Used responsibly, fashion rentals are a great way to bring new life to your wardrobe
There are reasons to be optimistic about sustainable fashion becoming more mainstream this year. Governments are starting to crack down on greenwashing. The innovations in lab-grown materials are getting better and better. The sharing economy and community is growing too, with fashion rental services especially getting a lot of attention.
Are fashion rentals really eco-friendly?
The rise of fashion rental services is not without its critics. On the surface, fashion rental seems like the ultimate hack for guilt free instant gratification. Whether it’s a one-off statement gown that you know would spend the rest of its life in the back of your closet, or an on-trend jacket whose moment won’t last but you really want it anyway, fashion rental services offer a chance to experience more fashion in real time. The financial upside is hard to dispute. The environmental impacts fall into a grayer area.
Proponents of fashion rental services advocate that rentals satisfy the need for new stuff, without the excess baggage clogging up our closets (and landfill). Rentals reinforce a sharing economy within the fashion eco-sphere, the argument goes, and the garments are getting more wears. Rent The Runway, arguably the best-known amongst the fashion rental services, published a study last year that estimated its rental model has displaced the production of 1.3 million new garments since 2010.
But critics of the rental model say it’s not that simple. Packaging, transportation, and professional cleaning all contribute to negative environmental impacts. There’s also the danger of people starting to race through rental clothes as fast as they do fast-fashion, especially with rental services that offer unlimited exchanges with a membership.
Good in moderation might be the best way to think of fashion rentals
Like most things in the oh-so-confusing landscape of sustainability, fashion rentals can be great if they’re done responsibly. It becomes a matter of priorities. Fashion rentals don’t exist so that we can have unlimited amounts of clothes with no economic or environmental repercussions. They pose a trade-off, and should be used responsibly, serving as one of several tools for building a more sustainable wardrobe. A pair of well-tailored, perfectly fit jeans (maybe even custom-made to your body) is something you should own, because you will wear them often and forever. A Barbiecore pink power suit? Probably less so…
They are definitely not an all-encompassing solution to our problems. That said, temporarily incorporating choice pieces into our wardrobes can be a fun way to engage with fashion beyond the mere buy-wear-dispose model.
How do Fashion Rentals Work?
Each service is set up a little differently. Some offer monthly subscription deals where members can borrow anywhere from one to ten items at a time; others are based on a peer-to-peer lending system. A lot of them will give you the option to purchase your rented garment at a nicely discounted price, should you decide you love it and must have it. Others will lease out a garment without a membership (though all memberships offer a month-to-month opt-out option). Tulerie requires meeting the borrower via FaceTime before doing business, presumably to create a stronger sense of community amongst the sharers. Rent The Runway offsets its transportation emissions. Armoire has an algorithm that suggests outfits for you based on previous choices.
The prices also vary, starting from $39 to $300 per month, or $29 ($0 with membership in some cases) to $250 per item. Different deals work for different people, so we’ve compiled a top 10 list of our favorite unique fashion rental services, so you can find the one that’s right for you.
Rent The Runway
The OG of luxury fashion rental, no list of this sort would be complete without RTR.
Best for: high-end brands, special occasion wear
How it works: Subscription based system where members can borrow anywhere from 4 to 16 items a month, depending on which plan you choose. You can also rent one-off items without a membership.
Pricing
- $94/month: 4 luxury items a month
- $144/month: 8 luxury items a month
- $235/months: 16 luxury items a month
Featured Brands: GANNI, Proenza Schouler, Stella McCartney
Cleaning: Included in $$
Option to buy at discount: Yes
Nuuly
Not sure how we feel about it being operated by Urban Outfitters, but Nuuly is at the top of our list for affordable, everyday fits.
Best for: mid-range brands, on-trend, street style
How it works: Subscription based flat rate that sends you a pack of 6 new clothing pieces per month.
Pricing
- $88/month
Featured Brands: Anna Sui, Anthropologie, Cynthia Rowley
Cleaning: Included in $$
Option to buy at discount: Yes
My Wardrobe HQ (UK only)
No Kill Magazine is based in NYC but MWHQ’s collections are so stunning we had to include it on the list – this one is for our British friends, whom we’re very envious of.
Best for: high end brands, statement pieces
How it works: Subscription based system where members can rent between 2 and 4 items per month. You can also rent one-off items without a membership.
Pricing
- £59/month: 2 luxury items per month
- £79/month: 4 luxury items per month
- individual one-off items from £5-£69/day
Featured Brands: Mara Hoffman, Vivienne Westwood, Gabriela Hearst
Cleaning: Included in $$
Option to buy at discount: Yes
Tulerie
Set up on a peer-to-peer sharing system, Tulerie vibe-checks every new person with a short FaceTime call. I’m kind of into this – it ensures everyone is on the same page, so that users treat their borrowed items the same way they’d want their clothes to be treated.
