FASHION RENTAL - A NEW WAY TO “SHOP”
Over the past year or so, there has been a huge surge in the number of fashion rental services available.
While renting clothing is not a new concept- Rent The Runway was launched in 2009- the idea has taken on new wings with the launch of peer-to-peer lending services as well as multiple subscription offers.
Sustainability has been a fashion industry buzzword for quite a few years now, with many brands previously being called out for poor practices whether in relation to unfair labour or the excessive use of synthetic fibres.
With so much information available, we are all trying to shop less and in a more sustainable way- enter clothing rental.
Enter Onloan.
I was first introduced to Onloan via Instagram, they are a London based company started by two friends Tamsin Chislett And Natalie Hasseck with a shared mission; to reduce waste, curate brilliant independent designers and reignite a love of clothes without the guilt.
Onloan is the first rental service that partners directly with brands, meaning they are able to offer items in multiple sizes. The lovely team reached out to me and kindly offered a complimentary month of rental, allowing me to select 2 items for the month. Onloan offer two different subscription types;
2 ITEMS = £69 per month (Items worth ~£500)
4 ITEMS = £99 per month (Items worth ~£1000)
I chose to rent this gorgeous Designers Remix leather trench coat and a Stine Goya Harry cardigan.
I like my clothing slightly oversized so went for the coat in a UK14 and the cardigan in a UK 16.
Renting clothing is a great way to try a new trend without paying full price for an item.
I must say I really enjoyed wearing these items, but as someone who grows attached to clothes, it was not a great feeling sending the items back!
I see myself using rental services more for special occasions; weddings, formal events as opposed to every day clothing.
The rest of my outfit is all mine- non-rented.
It’s giving '“The Matrix - but make it Fashion” and I’m not mad at it.
How do you feel about clothing rental? Would you try it?
Oluwaseun x
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