If you have ever wanted to have an infinite closet of the most chic outfits that look like they stepped right out of a viral Pinterest page, you’re not alone. I always thought having such a closet would be unattainable. After all, cute clothes can be pretty pricey, and it’s also hard to justify buying so many clothes when certain things can only be worn seasonally.
When I first found out about the concept of renting your clothes, my mind was blown. Coupled with the fact that it is definitely possible to get clothes that are not only from designer brands worth hundreds but at a subscription price that comes at a fraction of that, I couldn’t have been more excited.
When I say Rent the Runway is the future of fashion, I really do mean it. The brand is all about changing the way women take on fashion with a huge collection of designer clothing and accessories. With so much variety in their availability, anyone can find their specific aesthetic and feel confident for any occasion, whether it be formal or casual.
What I also love about Rent the Runway is that it operates on a subscription basis. That way, you can choose to swap out your clothes so often that you’ll always have a new, cool, fresh outfit ready on hand– and never struggle about “what to wear” or that “your clothes are out of style” or that “you don’t want to be an outfit repeater.”
My Rent the Runway Experience
This model seemed like a total dream, but I knew I wouldn’t convinced that the dream was real until I tried it.
The process for using Rent the Runway is quite simple. First, you pick a subscription plan based on how many items of clothing or accessories you want per month. With plans starting at just $79/month, but with thousands of styles from 750+ designers and clothing items that range into the hundreds, I ended up saving so much more money.
Matter of fact, I wanted to calculate the amount of money I had saved by using just one month of Rent the Runway. Some of the coolest fall outerwear would have cost me almost $5,000, but with Rent the Runway, it costs less than $90 to enjoy those items.
I like that you can rent specific items for a certain price, but with the subscription, you save up since you pay a one-time monthly fee for multiple “free to rent” pieces.
To me, if that is not a good deal, I don’t know what is. I sure do love a leather jacket, but splurging $400 on something that I will only get to wear a couple of times in just a fraction of the year in the winter doesn’t seem like the best financial decision.
Plus, being just a Gen Z’er means that most of us love a good fashionista moment, but the student lifestyle budget just doesn’t cut it. I love how Rent the Runway keeps it affordable, but doesn’t stop you from looking absolutely stylish from head to toe.
The College Tour
The Gen Z student lifestyle budget is real, and it only gets more extreme when you get to college. From so many business attire events to formals to the Greek life rush, there are a miliiion events occurring every week that you have to pull out all the stops for.
However, in such a tiny college dorm (not to mention the tighter student budget), there isn’t much space to accommodate all those clothes. That’s when Rent the Runway comes into play.
With their recent “RTR On the Road” series, Rent the Runway took on a college tour bringing a one-stop-shop destination for all things homecoming, sports games, formal gatherings, and social mixers. Complete with a branded airstream van, school-specific exclusive merch, goodie bags, and special promo codes, college students all over the Southeast and Texas got to have their fashion moments for a much lower price.
The show doesn’t stop there, though: Rent the Runway specifically has categories in their online shop, where you can find all your needs for everything college, from Top Of The Class, Game Day, Night Out, Formal Events, and the First Job.
Dressing For College: Inside Scoop
When it comes to dressing for college, it gets a little bit more difficult to figure out what kind of styles to be wearing. The Teen Magazine had the opportunity to chat with Suzanne Smallshaw, the Senior Director of Fashion and Styling at Rent The Runway, for the ultimate inside scoop on what’s trending and what’s in for the cool girls:
What’s The Current Style Trend?
The Teen Mag: What are the style trends you have been seeing with college students lately, and what are some brands/pieces that RTR offers that embody those very designs?
#1: Vintage & Retro
“A few key trends have become popular among college students over the last few years. First, college students gravitate toward vintage and retro styles. Some RTR brands that embody this are BB Dakota, Ganni and Reformation,” says Suzanne.
“Finally, denim on denim is a third major trend among college students. Levi’s, Hudson, and DL1961 are all RTR brands that offer ways to wear this trend,” says Suzanne.
The Teen Mag: In college, there are so many occasions to dress up for: nights out, game days, everyday classes, formal parties, and working jobs. When it comes to dressing for each of those occasions, how would you describe the vibe in just 3 words?
Nights Out: Fun, bold, confident
Game Days: Versatile, trendy, festive
Everyday Classes: Relaxed, functional, sporty
Formals and Parties: Chic, polished, classy
Working Jobs: Professional, tailored, sophisticated
How to Stand Out & Look Good
The Teen Mag: Fashion can be some of the most fun ways to stand out and enjoy yourself at the college campus. For girls looking to find unique pieces that they can look and feel good in, what would you advise when it comes to selecting their top choices from RTR?
“To stand out on campus, we suggest renting bold shapes and unique prints. Don’t shy away from colors and textures that reflect your personal style!” advises Suzanne.
“It’s also smart to choose versatile pieces that can be styled in multiple ways. For example, a cute oversized knit or hoody can be worn with boots or sneakers for casual outings or dressed up depending on your footwear sneakers vs. heels. A GREAT pair of slouchy or barrel shaped denim can be worn with your favorite top for going out or casualizing it with a bold knit. Finally, statement accessories like chunky jewelry or standout bags can elevate your look.”
