Commitment phones, sustainable fashion fanatics and vintage gurus, Rent The Runway is here to help you keep on boycotting fast fashion. Here’s how it works, and why it succeeds.
Having only a singular wardrobe to dress yourself with is like eating chicken noodles, on repeat, for weeks. Sure, the skirt you bought three years ago its great. It has certainly held up. So has the jacket you inherited from your mother. But it’s the third time this week you’re wearing your black denim trousers. Perhaps it’s time for some variety.
Variety is the indisputable enemy of sustainable fashion. It’s the need that fast fashion brands tap into, that overpowering necessity to own the latest trends, more pairs of shoes, and an infinite number of t-shirts. The disease of the constantly unsatisfied consumer is precisely what the rise of vintage and sustainable shopping aims to tackle. It’s not just about buying more durable capsule pieces, but allowing yourself to buy second-hand clothing, more ethically sourced pieces, and a generally heightened sense of consumer responsibility.
The thing is, not everyone can afford to buy like this.
Cue in things like Rent The Runway. Offering a subscription service for 79 dollars a month, the popular online retailer counts with an ample catalogue of over 750 designers. With a flexible service that allows you to rent from as little as 5 pieces a month (which you even get to keep if you really like), Rent The Runway aims to bring luxury shopping, and variety, straight to your doorstep.
With a business model focused on the intricacies of a circular economy, Rent The Runway is pushing its users to explore their fashion sense with a little more ease. Without the commitment of buying a piece at full price, the subscription allows, and actively encourages, users to venture beyond their more comfortable style choices. Subscription aimed specifically at workwear or even wedding season also help users rent for more specific occasions, lessening the hassle of having to browse for certain types of clothing on the infinite racks of a shopping centre.
Not to mention, Rent The Runway is the perfect testing grounds for new and emerging talent. From selling fashion brand Dunst to stocking up on some luxury brand favourites, Rent The Runway has something for everyone.
Here’s How it Works
With one-time rentals, you can reserve a show-stopping outfit for a special occasion and keep it for 4 or 8 days. Just select a delivery date, and your rentals will arrive cleaned and ready to wear. Return them hassle-free with the included prepaid shipping label when your rental period is up.
Alternatively, if opt for a membership plan, you can enjoy a flat price for 5 items at a time, with the flexibility to pause or cancel anytime. Browse and select your preferred styles, from dresses to accessories, and receive them within 1-2 business days. No need to rush; wear your items as long as you’d like, and when you’re ready for something new, simply pick your next shipment. It’s a fashion adventure where you can mix, match, and repeat to your heart’s desire, and if you fall in love with a piece, you even have the option to purchase it.
And so, with some much variety, will you have chicken noodle soup, or would you like to see the rest of the menu?