I’ve Been Utilizing Lease the Runway For 10 Years—Right here’s Why I’ll By no means Give it Up

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I’m a compulsive shopper. It’s not one thing I wish to admit, however I spend an embarrassing period of time scrolling Shopbop, Zara, and The Actual Actual. And don’t get me began on particular occasions and holidays. To me, they’re simply excuses to purchase new outfits. The issue is procuring requires cash. And in case you favor higher-end gadgets, heaps of it. As I’ve grow to be a “grown-up” (ugh, hate that phrase), I’ve realized that purchasing a brand new gown for each lady’s evening out means I’ll really feel squeezed once I exit to eat or must get one thing in my condominium mounted. Fortunate for me, there is no such thing as a scarcity of style rental companies that allow you to have your cake and eat it, too.

About 10 years in the past, I began utilizing Lease The Runway (RTR) once I wished one thing additional particular for a birthday celebration or occasion. I all the time actually favored the one-offs I’d rented, so when a bunch of my buddies began speaking about how nice their month-to-month subscriptions have been, I used to be intrigued. The subscriptions have been far more cost effective than renting gadgets à la carte, so in 2019, I made a decision to join a membership that allowed me to hire 4 gadgets at a time. (I’ve since upgraded to a nine-item subscription.) 

As somebody that hates outfit repeating for large social occasions and all the time looks like they’ve “nothing to put on,” having a continuing rotation of latest tops, purses, clothes, and coats at my disposal is actually useful. (RTR has over 750 designs, so there is no such thing as a scarcity of choices to select from.) Plus, since I by no means have to fret about how a lot any merchandise specifically prices, I’ve taken extra style dangers through the years—and all the time get a ton of compliments on my rented appears to be like. There was one actually cute Mackage coat I wound up renting for a complete winter as a result of individuals would ask me the place I bought it every time I walked out the door. It was one way or the other plaid, metallic, and chevron with out wanting completely insane and excessive. Sending that coat again was heartbreaking.

This gown was the proper rental for a birthday outing with my husband. Picture: Dana Leigh Smith

On that notice, I ought to say that one in all my favourite features of RTR is that you may purchase any merchandise that you just fall in love with. Whereas some are on the pricier facet (like that Mackage coat), some are actually inexpensive, no-brainer purchases which are far cheaper than shopping for gadgets new. A few of my favourite breezy summer time clothes and comfy winter sweaters have been RTR gadgets I simply couldn’t think about dwelling with out, so I pulled the set off and purchased them.

Whereas shopping for issues from RTR doesn’t precisely assist my argument that it helps fight my procuring behavior, I’ll say within the 6 years I’ve had a RTR month-to-month subscription, I’ve bought fewer gadgets for single-wear use and am extra simply in a position to combat the urge to do massive on-line procuring hauls. As an alternative, I simply hire a brand new batch of garments. So, in case you’re a procuring addict like me and try to spend much less, need to in the reduction of on shopping for single-wear gadgets, or simply need to have new gadgets rotating by means of your wardrobe, I can’t advocate RTR sufficient. 

Right here’s every part it’s good to know in regards to the subscriptions, professionals and cons, and what’s obtainable for hire.

I wound up buying this Parker gown after sporting it one million occasions to work and social occasions. Picture: Dana Leigh Smith

What are the subscription choices, and what do they value?

There are three primary Lease the Runway memberships that permit you to get both 5, 10, or 15 gadgets monthly. You may as well tack on extra gadgets à la carte. For instance, if in case you have a five-item plan however see six belongings you need to get, you possibly can simply pay to hire a sixth merchandise. You’ll be able to keep a six-item membership or downgrade after you come back an merchandise and return to a five-item plan. Membership charges begin at simply $79 a month, and proper now, you can use code GETDRESSED for two months of a 10-item subscription for simply $99 a month.

Does renting fancy gadgets value greater than cheaper ones?

