Good afternoon, my friends!
Things are going well over here so far today. I’ve been running around a bit and spending some time at my new gym meeting with my boss and getting acquainted with everything. I may actually be teaching my first class this week (a teacher may need a sub) which is sooner than anticipated since we initially discussed a November 3 start date. I’m excited to get going!
Workout
Today’s workout took me back to Pure Barre where I am so close to completing my studio’s October challenge. I’m one class away from completing the 20-class challenge and I’m hoping tomorrow will be my day!
Breakfast + Lunch
Breakfast today began with a hot tumbler of peppermint crème coffee served with a slice of my maple walnut pumpkin spice loaf that I topped with a thick (but crumbly) smear of almond butter.
About 30 minutes later, I followed that up with a green Suja juice and apple that I enjoyed while working at the computer.
Then it was off to the gym where I spent the rest of the morning and part of the early afternoon before it was time to head home for a late lunch.
Right when I walked through the door, I fixed myself a bowl of clam chowder.
And I ended up eating another slice of the pumpkin loaf as I heated up my soup. I can’t get enough of that stuff!
A delicious persimmon also made it into my belly.
And now for a little Monday afternoon fun…
Help Me Choose: Rent the Runway
On Friday morning, Ryan and I will be heading to Savannah, Georgia for a wedding and I cannot wait! I am currently feeling rather uninspired by my closet and after reading good reviews of Rent the Runway on Theodora and Gina’s blogs, I think it’s time to give it a go.
I actually first heard rave reviews of Rent the Runway when my friend Merri’s twin sister Liz rented the bridesmaid dress she wore in Merri’s wedding!
(Liz standing second from the left and is wearing the short blush-colored Tibi dress.)
After quickly poking around the site this afternoon, I found a ton of gorgeous options!
Here are my front-runners:
There are seriously so many beautiful options and I love that a bunch are $30-$40 to rent! I especially love the long red Badgley Mischka gown, but I worry that I would ruin the bottom of it when I dance my face off at the wedding…
I also found myself gravitating toward dresses that are not normally my style at all (like option D with the open back and option E with the tulle), but I think that’s part of the fun of renting a dress instead of buying one!
A few things really stood out to me as I browsed around the Rent the Runway (<—affiliate link!) website:
- Real people upload pictures of themselves in the dresses which I think is amazing and super helpful when trying to select a size
- When you rent a dress, you will receive two sizes to help ensure that the dress will fit
- You can sort by so many different categories, including the level of formality, desired neckline, color, body type, occasion, etc.
Now I ask you…
Which dress should I choose!?
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“A” looks like something you might already own. B, C and H are all very similar so that might mean that’s what you’re looking for! I’d pick one of those.
A or E. (Definitely not C — don’t wear white to a wedding!)
I rented the red Badgley Mischka gown for our Law School formal and I loved it! However, it is super long. I am 5’3″ and I got a size 0 (or maybe a 00) regular and I wore 4″ heels — still like 2 feet too long. I ended up using fashion tape to tape it up and safety pins. It was kind of a pain to do, but totally worth it. Also, 4 other girls got the dress for the formal as well– the five of us had all of the colors from RTR haha. It was definitely a popular choice. Also, they have a pretty good policy on stains and such. I know the bottom of the dress was dirty when I returned it but they never said a word to me.
I definitely like C and G best! But, definitely good point about dancing worries 😛
C is a good fall color and still fun with the sparkles! And those sleeves look fun/comfy, but that’s just me! They’re all really cute and whichever one you end up with will look great, I’m sure!
I like E!!
G is my favorite, I love red! I also think that F would look really cute on you.
Personally, I couldn’t pull off G, but I think that would look absolutely stunning on you! You have such a beautiful neckline and arms- that one shows both off!
I like A and F!
They are all stunning but I think G is my personal favorite!
I love dress D!
Since it’ll probably be cold, I’d go with B or D. I love the cut out of D and the Fall color of B. But you’d look great in any of them 🙂
It depends of how formal/fancy the wedding is… I LOVE the back on D and the color/look of F. It it was a holiday or winter themed wedding, the sequin dresses might be a good choice. The good news is, you would look great in any of them.
You would look AMAZING in G. Just to warn you, I’ve done RTR before, and they told me 2 days before my sister’s wedding that the dress came in damaged and I had to pick another dress. I reserved the dress 3 months in advance. They gave me a 5 hour window to find one before they sent me one that they considered comparable. Most of the dresses I wanted were already reserved so I ended up picking the 6-7th choice. So just be aware, that this could happen!
I like option D!
I rented the Badgley Mischka gown in blue for a wedding in September in NYC. I am 5’8 and wore the 4 with heels. I just held it up a bit when I was dancing and it was fine. I really loved that dress and received a ton of compliments on it! I would go with D, E or G. I know it is tempting to go with something you wouldn’t usually wear but I try and pick things I know will look good on me already unless I have a backup.
