It’s that time of year when I start to fantasize about driving in a convertible with the top down, playing peppy upbeat anthems with my younger sister en route to the beach, and this only leads to one conclusion: I need a new wardrobe. Actually, two: the school year needs to end right now. If you’re like me, and money really doesn’t grow on trees for you, buying five pairs of high waisted shorts in many colors, and getting a pair of bright jeans, flowy tanks and adorable spring blazers is not in your future. Lucky for you, Rent the Runway makes it possible for you to look like a million bucks for special occasions without, well, spending that much.
Take me away...PLEASE! In Seattle last summer for vacation.
So one of the things that I have started to do instead of going crazy with thesis edits (priorities, right?) is to try and make lists of things that I will invest in for a more permanent wardrobe, and other things that I will rent for life’s awesome moments. In that process, I tried to have some #frugalgirlwinning (yes, I know this isn’t Twitter, but sometimes a little hashtag adds to moment), and I figured out how I could use clothing pieces a number of ways during a 4 day rental period. I am an official Rent the Runway guru, or at least I just decided that.
Devon (left) in Rent the Runway at a Beauty and the Geek themed date party. Oh, the possibilities with RTR...
Before I spoil the surprise, I want to show you just how versatile RTR can be– up above, you see Devon in a colorful, splashy dress she could wear to a date party, or pair with a blazer for dinner with the girls. At our formal last year, Devon also sported a fabulous dress from Rent the Runway, quickly going from a more casual going out look to a put together yet party ready style queen.
Devon (second from left) in my personal favorite RTR designer, Herve Leger
But if you thought this was the peak of my frugality, you don’t know what’s coming. Right now, I’m going to show you different ways to max-out your four day rental period so you can take full advantage of those items you love on Rent the Runway! First, we’ll start off with the “Girl Next Door Dress” from Yumi Kim, the Gryphon “Sequin Blazer”, and the RJ Graziano “Pirate Treasure Necklace”
From left to right, our mix and match items
Day 1- Lunch Date with the Girls (or that super cute significant other…)
Pair the pirate necklace with your favorite pair of dark wash jeans. My personal favorite pair are from Delias, and for all you haters who think that a 20 year old can’t shop at Delias, I will tell you right now that they’re one of the few stores that carry jeans that don’t fade quickly and are long enough for my legs while fitting their curves.
dELiAs Taylor Dark Rinse Jeans, $46.50
Add a super cute t shirt in any color. I own the Forever 21 Essential V Neck Tee in four or five colors. Why? Because they’re cute, cheap and comfy, aka the three Cs of fashion.
The Essential V Neck Tee, in Light Pink, $4.80
Throw on a pair of cute flats from your closet, like the Dreams Elea Ballet Flat found on Endless by Amazon for only 21.99. Or if you’re like me, you’ll throw on a pair of Converse. It’s all about your personality!
Dream come true: polka dots! Chuck Taylor Bleach Polka Dots, 39.99
Oh and…just for kicks, add that Gryphon blazer! You’re the hottest girl on campus.
Day 2- Dinner and Drinks
Toss on the dress. Add one part blazer. One part confidence boosting heels. You should be good to go for a night that never ends. Just be prepared for all eyes to be on you. Sorry you’re not sorry.
Jessica Simpson Francesca Platform Pumps, 59.95- a (relatively) small price to pay for legs that go on for days.
Day 3- Sorority Chapter Meeting
It’s your chapter’s formal meeting so you need to dress business casual. What will you wear that adds a little personality? Easy. Toss on a pencil skirt.
High Waist Zig Zag Banded Skirt, 59.90, Express
Then a blouse (you can reuse with jeans any other day of the week).
Left: Ruffled Surplice Floral Top, Forever 21, 17.80, Right: Textured Cut Out Top, Forever 21, 17.80
Last, throw on the blazer. If it’s warm, forego the blazer and substitue the necklace. Best part: you can wear those heels you wore out for dinner and drinks.
Day 4- Breakfast with the Fam
So your mom is making early morning breakfast and you want to look chic since you’re about to announce the fantastic internship you’ve scored for summer…what do you wear? Obviously RTR has you covered with the three items you already rented! Throw on the dress, a cute cardigan, and your flats. Don’t know which cardigan to wear? Well, I personally love cardigans from Forever 21 because they come in bright colors and cute styles. The price doesn’t hurt either.
Cable Knit Cardigan in Orange, Forever 21, 10.99
If you ever doubted that you could make four distinct outfits from the three rental pieces, think again. The best part is that if you get the wardrobe staples in this post from whichever stores you love, you’ll be set for a number of occasions. Jeans are perfect for daily wear, going out, and lounging. Cardigans complement any outfit. A pencil skirt is both chic and classy. Nude pumps flatter the line of the leg, providing the illusion that legs go on forever. Flats serve you well for those moments when you want to look pulled together, but don’t have the patience for a stiletto heel. And well, who doesn’t love a cute pair of Converse?
Being cost efficient makes me THIS happy. From left to right: Tigger, Paige, Adithi, Cara, Eeyore, Aishwarya (that's me!) and Emily in Disney for Spring Break. Aren't we a lovely bunch? And yes, those are RTR twistbands on Paige's hand!
If there’s one take home message from this, you should now have an understanding of how to take advantage of Rent the Runway to make your fashion dreams come true while refraining from breaking the bank, in both a proverbial and literal sense. Oh, and class, exam next week. Hope you took fashionable notes.
Until next time,
Aishwarya
Aishwarya is a Runway Rep at Johns Hopkins University. Though she's pre med, she has a passion for fashion, and loves haute couture so much that she would probably cut off all her hair just for the chance to walk in a show during Paris Fashion Week. Her secret goal is to cage dive with sharks one day, and to be discovered by an amazing modeling agency. She adores Rent the Runway and hopes to spread the love!
Aishwarya R. has 23 post(s) on RTR On Campus
