It might only be February but our iCal is already overflowing with notifications. Thanks to a line-up of summer weddings, winter weddings, work events, that girls weekend away and the 30th birthday you completely forgot about, 2020 is set to be your busiest year yet. But can your wardrobe take the pace? 

If your clothes are coming up short, don’t stress, put down your credit card and empty that online shopping basket. The newest way to update your wardrobe with Insta-worthy style is as budget-friendly as it is environmentally conscious. Enter the rental fashion services that are now more popular than ever. 

The instant appeal is simple: the chance to rent that outfit you’ve been lusting over on Instagram, or getting to wear the designer dress of your dreams (despite the fact it may not be within budget). Throw in the fact that most of these going out outfits would only usually be worn once or twice at a push, and there’s even more reason to love the idea.

This is what essentially makes the idea of lending clothes or renting other people’s a sustainable (and affordable) option for everyone.

We have fallen for many rental fashion sites over the years: there’s Girl Meets Dress, which boasts over 4000 frocks to hire at a click of a button. There’s even the option of a VIP ‘infinite’ monthly service, which vows to have you switching up your wardrobe more regularly than your breakfast cereal. Then, there are sites like The Endless Wardrobe that let you order an outfit up to three months in advance, for those of you who prefer to plan ahead. 

Peer-to-peer rental services are also available, allowing you to borrow someone else’s outfit. By Rotation is the first rental app that invites you to upload images of yourself (or a pal) wearing the item to show the true fit, and the items can be sent to members to get more wear out of them.

It’s not just websites getting in on the action: Hurr has now opened their first rental pop-up in London’s Selfridges. If you love a spot of IRL browsing you can choose from a curated selection of 200 contemporary pieces (think new season Ganni and Gucci accessories), yours to rent for 7 days. You’ll be able to turn up to any occasion looking a million dollars wearing anything from Self Portrait to Rixo without having to spend the £££.

Get yourself acquainted with the brands leading the fashion rental revolution.

Hurr

What it is: A fashion-forward community of women sharing their wardrobe through an online rental website. Hurr has now opened their first rental pop-up space in Selfridges, making their rental offering even more accessible. For the next six months, this pop-up will offer a curated selection of 200 contemporary womenswear pieces, all available to hire. Expect to see dresses and accessories from the likes of Rixo, Ganni and Gucci, all available to rent for seven days.

How it works: You can sign up for free membership, and once an ID check is completed you can upload pictures of items that are £150 or more (promoting users to buy less, but buy better) and rent them out. Members have to disclose the location of the item, and can then choose a method of delivery: post, bicycle courier (for same and next-day delivery) or arrange meet-ups to pick up and return the item. Renters can find items easily by searching by brand, product, size and even type of occasion – and lenders have even been known to make up to £500 a month.

Brands: Contemporary, niche and designer labels including Chanel, Realisation par, Rejina Pyo, Zimmermann and Gucci. 

Price: The rental price per day is decided by the member lending the item, but Hurr suggests 20% of original retail price. A dry cleaning and delivery charge are also added.

Where to find Hurr: Sign up at hurrcollective.com

By Rotation

What it is: The first (and only) rental app in the UK with over 3000 users already.

How it works: Sign up for free membership, become a ‘Rotator’ and loan pieces you don’t want and rent pieces you do. The inclusive peer-to-peer service focuses on circulation as the new sustainable way to shop. Everyone uses their own images of the item being worn to show fit, and it only takes two minutes to upload on the app. The amount of time you require the item is then decided and delivery and returns are either done by in-person drop-off or tracked postal shipping.

Brands: Focusing on mid to high-end brands including Rixo, Jacquemus, Ganni and even a Hermès Birkin bag for just £75 a day.

Price: The rental day rate is usually 5% of the item’s original retail price.

Where to find By Rotation: Download on Apple app store, Google Play and iTunes. 

The Endless Wardrobe

What it is: A rental website that has all the stock themselves so multiple sizes of the same item are available. 

How it works: No need to sign up, just browse the brands (filter by size) and choose from a four, six or ten day rental period. Everything can be ordered up to three months in advance (for the organised ones) and up to 2pm the day before (for those less organised) Mon-Fri. Wear the chosen item as many times you want over this time and return using the pre-paid label by post or DPD drop-off point.

Brands: De La Vali, ALEXACHUNG, Free People, Essentiel Antwerp. 

Price: The rental charge is from 10-20% of the rrp and delivery and dry cleaning is including in the fee. Stains and damages will not be charged as they’re fixed in-house. Note: any items you order that you don’t wear, you can get a full refund – helpful if you’re in-between sizes. 

Where to find The Endless Wardrobe: Visit the website theendlesswardrobe.com

Girl Meets Dress

What it is: One of the largest rental services in the UK founded back in 2009.

How it works: No registration needed, just browse and select the dress you want to hire for two nights or a week. Dresses are then delivered within 24 hours or same day if you live in London and they offer free returns. You can also order up to three dresses and only pay for the one you actually wear.

Brands: Over 4000 dresses from 200 designer brands including Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, Temperley London, Lanvin. And high street brands from French Connection and Whistles to Ghost and Free People.

Price: Two day rentals start at £19 and go up to £119. You can also choose to become a VIP member and get unlimited dresses (three at a time) each month.

Where to find Girl Meets Dress: Check out the website at girlmeetsdress.com

Opening image: Getty

Images: Courtesy of brands