Run a-Way Hit

 Rent The Runway Review

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I recently ordered a dress from Renttherunway.com (RTR) for New Year’s Eve. The arrival of a coupon in my mailbox prompted me to order the dress back in October to beat the expiration date. Dresses can be reserved up to six months in advance. Rented couture may be used for four days, and then must be placed in a USPS blue mailbox by 12 noon on the last day of the rental. RTR suggests starting the rental period one or two days before the actual event to ensure you have the garment on time.

 

As NYEapproached, I anxiously awaited my sequined Badgley Mischka gown’s arrival. I tracked the order online, and although the package had been checked-in at 4:30 AM in a city 10 minutes from home, it didn’t arrive to me until 5 PM keeping me on pins and needles throughout the day. However, it hit my door well within the promised arrival time. When I opened the package, I was thrilled with how gorgeous my two dresses looked. (Renters are allowed to pick two sizes to ensure a good fit.) The sequined dresses were primarily silver, with spots of red and navy for a pop of color (See image at top of post for a sample of the fabric.) This wasn’t evident in the picture online, but made for a pleasant surprise. The small, sparkly dress skimmed my body nicely, but almost brushed my knees, a far cry from the “mini” dress that I had selected. The problem was easily fixed with some of the enclosed fashion tape, (although the quantity was on the skimpy side,) and my own safety pins, but when ordering a dress, keep fit issues such as this in mind, especially if you are on the short side, like me.

 

On New Years Eve, my dress and I received TONS of compliments and I felt great in it! And, I wore it worry free because I’d purchased the $5 insurance RTR offers, so I could have fun and not worry about the dress’s safety.

 

I packed the dresses up in the prepaid envelope the next day, dropped it in the metered mail slot at my post office, and c’est fini!

 

Will I ever buy an expensive couture dress again? Probably somewhere down the line. But RTR was such a great experience I will likely lean toward that option most often. This service gets my 5-star stamp! I highly recommend it for parties, dances and other special events. And moms: you may want to check into RTR for proms and homecomings. It’s a great way to give your daughters a unique and beautiful look without the expense of permanent ownership.

 

Visit me On the Fashion Front!

Five Frugal Places to Get GREAT Holiday Fashion

By Mys. Chic

Image: Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

December brings lots of holiday parties and special occasions. We all want to look our best without re-wearing the same outfit to every party, but who wants to spend all that money? Not me! If you feel the same way, try my five ways to look stunning for the season without breaking the bank.

1. Rent The Runway is an online service that allows members to rent designer dresses for events. Dresses start at $40 with most falling between $50 and $150 for a four-day rental. Insurance for the clothing costs five dollars. I recommend it so you won’t have to worry about spilling a cocktail or breaking a zipper! The selection is outrageous! In fact, I’ve already reserved my Badgley Mischka sequined number for New Year’s Eve.

2. ShoeDazzle.com is an online “shoe club.” $39.99 a month opens a closet full of shoes, handbags, and jewelry with free shipping both ways!

3. Bag Borrow or Steal lets you rent designer handbags for a week, month, or even season. When you’re done with the bag, simply return it for a new one!

4. Nordstrom Rack is one of my favorite haunts because of its great selection, and up-to-date styles. I can always find fabulous staple pieces for every season.

5. Ruelala.com is one of my favorite finds. Prospective members must be invited by a current member or join a waiting list (it’s worth it!). Collections become available for just a few days, but you can obtain advance schedules of featured collections (called “boutiques”.) I got some Michael Kors dresses that wow for about $80. Accounts can be set up to notify you of feature dates for your favorite designers are going to be featured—and Ruelala always comes through!

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

Five Fall Fashion Faves

Image: Just2shutter / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

By Mys. Chic

Chill winds are starting to blow, and our sunlight hours have shrunk. This time of year our wardrobes should keep us warm and light up the darkened days.

Infinity scarves are my favorite way to accessorize an old outfit. I love to wear scarves, but have trouble figuring out exactly how to tie them. The infinity scarf style completely eliminates this problem—just loop itaround the neck twice like a long strand of pearls.

Dark nail polishes scream fall. I love them because they can give me an “edge” with very little effort. I’m feeling greys and military greens. Wear these colors until they chip—part of the look is “imperfection”!

Invest in a classic coat—a pea coat, a car coat, or a trench coat. Basic black works for every occasion. Use a bright scarf to change it up. Or, use your coat to put a big pop of color into your look—remember, red is big for fall and winter. Nordstrom’s B.P. section has great deals on coats.

Ugg! I tried to outlast this everlasting trend, but they’re simply too practical to avoid. This year, Uggs come in all the classic styles and even sequins.

Maxi skirts say “cool” but keep wearers warm. If you’re short like me, wear heels underneath to keep the hem from dragging and avoid looking stumpy. On especially cold days, wear tights or long underwear under the skirt.

Stay warm this season, but most of all, be sure to look your fashion best!

Visit me On the Fashion Front for more tips and lots of other great information for the glamourous.

Photo Courtesy of Stuart Miles http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2664

 

Some of my best Halloween looks have been created on the spot. When October 31st catches me by surprise, I go back to basics. If you, too, are perpetually on the go, follow my guide for adorable and REALLY EASY costumes.

Sexy Librarian – Throw on a button-down blouse, black pencil skirt, heels, and—of course—your glasses! Pearls and a french twist help complete the look.

