Tell me, would you rent clothes?

Laura Scholz

2.5.2023

Translation: Eva Francis

You rent your apartment, a car, maybe a holiday home. What about clothes and accessories? If you’re like most people, you probably prefer owning rather than renting when it comes to clothes.

I’m a big fan of buying used clothes. Whenever possible, I buy my clothes, shoes and bags second-hand. After washing them thoroughly or having them professionally dry-cleaned, they feel like they’re mine. At this point, I’m not bothered about who used to own them or where they’ve been.

I think it would be different if I didn’t buy clothes second-hand, but only rented and then returned them. Sure, I’ve borrowed clothes from friends before – but sharing a dress with complete strangers? Or a pair of trousers? I’m not sure about that.

Renting clothes is offered by platforms such as Kleihd, Ragfair or Share Your Style. The idea is simple: you choose a piece of clothing you like from their repertoire, define a rental period, pay, wear it and then give it back. The price includes the rental fee as well as a cleaning service and insurance in case you damage the item.

Advantages of renting clothes

• Similar to buying second-hand, renting clothes means no new textiles need to be produced. What exists already is used again and again.
• Clothes live longer because they’re only disposed of when they’re really worn out, not when you’ve gone off them.
• Your wardrobe isn’t in danger of bursting at the seams at some point and you can temporarily afford clothes that would otherwise have exceeded your budget.
• Renting is great to try out a piece before deciding whether it’s worth buying.
• There’s a huge choice, so you surely won’t get bored.

Disdvantages of renting clothes

• Although owning few things can feel very liberating, you never have your favourite piece of clothing all to yourself – at least not permanently.
• You need to plan in advance and can’t take last week’s cool item out of your wardrobe.
• In some cases, renting a piece of clothing will cost you just as much as buying a great (second-hand) one. One that you can wear over and over again.
• And then there’s the thing about knowing total strangers have worn the same piece – a no-go for many.

I’d like to know what you think.

Header image: Fernando Lavin via Unsplash

Laura Scholz

Senior Editor

Laura.Scholz@digitecgalaxus.ch

Always in the mood for good hits, great trips and clinking drinks.

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