I think B is a better choice than C or H if you’re into the sparkly. C is definitely too “bride” to wear to a wedding and H could also be a reception type dress for a bride. I can’t quite tell the color, but it could look really silver in pictures. I also like A and D (and F if it’s maybe longer on a non-model..it just looks a little risque for a wedding but maybe if it’s not a church wedding?).
Forgot to add that it depends on how formal it all is too. Is it a church wedding or non-church? Formal? Casual? Black-tie? Semi-formal? That would make a difference in what I’d recommend. 🙂
F – Chose the Nicole Miller dress you will LOVE it! I rented it in black/cream and then in a dark blue for weddings and they are so comfortable! Not only that but the pictures you take will come out amazing, and they are all lined with a fabric that is almost spanx like.
I found the length to be long enough but not too short, both dresses received compliments all night long!
Julie, I rented F in the black and nude last month for a wedding and LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to buy it. It was super comfortable…which is my number one…and most importantly I ate and danced my butt off! 🙂
Something to think about when choosing a dress from RTR (I’ve done it a few times!).
Any strapless dress may not fit snuggly enough around your bust/ rib cage and since you obviously can’t get it altered, you may be pulling it up over and over through the night.
A note on renting a long dress too, take into consideration the height of yourself and shoes, many long dresses I rented were too short (and one was too long unless I wore enormous sky high heels) so I was constantly lifting the dress up all night as not to ruin the hem. (or the too short long dress just looked goofy)
So keep those few things in mind and maybe even get 2 dresses to try out! 🙂 Enjoy!
I like C! Great way to try a new style. 🙂
I think H would look great on you!!!
Whoops, I meant B. I think both would look great, but B is less vegas/NYE with the darker sparkles 🙂
I love D, Julie! You can’t go wrong with black, it looks like you definitely wouldn’t have to worry about it being too short, and it’s just the perfect amount of sexy with the back cutout. You’ll look great no matter what though!
If you go with the long red option (which is gorgeous), I would also add that you might want to have a backup option as well. When I rented a long dress from them last month, it was too short and I was unable to wear it 🙁
Love the black one. ITA with whoever said up above – avoid wearing white to a wedding.
You have to go with G!
I like H the best!!
LOVE B,C or D! All of them are cute though. I heard about Rent the Runway over a year ago and have yet to give it a try. I’m excited to hear how you like it!
I like A or D best, but they are all adorable! You have great style. Also, I’ve been a member of RTR since it first started and have rented over 20 times. If you have any questions about it, I’m happy to help! I think one of the best parts about RTR is how great the community is at reviewing dresses and posting pictures. I’ve been saved from renting something that won’t fit me (i.e. would be too short for my 5’9″ height) several times.
I like B, D, or H. The red one is nice, but I would have the same concern as you. I have also heard good things about RTR, but had forgotten about them until now. I’ll have to take a look since I hate buying fancy dresses that I wont wear that often.
Also I have never had a persimmon. Does that make me weird? 🙂
I vote B! Although I’m pretty sure you could rock all of them. I like the long red one too, but I’d have the same concerns about ruining the bottom.
I’ve had Rent The Runway in the back of my mind for a couple years now, but with no real need for it yet (a lot of the “formal” events my husband and I attend are usually just summer-dress style). I definitely appreciate the photos and reviews from women that actually wore them–a huge help in deciding what the true fit will be like (since no two women have the same figure).
Good luck!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Option E is adorable! It doesn’t look too close to anything we’ve seen you wear before, but it’s also not so different as to make you feel “off”
I love option D! And the red one, it’s so elegant and reminds me of Julia Roberts in pretty woman. In the best way of course, because I LOVE her and that movie 🙂
Can’t wait to hear about your Rent the Runway experience! I have one friend who has used their service before, and she loved it, but I’ve never had anything fancy enough to justify it. But I’ve considered it for a bridesmaid dress in a wedding next year. I love their options!
I have never heard of Rent The Runway! How fun is that! I definitely vote dress “F.” It looks fun and different!
My top picks are E and C!
B or E!
B or H! I love the concept of this, but I would just be so scared that neither size would fit right. Good luck 🙂
D. You have a great figure and that dress is classy and sexy.
I like F and H.
I’m so looking in to Rent the Runway – I have a New Years Eve wedding this year.
E is my favorite. I love the volume on the skirt.
G or H!
I would do either B or G. Those are my favorites! 🙂
I think D would be great for an evening wedding and F would be great for a daytime wedding!
You would look great in any of them but my picks are D and F.
I rented F in a blue/purple color a year ago for a wedding and I received so many compliments!!! It’s form fitting, but a thick material that hugs in all the right places. I loved it.
D!
I like B and F! I think rent the runway is such a cool idea. I’ve never needed to use it, but I would love to try one day!
I agree with you, my first choice was dress D.
I love F!
Can the bride weigh in? lol. You know I could care less if you also wear white. I like the sparkly dark options the best though. You would look stunning in the open back! Pretty much I think you would look great in all of them.
Ha!! I was going to text you but I figured you had more important things on your mind. 🙂 Can’t wait for your big day!!!!!