In the sea of Rent the Runway reviews, how many users can claim they’ve been an RTR customer for a decade? Yours truly can.
I consider myself a RTR veteran, considering I first used the service to source my dress for senior prom- a purple Monique Lhuillier Jacquard gown I’d happily wear again, if only it were still in rotation. This was long before the brand launched its subscription service. And long before I mastered the art of choosing the ideal rental.
Now I’m a seasoned renter and am imparting my wisdom to you. To find the ideal dress, skip the rental mistakes, just keep reading.
How Does Rent the Runway Work for a One-off Rental?
I rented this Delfi Collective gown for a black tie dinner.
Considering Rent the Runway for an upcoming event? The brand’s one-off rental option is my go-to for galas, weddings, and those last-minute black-tie events that used to send me sprinting to the mall.
I’ve seen lots of Rent the Runway reviews for the subscription service. But unlike RTR’s subscription option, which offers multiple clothing pieces for a monthly fee, the one-off rental service lets you pick a dress (and one free backup size) for a period of 4-8 days.
Fellow dress-lovers will understand the delight of browsing through designer frocks, all in pursuit of the ideal piece. I know many of you are wondering how exactly Rent the Runway works.
So here’s the rundown:
The Rental Process, Step-by-Step
Let’s kick off this Rent the Runway review with a look at the process.
Step 1: Select Your Dates
Our journey to the perfect gown starts on Rent the Runway’s site, aka your virtual closet, brimming with designer options. Navigate to the “One-off Rentals” section to select your event dates. Then, choose a 4-day or 8-day rental.
Step 2: Filter by Formality
With only dates selected, the dress collection can feel overwhelming. That’s why filtering is crucial. The “Where to Wear It” is my favorite place to start. Here, you can choose the formality level of your rental.
You’ll see options from Black Tie to Wedding Guest to Bridesmaid to Date Night. Select and watch the options fall in line with your dress code.
Then filter as you normally would by size, length, and weather, until the winner emerges.
Step 3: Pick & Receive Your Dress
Once you’ve found “the one,” you get to select a free backup size. This is a game-changer that takes so much of the guesswork out of renting.
After you’ve chosen your two sizes, RTR will ship your dress directly to you. It arrives in their signature reusable garment bag, professionally dry-cleaned and ready to wear.
Step 4: Return to UPS
After your event, the return process is beautifully simple. Place the dress back in the garment bag, slip the pre-paid return label into the clear pocket on the front, and drop it off at your local UPS location.
Remember to drop the dress off by noon on your rental return date. For example, if your 4-day rental period ends on Tuesday, April 7th, you would need to drop it at UPS by noon on that Tuesday.
How Much Does a One-Time Rent the Runway Rental Cost?
Here I am in a Lauren Ralph Lauren gown, rented from RTR.
No Rent the Runway review is complete without a discussion of pricing. The cost of a one-time rental depends on the designer and the retail value of the piece. In my experience, you can expect a wide range:
For a 4-day rental, dress prices generally fall between $50 and $150. I’ve seen beautiful dresses from contemporary brands like ASTR the Label and Dress the Population on the lower end, with more high-end gowns from designers like Zac Posen and Badgley Mischka reaching upwards of $300.
One note for newbie renters- While the rental price includes dry cleaning and a backup size, shipping costs are separate and typically add another $25-$35 to your total.
I’m pleased to report RTR has always delivered my dresses exactly in line with order dates, so the shipping cost is worth the peace of mind.
Psst. Browse the best dress brands from affordable to designer.
A Seasoned Renter’s Tips for the Perfect Rental
If you read my Nuuly review, you know I’m a clothing rental devotee. But I only enjoyed renting after some sartorial trials. Read on so you can skip the mistakes I made.
Tip 1: Read the User Reviews Religiously
This dress has over 200 reviews. Loads of helpful data!
How will the dress look on someone with my proportions?
Is the neckline that plunging in real life?
What size heels would I need to wear with this gown?
Answers to these common queries and more can be found in the invaluable reviews section beneath each dress.
I always filter Rent the Runway reviews first by size to see photos of real women in the dress. Then, I filter by height and weight to see if anyone with my body type has rocked the dress.
Tip 2: Order Your Rental to Arrive 1-2 Days Before Your Event
I loved the off-the-shoulder detail of this particular dress.
While RTR’s shipping is impressively reliable, this step eliminates any potential stress from shipping delays. More importantly, it gives you time to try on both sizes, select the perfect shoes and accessories, and ensure your entire look is flawless and ready to go long before the event begins.
Tip 3: Don’t Skip the Backup Size (Even if You’re Confident)
Not to be dramatic- but I could kiss whoever came up with the free backup size idea on the lips. Designer sizing can be notoriously inconsistent, and this one feature provides a safety net. Even if you are completely confident in your size, I always recommend selecting a free backup size option before checking out.
