Designer rentals are the new black
For most young #girlbosses, school or uni balls, 21st birthdays and weddings are the types of occasions that require fancy dress but can often result in us only wearing that oh-so beautiful dress once. What a waste of hard earned cash money, right?! That, or they’re too damn expensive to begin with!
But that’s all changing thanks to a new wave of designer rental businesses where it’s true that ‘just because you can’t own it, doesn’t mean you can’t wear branded fashion’. Online rental boutiques are a place where girls can hire the latest fashion for just a fraction of the original price tag.
Sounding like heaven? Read on to discover a few of our favourites…
Oh Rent Me
Where? You can try on garments if you live in Tauranga, otherwise the service operates online offers overnight shipping (although they do recommend placing your order three days before you require the item)
Designers on offer? Alice McCall, Bec & Bridge, Camilla, Camilla & Marc, Karen Walker, Liam, Lonely Hearts, RUBY, Sass & Bide, Self Portrait, Senso, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Zimmermann and more
Price? $25-$100
Our favourite rental? RUBY Marina gown (size 10), $85
Comments, notes and observations: Sizes range from 6-14 and there are so many outfits to choose from. You also don’t have to wash before returning – they’ll do that for you – but you should, of course, be kind and careful with your hire.
Designer Hire
Where? They’re Auckland-based but only offer online services
Designers on offer? Bec & Bridge, Kookai, Maurie and Eve, Miss RUBY, Sass & Bide, Zimmermann plus a few others
Price? $40-$120
Our favourite rental? Shona Joy Off the Shoulder mini, $45
Comments, notes and observations: Designer Hire is the most consistent in terms of photography and the website is super easy to use. In saying that though, we wish there was a ‘brands’ tab to make navigating a bit easier. Out of the three, they have the smallest offering in both size and style but offer some beautiful party pieces. Hit them up come ball season, for sure!
Designer Wardrobe
Where? Think of this website like a TradeMe for clothing rental. Listings are managed by individuals and they have a huge sale section too.
Designers on offer? Pretty much every single one you can imagine. There’s even legit Gucci listing. Srsly.
Price? $5-$505
Our favourite rental? Balmain ball dress, $205
Comments, notes and observations: There are 6660 listings on Designer Wardrobe at the time of writing this article and that’s just the rental section alone! If that’s not the definition of ‘spoilt for choice’, we don’t know what is. Our advice would be to book as far in advance as possible because not all users are cut from the same cloth, if you know what we mean (some may be slower at responding than others) and you’d hate to be without an outfit.
