I alter everything. Well, almost everything. I’ve never altered undergarments, but I have altered t-shirts! It’s tough for me not being able to take something to get altered to maximize the fit for rented clothing.
You are usually renting for a special occasion and you want it to be perfect. There are always size guides available with online, but not every dress will fit true-to-size (or length). Some people find online renting/shopping nerve racking as they need to try it one first. When you use online clothing rental services, like Rent the Runway (RTR), this isn’t an option unless you live in a city with an RTR store, like NYC or Vegas. So you are going to have to take the plunge, be brave, it won’t hurt, order it online and once you start, it will change your life.
Here’s 5 ways to help get the most out of your rental fit:
1. Never underestimate the power of double-sided tape, safety pins, and a temporary top-stitch. Skills are required for all three, as damaging the piece can be scary expensive.
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2. Even if you have a good idea of how an outfit will hang on you, it’s a good idea to take advantage of offers like Rent the Runway’s option to include a free back-up size in your orderit’ll save you some hassle if things aren’t exactly as you imagined.
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3. This may go without saying, but I’ll say it: try on the clothes as soon as you receive them so that you can maximize your fix-it time if there’s a problem. (Rent the Runway allows you to schedule a rental up to four months in advance, with delivery 1-2 days before an event; or as late as the day before your outfit is needed.)
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4. If you still need baby steps to online renting and have time before placing an order, get to a store and try on the style you’re hoping to rent. If you can’t find the exact garment, look for a different look from the same designer to get an idea of how the clothes fit your body.
5. If all else fails, you can email some companies and, in most cases, get a replacement dress over-nighted to you for a nominal fee.