Ladies, You Can Now Rent Fashions Right Off The Runway

We’ve all heard of Web sites like HandbagEnvy.com and BagBorrowSteal.com, which let average-Janes rent designer handbags they could never dream of being able to afford. So I suppose it was really only a matter of time before someone came up with the idea to rent designer dresses.

And those someones were Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss, co-founders of Rent The Runway.

The online membership-based service offers thousands of designer dresses and accessories that women can borrow for just 10 percent of their retail value. We’re talking everything from cocktail dresses to formal gowns from such well-known designers as Nicole Miller, Diane von Furstenberg, Vera Wang, Robert Rodriguez, Anna Sui and Christian Siriano.

There’s gotta be a catch, right?

Actually, not really. Having spent a great deal of time on the Website, I can assure you the company makes it as easy as they possibly can (deciding on a dress is the hard part).

You can narrow down your search by several different filters and hypothetically assemble your entire look as they also offer makeup and undergarments (for purchase, obviously). Once you’ve chosen your desired item(s), you can either have it shipped overnight or schedule an arrival date up to six months in advance. When your four days are up, all you have to do is shove the dress/accessories into the provided pre-paid envelope and drop it into the closest mailbox.

Oh, and don’t worry about the dress not fitting you—they send you two different sizes, at no additional cost. The site also has some really helpful user reviews, including photos of real girls wearing the dresses.

If there were a catch, I’d say it’s the prices. Unless you have a super-special occasion (like a prom), spending more than $50 on a dress you’re only going to wear once seems a little silly.

Then again, I suppose being able to tell someone you’re wearing a $1,200 Vera Wang gown is sorta priceless.

Tomorrow morning, RTR will be appearing in a segment on FOX29’s Good Day Philadelphia (at approx. 8:30 a.m.) and tonight, the company is hosting an exclusive event for press. Not only will my friend and I be attending, but we’ll both be donning some pretty impressive cocktail attire, compliments of the site (see below).

I will be wearing this little sequin number on the left by Badgley Mischka (retail: $495/rental: $85) along with the stunning Lauren Bacall-inspired earrings by Elizabeth Cole on the top (retail: $225/rental: $25). My friend will be rocking the coral one-shoulder sundress by Trina Turk (retail: $278/rental: $50), accentuated with the canary statement earrings from Kate Spade New York (retail: $98/rental: $20).

What’s it like to have your flesh draped in an original Badgley Mischka? I have no idea, but I’ll be sure to report back and let you know.

You can also expect plenty of glamor shots of my friend and I pretending to be a pair of red-carpet-walking Hollywood starlets—nip-slips and crotch shots not included.

PW Style’s Golden Globes Fashion Picks

There were far more winners than losers last night at the 2012 Golden Globes—at least on the red carpet.  From Claire Daines’ sophisticated J. Mendel gown to Sophia Vergara’s stunning sapphire Vera Wang dress, Hollywood’s leading ladies gave us a lot of award-winning looks to ogle at. But while I’m sure most people will be placing Angelina Jolie or Charlize Theron at the top of their “Best Dressed” lists, I was far more impressed with the starlets who actually took a little bit of risk.

BEST

Evan Rachel Wood

With emerald sequins, scales and feathers, some might say Gucci went overboard with this halter dress. I say Evan looks like the prettiest fish/swan I’ve ever seen.

Michelle Williams

Had another starlet worn this Jason Wu dress, I may have wondered what the hell they were thinking. But Michelle rocked the shit out of it—and the vintage headband. In fact, I think she may have been the most stunning woman of the evening.

Dianna Agron

Even if the swan embellished, laser-cut bodice had been paired with a simple, fiery red skirt or the lace-tiered bottom been paired with a plain bodice, this J. Mendel dress would still be amazing. Put them together and WOW.

Emma Stone

I couldn’t stop staring at this dress. Not only are contrasting red accents unique, but the dramatic (eagle-buckle?) belt was an awesome and ballsy touch.

