The One Where I Rented the Runway

Late one night, several months ago Eamon read an article in the New Yorker about the founders of a website called renttherunway.com, who are ironically both named Jennifer. One goes by Jenn (good job with the 2 N's) and the other by Jenny. The girls were roommates at Harvard Business School and they felt the same dilemma that most girls I know have felt at some point in their life, the one where you have tons of clothes but nothing to wear.  The basic premise behind the website is that you can rent a dress from an expensive designer that would cost you hundreds to purchase but pennies to rent. Eamon thought I might be able to find a dress for at least one of the 6 weddings and events we have this year. We sat there that night, perusing the website, eyeing dresses and wondering how they would look on me. After a few weeks I finally decided to give it a try and rented two dresses for weddings we have on back to back weekends this month. The first wedding on the beach in Charleston, the second one in a park in New Orleans.

The dress arrives 1-2 days before the wear date (which you select on the website) and comes with a "fit kit" that contains fashion tape and other fun little accessories, a package with pre-paid postage to send the dress back after your 4 days you're allowed to keep it and a garment bag. I chatted with the fit specialist about the sizing and my body type. I did my research on the FAQs (what if the dress doesn't fit? what if it doesn't arrive in time? what if I spill something on it? what if I rip it? and the list goes on). The dress arrived perfectly packaged on Thursday before the wedding on Saturday. I've never been so nervous to open a package before.

The website offers handbags, jewelry for rent and also sells undergarments and intimates so I choose a pair of matching earrings. The customer service is unmatched. I had to have the package mailed to address, other than my home because we were already going to be at the destination wedding on the day it would need to arrive. They handled the different billing vs. shipping address perfectly! 

By now, you're dying to see the "the dress," I'm sure. I rented a Nanette Lepore dress, one I'd probably never purchase on my own and it was PERFECT, actually, it was beyond PERFECT. I felt beautiful in the yellow and blue preppy "Girls Only Dress" that  was ideal for a May wedding on the beach in Charleston, SC. 

Eamon and I had a great time at the wedding and I have Rent The Runway to thank for dressing me perfectly! I can't wait to try it again. Next rental - coming next week for yet another wedding; this one in New Orleans! 

Until then... I recommend RenttheRunway.com to everyone. Their prices can't be beat and the selection is incredible. Thank you to Jenn and Jenny...