I still remember the day I graduated from high school, largely in part because of the epic fashion emergency I had en route to graduation. There was a torrential downpour of sorts, and my white sari became soaked beyond compare- forget the fact that my hair and makeup was long gone. What I remember the most, though, is how some of my classmates rallied around me to blow dry all six yards of fabric so that I could walk in graduation without flooding the auditorium. The magic, the awe and the wonder still lives on three years later as I prepare for my own baby sister’s graduation this Friday.
My family before the downpour--that's me in the white!
My main problem, though, is that I have no idea what to wear. I am still scarred from the moments where I felt like I would drown in my soaked fabric. Furthermore, it’s not my graduation, so I have no reason to look uber-fancy. And then there are all the parties, weddings, family gatherings and social events we have to attend this summer. As much as I like to pretend that I have seven thousand square feet of closet space and an ever-expanding wallet, that’s just not the case. For moments like these, I live for Rent the Runway.
Where was this dress when I graduated from high school?
Whether you’re a graduate, a bridesmaid, or just me, you’ll need (or desperately want) more dresses than can possibly fit in a standard closet. In recent months, I have become a Rent the Runway addict. I guess it’s good that renting is infinitely more affordable than indulging my wild taste in stores (Herve Leger, I’m talking about you). I have always struggled with the idea of what to wear to someone else’s party, especially when they don’t specify a dress code. I also am currently obsessed with topknots, chignons, and just about any hairstyle that allows me to pile my mound of hair on top of my head for the evening, so the scope of what is party-appropriate, rather than opera-ready, is increasingly limited. This morning, I was incredibly fortunate to find this dress that I might just rent for the sake of wearing every day…
Pencey Butterfly Kisses Dress
What isn’t to love about strategically placed cut outs? Not only does the dress show off -arguably- some of the best features of the female form-a curvy waist and some fabulous legs, but it also has a print that takes you from a tea party to the bar with your ladies. This is the kind of dress I could wear with a blazer and a topknot during the day, and with my luscious hair loose, sans blazer at night. Okay, maybe my hair isn’t all that luscious, but a girl can pretend, right? Speaking of pretending, sometimes I like to imagine that I’ll get invited to a garden themed wedding, just so I can wear this aptly named “So Fresh Floral Maxi” dress from one of my favorite designers on Rent the Runway, Shoshana.
Flowing fabrics, demure print, and bold attitude---the perfect dress for a wedding
Oh, and did I mention that this dress would look fantastic with a chunky necklace and…you guessed it- a chignon! I have the perfect necklace in mind, too. The best part other than the insanely gorgeous color, is the rental price- only 20 dollars!
Chan Luu's Twisted Jade Necklace
What is most reassuring about Rent the Runway, at least for me, is the fact that I can either pick up the phone, or (much more likely) go to the website and chat with a professional stylist about my options. I might be the most annoying customer because of the kinds of questions I ask—will this dress be long enough to be decent but short enough to be date-party cute—but I think that my peace of mind is ultimately what helps me to place order after order with RTR. So ladies, this summer, don’t let the heat or even a limited budget get you down, Rent the Runway is here to keep you chic, cool, and out of this world fabulous.
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
