Among the plethora of clothing rental services available, Rent the Runway stands out as one of the most prominent. Conceived by Harvard graduates Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss in 2009, this e-commerce platform initially catered to women seeking exquisite attire for special events such as weddings or proms. Over time, the brand has evolved into a comprehensive clothing rental service, boasting a collection of items from over 750 brands encompassing esteemed designers like Gucci and Oscar de la Renta, as well as popular apparel labels such as Free People and Good American.
For years, my personal fashion choices have revolved around garments that are both cozy and budget-friendly. As a woman embracing plus-sized fashion, my online shopping experiences typically revolve around graphic T-shirts or convenient multipacks of leggings. However, I recently had an epiphany – I need not commit entirely to new clothing purchases in order to experiment with diverse styles. This realization prompted me to explore clothing rental services online, with Rent the Runway emerging as the frontrunner in my search. Embarking on a one-month trial of the service left me feeling self-assured and motivated to broaden the horizons of my wardrobe.
How I Tested Rent the Runway
I embarked on a one-month trial of Rent the Runway, meticulously evaluating factors such as size inclusivity, plan diversity, costs, delivery efficiency, trial duration, and more. Given my initial apprehension toward having designer items under my responsibility – a novel experience for me – I found solace in the positive feedback provided by friends familiar with the service, as well as the company’s favorable reputation as evidenced by customer reviews.
Upon receiving my remarkable array of selections, I was empowered to proudly flaunt certain pieces at holiday gatherings and birthday festivities, while relishing the comfort of others within the confines of my home. As the trial phase concluded, I’ve found myself infused with newfound enthusiasm to embrace novel styles and perhaps even indulge in a taste of designer luxury. Nevertheless, I can’t help but believe that there exists room for improvement within Rent the Runway‘s plus-size offerings and assortment.
How Does Rent The Runway Work?
Rent the Runway functions as a clothing and accessory rental service, offering customers the opportunity to experience a curated assortment of fashion items for a membership fee. The duration of the try-on period remains flexible, tied to the continuity of an active membership. The quantity of items per shipment varies in accordance with the subscribed plan’s parameters. When you decide to part ways with your chosen pieces, two options present themselves: either exchange them for fresh selections or return them, temporarily pausing your membership if necessary.
In both scenarios, Rent the Runway supplies a prepaid return label for you to dispatch the items, ensuring they are packaged within their original enclosure. Should your admiration for any or all of the received items transform into a permanent bond, they can be acquired at a reduced cost, thereby becoming cherished additions to your collection.
Geographically, Rent the Runway‘s shipping scope encompasses the United States, encompassing even the distant reaches of Hawaii and Alaska. Notably, the service is not compatible with P.O. boxes or APO/FPO addresses.
Enrolling in a membership proved to be a seamless and straightforward process. Upon entering the website, I was immediately guided to choose from the array of four available plans. Setting up my account entailed furnishing basic details like my email and password, followed by inputting my shipping and payment particulars. Once my preferred plan was selected, Rent the Runway presented me with a concise overview of its specifics, encompassing the monthly allocation of items and shipments, inclusive rental coverage and cleaning services, free shipping benefits, and the corresponding plan cost.
Having made my selection and completed the membership payment, I was directed to a brief introductory questionnaire. This survey sought information regarding my sizing preferences, encompassing aspects such as height, weight, bust measurement, and jean size. This data allowed the service to expertly tailor its recommendations to my unique specifications. Subsequently, I found myself on a comprehensive shopping page, replete with guidance on achieving the optimal fit. An extensive array of clothing options awaited, organized into distinct categories like tops, dresses, pants, skirts, jumpsuits, rompers, and more.
Rent The Runway Cost
Rent the Runway presents an assortment of four distinct plans, each affording you the ability to tailor the frequency of deliveries and the number of items in each shipment to your preferences. Opting for the foundational plan, I opted to receive five items per month, valuing up to $350. This plan comes with a monthly fee of $94, yet my initial month’s subscription came with a welcoming discount, effectively lowering the total cost to $69.
For those seeking greater variety, the subsequent tier encompasses two shipments, each containing five items totaling up to $3,500 in value. The initial cost for this plan is $99 per month for the first two months, which then transitions to $144 per month post the discounted period. Should you desire an even broader selection, the next tier encompasses up to 15 items per month, distributed over three shipments. This plan commences at $139 per month for the initial two months and adjusts to $193 per month subsequently. Lastly, the highest-tier offering entails a generous total of 20 items monthly, with a pricing structure of $169 per month for two months, and then an increased rate of $235 per month.
Given the diversity of plan choices, the array of items within each shipment, and the initial enrollment discounts, I find Rent the Runway‘s pricing to be a valuable proposition. If, like me, you’re not an extravagant spender but still wish to dabble in branded attire or explore styles beyond your norm, the flexible plans offer an appealing opportunity to revitalize your wardrobe minus the commitment of owning seldom-worn pieces. While I retained my selections for only a month, I admired the flexibility of the trial period, granting the freedom to retain items for as long as desired, contingent upon an active membership.
Delivery and Packaging
Upon confirming my order, Rent the Runway promptly provided an estimated two-day delivery window, a promise that they duly fulfilled as my items arrived precisely within that timeframe. Impressively, I received not one, but two updates within a day of placing my order. The first notification indicated that my order was being meticulously prepared, followed closely by another communication announcing the dispatch of my shipment. A tracking number accompanied the shipment notification, affording me the convenience of monitoring the progress of my order effortlessly through the company’s dedicated app or website.
