ABOUT US

Rent the Runway is a luxury e-commerce company that rents designer dresses and accessories for a fraction of the retail price and delivers them directly to your door. It is an exciting new way for women to experience high-end fashion. Our fashionable members are addicted to finding the perfect look for every occasion. To keep our inventory fresh, we work directly with designers like Proenza Schouler, Herve Leger, Milly, Catherine Malandrino, Badgley Mischka, Subversive, Dannijo and more. We are committed to delivering a fun, luxurious and convenient experience so that every woman can access her dream wardrobe!

 

Meet The Team at Rent The Runway

Click here to meet our amazing team!

 

Who are the Rent the Runway stylists?

Our Stylists are fabulous fashionistas ready to take the intimidation factor out of the designer experience. We know many of you have never had the opportunity to wear a $2,000 dress before and may be nervous about how the dresses will fit. The stylists are here to break it all down for you. They know everything about our garments: how they feel, how they fit and how to accessorize. Our Stylists have also had the pleasure of being trained through the Style for Hire program taught by Stacy London in NYC. You won’t have to pay anything extra for their expertise, it’s all included with your rental and is part of our promise to help you look your best. Meet our stylists here!

 

You can contact our Stylists by phone at 1-800-509-0842, Email or Live Chat!

 

What do other customers have to say about renting?

Rent the Runway customers LOVE to share their experiences! You can read about them in our dress reviews, and hear them first hand in our Dress Stories.

   

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HOW RENT THE RUNWAY WORKS

How do I become a Rent the Runway member?

Rent the Runway membership is free, and you can sign up here!

   

What if I forgot my password?

Click the Forgot Password link on our homepage. If you’re still having log-in difficulties, please contact us at help@renttherunway.com

 

How do I rent from Rent the Runway?

1. Shop. Enter the date of your event, your size(s) and shipping zip code on our homepage, and we will recommend hundreds of dresses and accessories that are available for your special occasion. From here you can filter by your Hearts, occasion, body type, style and/or designer to find the look you love. Need help during your shopping process? Live Chat or call our Stylists at 1-800-509-0842. They’re here to offer you fit and styling advice—free of charge!
 
2. Reserve. On any product page, select the two sizes (a primary size and a free back-up) that you would like in your dress, enter your shipping zip code and the date you want your dresses and accessories to arrive. You have the option to rent for either a 4 or 8 day period. We recommend booking at least two weeks in advance of your event to ensure that you get your first choice styles and sizes!
 
3. Wear. To a date, wedding, cocktail party—whatever the event, we know it’s important to you and we will make sure that your order arrives exactly when you need it.
 
4. Return. Each order comes with a pre-paid, pre-addressed return envelope that you can drop into any United States Postal Service blue mailbox. No need to worry about the dry-cleaning—we take care of it! Just drop your order into the mail by noon on the 4th or 8th day of your rental period.

 

What is the best way to use My Hearts page?

See a dress or accessory you love? Click the heart next to the product and we will save it to your Hearts page. This function allows you to compare all your favorite styles side by side! Once you Heart at least 5 dress options, you will unlock our personal stylist suggestions for other dresses and accessories you might like! The more items you “heart” the more specific our suggestions become!

 

When should I make my reservation?

As soon as you know the date of your next event! We recommend that you make your reservation at least two weeks in advance of your event to ensure that you get your first choice style in the sizes you need. We also recommend scheduling your dress to be delivered 1-2 days before your event so you have time to complete your look!

 

How do I earn rental credit?

Spread the word! For each friend you invite, we will credit your account with $20 after your friend’s first rental order has been placed and shipped. There’s no limit to the number of friends you can invite or the number of credits you may receive. Click here to send invitations now!

 

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FIT & STYLE

 

How do I ensure the perfect fit?

1. Our stylists are familiar with every dress in our inventory and have evaluated each style on various body types. You can reach our Stylists by phone at 1-800-509-0842, Email or Live Chat for a second opinion. They’re our fit experts!
 
