Renting, Borrowing and Swapping Clothes
Ranked #7,997 in Fashion & Beauty, #122,789 overall
Are you a Recessionista? A Frugalista? You could borrow your way into a designer dress for less
Do you want the designer goods but just cannot afford them? Do you also refuse to buy and use counterfeit items because you know about their poor quality, tell-tale markings and what the people who make and sell them are all about?
If you strive to wear a different gown or dress du jour per party, your wallet may be feeling the sting. You must never wear last season's dress. So high-end clothing rental comapnies have to make sure they always have the lastest fashions.
Some people rent homes on a short-term basis through time-share programs. We rent hotel rooms. We're sleeping in someone else's bed. When we go into a store, in most cases we're not the first person who's tried something on.
Renting clothes, particularly for events, is nothing new. Guys have been renting tuxedos for weddings for a long time. Definitely borrowing clothes is done all the time, usually among friends.
Wedding tradition calls for the bride to do it: Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. What's so special about something borrowed? It is different from old and new.
You see the clothing rental sites compared to DVD rental sites such as Netflix quite a bit. The comparison is valid but they're not completely the same. A DVD is not as personal as a piece of clothing or even as a handbag to some people. A DVD is more easily replaceable.
Rent the Runway, Wear Today Gone Tomorrow, The Dress Vault and others are there to help you Diva it up for the next bash at a fraction of the price. Take a look at what these companies have to offer.
Also check into the clothing recycling trend, which is not as new as some may think it is.
You may be able to be green, save money and still be one of the best dressed women at the party.
Image from Weartodaygonetomorrow.com
Contents at a Glance
- Borrowing clothes
- Renting / Borrowing Fashion
- Rent a Designer Handbag
- Clothing Swap : SwapORama
- ThredUp : Free Kids' Clothing Swap : Costume Swap Halloween
- General Tips on How the Rental Programs Work
- Vintage Chic : Books
- Gift Cards for Stocking Stuffers, Friends Far Away, Last Minute Gifts, Favors...
- TRUNK & SWAP: Recycle, Shop, Save,....
- Rent Diamond Jewelry for Your Wedding
- Paris Original MP3
- Style on a Budget Books
- FreeCycle: Keeping stuff that can be used out of our landfills
- Purse Parties: Purse Party Profits
- Discount Designer Fashions : Designer brand names, fashions up to 70% off
- Papa & Santa Have a Brand New Bag MP3s
- Going green and giving clothes a new life and style : Books
- Shop Your Closet
- Have your say: Would you Rent That Dress?
- The Way You Look Tonight MP3
- Everything is Rent
- Some lists have arrows, why? Why does it say 0 points?
- Lane Bryant Gift Cards : Fashion Bug...
- Pirate Books Amazon
- Wear Today Gone Tomorrow - YouTube
- These Boots Were Made For Walkin' MP3
- Company & Product Information
- Comments? Would you rent clothes?
Borrowing clothes
Your circle of 'friends' to borrow from may have become a lot larger
Recycling clothing is nothing new. Younger children know all about hand-me-downs. Quilters have been proudly using swatches of meaningful remnants of clothing in quilts for years. Sometimes wearing a patched jacket or pair of pants caused embarrassment. Now sometimes we buy jeans with the holes already in them.The garage sale and second-hand shops have been in existence for a very long time. Vintage designer gowns fetch a hefty fee in fancy boutiques to this day.
When you watch a big awards show on TV, even A List celebrities are borrowing some of the high-end jewelry that they're wearing. In order to be stylish, due to budget restraints, for whatever reason, a lot of us have been wearing other people's clothes for quite a while.
If you feel like you can't wear the same dress to more than one event, and want to live like celebrities do, that puts more than a little strain on many people's budgets.
Now with more and more people are looking for ways to go green. If you're at a corporate event in another city, who's to know that you don't own the gown you're wearing?
Between what what we're doing to the planet, and what we're doing to our own individual bank accounts, the idea of renting or swapping or somehow recycling our clothes has even more appeal.
Image from DressVault.com
Renting / Borrowing Fashion
-
Dress Vault - Why Buy, When You Can Borrow?
Dress Borrowing/Lending Network -
Wear Today, Gone Tomorrow
Dress Rentals. Rent designer dresses, tops, jackets, skirts and clothing for 90% off retail. Designer dress rentals online. -
Rent Me a Handbag
Rent Designer Clothes, Rent Designer Handbags, Shoes -
One Night Affair Bridal and Formal Gown Rental
Bridal and formal gown rental,bridal gown rentals, wedding gowns, bridal dresses, wedding dresses, evening gowns, prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses, gown rentals, Los Angeles - Girl Meets Dress UK
Rent a Designer Handbag
-
Rent Me a Handbag
Rent Designer Handbags, Rent Designer Shoes - From Bags to Riches
-
Bag, Borrow or Steal
Bag, Borrow or Steal Rent Handbags, Bags, Accessories, Sunglasses, Watches - Handbag Borrowers
-
Love Me & Leave Me
Buy and Borrow the latest designer handbags, shoes, glasses, necklaces, andfashion accessories
Clothing Swap : SwapORama
"Be Good. Be Green. Be Glam."
