The stylish clothes rental sites you need to know in 2024
More people are looking to rent clothes now than ever before. And it's great news for the planet – especially since 13 million items of clothing go to landfill every week, according to Oxfam.
The charity's research also shows that new clothes bought in the UK produce more carbon emissions per minute than driving a car around the world six times. So, it's fair to say that one of the easiest ways to do your bit for the environment is by avoiding fast fashion and limiting the amount of new pieces you buy each season to those items that will really stand the test of time in your capsule wardrobe.
But that's easier said than done, right? Especially in a world obsessed with newness. Luckily, there’s a way around this: renting your clothes. Not only can you save money and wear something special for less than you'd pay in store, but you can get the dopamine hit of wearing something brand new without actually purchasing anything.
They say the most sustainable thing is what’s already hanging in your wardrobe, but it can also be what’s hanging in someone else’s...
How do I rent an outfit?
Rentals tend to fall into three categories. First up are peer-to-peer apps like by By Rotation and HURR Collective, which involve chatting to other users much like you would when buying on eBay or Depop. This system has a positive impact on both parties, as well as the planet, says Eshita Kabra-Davies, founder and CEO of By Rotation:
'For lenders, it creates extra income and the chance to monetise clothes without having to sell them, and for renters, it makes otherwise inaccessible pieces accessible, without breaking the bank or impacting negatively on the environment.'
Next up are rental sites such as Hirestreet and Rites, which hold onto the items themselves. Simply browse from their bountiful stock and rent for a set time.
Excitingly, the latest to join the rental game are the brands themselves. In the last year, Selfridges, L.K Bennett and Perfect Moment have started selling and loaning new-in, old-season and second-hand stock. So, if you're coveting something but are unwilling to commit, this is a win/win situation.
The best places to rent an outfit from
Curious about how renting clothes works? Scroll down for our helpful guide to renting your wardrobe or borrowing from others'. Or, get straight down to business with Red's top rental sites to shop now...
HURR Collective
Best for designer clothes
HURR Collective is the peer-to-peer rental platform that operates through its website and an easy-to-use app where you can communicate with other users. The company photoshops the images lenders upload to look more professional, so browsing is a dream. Simply pick your item, choose the time period (between seven days and a month) then choose whether to add the £5 protection to cover damages. Shipping, cleaning and exchanges are arranged at the lenders' discretion and same-day courier bikes can be used for London-based users.
And there’s good news for those who love to rent their pieces for longer (ideal if you’re looking to add to your holiday capsule wardrobe), as HURR Flex has just launched. In a nutshell, this is a dream come true for those who want to rent items for longer periods – the new credit service gives customers the choice to purchase two credit pass options, giving renters money and the opportunity to rent multiple items for as long as they want, saving you money in the long run.
HURR asks lenders to stick strictly to their list of accepted brands (you'll find everything from Chanel and Claudie Pierlot to Anthropologie on there), with items only accepted if they're less than two years old and originally retailed at over £120. Basically, it's the good stuff only, which is why the likes of Laura Whitmore, Inthefrow's Victoria McGrath and Pixie Lott are big fans. And when the celebs aren't borrowing clothes, they're renting their own – yes, you can pluck straight from Stacey Dooley and influencer Lucy Williams' wardrobes on HURR.
Cocoon
Best for designer handbag rentals
Handbag rental site Coccon has quickly become a fashion editor favourite for its never-ending selection of 'It' bags, including the likes of Prada's nylon backpacks, quilted Chanel clutches and sequinned Fendi baguettes. The site is truly a treasure trove of the all the latest must-have accessories.
It's little wonder that this clever subscription rental service has caught on: for a monthly membership fee of £79 you can loan a designer handbag for up to 3 months, giving you plenty of time to show it off at special occasions or simply test-run a potential future investment before you take the plunge and purchase.
Plus, the brand has recently collaborated with fashion restoration specialists The Restory, so you can sleep easy knowing your rental will be in top condition when you receive it.
By Rotation
Best for choice and community
By Rotation is the community everyone wants to be part of, fronted by the most approachable influencer/CEO/Forbes 30 under 30 out there (Kabra is always reposting Instagram pictures of rotators in their hired garments). Not only can you rent her dreamy wardrobe, but you'll also find royal Amelia Windsor's, as well as influencers like Jessie Bush and Camille Charrière's on the platform.
Kabra tells Red the secret to the app's success: 'I wanted to create a community of people who could share the items they already owned; to economically empower women to use clothes and accessories to generate an income, while also breathing life back into garments that may be hiding at the backs of their wardrobes.'
For renters, the process is super simple, with rotators sending and returning pieces by Royal Mail or meeting in person for a drop off (sellers' identity and address is vetted beforehand). Lenders are responsible for cleaning in general, but sometimes you'll pay an extra fee if an item is delicate.
Because of this peer-to-peer model, the choice on By Rotation is incredible. Choose from bridge brands like Ganni and Rixo, cult bags (we’re talking the Dior Saddles and Chanel's 2.55) or beautiful designer pieces you can wear to weddings and formal events. The app is the best bit about this business. It allows for Instagram-quality imagery, which makes browsing really fun, and friendly interactions with other users about specific measurements.