I recently ordered a Ralph Lauren floral gown with the petite size as my primary and the regular size as my backup. Both fit, but the petite was slightly more flatterign and allowed me to wear a lower heel. As you can tell, two size options are better than one.
Tip 4: Have Your Styling Kit Ready
I rented this THEMOIRè handbag to serve as arm candy.
We focus so much on the dress. But let’s not forget the foundation beneath it.
Before your rental arrives, I suggest having a styling kit on hand. Stock essentials like fashion tape for a secure neckline, shapewear to create a smooth silhouette, and any specific undergarments you might need (like a strapless bra for sleeveless gowns).
Often, a dress needs a subtle adjustment to go from good to gorgeous. Use your kit to avoid the last-minute panic.
My Honest Rent the Runway Review: The Pros & Cons
This red number was perfect for a Martini-filled black-tie party.
I’ve relied on Rent the Runway over the years for wedding guest dresses, black-tie gowns, and even a statement purse here and there. So I’m qualified to give a well-rounded take on the brand and who it’s best for. Read on to see if it aligns with your desires.
The Pros: What I Love About RTR’s One-Time Rentals
The Cinderella Moment
With Rent the Runway, you can wear a truly spectacular, high-end designer gown for a fraction of the price. There’s also a sustainability aspect to it; instead of buying new dresses for every occasion, users can participate in a more circular fashion model.
The Sizing Safety Net
I’ll say it again: the free backup size is my favorite feature of the service. This provides invaluable peace of mind that ensures you’ll have a perfectly fitting option for your event.
The Freedom to Experiment
Renting gives you the thrill of a new dress without the long-term commitment or the cost to your closet space. I find it gives me the freedom to be more daring with my choices.
I’ll try a seasonal print or different silhouette that I might not be ready to purchase, which keeps my style feeling fresh and exciting.
The Cons: What to Be Aware Of
The Time Pressure of a Short Rental
A 4-day rental period goes by like four minutes, especially if you’re traveling for your event. You’ll typically receive the dress on day one, wear it on day two, recover on day three, and have to ship it back by noon on day four. If your schedule is tight, I highly recommend opting for the 8-day rental to give yourself a more relaxed experience.
The Last-Minute Availability Gamble
While RTR is incredibly reliable, things can happen. I once had a scenario where I ordered a dress for an event just three days away, only to receive a text shortly after that it was no longer available. While this was frustrating, the customer service team immediately sent me a link to all the available dresses for my specific date range, and I was able to find a beautiful alternative quickly.
My advice? To avoid this stress entirely, always try to book your rental at least a week or two in advance.
It’s a “Per-Event” Cost, Not a Subscription
This service is different from the Rent the Runway subscription. You are paying a one-time fee for a single rental. This is cost-effective for a major, one-off event.
However, if you attend multiple events in a single month (look at you, you social butterfly), the cost of several one-time rentals can add up quickly.
Is Rent the Runway Worth It for a Single Event?
This green gown is one I’d never buy but would happily rent again.
So, after years of renting, what is my final verdict? Yes, Rent the Runway is absolutely worth it—but with the important caveat that the service should fit your lifestyle.
For me, it is the perfect solution. I occasionally have upscale events like galas, weddings, or formal parties where I want a truly special, show-stopping dress. For these “one-wear” moments, the value of renting a spectacular designer gown that I could never justify buying is simply unbeatable.
However, for my more casual, day-to-day style experimentation, I turn to a different service. My go-to for a rotating closet of unique, everyday pieces is BNTO, which you can read all about in my full BNTO review.
Ultimately, it comes down to this:
Rent the Runway’s One-Time Rental is for the person who wants a “wow” dress for a specific, important event and values access to high-end designer fashion.
It is not for the person who is looking for a rotating closet of everyday wear. For that, one of their subscription plans—or a different rental service entirely—would be a much better fit.
Rent the Runway Review FAQs
My best advice is to prevent it from the start by reading the user reviews religiously. The photos and comments from women with your height and body type are the single best tool for nailing the size. However, if you do end up in this situation, contact RTR’s customer service immediately. In my experience, they are incredibly helpful and will often work with you to find a solution, which can sometimes include offering a credit for a future rental.
I’ve found that it’s not obvious at all. The dresses arrive professionally dry-cleaned, pressed, and on a pink RTR hanger. There are no giant “RENT ME” tags. The only potential giveaway is a small, discreet barcode tag sewn into an interior seam, but it’s completely invisible when you’re wearing the dress. To everyone else, it will simply look like you have impeccable taste.
While your dress pick should always suit the host’s dress code, I suggest selecting the statement-making dress. A classic black gown is a wonderful piece to own, but that expensive, of-the-moment, fire engine red sequin dress? That’s the perfect piece to rent. Go ahead, have that spectacular, high-fashion moment for your event. And enjoy it without investing in a piece that might feel dated in a year or two.
