MM: Rent the Runway?

hoffse · January 2014

Alright everybody, I have another MM question.

I represent several non-profits, and I've started getting invited to their annual fundraisers. It's a lot of fun, but it's getting expensive (even with complementary tickets). The main reason is it tends to be the same group of people over and over, so I have to buy new dresses for each one. I attended two fundraisers in the fall, and I now have another at the beginning of February and possibly one in March. These are all black tie. I also typically get only a couple week's notice... so I don't have a great deal of time to bargain hunt for a black-tie dress that fits the season. Luckily, my H does own a tux (from his music days), but I can't wear the same dress to every single event. As I said, it's the same people. And it turns out that long, non-prom dresses are $$$$.

I'm wondering if anybody has ever tried Rent the Runway? It looks like you can rent swanky dresses from $30 on up, and they send you two sizes to make sure one fits. My H thinks I'm crazy for considering this - he doesn't understand why I don't just re-wear the same two dresses over and over - but I tell him he's a guy so he doesn't get a vote on this

Has anybody tried it? If I'm going to average 4-5 of these events a year I'm thinking this might be the way to do it, at least when I have a hard time finding a deal on a dress that I can keep. I also have relatively limited closet-space, so it doesn't really make sense to hang onto dresses I might wear just a couple of times (though I do love them).

Thoughts? Experiences?

brij2006 · January 2014

I don't have any personal experience with this, but my BFF does this each year for the Marine Corps Ball. She absolutely loves it, and loves that if she fluctuates weight then she doesn't have dresses sitting in the closet that no longer fit. If you can get enough use out of it, then I say go for it. It beats paying full price and never using them again.

Xstatic3333 · January 2014

My BFF uses RTR too! She gets the best dresses and has had a great experience with them. I'd go for it. If you know someone else who uses the service, have them refer you for $50 off your first rental.

hoffse · January 2014

Thanks! I think I'm going to try it for the next event - I'm also trying to lose some weight right now, so size fluctuation has been an issue recently.

I do keep an eye out for nice dresses on a great clearance now, but I still get sticker shock most of the time. It really becomes an issue when I have events back to back to back, and I have to find multiple dresses for the same season on sale. That happened in the fall - those two fundraisers were only two weeks apart from each other.

Alright, well if they are legit I'm going to give it a shot!

danalawrence · April 2014

Just a note to say that I LOVE RTR and will never buy a non-bridesmaid semi formal or formal dress again. I haven't in 3 years, and I go to probably 20 events a year in RTR. Add the stylist pick and check out the awesome jewelry they'll send to match the dress!

emily1004 · April 2014

One of my H's coworkers used RTR last years local Emmy awards. She looked like a million bucks. I also had a sorority sister use them for a black tie wedding and she also looked amazing. They both said they were wonderful to deal with. A lady at my synagogue swears by RTR too. They will send you two sizes at no additional cost and clean the dress for you. I almost used them last year but I found a gown on sale instead, but I would use them if I was in a pinch, plus their dresses look fantastic.

hoffse · April 2014

Thanks for more feedback on this! I ended up not going to the February fundraiser because it was smack in the middle of my job transition. However, that client did come over with me, so I'll probably be going next year.

I'm seriously going to consider this if I have to go to all the fall fundraisers. H and I are on a tight budget until we buy a house, and spending $200 on a dress at a moment's notice is just not happening right now.

formerlyGDaisy09 · April 2014

I don't go to many fancy functions, but I don't generally see a problem with wearing the same handful of dresses multiple times. I'v got a handfull of basics that I've rotated for years.

I've also never paid more than $200 for a formal dress.

hoffse · April 2014

Thanks, Gdaisy - the thing is, when I say it's the same group of people, I mean I'm literally sitting with the same 6-8 people every event. They would notice, especially during fund-raising season when events are back to back.

I have a decent stash of formal dresses from undergrad and law school, but unfortunately I outgrew some of them. I'm working on being able to fit into them again. Those I was able to get great deals on (always less than $100) because I had enough notice to be shopping months in advance.

What I discovered last fall is that I (and the group I sit with) get invitations typically with 7-10 days' notice. That's just not enough time to have a great bargain hunt, unless I happen to get lucky.

Hopefully I can fit back into those dresses by the fall and it won't be an issue for awhile! Otherwise, I think I'm going to try this.

formerlyGDaisy09 · April 2014

hoffse said:

Thanks, Gdaisy - the thing is, when I say it's the same group of people, I mean I'm literally sitting with the same 6-8 people every event. They would notice, especially during fund-raising season when events are back to back.

I have a decent stash of formal dresses from undergrad and law school, but unfortunately I outgrew some of them. I'm working on being able to fit into them again. Those I was able to get great deals on (always less than $100) because I had enough notice to be shopping months in advance.

What I discovered last fall is that I (and the group I sit with) get invitations typically with 7-10 days' notice. That's just not enough time to have a great bargain hunt, unless I happen to get lucky.

Hopefully I can fit back into those dresses by the fall and it won't be an issue for awhile! Otherwise, I think I'm going to try this.

Looks interesting...like I said we just don't have that many formal events here...last time I wore one of my more formal dresses was to a Christmas party 2 years ago. I've also been fortunate to get back into my dresses from high school in the last 5 years. Folks in Northern New England just don't dress-up for things like people do in my hometown in CT.

hoping to change that now that I'm on the Board of Directors for the local ballet company...already planning a gala where I can dig out a dress and some heels! (so long as we can avoid mud season!) I've got a stash of bridesmaid dresses I need an excuse to wear again!

MM: Rent the Runway?

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