"Relax, mingle, get pampered and SWAP (exchange) clothes, shoes and accessories you no longer need or wear. Founded by Suzanne Agasi, and featured on the New York Times, Today Show, CBS and more. Clothing Swaps are revolutionizing America's approach to fashion." -- From ClothingSwaps.com
~ Declutter. Clean out your closet and find items to swap
~ Find. Clothing Swap® events near you
~ Attend. Bring unwanted but fab items in great condition
~ Get pampered. Relax, mingle, and sip during our signature Spa Treats
~ SWAP. Take home your favorites for FREE
~ Feel great. Relish new-to-you items and help a local charity
~ Share. Tell your story
South Bay Music Swap The South Bay Music Swap is currently a monthly congregation in the Southern region of the San Francisco Bay Area for underground-minded people of all types to bring forth their best music, items and collectibles to sell to the public. Events in the past have brought vendors of music (including vinyl, cassettes & CDs), gear+instruments, art, clothing, toys and food together with collectors and art enthusiasts in a sunny, industrial outdoor venue, located just outside of Downtown San Jose.
How to Organize a Clothing Swap From Operation Organization
The great site, Craftster, has a discussion about Orgainizing Swaps April 2011
-
Clothing Swap - Be good. Be green. Be glam!
Relax, mingle, get pampered and then swap clothes and items to benefit your community. -
Swap Style
swap clothes at the online clothing exchange -
What's mine is yours
Buy & Swap exclusive designer clothing, vintage clothing and high street fashion at What's mine is yours -
Swap-O-Rama : Wendy Tremayne
The Swap When you attend the swap bring at least one bag of your unwanted clothing and a small donation (each swap varies depending on available funding). Every swap begins with a giant collective pile of clothing, the unwanted clothing of all who attend. Everyone is welcome to dive in and find their next new/used items from the pile. Take as little or as much clothing from this pile as you like, it's all free - Time Magazine Clothing Swap Tips
-
Artist Call For Swap-O-Rama-Rama at Maker Faire Bay Area
One of the most fun and exciting hands-on areas at Maker Faire is Swap-O-Rama-Rama. It's thrilling to see large groups of people transforming old pieces of clothing in to new and fabulous projects. The call for artists to assist... - Rent real diamond jewelry for your wedding, prom, parties
ThredUp : Free Kids' Clothing Swap : Costume Swap Halloween
National Costume Swap
ThredUp : Free Kids' Clothing Swap ServiceTrade in a box of your gently used kids clothing and toys for a box of similar items matching your child's current size and interests.
National Costume Swap
[image from public domain pictures]
General Tips on How the Rental Programs Work
What if....
The process is essentially the same for all of the sites featured. Do not take my word on any of this -- I'm not associated with these companies in any way. Read their fine print and ask any questions that you have.Basics
~ The sites require membership
~ There is usually a fee per week
~ Some sites allow you to have a backup item as well as your first choice
~ Some allow you to create a wishlist
~ You can usually keep the item for as long as you want, but be aware of any fees involved. Some have "late fees"
~ Some companies allow you to purchase the items if you love them, some do not
General Process
You check to see what you''d like. Is it in your size, in stock?
Some of the sites have stylists to help guide you through the process and even help with choosing matching accessories, whether they do or do not carry them for you to borrow.
At least one site (Dressvault) has people lending the clothes, sort of like individual eBay sellers. It appears that you would have the clothing sent to you from them and return it to them. Maybe you'd like to sign on as a clothing Lender?
Cleanliness
All of the sites guarantee that you will receive a clean, ready-to-wear outfit. They talk about dry cleaning and have information on that. It looks like they all do the cleaning themselves. You shouldn't have to worry about receiving something with spots, make-up stains or any type of damage.
Terms and Hidden Fees
The clothing rental sites have their terms spelled out pretty clearly as long as you look the sites over well. Some more information would certainly be available once a person signed on for a membership.
Some of the sites have late return fees for instance. It's important to look into that and be sure you know exactly what you're getting into. Check on any and all fees including shipping.
They're quite clear about what happens if the clothing is damaged, lost or stolen while in your care. 'The state of the dress when received by a borrower is the state the dress is expected to be returned in by the borrower.'
Every site has an email address along with its small print. Write a note and get a written response before using any service if you're not sure about something. Imagine a scenario and ask what would happen if..... Before you received it, while you had it in your possession and after you mailed it back to them.