2. Click the Size and Fit tab next to each individual dress style for detailed guidelines, product information and sizing charts. You can also see what other customers have to say by reading the individual dress reviews or by viewing the customer testimonial page.
 
3. Are you in-between sizes? Each time you rent a dress, we offer a second back-up size—at no extra charge—to be sure you have the perfect fit! We only ask that you return the extra dress unworn.

 

What if the dress still doesn’t fit?

If your dress doesn’t fit, contact us immediately upon receiving your order and be sure to postmark the unworn dresses back to us within 24 hours. Once we receive your return, we will issue a merchandise credit less the cost of shipping for a future rental.

 

We only issue merchandise credits for fit in the following scenarios: 1) You reserve only one dress and it does not fit. 2) You reserve more than one dress and none of them fit. If any of the dresses in your order fit, we do consider this a successful rental. We do not issue partial credits.

 

What is a back-up size?

A back-up size is the second size of a dress that we offer FOR FREE each time you rent. If the backup size for the dress you want isn’t available, you can also rent a second dress style in the same or lower price tier for just $25 (see details below).

 

What is a second style?

When you rent a dress on Rent the Runway, you can get a second dress style for the same reservation dates for just $25. Choose a second dress in the same or lower price tier as your primary style and it will automatically discount to $25 in your shopping cart. We know that when you're getting dressed for a big night you probably lay a few dresses out on your bed, try them on and twirl around until you settle on “The One”. Now we make it easy and inexpensive for you to have multiple options to choose from!

 

What if I want to rent a dress from a designer that isn’t currently featured on your site?

We’re constantly looking to add to our designer lineup and create the best possible inventory selection for our clients. Email us designer suggestions—we love your feedback!

 

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THE RENTAL

 

How do I cancel my order?

Contact our Stylists right away by phone at 1-800-509-0842 or Email, and we’ll be happy to take care of it for you—just let us know as soon as possible!

 

Cancellation Policy:

If you cancel your order within 30 days of your rental start date, we will issue you a merchandise credit in the amount of your order for a future rental or purchase. Remember, even if you place your order with less than 30 days to your start date, then you are only eligible for a merchandise credit.

If you cancel with at least 30 days notice to your start date, we will happily issue you a full refund back to your credit card.

 

How do I know my dress is clean?

All Rent the Runway dresses will ship to you directly from the RTR designer warehouse, where all dresses are cleaned and processed without any handling in between. We’ve partnered with a premier dress specialist in NYC and developed a process that ensures stringent quality control. We’ll only ship dresses that receive a 100% fresh seal of approval. Our dry cleaner is an expert in eco-friendly, luxury dry cleaning. They utilize an environmentally safe process that certifies that every garment is thoroughly cleaned and cared for, maintaining the impeccable quality of the garment while being kind to the environment. Our packaging method is also specially designed to fully protect the dresses during shipment.

 

Will the dresses need to be pressed upon arrival?

We do our best to ensure everything arrives wrinkle free! Each dress is steamed and pressed before packaging where it is then sealed in plastic on a hanger and wrapped in a garment bag. Certain fabrics are more prone to wrinkle, so if you receive a dress with slight creases please try steaming the garment on low heat or contact a Stylist for advice on how to correct it!

 

What if I accidentally stain or damage the dress?

We understand that some wear and tear may be inevitable and beyond your control. Our dry cleaner can take care of most minor damage, and the $5 insurance charge included on each dress you rent will cover these types of situations. Although very rare, significant destruction (the dress is torn apart at all the seams, you accidentally run over the dress with your car, the centerpiece catches fire and chars a hole into your dress) or theft is obviously not permitted and we hope to never run into this problem. Unfortunately, if the dress cannot be repaired and we are unable to rent it to future customers, your credit card will be charged immediately for the the retail price of the dress.

