The rental fashion industry is experiencing significant growth, with the online rental sector valued at $1.52 billion in 2023 and expected to soar to $3.12 billion by 2032. While borrowing luxury items is a practice that has been around for years—especially among fashion enthusiasts who have rented directly from designer showrooms and boutiques—the emergence of premier fashion rental platforms has made this process more accessible than ever.

As the summer season approaches, occasions such as Ascot or formal weddings require special outfits that often don’t fit within a standard wardrobe. This is where designer rental sites become particularly attractive, allowing users to explore different styles without the commitment of purchase. Renting enables individuals to enjoy the latest fashion trends while contributing to a more sustainable fashion approach, helping to combat the 92 million tons of textile waste ending up in landfills each year.

Technology has transformed the online rental landscape. Previously, finding unique second-hand pieces required extensive searching through vintage shops and friends’ wardrobes. Today, platforms like Hurr leverage technology to offer a curated selection of luxury items, with delivery available in as little as 20 minutes through services like Deliveroo. Hurr’s success reflects in its impressive revenue of £100 million from fashion rentals last year, with top lenders earning up to £100,000 by renting out their wardrobes. Continue reading to discover the leading fashion rental sites.

Top Fashion Rental Platforms

Hurr

Since its inception in 2018, Hurr has become a prominent player in the fashion rental space, providing high-end apparel through its app and website, along with a dedicated shopping area in Selfridges London. The platform features peer-to-peer rentals, allowing individuals to monetize their wardrobes alongside items managed through collaborations with luxury brands like Burberry. Recently, Hurr introduced Hurr Flex, a subscription service enabling users to rent items for longer periods, thus allowing for a more extensive selection of outfits within a 30-day timeframe.

By Rotation

By Rotation is essentially a shared wardrobe platform featuring over 150,000 items, including sought-after Hermès bags. As a peer-to-peer rental service, it allows users to browse and rent from vetted lenders, all while simple terms make the process user-friendly. Although the typical rental period is three days, lenders can set their own terms. By Rotation also made headlines with the opening of its large fashion rental pop-up in Mayfair, featuring a champagne bar and international services launching in the US and soon the UAE.

My Wardrobe HQ

Launched in 2019, My Wardrobe HQ promotes a try-before-you-buy approach, offering rentals from a massive range of over 500 designer brands including Stella McCartney, Gucci, and Chanel. Users can choose to purchase items at resale prices or opt for their subscription service: the silver membership at £59 per month allows for two rentals monthly, while the gold tier at £99 permits four different designer pieces each month.

Rites

Situated in the vibrant Broadway Market of East London, Rites offers a selection of designer pieces available for browsing in-person, along with a comprehensive online collection. Founder Meg O’Hara emphasizes a streamlined selection process to avoid overwhelming choices. Rites incorporates cleaning fees and has policies for exchanges and returns, asserting that renting should be an intentional choice for those special moments.

Selfridges Rental

In efforts to promote sustainable shopping, Selfridges introduced an online rental platform in 2021, complementing its resale offerings. Customers can rent items for intervals of four, eight, 16, or 30 days, with regular updates featuring new styles. All aspects of delivery, returns, and dry-cleaning are included at no additional charge.

Cocoon

Cocoon brings a unique membership model to luxury handbag rentals, allowing users to borrow designer bags through tiered membership plans instead of single rental fees. Starting at £59, members can borrow one bag monthly from a standard collection featuring brands like Prada and Fendi. The premium platinum membership at £199 monthly permits access to exclusive styles and the option to rent two bags at once, including limited-edition pieces worth over £4,000.

Loan the Look

Established in 2020 by sisters Isabella, Bea, and Claudia, Loan the Look presents a rental experience reminiscent of borrowing from a sister’s wardrobe. Located in Portobello Road, the London-based studio offers exclusive in-store appointments for personalized styling services. The rental process emphasizes quality, with all items maintained to ensure high standards and swift two-hour delivery for local clients.

Front Row

Front Row is a destination for luxury fashion rentals, featuring attention-grabbing pieces from top designers. Rentals can range from three to five days, and the site’s team of stylists offer personalized advice, styling services, and wardrobe decluttering. The platform is dedicated to sourcing both established and emerging designers while also collaborating with luxury aftercare firms to extend the life of rented pieces. Clients can book fitting appointments at the brand’s London suite or request a refund or exchange within four hours of receiving an item if it doesn’t meet their fit needs. Front Row is set to expand into Dubai later this year to reach new clients.

Common Inquiries

Is fashion rental a more sustainable choice? Yes, fashion rentals contribute to sustainability by minimizing the production of new garments and extending the lifespan of existing clothing through increased circulation, thereby reducing overall textile waste.

What is the typical rental duration? Rental timeframes generally start at four days, but platforms like Hurr have introduced longer rental durations of up to 30 days, resulting in increased rental flexibility.

What if an item does not fit? Many rental services provide fit guarantees or allow for returns if an item is ill-fitting. Several platforms, including Rites, By Rotation, and Hurr, have physical locations in London where customers can try on items prior to renting.

What are the policies for damaged or lost rentals? Most services have established protocols for handling damage or loss, which may involve extra fees. Many also collaborate with cleaning and repair services to maintain garment quality and readiness for subsequent borrowers.