Best Dressed at The Breakers in Palm Beach

The superlative title of this post isn't just me bragging - it's the apropos name of Boston dress rental shoppe Best Dressed, which graciously sent the Bostonista and I packing to Palm Beach with a suitcase full of frocks like this beautiful Eliza J. number, perfect for romping around The Breakers on a Sunday afternoon. 

Best Dressed was founded in 2016 by two Salem, MA sisters Vicky and Nikoleta Lirantonakis who love playing dress up but winced at all the money they collectively spent through years of buying one-time-use formal wear for the countless weddings and fetes they attended. They have two locations in Boston - Charlestown and Southie, and each spot stocks labels every well-heeled party girl already loves, like Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Shoshana and Tibi as well as a pretty healthy selection of hard-to-find Aussie labels Zimmerman, Stylestalker, Keepsake and Finders Keepers.

I have to admit, I've never "done" dress-rental before. I have a pretty basic black gown that I wear to a lot of formal events, and it's worked for me. But having this gorgeous Eliza J. dress to wear, enjoy and get lots of stares in - and then return without having to worry about dry cleaning - was pretty awesome, especially that last part. I most likely wouldn't get to wear a dress like this more than once or twice, so from a practical standpoint, rental is a really solid option, and one that I will absolutely be trying again knowing I can be more adventurous with my formal wear choices without having to ask myself that age-old dressing room question "Will I get enough use out of this?"

THE DRESS:

THE ACCESSORIES:

B.P. Blue suede sandals from Nordstrom.

Rebecca Minkoff leather clutch; Quay Australia sunglasses.