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Rent the Runway kicked off the spring edition of their major stock clean-out sale this morning. When we arrived for the 11am opening, the line was wrapped from 260 Fifth Avenue around the corner of 28th Street. It took about thirty minutes to get in, and when we left the line was still as long. The unbreakable rule of this sale is plan to invest some time.
Once you make it inside you'll be greeted with racks upon racks of dresses. Luckily, it seems like items are in better condition than last time, with only about a third of the selection marked for imperfections. Designers range from unmarked Zara to Thakoon, with many options from Tibi, Trina Turk, Erin by Erin Fetherston, Herve Leger, Milly, and more. Click through the jump for some pointers on how to navigate the sale, what you can find, and why you should probably go with a friend.
The dresses: Short dresses dominate the offerings, but floor-length options are still plentiful. Sizes range from 0 to 16 and there is much to choose from for all sizes. There is no shortage of color and print in the mix, but not much in the way of black or nude. Almost everything is party-ready, so don't expect to find work or day dresses. Damages and imperfections are marked with pieces of colored tape, but be warned that the tape comes off easily, so you'll want to thoroughly inspect everything before taking it to the register (this is final sale, of course).
The accessories: A set of tables hold everything from $50 silk shawls to $10 belts to jewelry and clutches. Statement bracelets and necklaces are the bulk of the jewelry offerings, with a few rings available. Clutches are very well priced—we spotted a Diane von Furstenberg box clutch for just $50 and a bright pink Rebecca Minkoff clutch for $72. There were also a number of Kate Spade evening bags.
The fitting rooms: You're allowed only five items at a time and they will not hold extra merchandise while you try on. This means that you'll need to reenter the line (which is very long) for every five items you'd like to try. This is where you need a good friend to hold on to dresses six through ten while you're in there.
The bottom line: Go to this sale if you have a bunch of weddings/graduations/galas coming up, bring a really trustworthy friend, have a critical eye for potential imperfections, and plan to spend at least an hour for the whole process. You could leave with some seriously amazing dresses at steep discounts if you play your cards well.
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