How Rent The Runway Changed The Way I Pack For Trips
In the past couple of weeks, I've received numerous email campaigns from major retailers such as Bloomingdales, Banana Republic and Anthropologie informing customers they now offer subscription based clothing rentals, which comes as no surprise since virtually every industry is stepping up their efforts in regards to sustainability. Add these companies to the existing list of those who solely rent, and there's a wide range of options for those looking to limit fast-fashion's toll on the environment. Like many millennials, I've adapted a "Less Is More” philosophy, but since I'm not really a minimalist (let's say I'm more of a "Quality Over Quantity" girl), I have found it to be easy to stick to classic wardrobe staples for everyday life. Where I get into trouble is packing for trips... Oftentimes, I find myself impulse shopping before a getaway, because after all, the vacation wardrobe is part of the fun, isn’t it?! Sadly though, those destination specific items more often than not don't work with my day-to-day routine, resulting in them collecting dust in my closet until the right opportunity comes along again (which sometimes never comes).
With a desire to shrink my footprint and streamline my packing process, I turned to industry leader, Rent The Runway (RTR), to see if they could help solve my dilemma. In the blink of an eye, my test run had soon become 11 months, as the solution to my ongoing quest for great vacation outfits without breaking the bank had been discovered! From breezy dresses to wear on the shores of The Bahamas and Mexico, to rugged outerwear for the great outdoors in Montana and New Mexico, and chic outfits for sightseeing in Europe, the items that filled my suitcase in 2019 were as diverse as the locales I visited. If you've been curious about trying a subscription based clothing service, keep reading for what I liked/disliked, how it changed the way I pack for trips, and which RTR competitors I have my eye on.
My RTR Experience
In 2019, I was a Rent The Runway member from January through November under their Unlimited Membership, which allowed me 4 items at a time and unlimited swaps for $159/month. Basically, a rotating closet whenever I wanted! With zero commitment and over 18,000 items in their designer inventory, it seemed like a great way to test out this sustainability-conscious trend. Between the user-friendly app, pre-labeled shipping bags and dry cleaning on their end, I found the whole RTR process to be near seamless. As I mentioned, what started as an effort to buy less morphed into my new method of “shopping” for trips. I found I was able to rent those beloved destination-appropriate items that I have no use for in my daily wardrobe, while fulfilling my fast-fashion desires and discovering new brands along the way. From an aztec inspired jacket for a trip to Santa Fe, to a full length gown for a beach wedding in Tulum, my suitcase has never been more diverse for so less. For a little perspective, those two items alone would have cost me $1,043 at full retail! It’s rare to scoop up a designer dress for under $100, no matter how savvy of a shopper you are, which is what kept me renting for so many months.
Initially I was hesitant to try out RTR, as the thought of sharing clothes with strangers made my skin crawl, but I was pleasantly surprised to find I only received one or two items with noticeable wear and tear, and every other piece looked (and smelled!) as good as new. Some even arrived with the tags still attached! A quick review of my account revealed that I rented 44 different items over my 11-month membership. Of those 44 items, 9 were worn multiple times, 14 weren’t worn at all, 1 got lost in the mail, and 5 or 6 I considered buying. While that may not look like a ringing endorsement on paper, my low repeat rate was due to the items being trip specific, and the items I did love, I loved! Now, did I still buy other items for my trips? Absolutely. But they were classic hats or designer sandals that I’ll wear for years to come!
Looking for more reasons to consider them? From flights and accommodations to excursions and packing, planning for a trip is time consuming! Another big perk I found from using RTR is it not only saved me money, but also time, as I wasn’t scouring the internet or running from store to store looking for the perfect items. Instead, all my options were in one place. Rent The Runway offers a variety of plans in a range of prices. I chose the “Unlimited Swaps” plan because it offers the most flexibility, but the company just announced a “2 Swaps” plan which gives you 8 items/month and is what I would recommend for any fellow frequent fliers. It’s nearly $30 cheaper than the unlimited and gives you a variety of items for multiple trips a month!
So, why am I no longer a member if I seemed to have such a great overall experience? The reason is two-fold... First, I found the turnaround time between receiving items to be consuming too much of the month. Their 2-day shipping is fantastic for orders you plan on keeping, but for items that didn’t fit or I just didn’t like, even if I returned them immediately, between the 2 days back to them and then shipping delays on the weekends, it would often result in almost a week before receiving the next item. Second, while $159 for the month isn’t bad considering what you are getting and the potential savings, my personal preference would have been to put that money towards one or two designer pieces that I would actually own. But, even though I’m not currently a member, I’d be lying if I said I don’t occasionally pull up the app and browse new items, and I’m almost certain I’ll renew my membership at some point for future trips!
OTHER Companies Worth Renting From For Your Next Vacation
While Rent The Runway was the first in the game, other companies are following suit. I’ve researched numerous companies aimed at solving all your packing woes, and here are the ones to consider for your next vacation:
Slope Threads: As I’m sure you can tell by the name, Slope Threads is the RTR of skiwear. Whether you’re new to the sport and aren’t ready to invest in expensive gear, or simply don’t want to travel with it all, the company has you covered with name-brand gear and accessory rentals for the whole family! Orders will be delivered to your vacation rental or hotel by 8pm the day before you hit the slopes, and then simply return the gear in a prepaid package at the end of your ski vacation. Rent head-to-toe gear for $45/day.
Nuuly: The same concept as RTR, Nuuly let’s members rent 6 items/month for $88, with the option to purchase any at a discounted rate from retail. Fill your closet with items from Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters and more.
Voyager Club: While not a rent-on-rotation service, Voyager Club is the ultimate way to shop for your next vacation! This luxury travel and concierge company provides you a personal stylist who will create a curated closet of location-specific pieces that fit in your budget and itinerary. The best part? Your new wardrobe is delivered directly to your hotel! Simply decide what you want to keep and they will return the rest.
RTR Concierge: Taking the hassle out of packing to a whole new level, Rent The Runway is testing out a new service: Closet Concierge. Book a room at a handful of select W Hotel locations and arrive to find a RTR wardrobe hanging in the closet! At $69 for four pieces for four days, it’s the perfect way to “pack” for a long weekend getaway! Upon check-out, just drop the items off with your room key and you’re good to go! Currently offered at W Aspen, W South Beach, W Washington DC, and W Hollywood, though I’d be shocked if it doesn’t expand to more Marriott properties soon.