Best for: high-end brands, street style and party-wear
How it works: After your initial interview, you’ll be able to browse the closets of other Tulerie people. Select what you like, request it from its owner (the Lender), and borrow it for 4, 10 or 20 days. The app generates shipping labels, the Lender mails the garment, and the Borrower sends it back in the original packaging, so to minimize waste.
Pricing
- per item; item rentals range from $29-$150
Featured Brands: Brunello Cuccinelli, Reformation, Alexander McQueen
Cleaning: Included in $$
Option to buy at discount: Yes, via the app marketplace
Gwynnie Bee
This unlimited rental service encourages its members to raid its closet as often as possible. Focused on inclusive sizing, Gwynnie Bee offers a range of styles from laid-back chic to elegant night out.
Best for: mid-range brands, ready-to-wear, inclusive sizing
How it works: Subscription based system where members can keep 1 to 10 items as long as they like.
Pricing
- $49/month: 1 item at a time; unlimited exchanges
- $69/month: 2 items at a time; unlimited exchanges
- $95/month: 3 items at a time; unlimited exchanges
- $139/month: 5 items at a time; unlimited exchanges
- $179/month: 7 items at a time; unlimited exchanges
- $199/month: 10 items at a time; unlimited exchanges
Featured Brands: Anne Klein, Nic+Zoe, London Times
Cleaning: Included in $$
Option to buy at discount: Yes
Style Lend
A newer addition to the mix, Style Lend is another peer-to-peer lending service boasting beautiful, sought-after pieces and a simple, straightforward rental system.
Best for: high end brands, accessories (shoes + bags), occasion wear
How it works: Browse the Style Lend website and choose what you like – select and order. Keep item for up to 7 days. No membership required – it’s that simple. If you’re in NYC, same day delivery is an option too.
Pricing
- per item; item rentals range from $50-$250
Featured Brands: Zimmermann, Reformation, Chanel
Cleaning: No – borrower is responsible for professional cleaning upon return
Option to buy at discount: No
Armoire
Armoire curates its closet from the collections of brands whose ethos they support, whether that be WOC, POC or women owned, always with the goal of offering up clothes that suit working women.
Best for: mid-range, casual-chic and office chic
How it works: Subscription based system where members sign up for ‘cases’ delivered monthly. Cases hold between 4 and 7 items; members can opt in to unlimited case plans.
Pricing
- $69/month: 4 items per case; 1 case per month
- $89/month: 7 items per case; 1 case per month
- $139/month: 6 items per case; unlimited cases per month
Featured Brands: Rag & Bone, Scotch & Soda, Joie
Cleaning: Yes
Option to buy at discount: Yes
Le Tote
Le Tote is one of the best options for maternity clothes, with a wide variety of everything from sweatpants to formal evening wear. They also have some great statement pieces, and at the moment, that Barbiecore pink power suit we mentioned earlier.
Best for: mid-range, on-trend pieces; maternity wear
How it works: Subscription based system where members sign up for totes, which they can wear for as long as they want before exchanging for a new tote.
Pricing
- $59/month: 4 clothing items per tote
- $79/month: 3 clothing items + 2 accessories per tote
- $119/month: unlimited items + exchanges
Featured Brands: Rebecca Minkhoff, Adrianna Papell
Cleaning: Yes
Option to buy at discount: No (full price only)
Vince Unfold
Unsurprisingly, Vince’s rental service caters to the minimalist-luxe look, offering beautiful fabrics and silhouettes for lease.
Best for: quality fabrics for every day wear
How it works: Subscription based system: flat rate where members receive four items at a time; members are free to exchange at their own pace.
Pricing
- $160/1 month
- $280/2 months
- $410/3 months
Cleaning: Yes
Option to buy at discount: Yes
Vivrelle
The days of the It-bag waitlists are over, thanks to Vivrelle. The service offers high-end accessories for borrow, focusing mostly on handbags and fine jewelry.
Best for: Handbags, jewelry
How it works: Subscription based system where members choose the closet they want to pull from. The Premier closet offers jewelry only, the Classique is jewelry and bags, and the Couture gives access to special occasion wear, plus jewelry and bags.
Pricing
- $39/1 item per month (jewelry only)
- $99/ 1 item per month (jewelry OR handbag)
- $199/1 item per month (jewelry / handbag / limited edition pieces)
- $279/ 2 items per month (jewelry / handbag / limited edition pieces)
Featured Brands: Chanel, Hermes, MiuMiu etc.
Cleaning: Yes
Option to buy at discount: Yes
–Steph Lawson
RELATED ARTICLES
