The Rise of Clothing Rental Services

The Rise of Clothing Rental Services

By: Bella Duncan

Through the rise of micro-trends and occasion shopping, clothing rental services have filled a niche market for fashion lovers. Rental services such as Rent the Runway, Fashionpass, and Nuuly have risen in popularity to fill this specific need for one-time-use clothing. 

In recent years, shopping for occasions has become the norm. With outfit repetition becoming faux pas, it is difficult to keep up with the demands of a full social schedule while still being considered trendy and fashionable. A problem that was once solved by selling clothes after their intended wear has led to an overwhelming resale scene. 

Rental services have noticed this gap in the industry and created monthly subscription services perfect for individuals with a love for shopping and busy lifestyles. The ability to pick clothes intentionally for the month also helps battle overconsumption. Instead of buying a new outfit that you will wear once, you now have the opportunity to rent and return the item for a flat rate price. 

As more of these subscription services come onto the scene, there is now a competitive component to the monthly rate. Rent the Runway, which used to hold a monopoly on the clothing rental sphere, is on the more expensive side at around $145 per month. Now, services like Nuuly and Fashionpass offer virtually the same plan for less than $100 per month, allowing consumers to have variety in choosing the best plan for their needs. 

Clothing rental services offer a unique opportunity to indulge in trends and explore fashion without the commitment and expense of traditional shopping. This new way of shopping will allow consumers to take style risks and rotate their wardrobe seasonally. 

Keep reading Square Magazine for more ways to stay up to date with the latest fashion and follow along on Instagram. 

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