Clothes rental makes sense on so many levels – not only is it good for the environment (the most sustainable item is one that already exists after all), but it’s also good for your purse and if you enjoy variety in your wardrobe it ticks that box too.
Clothes production is estimated to be responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. It’s easy to think that our individual actions won’t make a noticeable difference. However, the Instagram account 1 million women estimates that “if everyone in the UK didn’t buy clothes for one day, the emissions saved would be the equivalent to driving a car around the world 8,640 times”.
I’m a massive fan of shopping your own wardrobe and love nothing more than to help clients create capsule wardrobes from the clothes they already own (click here to find out more about wardrobe edits and capsule wardrobe consultations).
When thinking about buying anything new I also always suggest that you only buy things that you know will have longevity in your wardrobe.
So if you’re thinking of renting clothes here is list of the brands you may like to try. They all operate in slightly different ways – some are monthly subscriptions, some hire clothes for set time periods (e.g. 4, 7, 14, 28 days), some are peer to peer apps where you can list or borrow from individuals – so click the links to read more.
- Hurr – set up in 2018, you can rent and buy listed items. They stock sizes 4-32 and specialise in mid to high end ranges.
- Hirestreet – you can hire from up to 100 UK and international brands.
- My Wardrobe HQ – lists items from 500+designers. One of the most comprehensive rental fashion services.
- By Rotation – the UK’s first rental peer-to-peer app. You can lend your items or rent from others.
- John Lewis Rental – they have a great ‘try it on’ service enabling you to upload a photo and add in your body shape details so that you can see what an item might look like on you.
- Selfridges Clothing Rental
- LKBennett – flat monthly fee of £79 per month
- M&S – offered via Hirestreet
- ASOS – offered via Hirestreet
- reBaukjen – Baukjen’s own rental service.
- From The Creators – maternity rental service.
- Cocoon – for bags
- Bag Butler – also for bags
I’m sure there are so many more rental offerings out there too so do let me know if you know of others or have any experience of renting items.
It’s definitely predicted to be a growth market so whether you see it as a great way to find clothes for specific occasions/events (weddings, evenings out, conferences etc.) or as something that you can use on a continual basis for items for your everyday wardrobe, it’s worth giving it a try.