Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Want designer duds for less? WAY less?

Of course you do—who the hell doesn't? There's a new online company called Rent The Runway that rents out designer dresses for a small fraction of the price for fashionably bank account-challenged women like yours truly. 

The high-end labels range from Diane Von Furstenberg to Proenza Schouler, and rental prices are $50-$200. Not too shabby, eh? So the deal is, you pick out the dress and return it within four days—hopefully without pit stains. The dresses are dry cleaned after every use, so even if they aren't returned in mint condition, it's not the end of the world. Oh, and you get the dress in two sizes. Ya know, just in case you have a classic Ellen binge-eating moment the day before you have to slip—or stuff—yourself into the dress.

So what do you think of this idea? It's a lot like Bag Borrow or Steal, but better. I think it's genius. I just signed up to become a member. I can't WAIT to peruse the site—I have a feeling I'll be looking better this holiday season than ever before!

Would you rent one of these dresses? I admit, I'd be a bit nervous that it wouldn't arrive on the day I needed it, but I'm definitely going to give it a try. I'll report back once I do and you guys do the same!

6 comments:

  1. This is awesome. I am interested to hear how it goes - I'd be afraid I'd order early to be safe for an event and then run over the time limit. What happens then? Are you indefinitely banned from fashion frugality?? Is there a membership fee?

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  2. I know, I definitely foresee problems with this. I mean, how can you rely on everyone to do their part and ship it back on time? I don't think I could do it unless I had a backup dress handy. And no, there's no fee—you just go to the site and give them your name and email!

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  3. There's no fee?!!? This sounds amazing! I just wish there were a rent-to-own policy where you could rent the same dress a couple times for different events and end up owning it eventually. Thanks for sharing, Ellen!

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  4. Well, there wasn't a fee for the initial sign up, but I realized I'm on the "wait list" so that COULD change. I don't think it will though. A friend of a friend works there and she didn't mention anything to me about that. And yes, webster, I agree, a rent-to-own policy would be amaaazing.

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  5. Cool! I signed up, but am also on the wait list... although this is pretty much what I do with Ellen and Liza's clothes anyway, and that's free :)

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  6. Haha, well I have a feeling, Becca, that these dresses will be a million times better than anything we have in our closet!!!

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