Renting Clothes: Good or Bad Idea?

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So, to consume fashion more responsibly, there are accessible alternatives. Among them are upcycling, second-hand shopping, thrift stores, purchasing from committed and ethical brands, and also clothing rental. Renting your clothes is therefore a way to reconcile ecological beliefs with the joy of dressing up, but is it a good idea? Without further ado, discover our opinion on the subject.

Clothing Rental: A Growing Market

First and foremost, it should be noted that for the past few years, the clothing rental market has been growing exponentially. The report from Data Bridge Market Research even states that growth is expected to reach 10.6% by 2029. The reasons? Rapid urbanization that highlights the practical and economic aspects of services: casual clothing meets this need, the rise of the internet that promotes online rental, and of course, the increasing demand. In light of environmental issues, consumers are becoming more and more engaged. Activities that promote responsible consumption patterns are being rewarded.

Fashion and Rental: A Winning Duo?

Should one change their consumption habits by opting for rental rather than purchase? The only way to answer this is to weigh the pros and cons. Let us present the advantages and disadvantages of this type of service.

Advantages of Borrowing Instead of Buying 

Did you know that buying a piece of clothing is not cost-effective?

When you invest in a jacket, a top, or even a pair of jeans, it has been shown that the economic ratio is poor. In other words, the number of times you wear the item compared to its purchase price is low, often leading to feelings of dissatisfaction, especially when the price is low. In contrast, when you rent clothing, the cost is lower than buying a new piece, and you enjoy it differently (better) due to the exceptional nature of the rental (special occasion or short-term effect).

The advantage of renting your clothes also inevitably lies in reducing your carbon footprint. When we know that the least polluting garment is the one that is not produced, renting proves to be a beneficial fashion and ecological reflex.

Choosing to rent fashion pieces will also allow you to satisfy your fashionista desires without feelings of guilt. Essentially, by using a rental platform, you can treat yourself to the luxury of wearing a designer piece you’ve dreamed of without breaking the bank, and on the other hand, vary your styles by frequently changing outfits. Furthermore, this option is also ideal for testing a garment, a cut, or a color before purchasing, and discovering new designers.

Disadvantages of Choosing Clothing Rental

Renting your clothes isn’t for everyone.

Even though the clothing rental market is expanding, the number of brands and platforms offering this type of service is still limited. Therefore, it’s possible that among the various online rental wardrobes, the clothes available may not suit you or that you won’t find your size.

Moreover, the purely utilitarian aspect attributed to clothing can also deter some users. Since you have to return the item after use, it doesn’t truly belong to you. Thus, it’s difficult to attribute an intimate value to it, especially when it has been worn by several people before. In this case, the garment is no longer seen as an extension of oneself, but as a product that you wear and return.

Finally, just like online shopping, clothing rental has the disadvantage of not allowing you to test the product. Do you enjoy going to a store, getting advice, feeling the fabric, trying it on, and seeing how the cut flatters you? If so, you might have some reservations about taking advantage of this online offer.

Renting Your Clothes: Yes or No?

So, is it a good idea to rent your clothes rather than going through brands whose diverse offerings lead to overconsumption? To answer this, it’s inevitable that this system has its advantages: cost-effectiveness, variety, reduction of carbon footprint… Clothing rental allows for a balance between passion for fashion and ecological commitment. However, it’s also a service that doesn’t suit everyone.

To find out if it’s right for you, there’s nothing stopping you from trying it out, first for a special occasion by treating yourself to a luxury item as offered by the Isabel Marant second-hand service, and then for everyday use. And perhaps renting clothes will become your next reflex for greener fashion.