Kitty may be common, but you’ll always look cute. Claw about your closet for a  black top, black leggings, and black boots—the higher the boot and the higher the heel, the better. Use eyeliner to draw whiskers on your face, and add sizzle to your look with smoky cat eyes.

Flight attendant – Grab a blazer and matching pencil skirt. Find a lanyard and put your ID in it to make the costume look official. Navy tights and heels complete your look.

Fraternity Boy – If you’re feeling androgynous, put on a pair of belted khaki’s and tuck a polo into them. Add a pair of tube socks (worn all the way up) and sneakers. Don’t forget the backwards, billed cap.

Hippie – This classic costume always puts you in the groove with minimum effort. Just wear a pair of worn jeans and a tie-dyed t-shirt. Sandals and some wooden beads complete the look.

 

Visit my column on Eve Laments Blog for more info and product ideas!

Much Ado Leaves Us With Nothing

FASHION ALERT:In a previous post I recommended products by Missoni’s spectacular (and CHEAP) line for Target. Featuring Missoni’s signature patterns, the line includes women’s, men’s, and girl’s clothing, home, bedroom, bathroom, and accessories. I’ve been

so excited about the line I went to my local Target on September 13, the day it arrived in stores and became available for online purchase.

I burst into the women’s section and found . . .  empty shelves! Missoni was sold out. Since I live in a college town, I figured our store had

Target Wiped Clean of Missoni

been inundated by our many fashion-merchandising majors. I checked my disappointment at the exit doors and headed home to hit the keypad, figuring there would be plenty of stock left online.

Almost everything was sold out there as well! It also took the page about 10 minutes to load due to the traffic on the site. I called a friend in a major metro area and asked her to scope out the Targets there, and she got quite a scoop! According to Target employees at more than one

store, the line is sold out across the nation. Word on the street is that profiteers bought out stock and will be reselling on eBay for a hefty yield. We On the Fashion Front have been advised to keep checking back as new trucks bring merchandise to stores on a daily basis. Exactly how much inventory was produced remains to be seen.

My advice: pop in to your local Target from time to time. The line is a good one, and if you can find it, you’ll get the goods at a reasonable price. And, don’t support profiteers by buying it from any source except Target.

Visit me On the Fashion Front on Eve Laments Blog @ colleenwalshfong.com

Five Trends I’m Feeling For the Fall

Red is everywhere. I personally love it, not only because it is one of my alma mater’s colors, but also it is such a classic. This fall is all about classic looks. So whether you wear a cute red dress and some black tights and booties, or just a pop of red lipstick, find a way to work a little red into your daily look.

Mod 60′s inspired shapes rule this fall. Office appropriate pumps with wide heels, argyle cardis, and pleated skirts will all be seen in chi-chi stores. But, I am also feeling the love for the great knitwear of Missoni for Target. Their signature patterns seem to take a “Twist” from the 1960′s.

Cuffed Jeans, available at almost any store and in any price range, are still going strong with cute flats. Check out J.Crew for perfectly cut jeans, or Forever 21 for a budget-friendly pair. Any straight leg jeans that you happen to have in your closet can be cuffed, too. Pair them with an argyle sweater to work two trends into one outfit.

Nautical Stripes have fallen into fashion lines this fall. Their appearance in stores gladdens my spirit. They’re effortless, yet wearers always look well put together in them. Check out J.Crew for some great striped shirts.

70′s-Cut Flares flatter the frame and give wearers a long and lean look. Tuck in a tight shirt if you want to show your figure off, or a blousy material if you want to camouflage. I’m loving Hudson Jeans in Ferris. Get a dark wash for a modern take, or a light blue wash to really channel the ’70′s.

Find great products to put my tips into action in my column, On the Fashion Front, on Eve Laments Blog.

Back to School Cool

Though August’s heat calls us to the pool or a shady outdoor café, the upcoming school year is just around the corner. Whether you are a student, raising a student, or just like to retain your youthful flair, the following fashion trends will come in handy.

Tote bags are a back-to-school 2011 must for those who carry books—or professional paraphernalia—but crave a catchy look. Totes are great because they can also function as purses when going to the grocery store or around town. I like the customizable Vineyard Vines totes, though they are pricey. Options kinder to the budget can be found in LL Bean’s line. Monogrammed bags in many different colors are available for order, and they are so affordable that you could order different colors for each season!

Even when hot weather persists well into the fall, classroom air-conditioners remain on at full blast. A cute cardigan can easily fit in your tote and will keep you in comfortable style. I like J.Crew’s range of options; they carry both long and cropped cardis.

Fresh fall make-up is a must. Most people will sport a nice summer glow (although I will be faking it with a spray tan), but when the weather gets cooler, you should switch from a tinted moisturizer to a regular foundation. Sephora’s make-up consultants can match you up for a foundation and their store brand is comparable to many more expensive ones. Bronzer keeps your glow going throughout the fall. I use Warmth or Faux Tan from Bare Minerals. Other essentials include a long-wearing mascara, blush (I like Benetint by Benefit) and some lip gloss.

In the shoe department, rain boots are a smart and sensible purchase. Hunter makes durable rain boots in about every color imaginable. They can be found at Nordstrom or Bloomingdales. J. Crew and Gap usually carry cute boots, and Target has many fun, and affordable, prints.

When shopping for shirts, keep transitionary blouses and layering pieces in mind. Selecting cream instead of white allows you to easily layer shirts under fall colored jackets or cardigans. Colors tend to be more muted in the fall, but you can keep them interesting by wearing saturated hues, such as plum, pine green, and navy.