as an aspiring fashion blogger, having new outfits (and subsequently, new content) can be costly. i simply can’t afford to purchase a new #ootd to share on my blog and social media. re-wearing outfits, however, isn’t fun either—you can only wear that floral midi dress so many times before you’re deemed a “repeat offender.”
while i enjoy shopping (zara, nordstrom, and urban outfitters are a few of my favorite retailers), thrift and consignment shopping has allowed me to expand my wardrobe without depleting my bank account. a large portion of my closet was purchased secondhand, and i love the thrill-of-the-thrift! (speaking of thrifting, today is national thrift shop day.) thrifting requires patience and time, so when you have a last-minute event or are seemingly desperate for something to wear to the office, thrift shopping may not be the answer.
a few weeks ago, my dear friend and fellow blogger, jenn from hello rigby told me a secret: her dress was rented. (insert: jaw-dropping expression.) jenn recently began utilizing gwynnie bee’s rental subscription box service!
services start at $49 per month, but if you’d like to “try it before you buy it,” you are invited to sign up for gwynnie bee’s 30-day free trial. i am at the tail end of my trial and plan to sign up come september. with my current membership, i receive two items per shipment and find i can open, wear, and return items within one week.
new and noteworthy about this subscription rental service:
items are sent via usps®, and each package includes a free return label. if you wear and “return notify” via the gwynnie bee app, your next package will be sent within three–four business days. talk about cost savings!
i am notorious for purchasing an entirely new outfit to wear to parties, events, etc. despite the monthly fee, the subscription cost is far less than a new weekly outfit. gwynnie bee offers several membership packages at varying prices. (if you’d prefer to rent three, four, or five items, you can!) they carry seasonally relevant (and darling) fashions in sizes 0–32, and their mission is “to create an exciting new service that helps women discover, experience, and enjoy great clothing without limitations.”–source
^^^ quick makeup refresh ^^^
fall in love with a rental item? no problem! you can purchase the top, dress, or pants at a discounted rate. your first purchase includes a $20-off coupon, too! alternatively, if you dislike an item, you can return (via your prepaid envelope) to gwynnie bee, and a new item will be shipped.
another great feature? no need to dry clean or wash items prior to returning. gwynnie bee takes care of laundering for you! #aintgottimeforthat
when creating your profile, gwynnie bee will save your size information (from different brands, as sizing may vary) and style preferences. for example, do you strongly dislike animal print? or do you prefer tops or pants to fit a particular way? your shipment will take these preferences into account. additionally, you can “closet” items you love! the closet options are seemingly endless, and you are encouraged to save 10+ items in your virtual closet. this ensures you will receive items you genuinely like.
now, you can also prioritize items in your closet. you are guaranteed to receive one priority item per shipment. if you have an event on your calendar and find that perfect little black dress (lbd), prioritize the dress—this membership is ideal for wedding season!
photos by jenn from hello rigby
dress: tolani (via gwynnie bee), purse: thrifted (via seattle goodwill), heels: c/o justfab
in my first gwynnie bee box, i received this darling tolani off-the-shoulder dress. it fit well and was perfect for summertime fun at the local carnival. since beginning my free 30-day trial, i have also received a striped lucky brand blouse, navy floral dress, and red midi dress. i was able to wear these “new” items to work and various events, without depleting my shopping budget!
are you familiar with gwynnie bee? if you’d like to try this subscription rental service, take the style quiz here!
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