 

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DELIVERY & RETURN

 

When does my rental period begin and end?

Your rental period starts on the day your order is delivered, which is the “rental start” date you select on the reservation calendar. For example, if you select to have your dress delivered on a Friday, that is your start date and you would need to drop your return in a United States Postal Service blue mailbox by noon on Monday. If your rental ends on a Sunday or holiday, it needs to be postmarked the by noon on the following business day (see delivery and shipping).

 

How do I know my order will arrive in time?

Our entire business is based on timely delivery so that you can look fabulous for your special occasion. We have partnered with a courier service in NYC and UPS (for everywhere outside of Manhattan) to create specialized RTR accounts, which help us track delivery minute-by-minute. Please note that your order can be delivered anytime up until 8:00pm local time on weekdays and Saturdays.

 

If you're located in Manhattan, you may request a time-sensitive delivery with our stylists by calling during business hours at least a week prior to your order start date. However, we cannot guarantee delivery prior to 8pm due to the transitional nature of our dresses. Signatures are required for delivery in Manhattan only (concierge, mail rooms and front desks may sign on your behalf)!

 

If you're located outside of Manhattan, your UPS tracking information will be emailed to you when your order is shipped; delivery does not require signature. If you do not receive your package by 7:00pm EST on your start date, call us immediately at 1-800-509-0842 and we will remedy the situation.

 

What if the renter before me returns the dress late?

We have dozens of units of each dress in every size so no need to worry! If in the worst case scenario (this rarely happens), another customer has been delinquent with the only unit available in the dress you love, we will upgrade your order and ship you a more expensive style for the date you need it. We never want leave our customers without something amazing to wear!

 

What are my delivery options?

Based on the “rental start” date you select for your dress to arrive and the size availability, our system automatically selects the least expensive shipping option. We ship via UPS if you’re located outside of NYC.

 

If you live in Manhattan you get the special privilege of impulse renting from Rent the Runway. Have a last-minute date? A spur-of-the-moment benefit? Just want to dress up and look fabulous? Place your order any time before 3pm EST, and we’ll deliver your order the very same day by 8pm.

 

How much does shipping cost?

For UPS, standard shipping costs $9.95, and next-day or Saturday shipping costs $35. In NYC, same-day delivery and Saturday delivery is $25 and next-day delivery is $15. As explained above, our system will automatically select the most cost-effective shipping method to deliver your dress on time.

 

Do you deliver outside the continental United States?

At this time, we only ship and deliver orders within the continental United States. Similarly, orders must be returned to us from within the continental U.S. We hope to expand soon because we know there is a lot of demand from both near and far, so stay tuned!

 

Do you ship to PO boxes?

No—please enter a valid residence, company or hotel address for a successful delivery.

 

What if I want my package delivered to a hotel or location other than my home?

Not a problem—just provide the exact address to which you want the dress shipped. If you're shipping to a hotel, please put the hotel name in the company field and address it to the person who's name is on your reservation. It must be a secure location, not a PO Box, and please make sure the hotel concierge is expecting your delivery.

 

Is a signature required for delivery?

Our UPS packages do not require a signature, but Manhattan customers are required to sign for our courier deliveries. Concierge, mail rooms and front desks are able to sign on behalf of the customer.

 

What time will my dress arrive?

UPS and our courier service in NYC will deliver your order between 8am and 8pm during weekdays and Saturdays. If you are a Manhattan customer and would like to specify a time window for delivery, please Contact Us at least one week prior to your start date, and we will do our best to meet your request!

 

How do I return my order?

Rent the Runway wants to make the rental process as convenient as possible! We’ll take care of everything you need to make returning your rental entirely hassle-free! Simply follow the 3 easy steps on the Return Instruction Card:

 

1. Check the tag included on the dress to verify your selected return date.
 
2. Next, simply place the dress(s) in the enclosed bubble-padded return envelope. There’s no need to iron or clean the dress—we’ll take care of any reasonable wear and tear. To return accessories without damage, please package the items back exactly the way they were sent to you. Place each piece in the barcoded jewelry pouch and then inside the bubble-padded return mailer. No need to return the garment bag, hangers or any special samples we send your way—these goodies are yours to keep!
 
