Want those runway looks without blowing your budget? The best designer dress rentals offer a stylish and sustainable way to get your next fashion fix. While it used to be about showing off your latest purchase, fashion insiders are now regularly switching up their wardrobes by renting the must-have looks of the season.
Get bored with your wardrobe easily? But can't afford to shop 'til you drop? You need to look into designer dress rental. One of the biggest challenges facing the retail landscape, renting over purchasing is where it's at right now. The easiest way to inject your wardrobe with the latest fashion trends 2022, without spending big bucks. Designer dress rental allows you to constantly refresh your closet, have numerous looks on the go and you don't have to commit or pay full price for your outfit either. Ideal for special occasions, or for when you simply fancy a fashion fix, fashion rental services are booming.
Designer dress rental services have been on the up for a while now and while the best fashion bloggers and celebrities used to be secretive about their rental habits, as the popularity in supporting the best sustainable clothing brands and shopping more ethically has grown, so too has the public outpour of love for renting over shopping. While we might talk about renting designer dresses as a fad, in reality, we see this a huge cultural shift in the way we shop and interact with clothes. So if you're wondering where to start, these are the best designer dress rental services and how to navigate this brave new fashion world.
The best designer dress rentals chosen by our fashion expert
Best US dress rentals
Why we love it: One of the best-known clothing rental subscriptions, Rent The Runway allows customers to hire runway dresses. With over 700 luxury designer brands, choose from red carpet-ready gowns by British clothing brand Jenny Packham, to Diane Von Furstenberg and Italian clothing brand Marni to name but a few. Subscribers can tailor their monthly subscription plan to suit them - from how many items they want to borrow, to how often they want to receive them. The clever filters also allow you to filter by your style, mood, occasion or what’s trending.
How to use it: Pick your membership plan (prices start at $89 with a discount for the first month for new users), browse through the brands and choose what pieces you would like to be sent. You can borrow items for as long as you like. When you’re finished, send them back in the reusable bag and plan your next package. Return in the pre-paid reusable bag via RTR Return Location, RTR Drop-off Box, FedEx store, FedEx Drop Box or a FedEx partner location.
Try now: renttherunway.com
Why we love it: As one of the best clothing subscription services, Nuuly has an edit of straight to market brands, alongside up-and-coming designer labels, and its own exclusive vintage pieces which would give the best online vintage stores a run for their money. With so many covetable dresses to pick from, the trickiest part will be choosing which to borrow each month. Not to worry though, if you end up not wanting to give your rental back, you can opt to buy it. Trying before you buy is a great way to be more conscious of what you’re spending and see if you love the item before committing to a purchase.
How to use it: Operating on a flat rate, the site allows you to pick up to six items to borrow for a month for $88. Simply sign up, choose what you would like to be sent, then return them to swap for another six pieces when you’re ready. Everything will be sent via UPS in a reusable bag, and cleaning and repairs are included in the monthly price.
Try now: nuuly.com
Why we love it: Stylish and inclusive, Gwynnie Bee offers covetable pieces to borrow in sizes US 0-32. The curated edit spans every dress code, from casual everyday wear to summer outfits for work and event-ready styles. Part of a rental community, tag #ShareMeGB on Instagram once you’ve worn what you’ve rented and the brand will share your style with its loyal followers to give others outfit inspiration.
How to use it: Pick your subscription package depending on how many items you want to borrow each month, and how many you want to be able to have out at a time - from one up to ten. Everything will be sent by USPS Priority Mail/ DHL and takes one to four business days for delivery. You can easily return pieces with the free postage label.
Try now: closet.gwynniebee.com/
Why we love it: Whether you’re looking for high-end brands such as Prada and Saint Laurent or straight-to-market finds from the likes of ASOS and Free People, Style Lend will have you scrolling for hours. You can rent from other people’s closets or lend your own to make money from your investment pieces too (instead of learning how to sell clothes online), a great way of making your wardrobe work for you on a longer term basis. Ready for work, brunch dates and evening soirées, this is the fashion elite’s hub for all the most stylish clothes, bags, shoes, accessories and more.
How to use it: Search through the thousands of dresses by size, color or style, pick what you would like and get your order delivered in two-three days to keep for seven nights.
Try now: stylelend.com
Why we love it: This clothes-swapping platform allows you to borrow and lend directly with other users, much like borrowing a dress from a friend but on a much bigger scale. As well as finding a fancy frock for yourself on the app, you can make some extra money and lend items from your own wardrobe. There’s also an option to resell if you’re ready to part ways with your pre-loved garment permanently. With the likes of Australian clothing brand, Zimmerman and one of Kate Middleton's favorite dress labels Self-Portrait, this site is packed full of stylish lends.
