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Welcome to Working It, where Racked follows street style into the office. Forget pedestrian khakis and button-downs—these fashionable professionals take dress codes to a whole new dimension. Quick, somebody call HR!
One of the most genius inventions to come out of 2009 was Rent the Runway, a site that ushered in the idea of renting your bridesmaid, birthday, or bat mitzvah dress, rather than dropping a few hundred on something you only wear once. Since then, the company has grown significantly: You can now rent accessories and shop at their first-ever freestanding store that's located in New York City's Flatiron District. Think of it as the ultimate game of dress up, but instead of your mother's pantsuits, you've got gowns and cocktail dresses from Hervé Léger, Cushnie et Ochs, Badgley Mischka, and so many more.
After the jump, see what six employees from all different departments wear to work, along with some intel on the best pieces to rent, professional role models, their very first jobs, and even what they wore to prom.
Marissa Evans, Head of Radical Innovation, is wearing a Gap shirt, a J.Crew skirt and shoes, an Hermès bracelet, Vita Fede and Catbird rings, a Michele watch, Loren Stewart earrings, and a J.Crew necklace.
What was your first job?
I folded T-shirts at Abercrombie & Fitch as a teenager. There's nothing quite like working a stock room in retail.
Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?
My Vince black leather jacket, a pair of Ralph Lauren jeans I've had for years, and a Patagonia fleece my best friend gave me as a gift for being in her bridal party.
Tell us about your prom dress.
My dress was an awful pink metallic strapless dress that looked like a cupcake. I totally loved it. I made sure to find a pair of shoes that matched perfectly.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
Jenna Lyons, Hedvig Opshaug of The Northern Light, or Samantha Hutchinson of Could I Have That?.
What's your worst shopping habit?
I love bags. I have too many bags, but I always like changing it up. I just can't get enough.
Tanaya Kasavana, Director of Product Marketing, is wearing Zara faux leather shorts, a silk tank and jacket from Club Monaco, Levity shoes, a Cartier watch, and a Vale necklace. Her stacked rings are from David Yurman and Cartier, and her bangles are Hermès and Vita Fede.
What's the best dress you've ever rented?
I rented the Helmut Lang Slash Attack Sheath for my birthday. It was the perfectly subtle way to rock cutouts.
What was your first job?
I was an investment banking analyst at Bear Stearns, where I developed my true love for Excel.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
Diane Kruger. She just embodies "effortlessly chic."
What are your beauty must-haves?
I am obsessive about washing my face every night. As for my favorite beauty product, I really love Neutrogena's Oil-Free Moisturizer. I've been using it since I was 14.
What's your worst shopping habit?
Actually purchasing from Zara and Gilt's apps while falling asleep. I have got to stop!
What trend do you really like, and what would you never be caught dead trying?
I'm loving track pants for fall, especially when combined with an oversized knit sweater and heels. If you ask me, the trend of wearing one long statement earring is better left to runways and red carpets. I guess I like symmetry.
Blaire Rabenhorst, Lead Stylist, is wearing a Theory shirt, Zara shorts, H&M shoes, Flash Tattoos, and jewelry from Gorjana, Jules Smith, and Free People.
What are your beauty must-haves?
Dior Extase Mascara, Drybar dry shampoo, and St. Tropez foam self-tanner.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
The Olsen twins and Rachel Zoe...I die.
Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?
My vintage Chanel jewelry collection, my favorite fur coat, and a silk kaftan set from Morocco.
What do you splurge on, and what do you cheap out on?
I splurge on traveling and cheap out on costume jewelry. I often find both of those habits go hand-in-hand!
What's your worst shopping habit?
Vintage clothing—too much is never enough.
Tell us about your prom dress.
My prom dress wasn't actually that bad. I went tea length for my senior prom: a BCBG black tulle overlay with gold, silver, and bronze sequins trickling down the dress. It was stepping out of the prom box for the average Louisianan.
Erica McCarthy, Art Director, is wearing a J.Crew shirt, skirt, and Oxford shoes, a Gap shirt, a Nixon watch, and jewelry all picked up from traveling in Bangkok, Austin, and San Francisco.
What's the best dress you ever rented?
I rented the Sachin + Babi Illyria Gown for a gala I attended with my parents in my hometown in Ohio. I swear the dress was more talked about than the actual event. No one had seen such a unique gown before! I'd like to think the number of Rent the Runway customers from Ohio went up after that night.
What was your first job?
Working at a SeaWorld concession stand with a few friends. I was usually the one going up and down the aisles with a cotton candy board before the sea lion and otter show yelling, "Get your cotton candy here!"
What do you splurge on, and what do you cheap out on?
I splurge on shoes, specifically sneakers and Oxfords. I often dress around my shoes and go for comfort, so they are pretty much my go-to for every outfit. Handbags are what I cheap out on. I've had my Madewell tote for three years, and I love the way it's worn in and all of its imperfections from over the years.
What other things do you wish you could rent besides dresses?
For years I wanted to be able to rent a bulldog with the option to buy. I actually started volunteering every Saturday just to be around dogs. I fostered a dog that got adopted and realized that it was time to take the plunge—now I have my own little French bulldog named Roux.
Tell us about your prom dress.
My first prom dress actually would probably be back in style now. When I got asked to prom, it seemed like my mom had been planning the dress shopping for years. We drove two hours to the prom dress mecca of the Midwest to find the perfect gown. I ended up with a simple, beautiful dark macro floral gown.
Talia Greismann, Senior Product Designer, is wearing a Markus Lupfer T-shirt, Ralph Lauren Black Label shorts, Converse sneakers, Fragments earrings, Aurélie Bidermann rings, a Shore Projects watch, a Lemon & Line bracelet, and a leather stud bracelet from Valentino.
What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?
Buy less, choose well.
What trend do you really like, and what would you be caught dead trying?
I will never tire of masculine knits in luxurious fabrics and a skinny trouser. Leather is also fantastic this season. But you won't see me in a crop top anytime soon.
What are your beauty must-haves?
Number one would be sleep! Without it, no products can save you. My favorite product is Benefit's Benetint. I use a dot for lips and cheeks to add subtle color. I also swear by Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask. I use it once a week in the winter and it's a miracle worker for dry skin.
What's your worst shopping habit?
Sometimes in the city, you go out for a coffee and come back with a leather jacket.
Who's your professional role model?
Lina Kutsovskaya. She was the Creative Director of Teen Vogue while I was an intern, and I was lucky enough to have her mentor me as I established myself in my own career. She has an extraordinary aesthetic and business sense, and since then has gone on to find success at Barneys, Sephora, Style.com, and most recently as the SVP of Creative at Nasty Gal.
Jane Baecher, Senior Buyer, is wearing a Tibi tank top, silk pants from a boutique in Paris, a scarf from Club Monaco, Acne shoes, an Eddie Borgo cuff, and Eddie Borgo and Gorjana rings.
What's your online shopping guilty pleasure?
Zara. I'd say a package arrives in the mail at least twice a month.
What's the best dress you've ever rented?
The David Koma Finale Dress. The best thing about Rent the Runway is that it allows you to take risks with fashion. This dress was so much fun to wear—edgy, sexy, and totally different than anything I had ever worn before.
What brand makes the best party dresses?
Elizabeth and James for their great cuts and amazing fit.
What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?
Go for quality, not quantity. Spend your money on investment pieces, like a handbag or a pair of shoes.
· Rent the Runway [Official Site]
· All Working It Posts [Racked]