big kick-off dinner with everyone in his region in attendance. The dress code was “dressy casual” and I was kind of baffled as to what that meant and how I’d actually find the time to go shopping for something for it. I really just wanted a classic little black dress, but don’t actually have one in my closet.
Instead of shopping for a dress that I’d probably only wear once anyway (and have to spend the time looking for it), I decided to give Rent the Runway a chance again. I’d rented dresses from them previously for weddings and a few other events, but it had been a couple years.
Rent the Runway is a site where you can rent designer clothes for a fraction of their cost. The dress will be delivered to you (you can get a back up size for no additional cost, so you can be pretty sure one will fit). You wear it, put it back in the bag, and drop it off at a UPS location at the end of your rental period (either 4 or 8 days).
The site has made considerable improvements since I first used it 6 years ago. You can either browse all the dresses or you can select what sort of event you’re attending(work, gala, military ball, cocktail party, prom, wedding, beach getaway, etc). I narrowed mine down further by only browsing what was available on the dates I needed it and the sizes I was looking for. You can browse by color if you’re looking for something specific (I was looking for an LBD). Or you can even put in your age range if you want more age appropriate suggestions.
They have so many different dresses. You might not be all that impressed by the LBD I picked(even though I LOVED it)- but if you want something more colorful or dramatic or both- they do have it. I was erring on the side of simple and conservative. Here are the dresses I rented to wear to weddings in the past:
Dresses start as inexpensive as $30 to rent. I set my price range between $30-75 and ended up renting a $65 dress(I had a credit from a friend using my referral code when she rented a dress for a military ball). I probably would have stuck with $30-40 had I not had that credit- and there still would have been plenty to choose from.
The day before my order was to ship, I got an email and a text letting me know that one of the two sizes I’d ordered was not available(either it had been returned late or damaged) and to please send them alternate choices. Though, something went wrong with the back up they initially said they’d ship so they chose another from my list and let me know that if something happened and neither dress worked when they arrived, they’d refund my order or overnight another dress to be here in time for my event.
This was the back up to my back up. It’s actually light pink and dark green, though it sort of looks white and black in different light. It fit (and had pockets!) but I decided to stick with my first instinct of wearing an LBD
My initial pick ended up working and I wouldn’t have needed the back up size or the additional style, so it all worked out- but I was impressed at how far they go to make sure you will have something to wear for your event.
I had also rented a necklace for $10 to go with my dress. Rent the Runway will show suggestions for accessories to go with the dress you select.
While this isn’t a service I’ll use all the time, it is nice to have for those occasions when I need a dress that I’d probably only wear once. It lets me wear a dress that costs way more than my budget allows(my $65 rental retails for $425). If you have an event coming up (or if your daughter is looking for a prom dress!), I recommend giving Rent the Runway a try!
I tried Rent the Runway on my own dime and am sharing with you because I think it’s really helpful if you need a dress! I will get credit toward my next rental if you use my referral code and I’d love if you did!