These days it seems you can rent anything you need or want from the comfort of your computer. Movies, video games, books, furniture and even fashions are all now rentable without having to make more than a trip to your mailbox.
"I use Netflix because it is just so convenient. I don't have to drive anywhere, wait in line, and can return a movie whenever I want," said Minhchau Nguyen, a 3rd-semester biology major.
A new mail-order service, RentTheRunway.com (RTR) allows fashionistas to rent dresses by top designers for one-tenth of what they actually cost. Designers include Hervé Léger, Diane Von Furstenberg, Proenza Schouler and Christian Siriano. Rentals run from $50 to $200 for a four-night loan. With holiday parties, and formals in the coming months, it is a service to consider using.
RTR follows an easy three-step process: love, wear and return. Browse through more than 160 different styles from top designers and fall in love with a dress. Schedule a delivery date and the dress will appear that day. After wearing the dress, return it in the provided prepaid package and drop it in the nearest mailbox. As RTR is a New York-based company, New Yorkers can get their dresses the same day.
Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Carter Fleiss, both Harvard Business School graduates, founded the company. Hyman came up with the idea last year from watching her younger sister struggle with the decision to buy an expensive new outfit for a wedding.
"I've never heard of something like this before. It's a good idea for college students who have to watch their spending, but like designer clothing," said Laura Meyer, a 5th-semester economics and political science major. "It gives them a chance to have a taste of the designer fashion without going into debt."
More than 20,000 women have signed up for the service, which has been shipping dresses for only a few weeks now. But the company does have a wait list system to become a member to use the service.
One clear struggle that RTR will have to face is keep up with changing fashions. One day a dress can be in style and the next day out. The key will be to have dresses that are trendy, and ones that are timeless.
RTR does not have accessories to rent just yet. BagBorroworSteal.com is the site to look at for rentable handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, watches and luggage. It has been referred to as the "Netflix" for purses in various media such as the "Sex and the City" movie. They have more than 4,000 different styles of accessories from over 150 top designers. They carry styles from Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Coach and Vera Wang.
The company launched in 2004 as Avelle, pioneering the rental of designer goods. There is no membership required to rent accessories. Members get discount special outlet savings, wait list access for popular items, among other benefits.
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