It doesn’t matter what subscription you get, you possibly can hire something you need from the location. Whether or not you need $100 denim shorts or a $600 glitzy robe, the selection is all the time yours, and also you’ll all the time pay the identical membership price.

How lengthy can I maintain my gadgets?

One among my favourite issues about RTR: There aren’t any deadlines for returns. Meaning you possibly can maintain an merchandise for per week, a month, or a yr. (And sure, I’ve had a number of gadgets effectively past a yr!) Whenever you’re able to return your items, you simply request a pick-up by means of the app and easily choose the brand new gadgets you need to hire. Usually, they arrive in about 2 to three enterprise days. 

What if I need to pause or cancel my membership?

You’ll be able to pause or cancel your membership anytime, so it’s actually a low-risk scenario, which I like. Whereas I didn’t pause my membership in the course of the pandemic, lots of my buddies did. As soon as social occasions began to choose up once more, lots of them unpaused their memberships and are actually again to renting.

Professionals:

• The group. RTR clients are all the time leaving evaluations of the gadgets they hire, and the RTR app makes it straightforward to see what different members who’re your peak, weight, and dimension consider the gadgets you’re pondering of renting. I can’t let you know what number of occasions I’ve discovered an excellent piece to attempt as a result of one other 5’1 30-something mentioned the merchandise labored rather well for her.
• You should buy preloved gadgets—with or with no membership. Need to maintain one thing you rented? No downside. Need to purchase one thing you’ve by no means rented? You are able to do that, too!
• The whole lot arrives professionally dry-cleaned. Some individuals could get the ick from sporting issues others have worn, however truthfully, every part all the time arrives very clear. I’ve by no means had a problem. 
• You’ll be able to deal with RTR as a low-risk try-before-you-buy service. Unsure in case you’re into the flare-leg development or really feel snug in low-rise shorts? Lease ‘em and discover out.
• RTR is ideal for issues you already know you’ll solely use a couple of times. Assume: Equipment for a bridesmaid gown. I’ve rented fancy clutches and sparkly earrings for particular occasions time and time once more. I like that I don’t must spend cash on these kinda issues until I actually need to.  

Cons: 

• I’m solely 5’1, so renting pants and lengthy clothes is principally inconceivable for me since I nearly all the time must get bottoms tailor-made. Whereas RTR does carry some petite clothes, I’d like to see a much bigger number of petite gadgets, together with trousers, denims, and leggings. (I may see very tall clients having an identical downside, too.)
• I perceive provide and demand, however there are gadgets I’ve been eager to hire endlessly, and so they by no means appear to be obtainable. That mentioned, sometimes, it might take me some time to seek out gadgets I’m excited to hire. 

RTR carries every part from Reformation, Levis, Farm Rio, and Staud to Veronica Beard, A.L.C., and Ulla Johnson. Listed here are a number of the tops, bottoms, clothes, and equipment we love probably the most: 

Lease the Runway

Derek Lam Collective Pink Lower Out Mini Costume

Lease the Runway

Hemant & Nandita Floral Crop High

Lease the Runway

Untitled in Movement Petra Pants

Lease the Runway

Yuzefi Mini Fortune Cookie Bag

Lease the Runway

Toccin Puff Sleeve High

Lease the Runway

Lele Sadoughi Squiggle Earrings

Lease the Runway

Parker Jemma Costume

Lease the Runway

Saylor Rose Allison Costume

Lease the Runway

Ripe Vivian Shirred Maternity Costume

Lease the Runway

Sau Lee Camille Costume

Lease the Runway

Lease the Runway

Ashley Park x RTR Pink Midi Skirt

TLDR: Is Lease the Runway Value It?

For certain! Give it some thought: For a similar value of shopping for one or two items of clothes, you possibly can hire dozens. Having the additional choices for much less cash is a no brainer for me! Plus, you possibly can actually cancel at any time. So, why not?!

Study extra about memberships now!