My eagerly awaited items reached me enclosed in a sturdy and reliable garment bag, accompanied by a prepaid return label, simplifying the return process. Within this collection, one particular piece, a sleek black jumpsuit, arrived accompanied by a hanger, while the remaining items were thoughtfully ensconced in protective plastic packaging. Rent the Runway‘s environmentally conscious approach was evident in their request for items to be returned in their original protective bags, facilitating recycling. Thus, at the culmination of my evaluation period, I adhered to this guideline and returned the items in the very garment bag they had arrived in. In the event that this bag goes astray, the company extends the option of using personal packing materials for the return shipment.
Quality and Ease of Use
My order encompassed a diverse selection of items, specifically: a hooded sweater from Polo Ralph Lauren, a jumpsuit from J. Crew, a Leota wrap dress, pants by Junarose, and a top from Kate Spade New York. The execution was flawless, with each piece aligning precisely with my initial selections, encompassing the correct sizes. The items arrived meticulously packaged, utterly devoid of wrinkles or any undesirable blemishes.
Supplementary to the assortment of clothing, my package also featured a set of instructive guidelines for the seamless return of my shipment. These valuable instructions were conveniently printed on the reverse side of the return label. This comprehensive guide outlined meticulous steps for effectively packing the items, affixing the shipping label accurately, and facilitating the return process through the provided shipping carrier. Rent the Runway‘s user-friendliness remained consistently evident throughout the entire journey, extending from the initial plan selection and clothing curation, right through to the streamlined return process.
Who’s Rent The Runway Good For?
Whether you’re in pursuit of a few chic additions for an imminent special occasion or aiming to infuse your closet’s core pieces with a touch of panache, Rent the Runway emerges as a dependable choice. Operating on a commitment-free rental model, this service empowers you with the liberty to effortlessly interchange and revolve between garments and accessories at your convenience. The availability of adaptable plan choices caters to a diverse range of budgets. Ultimately, Rent the Runway shines brightest for individuals desiring a foray into designer brands, all while comfortably exploring and evolving their personal style from the comfort of their own space.
Final Thoughts
Engaging with Rent the Runway proved to be a genuinely satisfying endeavor overall. The straightforward registration process, swift shipping, and user-friendly mobile app navigation left me duly impressed. My received items were meticulously packaged and displayed admirable condition, considering the likelihood of them having been worn by numerous previous customers.
However, my only reservation concerning the platform lies in its limited offerings for plus-size shoppers. While I acknowledge that Rent the Runway doesn’t claim to exclusively target the plus-size demographic, I couldn’t help but feel disheartened by the constrained choices available to me based on my size. While other size categories boasted an array of dynamic and distinctive styles spanning multiple pages, the plus-size section in my 18–20 size range was confined to a mere two or three pages, primarily showcasing bulky sweaters, sweatshirts, coats, and an assortment of dated button-down blouses, dresses, and plain trousers.
While I understand this limitation might stem from the size range various brands within the platform offer, the frustration of trying to discover pieces that align with my personal style remained palpable. Regrettably, this factor has led me to the conclusion that I won’t be revisiting Rent the Runway, opting instead for a specialized plus-size clothing service. However, I firmly believe that those who fall outside the plus-size spectrum will likely find Rent the Runway to be a gratifying and valuable service.
FAQ
How Long Can You Hold On to Items From Clothing Rental Services?
The duration for which you can retain rented items hinges on the specific clothing rental company and the chosen plan. Companies such as Rent the Runway, for instance, offer a limitless time frame for renting items while maintaining an active membership. Conversely, the trial periods provided by other companies may exhibit variations contingent upon their respective policies. In broad terms, anticipate having the opportunity to try on rented pieces for a span ranging from a few days to a month.
Can You Keep Items From Clothing Rental Services?
In the majority of instances, retaining items from clothing rental services is indeed an option. Individuals interested in purchasing items they wish to keep frequently have the opportunity to do so at a reduced price through the company’s official website. To ascertain the feasibility of retaining items from your specific order, it’s prudent to verify the purchase policy outlined by the company you’ve chosen.
Can You Cancel Your Clothing Rental Membership Before Your Next Shipment?
As a general practice, you can usually cancel your clothing rental membership prior to the shipment of your upcoming order. Most companies, including Rent the Runway, typically request customers to initiate cancellations prior to the commencement of the subsequent billing cycle. This precautionary measure ensures that you won’t incur charges for an additional shipment or an extra month of service.
What’s the Difference Between a Clothing Rental and a Clothing Subscription Service?
A clothing rental service functions as a membership-oriented arrangement where customers pay a recurring fee to access a diverse selection of clothing items on a monthly basis. Once these items have been worn, individuals can choose between either exchanging them for fresh selections or acquiring them at a reduced price. On the other hand, clothing subscription services, exemplified by companies like Wantable, offer customers a curated assortment of clothing items specifically chosen by a stylist. These services charge a fee for the personalized styling service rendered. Following the receipt of these selected pieces, customers are provided with a designated try-on period during which they can decide which items to retain and which to return. Typically, the styling fee is applied as credit towards any retained items, and any unwanted items can be conveniently returned using a prepaid shipping label.
Pros
- Variety of customizable plan options
- 750+ designer and indie brands to choose from
- Offers accessories like jewelry, handbags, and sunglasses
- Fast, free shipping includes a prepaid return label
- Has an extensive wet and dry cleaning process for every item
- Allows you to purchase pieces you love
Cons
- Limited range of plus-size clothing options
- Finding the right size for some items requires scanning customer reviews
- High-demand popular items have limited availability
