Be careful if your party gets too raucous; rip a large hole or spill red wine on your rental, and you might find yourself saddled with a thousand-dollar bill for an irreparable dress.
Tough luck for women size twelve and up: Rent the Runway only carries sizes zero through ten. Ms. Fleiss said she and Ms. Hyman are working on stocking more sizes in the near future, although it seems unlikely as long as designers refuse to manufacture larger sizes. When will designers realize that fashion-savvy women come in all shapes and sizes?
Handbags can be harbingers of disease and dirt—using a rental isn’t very hygienic, so be sure to thoroughly disinfect your Gucci before taking it out on the town.
For women who like to change purses frequently, handbag rentals seem like a fantastic idea. But why not take three months’ worth of Bag, Borrow, or Steal membership fees and purchase a $1,200 bag that you can keep forever?
It’s a Brand New World
Thanks to the Internet, the hallowed halls of haute couture have become more democratic and accessible. Now women can watch runway shows broadcast live right from their laptops, as Alexander McQueen did for his Spring 2010 show. Accordingly, the luxury market is evolving to follow suit. With more mail-order businesses popping up, women from Topeka to Toronto can indulge in beautiful clothing—without the guilt.
As for me, I’ve got my eye on a gorgeous Diane von Furstenberg dress and a quilted Chanel 2.55 bag. When the next party invitation comes my way, I know I’ll look like a million bucks. But what on earth am I going to do about my shoes?