3. Lastly, drop your return envelope in any United States Postal Service blue mailbox just like a letter. Make sure to drop off your package no later than noon on your return date. If your return date falls on a Sunday or holiday, it must be postmarked first thing the following day. It is important that we receive the dress back on time so we can ensure availability to other members, so please don’t forget! Really, it’s that easy!

 

My rental period ends on a Sunday or holiday. What should I do?

Not to worry—we do ask that you drop the return envelope in any United States Postal Service blue mailbox on that day. You don't even have to take it inside the Post Office! Your package will be postmarked in the first mail pick-up the following business day and will arrive back to us on time. If there are no blue U.S. Postal mailboxes nearby and you need to bring it into a post office, please do so first thing the following business day.

 

There is a 13 oz rule on the USPS blue mailbox—what should I do?

Worried about mailing back your rental? Just pop your return in any United States Postal Service blue mailbox. As long as the envelopes physically fit into the box, you're good to go! Please do not include the garment bag or hangers in your return, as this may make the package too heavy! If the package happens to get returned to you, please contact a Stylist at 1-800-509-0842.

 

What if I misplace/lose my return shipping envelope?

Rent the Runway gives each customer a pre-paid return envelope lined with protective bubble paper, ready to just pop into the mailbox. If you misplace the envelope and return shipping label, it is your responsibility to send the order back to us by the due date at your own expense. If you need assistance, please contact our Stylists right away.

 

What if I return my order late?

Rent the Runway relies on timely returns and customer accountability so please be sure to always return your order on your scheduled end date. You will be charged late fees (5% of the retail price per dress or accessory) for every day your order is late, since you are preventing someone else from looking fabulous at her event. You can, however, switch your rental reservation from a 4 day to an 8 day rental if the dresses are available. Contact one of our Stylists before the end of your rental period to complete the process.

 

What if I want to keep or purchase a dress?

Sorry, we only offer our dresses and accessories for rent at this time—otherwise we wouldn’t be able to offer other customers the experience of trying out new styles. We will host Semi-Annual Clearance Sales where you can purchase select designer styles—so stay tuned for our email announcements, as inventory is limited! Feel free to contact our Stylists for recommendations on retailers who may sell a particular designer or style.

 

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RENTING ACCESSORIES

 

Can I rent accessories alone or do I have to rent them with a dress?

You can absolutely rent accessories to update a dress that you already own and love. You don’t have to rent a dress to rent accessories, but it is more fun!

 

How do I add accessories to an order that I already placed?

Simply give us a call at 1-800-509-0842 or Email us with the accessories you’d like to add to your existing order. Please contact us at least one week prior to your reservation start date so we have time to adjust the order before it ships!

 

What if I rent accessories with my dress and I have to return my dress early because it doesn’t fit?

If your dress doesn’t fit, you can return it within 24 hours for a full merchandise credit excluding shipping, but we do not offer refunds or credits on accessories. You are welcome to keep your accessories for the full rental period and return them separately—it’s the perfect opportunity to update a dress you already own or glitz up a classic white blouse or tee. Contact a Stylist for return instructions.

 

What if I accidentally damage the jewelry?

As with our dresses, insurance has you covered for normal wear and tear. If a clasp malfunctions, you lose an earring back or a stone falls out, the $3 insurance included in your purchase will cover most situations where the piece can be repaired. Although very rare, significant destruction (you lose an earring or bracelet, shatter a piece) or theft is obviously not permitted and we hope to never run into this problem. Unfortunately, if these situations occur, we will charge your credit card immediately for retail price of the item.

 

How do I know my accessories are clean and sanitized?

