Wore this dress for my engagement photos (enjoy this outtake, lol) and loved the bow and pop of red. I think the top would fit well for someone with a bigger bust, but it fell a little flat for me. The bow is beautiful and an unexpected detail. The silhouette is very flattering, and the fabric is silk suitable for all seasons. Plenty of length as well.

Cherry Scenic Dress

kate spade new york

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Size Worn: 12

Usual Size: 10

Height: 5' 9"

Weight: 180lbs

Bust: 36C

This dress was a fun leap out of my comfort zone for New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. Overall I was very happy with my pick! The fabric is fairly thin and stretchy, but could be more forgiving in the stomach/butt/thigh regions. I paired it with tights but might have gone with Spanx if I had been expecting a lot of pictures. The off-shoulder shape stays in place well because it's pretty stiff and includes a layer of sticky stuff at the top. That means the sleeves are a little tight if you have bigger arms/broader shoulders like me. I wore it with a jacket and was totally comfortable. I would have gone with black booties or stacked black heels (if I had not ditched them at the last minute for leather sneakers to walk the strip). A great, versatile dress I'd recommend.

Gold Dot Off Shoulder Sheath

Nicole Miller

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Size Worn: 12

Usual Size: 10

Height: 5' 9"

Weight: 180lbs

Bust: 36C

This dress is a stunner. I wore it for a wedding where I met my boyfriend's extended family for the first time, and it helped me make a great impression (the bride told me she loved it three times!). I was initially a little hesitant to wear it because even though I'm 5'9", the length hit just above the knee, and I usually go shorter. The sleeves are mesh, as is the top, and have some stretch but are a bit tight. That said, I have bigger arms and was totally comfortable dancing all night. I'm so glad I gave it a shot! The embroidery is very intricate and the colors are rich in person, and it was completely unique and memorable. I'd highly recommend it for more formal weddings and events.

Rose Throw Dress

Marchesa Notte

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Size Worn: 12

Usual Size: 10

Height: 5' 9"

Weight: 180lbs

Bust: 36C

This is one of my favorite RTR dresses ever. Will definitely be renting again! I snagged it for a rehearsal dinner for a wedding I was in. The colors are rich, so I think it's a little more formal than it looks in the photos. The off-the-shoulder sleeves made me nervous, but stayed in place and were very flattering. It paired well with nude heels and gold earrings.

Red Rust Floral Off Shoulder Dress

ASTR the Label

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Size Worn: L

Usual Size: 10

Height: 5' 9"

Weight: 180lbs

Bust: 36C

This dress was my free birthday rental, and it arrived in time to wear to a show with my girlfriends and my birthday dinner. I'm 5'9" and the dress was plenty long, though I paired it with tights for cooler weather. The colors were vibrant and the style was really unique. It is a bit on the straight-and-narrow side in terms of shape, so if your stomach is an area you're conscious of, that's something to note. I don't think it was the most flattering, but I like the design quite a lot. If you like being asked whether you got that dress at Anthropologie, rent this!

Nordic Flower Mini Dress

Nicole Miller

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Size Worn: 12

Usual Size: 10

Height: 5' 9"

Weight: 180lbs

Bust: 36C

I rented this for a daytime wedding in Florida and was pleased with the lightweight cotton fabric. Before I even put it on, my boyfriend saw it hanging in the bathroom and said "that is so cool!" The pattern really stands out, but the cut is modest enough for pretty much any occasion. I wore nude pumps. I ordered a size up as my backup, but the 6 fit wonderfully (I'm usually between a 4 and 6) It was fitted in the bust, which worked well for my C cup, but really forgiving through the hips and thighs. I didn't notice this before I rented, but the waist is slightly drawn in, rather than being a straight sheath, which I liked because it provided more definition. The only issue I had was a bit of a dropped hem that was repaired with a visible seam, meaning I had a couple random white threads in the front. It also wrinkled after a long car ride. Overall a great dress, especially if you're hoping to stay cool or want something that's modest but still stands out.

Chemical Reaction Dress

Vera Wang

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Size Worn: 6

Usual Size: 10

Height: 5' 9"

Weight: 180lbs

Bust: 36C

This dress was my backup for an evening wedding in the summer, but when the other style ran big I was happy to have it on hand. I ordered a size down when I read it ran big, and I'm happy I did-length and fit were perfect even though I'm normally between a 4 and a 6, 5' 9". I got tons of compliments all night on the color and especially loved the scalloping along the hem. The fabric is thick but not too hot for dancing inside. I did well with a strapless bra, but it would likely hide straps from a sturdier type of bra as well. My only complaint was the slight wear on the fabric-it looked pilled in a few places. I definitely recommend for summer, day or night!

Lemon Pie Sheath

Rachel Roy

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Size Worn: 4

Usual Size: 10

Height: 5' 9"

Weight: 180lbs

Bust: 36C