Welcome to the fashion rental revolution
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Rental is the fashion buzzword of the moment and it's a great way to practise sustainable fashion, save on wardrobe space and to try designer brands at a fraction of the cost of buying an item. Fancy giving it a go? The fashion team at Good Housekeeping is here to dispel all myths and questions so you feel informed and confident to rent for your next event this summer season.
Why rent fashion?
While the idea behind clothes rental services is to offer way to be more sustainable (we have all become painfully more aware of the impact clothing manufacturing is having on our planet), they also serve as a way of accessing designer fashion for a fraction of the retail price. Milestone birthday, awards ceremony, black-tie ball, graduation ceremony, mother of the bride or groom... we all have those one-off occasions where the dress code requires standout, swanky attire and, rather than always splurging on something new, then only wearing it once or twice, rental offers a brilliant, great-value alternative.
Have you considered renting your wedding dress?
Renting isn't just from the guests. As there has been an increased amount of brides-to-be renting their own wedding dresses instead of purchasing their own. Benefits include a chic yet cost effective way of walking down the aisle, that won't be worn once, destined to gather dust in the dark depths of your wardrobe.
Always wanted to wear designer for the big day but could never afford? Well rental sites such as ByRotation offers luxury designers like Ines di Santos, Danielle Frankel and Vivienne Westwood for a fraction of the cost.
How to rent clothes - top tips
• Where to start? First sign up to a rental site, then filter by the type of item or occasion, then by size, peruse the clothes, select your date and book! The company will then post the item out to you, you wear it and then post it back when you're done. Simple!
• Most sites have a 24-hour return policy for items that don’t fit. Exchanges or credit are offered by most rental sites, but it’s worth checking individual policies before you commit.
• You can book up to three months in advance and as little as 48hrs before borrowing. Ideally have a garment delivered a day or two before an occasion to give yourself plenty of time to try it on and avoid any last-minute stress.
• Fashion Assistant Corin Ripley is a fashion rental frequenter. Her top tip is "Always go for the added insurance fee. Costing around £6, it is well worth the peace of mind. You can enjoy your day without fretting about any accidental drink spills or damage".
• Dry cleaning fees are often covered in the cost of hiring, but not always, so do check.
• If you are unsure on sizing for designer clothing, go up one dress size as designer clothes tend to be cut on the smaller side.
• You need to return items on time or risk a fine. Most sites charge late fees, typically £25 a day. Use a tracked delivery service and keep proof of postage when you send back.
• Sometimes rival sites have identical pieces at different prices, so it's worth checking more than one rental platform before booking.
Last but not least. A bit like buying flights, the total can add up once you factor in the extras, such as a minimum hire period, dry-cleaning and delivery costs, so go through to the checkout stage to really understand the true cost.
Top fashion rental sites
HURR
This website allows you to rent a range of designer pieces directly from its members (peer-to-peer rentals), as well as from its own managed stock which are housed at Hurr HQ. Home to cult brands like The Vampire’s Wife, Rixo and Ganni, Hurr is definitely one of the chicest platforms out there. Also worth noting, if you are tight for time or worried about fit, Hurr have a permanent pop-up outlet in Selfridges, so you can try on as many pieces as you like and take them away with you on the day.
LK Borrowed
If you think you may become a frequent renter, consider LK Bennett’s subscription rental service. For £79 a month, you can rent up to two items at once, with unlimited swaps throughout the month creating a rotating wardrobe. Dry cleaning and postage is included within the subscription and there’s also the option to buy your rental pieces at up to 50% off the retail price.
By Rotation
This site is all about the community of 250,000 fashion fans, including some celebrities who lend from their own collections, featuring highly sought-after brands including The Vampire’s Wife and Self-Portrait, making designer clothes accessible to all women.
Hirestreet
More high-street fashion than high-end designers, it has affordable options starting from £7 for 4 days, including M&S, Coast, French Connection and Ghost. It’s one of the more inclusive rental sites with sizes spanning UK 4-32 and with over 10,000 items.
John Lewis
New to the rental market, impress for less with John Lewis’s rental platform. With prices starting from £20, you can experiment with fashion, without it having to cost the earth. Rent your pieces for 4, 8, 10, or 20 days (perfect for packing in your summer holiday suitcase).
My Wardrobe HQ
This is your go-to for luxury fashion rentals, with over 500 A-list worthy labels including Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent. If there’s anything that really catches your eye, you might even be able to purchase it – making it a resale site, as well as a rental one. If you live near London, MWHQ has a dedicated retail space within Harrods allowing you to try before you buy.
Front Row
This ‘luxury-on-loan’ platform launched in 2016 and stocks big fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, Dior and Chanel, many of which are not available from other rental platforms in the UK. Their sizing above a UK12 is limited but they have a great designer bag and shoe collection, offering 3-day and 5-day rental periods, which includes a pre-paid returns label.
Selfridges
Selfridges is one of the leading luxury department stores and they are now taking up space within the rental market. Available from 4 to 30 days They have a wide array of designers for established luxury brands to emerging luxury labels. Indulge in your SATC rental dream with a Chanel bag or Self-Portrait dress.
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