WORST

Zooey Deschanel

I don’t really know what to say except eww. Although to be fair, nothing would have worked with that hair. It’s like she’s purposely trying to hide her ever-so adorable face.

Naya Rivera

Naya is far too damn pretty for this matronly frock (by Vera Wang, oddly enough).  If the turtleneck-esque neckline didn’t kill it, the seam straight down the middle did. Her beautiful up-do and makeup just went to waste.

Sarah Michelle Geller

Seriously? There’s no way she could have thought this tie-dress would fly.

Angelina Jolie

While it’s really nice to see Angelina in something other than a simple black gown, there’s one thing that totally ruined this flawless look: her disgusting, pencil-thin arms. I’m afraid praising her might send the message to women that it’s okay to look like this. It’s not. For the love of God, eat a fucking cheeseburger.

**All Photos Courtesy of People.com

Bridal Gowns Paint Runway Black

Last winter, I was lucky enough to travel to Florence and Rome, Italy for several weeks. While wandering through one of the many winding, cobblestone alleyways making up the maze that is Florence, I happened upon a bridal store, Atelier Aimée, one of Italy’s leading bridal gown production companies. Though marriage is nowhere near my future as of yet, I still profess a love for bridal wear, especially the black wedding dress. I saw my first one ever at Atelier, and I’ve been hooked since:

So imagine my surprise when I, reading through NYTimes.com, I happened upon an article by Bee-Shyuan Chang, “All Dressed in Black,” which profiled Vera Wang’s latest bridal collection, rife with black gowns. Wang debuted her 16-piece collection – without a shred of white in sight – at New York’s Bridal Fashion Week last week.

To keep the femininity alive, Wang designed the dark dresses with layers of tulle, lingerie-inspired corsets and black lace layered over champagne.

Wang’s new line is truly intended for the unconventional, yet show-stopping bride, who seeks to push the envelope much like Wang. Though some critics claim the line is too goth, too dark, effeminate or just ugly, I have to disagree. The black bridal gown has the capacity to make quite the romantic statement. And this is especially true with Wang’s 2012 line; she manages to capture the softness of the female body through layers of fabrics, yet juxtaposes it against the unconventional color.

To see Wang’s full Fall 2012 collection, click here.

Beehive

I’ve always been in awe of the beehive. I used to look back on photos of my grandmother at my parent’s wedding and wonder how she managed such great heights with her hair. The NY Times now has taken note that the hive is coming back (most recently seen on the models of Vera Wang’s fall ready to wear show) and given us a step by step on how to make an updated version of the hive on our own heads. I think the key here is to ensure that your teased locks don’t end up looking like they belong on the head of Snookie.

Cast System

Yesterday I was in love with basically everything that Glamour put up on it’s Twitter feed.  There was the write up on whether or not men are drawn to women that are hurt, as in wrapped in casts. It sort of makes sense, the trip to the ER does make you look like the ultimate damsel in distress. I guess it’s the same idea as when you carry a lot of things and sometimes men offer to help…but mostly just stare. Wait, maybe that’s just me?

Another thing that Glamour put up is the commentary from the Reporter that got to talk to Rachel Zoe for Glamour’s September issue.

Lastly, Glamour wants to know if Toddler Beauty Pageants make you upset. They make me really sad, actually. Apparently 96% of those that took the poll feel the same way as I write this entry. I’m glad that others see things that way, because the Beauty Pageants to me seem forced and more of what the mother wants to do than the little girl involved. When I’d kick and scream at ballet, my mom let me quit. Sometimes I do wish I was a prima ballerina, but I’m glad I was never forced to do anything like the Toddler Beauty Pageants.

Courtesy of Harper's Bazzar

Vera Wang and Oscar De La Renta will be making stops on Sesame Street in honor of Sesame Street’s 40th anniversary. A couple other designers found their way to Sesame Street, including Diane VonFurstenberg.  The pictures can be found in Harper’s Bazzar.

Lastly, the blog Clumps of Mascara is worth a look. It features videos on how to apply makeup as well as product reviews.