For The Creators
Best for maternity and postnatal clothing
Offering both one-time rentals and handy rental plans, For The Creators is on a mission to modernise maternity dressing while making motherhood as easy, cost-effective and kind to the planet as possible.
Buying maternity clothes or different sizes for a couple of months – while your body goes through inevitable changes – isn't the most eco-friendly of decisions. But thankfully For The Creators lets you rent by stage of motherhood (first to fourth trimester and breastfeeding) or allows you to simply browse some of your favourite brands – from Sézane to Whistles – to find stylish clothes to suit you.
For one-time rentals you can keep your item for four to 10 days, while a monthly membership (starting from £30 a month) gives you two new items a month, free swaps and 25% off rentals – perfect for special occasions like weddings during pregnancy. What's more, being a member actually unlocks the ability to purchase your rental items (if you want to keep them forever) for 25% of the usual retail price. It just keeps getting better.
Perfect Moment
Best for skiwear
No doubt you will have spotted Perfect Moment's luxury skiwear both on the slopes and your Instagram feed over the past few years. The high-performance activewear brand has quickly become the style set's go-to when it comes to both technical ski and après looks. But you may also have noticed that the brand's iconic houndstooth and chevron jackets (loved by the likes of Reese Witherspoon and the Princess of Wales) come with a hefty price tag.
Fortunately, you can now achieve the celeb-approved sporty look for less, thanks to Perfect Moment's new rental platform. The capsule edit includes the brand's most iconic styles, both new and archive, allowing customers to rent signature Perfect Moment looks for up to 14 days from just £10 per day. Time to book that ski holiday, then?
Rites
Best for both IRL and online rentals
With both an online and in-store option (located in East London's iconic Broadway Market), rental site Rites gives renters the option to try on pieces in real life, or simply scan the brand's aesthetically-pleasing website for the perfect party piece. There are sequins, feathers and lace on offer from all our favourite designer brands such as Self-Portrait, Aje and Ganni. In fact, all Rites' pieces would make the perfect addition to a holiday wardrobe or simply a show-stopping outfit for your next big event.
Renting from Rites couldn't be simpler: pick your size, choose whether you want your desired item for four, eight, 10 or 20 days, and wait for delivery. The best part is the rental fee includes cleaning and a free return label. Plus, you can opt in for Rites' damage protection scheme to cover any minor damage to a maximum cost of £50 per rented item.
Hirestreet
Best for dress hire and events
Hirestreet is the perfect place to shop for occasionwear – arguably the best type of clothing to rent as evening dresses or wedding guest outfits are so rarely worn again. A quick scroll through the site's impeccably shot stock (it looks like a boutique e-tailer) and you'll find sequins, silk and satin galore from the likes of Lavish Alice, Rat & Boa, ASOS Edition and Bec+Bridge.
Prices start from just £14 and you can choose a rental period of between four and 16 days. One thing to note if you're particularly accident-prone is that you take full responsibility for damages with Hirestreet, but you can opt for insurance at checkout if you want peace of mind.
Baukjen
Best for everyday wardrobe essentials
Baukjen, a favourite label among Red's editors, does incredible work on its eco credentials. So, buy new from the store and you can rest assured that fabrics will be sustainably sourced from ethical suppliers. Or, go one step further and rent from the brand.
Its rental offering started with sister site Isabella Oliver's maternity clothes (pregnancy garments are a huge source of waste, since you only wear them for a year at most), but now it's expanded to mainline Baukjen. You can hire each piece for a two-week period, from as little as £19, and it's also possible to buy second hand bits from the pre-loved section of the site for a seriously tempting discount.
Topping that, customers are encouraged to send back their old Baukjen clothes (shipping is free) to be recycled or rented, receiving a £20 voucher to spend online as a thank you.
Red's guide to renting clothes
For those new to or daunted by renting, here are the answers to all of your key questions and concerns.
How do I care for rental clothes?
It's best to avoid washing items and potentially damaging them, which is why most rental sites will handle that side of things. If you want to refresh or remove odours from items after wearing, try using a spray or airing them outside. If you spill food on something, act fast, but don't use stain remover – just spot clean with a damp cloth.
You can usually avoid cleaning rentals, but ironing out creases before you wear the item is a whole other matter. Steer clear of a classic iron, which can accidentally burn holes in a garment, and opt for a clothes steamer instead. It's the fashion editor's secret weapon and much kinder to clothes.
What happens if I damage an item?
Damage policies differ between each rental company. Most won't worry about the odd stain but might ask you to reimburse the lender for serious damage. If you really want peace of mind, Hirestreet offers insurance on rentals.
What happens if my rented item doesn't fit?
Fret not: most sites will allow you to swap your rental for another item if it doesn't fit or you don't like it. Just let them know ASAP. You might still have to pay cleaning and postal fees, mind.
How much can I earn from renting my clothes?
This is the real eye-opener. Instead of selling clothes you love on eBay or Depop for a fraction of the price, why not share them with others? It's good for the planet and can make you some decent money.
'Many of our top lenders have made back full RRP on some of their coveted dresses and even handbags, with some making over £2,000 per month lending out their wardrobes,' By Rotation's Kabra tells us.
What's more, she points out, it could impact your future shopping choices. 'The app's Lender Activity feature is making users' spending habits more conscious and strategic, as they now consider an item’s rentability before committing to purchase.'
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