All of the jewelry is hand cleaned at our warehouse by our jewelry specialists. Additionally, customers receive alcohol wipes with all earrings and new earring backs with pierced earrings.

 

What if I fall in love and want to buy an accessory that I rented?

We know it’s hard to part with something you love, but please be sure to return your order on time. If you are interested in purchasing an accessory, contact our Stylists and we will do our best to help you locate where to purchase it!  

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PURCHASING INTIMATES & BEAUTY PRODUCTS

 

What are intimates?

Intimates are undergarments, fashion solutions and tights that our fashion team has carefully selected to help you look your best in the dress! We offer slimming shapewear and tights from Spanx, seamless thongs from Hanky Panky and Commando, and bra converters from Braza. These items will help you feel confident in any dress you select!

 

What are the beauty products?

Because no party dress is complete without the trendiest lip shade and a bombshell blowout, we’re excited to offer a unique selection of Lancôme beauty products to the site, our first brand in the beauty category. We dusted, swiped and squeezed hundreds of products before choosing to introduce this category with cult-favorite Lancôme, a brand that has always held a special place in our hearts (and cosmetic cases)!

 

Do I have to return my intimates/beauty products?

No, intimates and beauty products are for purchase only (final sale) and are yours to keep.

 

Can I exchange or return my intimates/beauty product purchase?

Once intimates or beauty products have shipped, they cannot be returned or exchanged for hygienic reasons. If you need assistance in selecting the perfect intimate for your dress, please contacta Stylist before placing your order at 1-800-509-0842.

 

When will I receive my intimates/beauty products?

You can select when you would like to receive your intimates or beauty products—either immediately or with any upcoming rental order. Please note that you will save on shipping if you select to receive your intimates or beauty products with your dress or accessory rental!

 

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SELECTING & RENTING BRIDESMAID DRESSES

 

How can I choose a dress online that will look good on all my bridesmaids?

Most of us are familiar with the bridesmaid drill-having to purchase an ill-fitting, low-quality dress you only wear once. RTR Bridesmaids is a different experience in every way, starting with the dress assortment! Our dresses are real designer dresses, inspired by actual pieces from the designer’s collection. As a result, they fit like designer dresses and don’t require the costly alterations like your typical bridesmaids dress.

 

By selecting one of our Bridesmaid Exclusive collections, you can have your bridesmaids in exactly the same dress or give them the option to choose the style that works best for each of them. We love the look of the modern mix and match bridal party—it’s all about options!

 

Can each of my bridesmaids rent a different style and/or color of dress?

Yes! Your friends will thank you for letting them choose the style that suits them the best. Let’s say you select the Badgley Mischka bridesmaid dress collection in wisteria, the girls will have four different dress options as well as the chance to personalize their look with optional embellishments.

 

What are the Bridesmaids Collections?

Our Bridesmaid Collections were designed with the modern bridesmaid in mind and will suit a variety of weddings from barefoot beach bashes to formal black tie affairs. We worked with our top designers to curate mix and match collections in a variety of colors, sizes and silhouettes. We have multiple units in each size and we carry sizes 0-16 in most styles. The best part is that your 8 day rental includes a FREE in-home, one-day fitting so there’s no need to worry about fit before the big day.

 

What are the Rent the Runway Classics?

The Rent the Runway Classics are a carefully curated sub-section of our dress collection which we think would be perfect for a stylish bridal party. Rent multiple units of the same dress, or try something modern by mixing and matching different dresses. Runway Classics are dresses from our main collection and can be reserved six months in advance for 4 or 8 day rental periods. Bridesmaids are not limited to the selection in RTR Classics—any dress on our site is available as a classic. Dresses from this collection do not include a one-day home fitting.

 

What if the dresses do not fit or I change my mind?

When you select styles from our Bridesmaid Collection, you have the opportunity to schedule an in-home fitting in two sizes. If the wedding is six months from today, you can see the dresses at home as early as next week to ensure you get the perfect fit!

