How to Spruce Up Your Wardrobe with Rentals
Ever since the first online clothing rental service launched a few years ago, the number of sites specializing in this kind of service has exploded, and now include offerings for both men and women. Clothing rental might not be for everyone, but it can be an affordable alternative for those wishing to add a bit of variety to their wardrobes. If you're new to the world of clothing rental, here are five sites to check out:
Rent the Runway (RenttheRunway.com):
Rent the Runway was the among the first clothing rental services to take off and from the beginning, this service has focused on dress and accessory rentals for women with events to attend but nothing to wear. Rent the Runway offers both traditional and plus-size dress rentals.
The rental price is individually marked on each dress so there are no surprises. Most rentals from the site are for four or eight days. Since it is impossible to try dresses on prior to renting, Rent the Runway will automatically send out two dresses with each order. One dress will be in the size you request, and the other will be in the next size up in an attempt to ensure that one of the two dresses fits.
Le Tote (Letote.com):
While Rent the Runway focuses primarily on dresses for formal occasions, Le Tote offers clothing rental options for women to wear in daily life. Women interested in subscribing to Le Tote fill out a brief style survey and then browse the online closets where they can indicate the items they like the most. Based on those preferences, stylists will send out a new tote filled with clothing and accessories each month. Totes can be returned for new items as many times as you would like during a month.
Two different rental options are available from Le Tote. With the jewelry box, women can rent three pieces of jewelry for $19 per month. With the Boutique Box, women can rent three garments and two accessories for $49 per month. Each box is guaranteed to have be valued at over $200. Shipping is free in both directions.
Gwynnie Bee (Gwynniebee.com):
Gwynnie Bee is a plus-size clothing rental service. It offers casual, business and formal attire for women wearing sizes 10 through 32. Membership plans start at $35, for which one item at a time can be rented per month. With Gwynnie Bee's most popular plan, women can rent three items at a time for $79 per month. Regardless of the rental plan, items can be worn and exchanged an unlimited number of times each month and shipping is free both ways. Gwynnie Bee also takes care of cleaning each item between uses.
The Mr. Collection (Themrcollection.com):
The Mr. Collection is the clothing rental site for men who want new items in their wardrobe but have little interest or time for going to the store on a regular basis. Men interested in this site fill out a style survey, and then stylists for The Mr. Collection put together a box of clothing based on those preferences. The recipient can enjoy those clothing items for the month, and so long as the box is returned to The Mr. Collection by the specified date, he will receive another box of clothing the following month. Options exist for keeping the same box for two months, as well as purchasing any items at a discount that he really likes.
Three different style options are available: Casual clothing for $39 per month, business clothing for $45 per month or men's accessories for $25 per month.
Mine for Nine (Minefornine.com):
Mine for Nine is a maternity rental service for expectant mothers. Mine for Nine carries casual, business and formal clothing, and the rental price for each individual item is clearly marked on the website. Each item can be borrowed for a total of one month.
One of the biggest perks to renting from Mine for Nine is that it frees expectant mothers from continuing to purchase new clothing as their baby bumps grow. If one item no longer fits, just exchange it for the next size up from Mine for Nine, or try out something new altogether.
Lisa Koivu is the founder of ShopGirlDaily.com, a budget fashion and shopping blog for women who want to have the best for less.