How to use it: No subscription needed, just a short interview process before you’re free to shop on the platform. Prices vary depending on the piece and length of rental - just make a request on your favorite piece and you’ll hear back from the lender within 24 hours. You can pick a delivery date and rent a piece for four, ten or 20 days. Tulerie takes care of the shipping labels and the lender takes care of the cleaning so all you need to do is package up and drop off at a USPS drop box by noon on your rental return date.
Try now: tulerie.com
Why we love it: Not just a rental service, Armoire has a team of personal stylists to help recommend pieces to rent based on your own personal style. Perfect if you’re new to the rental game and need a helping hand. Brands vary from affordable British clothing brand Boden to more high-end labels such as Diane Von Furstenberg and Adrianna Papell allowing you to borrow some of the best jeans for everyday as well as dresses for special events such as what to wear to a wedding.
How to use it: After a short style quiz, a stylist will curate a case of items for you but if you’re unhappy with the selection you can swap styles out before it ships. You can choose four, six or seven items per case with prices starting from $79 a month ($69 for the first month) to $249 for unlimited cases. Unused cases can roll over to the next month too. There’s no commitment and you can pause, change or cancel your membership at any time.
Try now: armoire.style
Why we love it: If you’re looking for your rentals to work seamlessly with your capsule wardrobe then look no further than designer Vince’s rental programme. Brimming with both past and present designs, you can rent anything from elevated basics such as the best cashmere sweaters to silky slip dresses for an effortless evening look. There’s a constant stream of new styles so you’ll never be short on choices. As it only carries own brand, there aren't other designer dress rental options, but if you love what the brand has to offer, this service will have you brimming with style confidence.
How to use it: For $160 a month, you’ll receive four items a month with unlimited exchanges so you can chop and change as much as you like. Just make sure to maintain 10 items in your edit to ensure swift shipping and if you do fall in love with a piece you can purchase at a discounted price too. A perfect way to try before you buy.
Try now: vinceunfold.com
Why we love it: Wondering what to wear to the races? Or looking for your Cinderella moment at a ball? Whatever the occasion, Nova Octo has you covered with its stunning selection of gowns, separates and accessories. It’s not a monthly subscription service so you can just rent that show-stopping piece when the invite rolls in. You can browse the site through occasion or dress code too including Black Tie, Cocktail and Smart Casual. Packed with designer dresses from some of the runway's best you'll be spoilt for choice.
How to use it: The one-time rental fee includes cleaning and shipping and the price varies depending on the piece. An Oscar De La Renta gown can cost $800 to rent whilst a Jacquemus dress can set you back $250, although this is still infinitely cheaper than purchasing one outright, ideal if you only plan to wear it once. If you’re in the New York area, you can also pop into the showroom and try before you borrow. They can also make temporary alterations if it doesn’t quite fit right too, so you'll feel like an A-lister.
Try now: novaocto.com
Best UK dress rentals
Why we love it: A go-to for cult labels and Instagram-loved brands, you can rent everything from the best dresses and coat trends 2022 to the best designer bags. Everything is borrowed directly from Rotaro, and unlike some sites, they stock pieces in multiple sizes. Rent pieces for as little as four days, or as long as 12. We also love that all items are delivered in a carbon-neutral way, and arrive in reusable bags. Once you've worn your dress, pop it straight in the bag to return - Rotaro deals with the cleaning so there’s no need to worry.
How to use it: Say yes to the dress, select the rental start date and duration you want to borrow it for, and wait for it to be delivered the next day (if you order before midday) or on your nominated day of choice. When you’ve finished, pop it in the pre-paid bag and send it back via DPD drop-off.
Try now: rotaro.co.uk
Why we love it: As a peer-to-peer platform, the By Rotation app is all about community. Whether you join to borrow an outfit or lend your own closet, it’s all based on people who share a love of fashion. Have you ever seen an outfit on Instagram you would love to wear? This is basically a way to do it, without having to splurge on designer outfits.
How to use it: Founder Eshita Kabra-Davis explains how to use the platform: “By Rotation’s app is very user-friendly. Once you set up an account, you can browse by size, color, designer, or even user (if you find someone with your dream wardrobe). Then you simply chat with the lender about any queries, book out the dates you would like to rent it for on the calendar, and that’s it. The hardest part is having to give the item back to its owner!"
