Rent the Runway - What if the dress doesn’t work?

[Anonymous]

I have a wedding to attend in July and don’t have anything appropriate to wear. I’d rather not buy something so am thinking about trying Rent the Runway.

One concern I have is that I will receive the dress just a day or two in advance of the event. I know you can get two different sizes but if the dress just doesn’t work, I’m kind of up a creek. That doesn’t leave enough time to find a different dress.

For those of you who use RTR, do you always have a backup plan?

[Anonymous]

Order three dresses. Order the same dress in two different sizes. Come on!

[Anonymous]

I know I can order the dress in two sizes but sometimes a dress just won’t work regardless of the size. I generally know what works on my body but every designer is different and I’ve never worn a lot of the designers I’m eyeing.

Do people solve this by ordering multiple dresses? That seems wasteful from a $ perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know I can order the dress in two sizes but sometimes a dress just won’t work regardless of the size. I generally know what works on my body but every designer is different and I’ve never worn a lot of the designers I’m eyeing.

Do people solve this by ordering multiple dresses? That seems wasteful from a $ perspective.

Yes that’s what they do. They also have a bricks and mortar store in a few locations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know I can order the dress in two sizes but sometimes a dress just won’t work regardless of the size. I generally know what works on my body but every designer is different and I’ve never worn a lot of the designers I’m eyeing.

Do people solve this by ordering multiple dresses? That seems wasteful from a $ perspective.

Yes that’s what they do. They also have a bricks and mortar store in a few locations.

Actually never mind, they shuttered the bricks and mortar stores during COVID to stay in business (no parties, no RTR)

[Anonymous]

They offer a $35 second dress option, so that’s a relatively inexpensive way to have a backup. Between that and the 2 sizes of the first choice dress I’ve only had one issue pre-COVID when I did go to their store in nyc to find something for an event. I now know my body pretty well and what styles and brands fit me best so I can order. I’d suggest reading the reviews carefully for comments on fit, and finding reviews by people with your build etc. that is usually the most helpful.
I order from them frequently (my job requires many events and I have no desire to own tons of formalwear) and have overall been happy with it.
Also, if you order it to come 2-3 days before your event you will have time to try them on the day they arrive and if nothing works send it back right away and they’ll send you replacements right away, which should reach you the day before or day of your event. You can also do the slightly more expensive 8-day rental option to build in more time flexibility.

[Anonymous]

Here's what I'd do. Get the 8 items a month plan. Order 2 different dresses in 2 sizes, prepare your saved favorites with 4 new dresses, try on the 2 dress styles you receive - note it as 'return' in the app, and order 3 more styles with 1 more dress in a second size.

They'll send it out even if you haven't returned the first batch yet. You'll need to have done this at least 10 days prior to your event though.

You'll then have 5 dresses to choose from and 3 size variations.

[Anonymous]

I’ve used RTR successfully. The keys are read the reviews and look at the pics people posted of themselves.

Sometimes RTR offers a second size free of charge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve used RTR successfully. The keys are read the reviews and look at the pics people posted of themselves.

Sometimes RTR offers a second size free of charge.

They always offer that but it may not be available. They also offer a second style for $35.

[Anonymous]

Find something from goodwill, it’s cheaper and you can try it on

[Anonymous]

Go to Nordstrom rack

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve used RTR successfully. The keys are read the reviews and look at the pics people posted of themselves.

Sometimes RTR offers a second size free of charge.

Bingo! They show people's body types and shapes and I've had loads of success on RTR (even when I was 100 lbs heavier than I am now).

[Anonymous]

Just go to the mall and catch some holiday sales at Macys or Nordstrom. You should be able to find something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve used RTR successfully. The keys are read the reviews and look at the pics people posted of themselves.

Sometimes RTR offers a second size free of charge.

Bingo! They show people's body types and shapes and I've had loads of success on RTR (even when I was 100 lbs heavier than I am now).

+1

The reviews and pictures are so helpful. That plus the second size/cheaper second style make the odds of success pretty high.

[Anonymous]

Get multiples.