The Dresses on Sale at Rent the Runway Have Partied Hard

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• A rack of Herve Leger bandage dresses, all 75% off retail
• A rack of identical Milly dresses, $70
• Tibi dress, $170
• Viktor & Rolf dress, $399
• Kate Spade dress, $94
• Yigal Azrouel, $295
• Tracy Reese, $63
• Nicole Miller maxi, $90
• Yigal Azrouel, $295
• Kate Spade dress, $101
• Lilly Pulitzer, $92
• Damage noted with colored tape
• Erin by Erin Featherson, $87
• Mark & James by Badgley Mischka dress, $85
• Prabal Gurung dress, $385
• Vena Cava gown, $117
• Halston Heritage dress, $70
• Badgley Mischka sheath, $142
• Sachin + Babi dress, $162
• Milly dress, $128
• Kate Spade clutches, $45 to $70

If you're looking for a spangly dress for your upcoming fall and holiday fetes and want to give up some closet real estate, Rent the Runway's retired stock sale at 260 Fifth Avenue is probably worth a peek. Prices are generally 75% to 80% off, and every piece is helpfully marked with before-and-after pricing to prove to you what a great deal you're taking home. But be forewarned: These dresses may show evidence of their previous nights on the town.

Without a doubt, the selection was exactly what you look for in room full of fancy frocks—sparkly and colorful. Unfortunately, too many of the dresses erred on the side of spring and summer. We would have loved to see some more autumn and holiday-friendly pieces.

Maxi dresses and gowns lined the left the wall of the showroom, where they were organized by size. Shorter dresses occupied the rest of the sales floor, with approximately one long row dedicated to each size (sizes 0 through 12). There were multiples of each style, so you probably won't need to throw any elbows to take home something special.

For under $100 you could party the night away in Milly, Tracy Reese, Kate Spade, Nicole Miller, or Lilly Pulitzer. If you're aiming for something more luxe, we spied Yigal Azrouel, Viktor & Rolf, Hervé Leger and Prabal Gurung pieces hovering in the $200-to-$400 price range. (Lots more details are in our slideshow.)

No matter what your poison, be sure to shop carefully. These dresses are gently used, but a lot of us party hard, so watch out for sticky zippers and snags. We spotted everything from very minor pulls (not a big deal) to a two-inch rip in the delicate fabric of a white Lilly Pulitzer dress. Nearly all of the visible wear is marked with colorful strips of tape, so you do have a bit of guidance for your inspection.

Fitting rooms are plentiful, but expect to wait. During last night's preview, the line snaked through the entire sales floor. Also, be sure to check out a very limited collection of clutches and fancy baubles near the cash registers.

The sale kicked off today and continues daily from 10am to 7pm through Friday, October 5th, and from 10pm to 5pm on Saturday, October 6th at 260 Fifth Avenue between 28th and 29th Streets. All bags and coats must be checked upon entrance; this one is credit only.—Kiran
· Dealfeed: Rent the Runway [Racked NY]