Try now: The By Rotation app
Why we love it: As well as high-end designer brands and indie clothing brands, Hirestreet has heaps of more affordable ones too, from M&S for your wardrobe essentials to Nobody's Child for the best midi dresses meaning you can borrow items for all occasions. With an inclusive size range spanning UK 4-24, you can also search the site by occasion, size, color and even price. Unsure of your size? You can always order more than one, and if returned with tags, you won’t have to pay for that rental.
How to use it: If you have an event, Hirestreet suggests booking your items to arrive two days before the date so you have time to try them on. Once you’ve worn them, pack them back up in the bag provided and use the free returns label to post back via Royal Mail. No need to worry about cleaning, the team will take care of this.
Try now: hirestreetuk.com
Why we love it: A dress rentals site that allows you to rent, buy brand new or nearly-new garments that have already been rented, Endless Wardrobe does it all. With high street and designer dress brands, the site carefully curates an edit of select pieces so it isn’t overwhelming to look through. Stocking sizes UK 6-18 and XS-XL, you can search by style, size and brand. There’s also a permanent outlet section where you can find pieces that are ready to shop after reaching the end of their rental life-cycle.
How to use it: Endless Wardrobe stocks all the brands themselves - like an online shop would - so you can book different sizes and styles, and anything you don’t wear will be refunded to you. If you rent a piece and love it so much you want to keep it, Endless Wardrobe will discount the price you’ve paid to rent it from the new or nearly-new price.
Try now: endlesswardrobe.com
Why we love it: Launched in 2016, London-based Front Row has a vast collection of runway-worthy dresses, clothes and accessories ready to rent. You’ll find all the big designer fashion houses including Balmain, Chanel, Dior and Gucci, meaning you're guaranteed to wow at that all-important summer event. Founder Shika Bodani explains, "Our aim is to democratize fashion and make luxury fashion accessible to all. Our platform features clothing and accessories available to rent and purchase from over 50 international designer brands including Elie Saab and Ralph & Russo, allowing you to keep up to date with the latest trends whilst promoting the recirculation of luxury goods." They have recently collaborated with iconic British department store Fenwick so if you're in the UK and in London or Newcastle, you can pop into their stores to rent and try on pieces. The rental price varies but is roughly around 10-25% of the retail price, so when it comes to the best designer dress rentals, Front Row should be top of your list.
How to use it: Start browsing straight away for your statement dress and once you’ve found ‘the one’ you can buy to rent for three or five days. You can also pop to the Mayfair showroom in London for an IRL trying-on session. There’s a flat rate of £15 for delivery and a deposit of £50 which is refunded once the item has been returned in its original condition.
Try now: frontrow.uk.com
Why we love it: This peer-to-peer service really excels in the tech department using real-time ID verification, geo-tagging and A1-powered fashion stylists for a secure and trustworthy rental experience. The site is super easy to navigate too with handy edits such as the best bridesmaid dresses edit, sustainable brands section and even a Bridgerton edit so you can live your best Lady Whistledown life. It’s definitely one of the coolest platforms out there with cult mid-range brands such as Rixo, Sleeper and Ganni all listed on site.
How to use it: You’ll need to get approved before you lend or rent but once that’s done you can start scrolling through until you find your dream dress which can be rented for four, eight, ten or 20 days. Lenders are responsible for posting their own clothes and you can message them directly if you have any questions about the size or fit of the item. Once finished, you can just send back via Royal Mail but make sure to use a tracked and insured service.
Try now: hurrcollective.com
Why we love it: Luxury department store Selfridges has joined the rental revolution as part of its sustainable Project Earth initiative and we couldn’t be happier. Being a trustworthy store with a plethora of designer brands at its disposal, you know you can bag something good here. Filter by category, designer or size, and rentals range from a purse-friendly £20 to £900 for something more lavish. As well as fancy frocks, there are some of the best and biggest handbag trends 2022 to choose from too.
How to use it: Get started by registering an account and then you’re free to browse the curated edit of designer dress rentals. You can rent a piece from as little as four days, right up to 20 days and once you’re done just send back in the pre-paid packaging provided.
Try now: selfridgesrental.com
Why we love it: My Wardrobe HQ allows you to get that A-list wardrobe at a fraction of the cost with some items having been donated by celebrities and influencers themselves. As well as renting, if you fall in love with a piece, many have the option to purchase so you can hold on to it forever. There are over 500 designers on site including vintage designs so options aplenty and they take care of all those boring bits such as cleaning and delivery.
How to use it: Renters will need to get verified and you can rent your dress for up to 14 days. When you’re ready to send back, send back via your pre-paid DPD return. They also offer refunds on unworn items.
