Rent the Runway, Literally
A new Web site makes finding dresses a whole lot easier
By KATHARINE GRAY
Updated 5:09 AM PST, Wed, Nov 11, 2009
You rent a dress. You wear the dress. You look fabulous in the dress. You send the dress back.
Oh, and you save a whole lot of money.
Harvard Business School duo Jenn Hymann and Jenny Carter Fleiss came up with the ultimate system for girls who love fashion. Well, those who love fashion but can't necessarily afford Herve Leger and Proenza Schouler.
In what's being called "the Netflix model" for dresses, girls can shop the Rent the Runway site and choose designer dresses to rent for an event, and forget about spending upwards of $1000 on an outfit that they'll probably wear once.
Rentals cost anywhere from $50 to $200 for four nights, according to the New York Times.
Rent the Runway even has the option of ordering more than one size for the shoppers who may not be so sure about how a dress or certain designer might fit.
When renters are done with the dress, they simply mail it back in a prepaid envelope and, as long as it's in good condition, they're all set. If the dress is stained or damaged, they're responsible for the full retail price. It's all in the rental agreement, so be sure to read carefully before shopping.
Other fashion sites follow the same rent-and-wear model. Don't have a handbag to go with that dress? Check out Bag, Borrow or Steal.
First Published: Nov 10, 2009 10:25 AM PST
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