How To Rent the Greatest Outfit You'll Never Own
It's no secret...
I use Rent the Runway to Absolutely
Live my Best Life!
The Borrowed Babes Fashion Blogger, Stephanie Mack Kearney, wearing Rosé All Day Top by Rails with Tara Jarmon Pink Culottes and Clare V Yellow Woven Maison Bag all rented from Rent the Runway
Photo by Kelly Martucci – Jacksonville, Florida
If you're not using Rent the Runway, it's time to give it a shot because GIRL, you're missing out on uniquely chic pieces that you may never own either because you just don't need some trendy pieces forever or straight up because you'd love to own a Giambattista Valli dress but don't have that kind of dough. (Don't fret...sometimes I love the stuff so much I want to buy it. You might too. In this post, I'm showing you where to buy the items in this outfit as well BECAUSE I PROMISE YOU'LL LOVE IT! And they are not as wildly expensive as some of the fancy schmancy stuff you can also borrow from RTR.)
Everything about this outfit anchored by the Rosé top is Off the RAILS...No, Seriously...IT. IS. THE. BEST. And it is made by Rails...so that jokes work. (Insert drum finale here.)
Accidenting Into a Great Outfit
Just to ensure you don't feel like the headline was emotional click bait, I'm going to tell you how you too can rent the greatest outfit you may never own! I'd love to tell you a lot of planning and genius went into this selection, but honestly, I put it together one sleepless night during my recent travels. As I often do when I can't sleep, I was shopping on the very convenient and handy RTR app. (Download it on the app store today because new arrivals drop first there...more on new arrivals below.)
I knew I wanted something casual, but upscale and springy. (I was renting for a photo shoot with Kelly Martucci and the BABECAST podcast recording. Which, hi, have you listened? If not, click here for that post and give it a download.) I started with New Arrivals on the App (which for the record is where I always begin my shopping on the RTR app...why? New Arrivals typically have better selections because not as many babes are renting them yet. So I have better luck scoring my sizes by starting with things that may not have been worn yet. AND often I get these with tags on so #WINNING.) BUT if you're a RTR newbie and want to read a lot of reviews before selecting items, then your best bet is to start with the "Most Popular" section.
I loved the idea of all of these pieces but honestly wasn't sure if they would all work together. The deal maker for me was thinking about these heels from Just Fab (Just Fab, btw, is my new go to for shoes for women with larger than average shoe sizes. And my suggestion for anyone looking for trendy, fun, affordable show styles.) After thinking it over in my head I realized this virtual outfit may just work and the prices of these rentals couldn't be beat, so I pulled the trigger.
You Do You Boo
Should I tell you this ensemble may have just been luck? No, probably not, but in reality it might have just been luck this time around. HOWEVER, you too can use some of your own luck and put together something cute and affordable for your next event or work meeting. Start by thinking about (or browsing) what you have in your closet that you may not wear as much...like that dress you drunkingly bought on QVC, the "trendy had to have" item from spring 2017 that you never actually wore because you did't have anything to pair with it OR it could be that new pair of heels you bought that have yet to make an appearance on the street. You'll surprise yourself with how many random pieces in your closet can be restyled with rented items to create runway worthy outfits for a fraction of the cost.
What If I Love It?
I get this question often...what if I rent something and love it and want to buy it? Great news! Often times if Rent the Runway has it as a New Arrival you can still buy it direct from the designer online or in a department store. Just do your research. Search Ebay, Poshmark, and budget friendly go to stores like Target, TJ Maxx, or Marshall's because you may find it or something similar for pennies on the dollar.
Your other option is to wait the season out for Rent the Runway to host their "Sample Sale". Although it is best to visit these in person, they also do an online clear out as well. So you may get the exact pants, top, and bag right back in your life forever and ever amen.
Shop the Look
"Hey Girl" You need this outfit. Click below to shop on Rent the Runway or buy them direct to own forever.
This is my photo equivalent of the Ryan Gosling "Hey Girl" Meme...it's my "Hey Girl...you need this outfit" face. Is it working for you? It's working for me, thank you Kelly. ;-)
Photo by Kelly Martucci
Rent the Entire Look
The great thing about this head to toe look from Rent the Runway is the price! You can't beat it. All of these pieces are under $50 each so you can rent the entire look for 4 days for less than the cost of a Girls Night Out! (Wait...you don't normally spend $100 on wine on a Girls Night Out? I guess that's just me and my girls. We may love our wine and snacks more than most. :-) )
Shop the look via links or images below. And if you have yet to rent anything from Rent the Runway, click here. Mama will share a referral code with you..because let me scratch your back. You then scratch mine. Duh.
How Will I Know?
Requirement: SING THAT SUB-HEADER TO THE TUNE OF WHITNEY HOUSTON "HOW WILL I KNOW" FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT. For reference, I am wearing a medium top and a size 10 in pants. The Whitney top is a slightly looser fitting silk top with a high-low hem. I selected the medium because I wanted to have a casual, comfortable fit so I could tie the front of it with these cute culottes. Depending on your preference for fit, you can select your normal top size or size down. In these pretty pink pants, I sized up, BUT wished I had sized down. Prior to this rental, I had never borrowed anything from Tara Jarmon. I did the same thing I always do with new designers and selected my actual size or one size up. (Hello thick thighs.) These pants have no stretch but are generously cut for the fun flow of the wide leg. HOWEVER, these started the day a little too loose and by the end of the day my donut built butt looked like I was trying to tote a dozen home in my backside. This was not a deal breaker for me, I just know to rent a size down in them the next go round.
Top: Whitney Rosé Top by Rails from Rent the Runway | Here
Pants: Pink Culottes by Tara Jarmon from Rent the Runway | Here
Bag: Yellow Woven Alice Bag from Rent the Runway | Here
EXTRA:
Buy the Bracelets: Custom Cuffs from Shop Gage Huntley | Here
Buy the Heels - Alyssa Heeled Sandals from Just Fab | Here
Buy the Entire Look
Top: Rails Silk Whitney Rose All Day Top - Buy from RAILS | Here
Pants: Pink Paper Bag Trousers by Tara Jarmon - Buy from Tara Jarmon | Here
Other Pink Culotte Option: Pink Side Split Pants by Vince from Nordstrom | Here
Bag: Clare V. Yellow Maison Satchel - Buy from Spring | Here
Buy vs. Rent? Which one are you going to do? I may do BOTH by the time you finish reading this.
Post Updated: May 4, 2018 - This post was included in Independent Fashion Blogger's LALM! Make sure to check out all the other amazing articles included this week.
- Affordorable: How to Make a Regular Outfit Fancier
- Dangerously Me Blog: What Do I Find So Attractive about the Blogging Industry?
- Fashion to Live: A Trip to Charleston Lookbook
- Online Personal Stylist: 10 of The Best Cruelty-Free Tanning Products for a Quality Glow
- Five Foot Nothing Shopping: A Day Trip Outfit
- Suzanne Carillo: New In My Etsy Shop This Month – Get Your Vintage On!
- The Borrowed Babes: How To Rent the Greatest Outfit You'll Never Own
- The Plus Size Diva: The Blogger Conference That Will Leave You Feeling Empowered
XOXO,
Steph