 

Given our cancellation policy of a merchandise credit once the in-home fitting is complete, we strongly recommend you read the fit notes on the product page and the reviews from real customers before selecting a dress. We also recommend Live Chatting with one of our Stylists for more information on how each specific dress will fit on your body type.

 

Please note: Rent the Runway Classics are not eligible for the in-home fitting, but can be reserved in 2 sizes at no additional cost.

 

When should my bridesmaids place their orders?

We recommend you reserve your bridesmaid dresses as soon as possible! Bridesmaid Collection dresses can be reserved one year in advance of your wedding, and Rent the Runway Classics can be reserved six months in advance of your wedding. We recommend each bridesmaid reserve at least three months before the wedding date to ensure that your size and styles are available.

 

Where should my bridesmaids have their orders delivered?

You can select to have your order delivered to your home or to the wedding destination. Please note that we only ship within the continental United States and do not make exceptions. If you are shipping directly to a hotel, please be sure to send the package to the attention of the guest who reserved the room and call the hotel to give them advance notice. Standard shipping starts at $12.95 for one style. Overnight shipping is always available for last minute emergencies and costs $35 (same day shipping is available in NYC).

 

How long is the rental period?

We always recommend that bridesmaids reserve dresses for 8 day rental periods and schedule their delivery date four or five days prior to the wedding. Bridesmaid Collection dresses are only available for 8 day rental periods. All other dresses on the site are available for 4 or 8 day rentals.

 

Should each bridesmaid submit a separate order or is it best for the party to submit the order together?

Each bridesmaid should book separately so that she can have the dress delivered to her own house prior to the wedding. If one person is paying for everyone and you’d like to save on shipping, it is possible to book all orders together on one credit card.

 

How does the in-home fitting work?

When your bridesmaids reserve a Bridesmaid Collection dress for an 8 day rental, they also have the option to reserve 2 sizes for an in-home fitting prior to the wedding. The cost for the in-home fitting is just $12.95 for standard shipping. To take advantage of the in home fitting, you must schedule it while you are placing your 8 day reservation for the wedding. You will be expected to try the dresses on the night you receive them and to return them the following day.

 

What if the dresses arrive for my in-home fitting and don’t fit?

If you are unhappy with the dresses during your in-home fitting, you can cancel your order for a full merchandise credit less the cost of shipping. The credit can be used to reserve a different bridesmaid dress, a dress for the rehearsal dinner, brunch or any other special occasion over the course of the next year. Please note that 48 hours after your in-home fitting, your order is no longer eligible for a credit regardless of the reservation date.

 

How do I cancel my order?

If you have not yet had your in-home fitting, you are eligible for a full refund up to 3 months before the delivery date. Once you have your in-home fitting, your order is eligible for a full merchandise credit less the cost of shipping up to 2 weeks before the delivery date.

 

This is my wedding; how do I know my bridesmaids will receive the right dresses on time?

A wedding does not leave room for error. The dresses must arrive on time, looking perfect. No exceptions; no mistakes. This is our commitment to you on your special day.

 

In addition, we ensure the dress will arrive to your bridesmaid at least four days in advance of the wedding, so in the unlikely event there is an issue with your order, call us immediately and we will make it right before the big day.

 

Can my bridesmaids return their dresses from a different city than the delivery city?

Yes. Your bridesmaids can return the dresses from any city within the continental United States without penalty, however we do ask that you contact the Stylists at 1-800-509-0842 to let us know in advance.  

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My question isn’t answered here. Where can I send my question? How can I talk to a RTR stylist?

You can submit your questions to us at any time through our Contact Us page or by sending an e-mail to help@renttherunway.com. You can also contact us at 1-800-509-0842 or through Live Chat on our site. Our Stylists are available by phone on Monday-Friday from 8am-8pm EST and on Saturday from 10am-3pm EST.

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