Rent the Runway: 15 Hacks

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How to make the MOST of your Unlimited Subscription.

*Disclaimer: Purchases made through the links provided on thefinerefine.com may result in a commission to us at no additional cost to you. For more information please read our full disclaimer.

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Why we love RTR: The Fine Refine’s personal style goal is a timeless wardrobe you never tire of. That being said, RTR satiates our trend thirst without compromising valuable closet space, time and money.

The Basics: RTR’s Unlimited Subscription is a clothing and accessory rental service that allows you to have 4 items at a time and switch them out whenever you want as long as you continue paying the monthly subscription fee of $159 + tax.

For most of us, $150+ a month is not pocket change. You NEED to use RTR to your advantage and you need to be able to use as MANY pieces as possible every month to merit this monthly expense.

Which brings me to hack #1

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01. YOU NEED MORE RETURN BAGS

RTR will send your first shipment in 1 bag but ideally, you need 4 bags if you want to be able to wear something and immediately return it to open up another spot.

Immediately returning pieces allow you to rent around 16-20 pieces a month which validates the unlimited subscription fee.

Check out 10 ways to score an extra bag

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02. HEART YOUR HEART OUT

RTR has A LOT of pieces to choose from, almost too many to go through and new styles arrive weekly. It can get overwhelming… fast.

To make choosing quicker you need to create “heart lists” or shortlists. Heart or like items into these lists for easy selections when a spot opens up.

Heart, heart, heart… any time you’re in line, bored, in the bathroom, on the train, etc... open your RTR mobile app and heart away! You’ll be glad you did.

Take a look at my shortlists: 3000+ items hearted so far!

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03. CREATE A MUST HAVE LIST

Another list? Yes.

There are certain HIGH-value items on RTR that you see on the site but are NEVER available to rent, or when they are you don't check out fast enough and they disappear from your cart.

I'm talking about:

- Certain sunglasses, Leather jackets, Proenza Schueller, Expensive bags…

Take note of what these must-rent pieces are for you and place them in a separate MUST HAVE list.

Every time a spot opens up check this list first.

Because whenever... if ever... they become available you have to act fast.

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04. DOWNLOAD THE RTR MOBILE APP

This is a huge time saver, it makes creating lists easier and if you allow notifications on your phone you'll know right away when one of your spots opens up.

You can also browse New Arrivals as soon as they become available.

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05. Sort by NEWEST or priced HIGH to LOW

When you sort this way a lot of the time you will get a garment with tags, never worn and you will also get the chance to wear $1000+ garments you may never have worn otherwise.

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06. EXPAND YOUR SIZE RANGE

If you’re usually a size 6 then include sizes 4-6-8-10 in your searches.

As a general rule: Go UP 2 sizes and DOWN 1 size.

WHY so much range?

RTR carries different designers each with their own specific measurements for what makes a size 6 or what makes a size 8.

A lot of designers run large others run small, some fabrics have stretch others have none at all.

WHY 2 sizes up?

It is MUCH easier to go UP a size than it is to go DOWN a size. If you have a larger dress you can belt it, or you can use fashion tape, or you can at the very least get it ON your body. When you size down too much you simply can’t squeeze into the garment and can’t wear it at all.

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07. READ GARMENT DETAILS AND FIT NOTES

Usually, this section will have closure information (zippers, ties, elastic waist) and measurements that may not be apparent from the picture but can help you decide whether to size up (zipper) or size down (elastics).

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08. REVIEWERS ARE YOUR FRIENDS

Picture reviews will not only give you an idea of whether to size up or down on a garment but it will also show you the many different ways to style it!

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09. RTR STYLISTS ARE YOUR BEST* FRIENDS

If it's possible, try to visit the RTR store. Make an appointment and their stylists will fit you and get you to try styles you never thought you would be able to pull off, as well as expertly pair them with the right accessories.

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10. FASHION TAPE IS YOUR SOULMATE

Hollywood Fashion Secrets Fashion Tape. Get it at Amazon.com

Where have you been all my life?

Is your collar too perky? Tape it.

Are your ruffles too out of control? Tape it.

Is your dress too large? Tape it.

Are your bra straps showing? Tape them.

Are you about to have a wardrobe malfunction? Tape it. Tape it. Tape it.

Although there are many fashion tapes out there this is our favorite:

Hollywood Fashion Secrets | Fashion Tape

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11. REMEMBER THE DESIGNERS

When you rent a piece you love, that fits you like a glove DO remember the designer.

Click on “More from this designer” because you will LIKELY love more of their stuff.

(*Subtle nod to one of our faves)

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12. FOLLOW RTR HASHTAGS ON IG

#renttherunway #thanksitsrtr #myrtr

Why are these useful?

RTR displays clothes on models and pairs the items with other pieces from the same designer but this is not an accurate representation of how the garment will look like on everyone and if you're not good at styling you won't know how to wear this.

This is where these hashtags come in to save the day!

Thankfully there are RTR angels of all different shapes and sizes that share what they're renting and how they're styling it for those of us who need a little more inspo.

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13. DISPLAY YOUR RENTALS

Don't shove your rentals in the closet, have a designated “pieces of the week” hook on the wall so YOU always go for them, because if you’re not wearing your rentals then what's the point of paying for RTR?

I use a few of these for outfit planning:

• Wall hooks

• Standalone Racks

• Over the door racks

• Coat Racks

• Command hooks

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14. WHEN TO BUY AND PLACE AN ORDER

When to order: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to place an order because inventory is higher (everyone sending back their weekend clothes on Monday) and your clothes will arrive in time for the weekend.

When to buy: Offseason. Buy maxi dresses during the fall-winter and coats during spring-summer. You will have a better selection available to you.

Also, be on the lookout for RTR Sales.

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15. THUMBS DOWN PIECES

Giving an item a thumbs down hides it from your searches.

(Don't worry you can always find them again if you have regrets)

This a time-saving hack when you don't want to look through pages and pages of stuff you have already seen and already KNOW you don't LIKE.

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Related: How to Define your Personal Style

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BONUS HACKS

• My mother, cousin and I all wore dresses to a wedding using only MY RTR subscription. Had we rented each dress individually we would have paid more than my monthly Unlimited fee.

• If you’re not using your rentals for any reason pause your membership for up to 3 months. Perfect for January through March if you tend to hibernate as we do!

• Keep the hangers! Slowly but surely you will never EVER have to buy another hanger and your closet will look more polished and organized. …AND how hard is it to find matching pants, skirts, and strapless hangers?

RTR has you covered but if you need hangers in bulk: THESE (pictured below) are amazing.

Velvet Hangars

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Have any hacks/Tips to add to this list? Comment below! We’d love to hear them!

Happy Renting!

XO

TFR