Try now: mywardrobehq.com
Why we love it: Relatively new to the UK rental market, DCEY is packed with smaller, or lesser known international designer brands, meaning you're less likely to rock up at an event as someone else in the same frock - hurrah!
Turkey’s first and largest rental platform, DCEY, was founded in 2010 by twin sisters Eda Franci and Seda Aksoy. DCEY, which stands for 'Davet Çok Elbisem Yok', aptly translates to ‘So Many Invites, Nothing To Wear’. Focused entirely on occasion pieces, there is even a substantial dedicated bridal section, that's packed with the best wedding dress trends 2022 has on offer. A sustainable approach to never partying in the same dress twice, expect beautifully embellished pieces, flattering drapes and unique and directional pieces. The only downside of the brand is limited sizing, with pieces, available in sizes 4-12.
How to use it: You can borrow items for 4, 8 or 16 days and the rental price is very much dependent on the item itself. If you're looking to gift someone their first shot at dress rental DCEY also offer gift vouchers - a great idea for any fashion loving friends. In line with other sites, DCEY recommend renting your dress in good time, at least two days before the event you require it for. Items can be returned in the garment bag or packaging supplied.
Try now: dcey.co.uk
3 Reasons to try designer dress rentals
There are so many pros to renting an outfit instead of simply buying a new one. They boil down to three main points. Renting helps:
- reduce pollution and climate change
- save you money, and can earn you money
- you develop your style risk-free
1. Reduce pollution and climate change
But let’s start with the shocking facts. The fashion industry is thought to be the largest polluting industry, second to oil, in the world.
And with a garbage truck of textiles being added to landfills or burned every second, it’s no surprise that globally, 92million tonnes of textile waste is produced each year. Many fast-fashion retailers promote eco collections, but evidence suggests that this is often just greenwashing.
This is why rental brands are pushing for more people to reduce their individual impact by renting clothes instead of buying new, because every little effort really does help. UK rental site Rotaro reports that for wedding season alone, if everyone wears a pre-loved outfit the carbon emissions saved will be the equivalent of taking 56million cars off the road for a day.
2. Save you money and earn you money
Renting is not just for special occasions though. Peer-to-peer rental platform, By Rotation, encourages its community to share outfits for everyday wear at any time of the year. Need a killer outfit for an important work meeting? Or want a new dress for date night? Rent it.
The best designer dress rental services will not only save you money, as the cost of a rental dress is a fraction of buying a new one, they can also earn you money. If you don’t want to sell clothes online, you can rent out your much-loved pieces so that they earn while you’re not wearing them. By Rotation’s ethos is: why have a piece hanging in your closet when you can make money from it?
3. develop your style risk-free
Renting clothes also allows you to experiment with different trends and styles to see if they suit you (if you have trouble figuring out what suits you, read our guide to dressing for body types) without committing to a big purchase. “Rental provides a sustainable and affordable alternative to buying an outfit and wearing it once. Customers tell us the service lets them experiment with fashion - often trying bolder styles from brands they haven’t purchased from before. Also, 47% of women say they feel pressure to wear a different outfit for every event. We basically facilitate those special occasion outfits being shared, instead of each customer buying an outfit and wearing it once.” says Isabella West, co-founder of rental service, Hirestreet.
Is renting clothes sustainable?
There’s no getting away from the fact that the most sustainable way to shop would be not to shop at all, and to only wear what you already own. But let’s face it, for many of us that’s not realistic. Plus, with the fashion industry forever growing, the temptation to shop isn’t going away any time soon. Brands are increasingly waking up to the need to produce clothes in a more planet-friendly way, and though many high street conscious collections can be dismissed as greenwashing, there are sustainably-minded brands authentically helping to reduce the negative impact of fashion consumption.
Designer dress rentals are an effective way to minimize the need to buy new, and subsequently control the amount of clothing that ends up being thrown away. The question mark when it comes to sustainability within the rental space is over the transportation and cleaning of garments, both of which use energy and produce carbon emissions. In a bid to tackle this, many sites such as Rotaro have started to use electric services for delivery and planet-friendly alternatives to dry cleaning.
How easy is it to try dress rentals?
Each of the best designer dress rental services are different. However, each site makes it as easy as possible to get customers renting, returning and swapping so that every amazing outfit gets to be worn and enjoyed by as many people as possible. Some sites such as Endless Wardrobe and Rotaro also aim to make the process circular by selling the pieces for less than retail cost, once they’ve reached the end of their rental cycle.
Ultimately, using a designer dress rental service is as easy as ordering a new outfit online, without the need to feed into the damaging world of fast fashion or have shopping guilt. With a host of stylish rental services to try, it’s easier than ever to give it a go.
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