Rent the Runway: How It Works & Why A Subscription Is A Must
If you have a passion for fashion and are looking to treat yourself on a budget, a subscription to Rent the Runway will be the new highlight of your month. Here’s how it works and why it’s perfect.
As a 20-something college student in New York City, I was constantly craving luxury fashion: designer jeans strutting the streets of the Upper East Side, bright pink faux fur coats on 5th Avenue, the Marc Jacobs bags on the shoulders of models in SoHo-- I longed for it all. But, of course, there was one resource held by all of these fashionable women in the Upper East Side and SoHo (an aspect that I, as a broke college student, seemed to tragically lack): a generous bank account.
Last year while flipping through the latest issue of Vogue, scrolling through my Instagram feed and dreaming of owning a closet like Carrie Bradshaw’s, I found Rent the Runway. Simply put, Rent the Runway is a high-end fashion rental company, designed to provide luxury fashion brands to the modern woman, minus the cost and minus the waste produced by the fashion industry. I became a Rent the Runway college campus representative last semester, and I absolutely fell in love with the company and their mission. For only $89 a month ($69 for students), you can rent 4 luxury clothing items or accessories with retail prices anywhere from $50-$1,500, with the option to purchase at a discounted price at the end of your rental.
I’ve rented Zac Posen bags, Gucci sunglasses, AllSaints coats and so much more, all for the student base price of $69 for 4 items.
Most months, my $69 rentals would total at about $1,400, a number that was far out of reach in my sophomore year of college. Not only was I saving money by renting my designer items instead of purchasing, but I constantly got to switch up my look! I’m the kind of person who gets bored with their closet quickly, and by renting, I reduced my own personal waste as well as supported a greener and more sustainable method to providing luxury fashion to consumers.
Renting clothes and accessories is the perfect way to treat yourself and get excited about something at the beginning of every month, without breaking the bank. And, if you fall in love with something, you can purchase for so much cheaper than retail! I bought a $350 Elizabeth and James backpack after renting for only $90! I’m in love, are you?
If you’re not sold yet, here’s me and my friend, Zoe, both dressed in Rent the Runway. Zac Posen Bag ($425), Reformation jeans ($120), Rebecca Minkoff denim jacket ($350), and Stella McCartney sunglasses ($395).
I paid $69. Go treat yourself to a subscription. You deserve it.