Know what you're borrowing
If you're unfamiliar with what you're going to be borrowing, do some research first. Be sure you know the your size and the sizing the designer uses. It won't be the company's fault that you couldn't dance in a dress with a long train or that the color was completely wrong.
A company may say that they expect a client to know that a vintage item would be in one condition while an item from this season's collection would be in another condition. That's part of the charm and part of the way you and everyone else can attest that you have a true vintage piece.
My understanding is that Rent the Runway has a waitlist because of its popularity. I read that it has 80,000 registered users already and it can take a few days to be accepted as a member.
Image from DressVault.com
Vintage Chic : Books
Virtual Vintage: The Insider's Guide to Buying and Selling Fashion Online by Linda Lindroth, Deborah Newell Tornello
Vintage clothing has never been more chic, with ev more...0 points
Antique Trader Vintage Clothing Price Guide by Kyle Husfloen, Madeleine Kirsch
-Diverse appeal - hip young consumer crowd into retro more...0 points
Valuable Vintage: The Insider's Guide to Identifying and Collecting Important Vintage Fashions by Elizabeth Mason
The definitive guide to vintage couture and designer-made more...0 points
A Passion for Purses, 1600-2005 by Paula Higgins, Lori Blaser
Women's purses are uniquely personal statements. M more...0 points
Vintage Style: Buying and Wearing Classic Vintage Clothes by Tiffany Dubin, Ann E. Berman
For any woman who ever wondered how to wear vintage more...0 points
Vintage Fashion: Collecting and Wearing Designer Classics, 1900-1990 by Emma Baxter Wright
Vintage Fashion is the ultimate guide to the most more...0 points
Gift Cards for Stocking Stuffers, Friends Far Away, Last Minute Gifts, Favors...
Choose your style, choose your amounts
Email, print out or traditional gift cards in the mail, you decide. Consider having the information emailed to you. Then you can print it out and place the information in a card for instance as a gift to the person. You'll know the gift card went through right and it'll stay a secret until you decide to give it to them!Let them decide?! Amazon Gift Cards
Also Available:
Give a Gift Card, Let Them Choose!
Handbag Heaven Gift Certificate
Gift certificates are the perfect solution when you just can't find the right gift or you're short of time. Gift Certificates make a perfect present for friends, family, and business associates.
Premium greeting cards options are available.
Mail the gift card inside a personalized, 5x7 inch greeting card, which can added during Checkout.
Barnes & Noble Gift Cards & eGift Cards The Nook
Selection of Zazzle Gift Certificates Choose an amount
The perfect present for friends, family and business associates. Gift Cards Sunglass Warehouse
Walmart Gift Cards eGift Cards for Many Different Stores, Destinations, Services
Gift Cards and eGift Cards
The Home Depot Gift Card
Get a card for another store, service or destination from Walmart, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble to iTunes, Marriott Hotels, AMC Theaters, Restaurants.... Many to choose from, you pick the amount and the way to send the gift.
Movie Theater Gift Cards
Restaurant Gift Cards
Gaming Gift Cards
iTunes Gift Cards
'New' Dresses Are Not New
Most retailers have huge dry cleaning bills because of the numerous times apparel is tried on and returned after a customer wore the item.
-- from the DressVault web site
TRUNK & SWAP: Recycle, Shop, Save,....
2010 San Francisco, CA
Sliding Scale $5-$10 Donation At The Door
ETIQUETTE LOUNGE, 1108 Market Street, San Francisco, CA
Looking for the next one? See their web site for photos and more information.
From their ad: "Trunk & Swap is part trunk show, part fashion swap and social networking event with a dating experiment with FASHIONABLE SINGLES.
Attendees are allowed to bring up to 20 items in great condition (accessories, clothing, jewelry, art pieces, etc's) to exchange with fellow swappers. The swapper will receive one (1) ticket per: 5 items he or she brings. Each ticket will enable the swapper to receive one item that he/she likes from another swapper.
Ten (10) local fashion vendors are on hand to sell and market their products.
Happy hour is 5-9pm. Event ends at 10pm. We have live art, fashion installation and dj beats as entertainment. Attendees are encouraged to donate their left over items to The Pajama Project."
Rent Diamond Jewelry for Your Wedding
Fine Jewelry Rental
Rent Other Diamond Jewelry from The Knot Wedding Shop
FAQ: Adorn Jewelry Rental: How It Works
Paris Original MP3
From 'How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying'
Partial lyrics --
Suddenly he will see me
And suddenly he'll go dreamy
And blame it all on his own
Masculine whim,
Never knowing that
This irresistible Paris original,
So temptingly tight
I'm wearing tonight
'Specially for him, for him.
This irresistible Paris original,
I'm wearing tonight...
She's wearing tonight
And I could spit.
Some irresponsible dress manufacturer
Just didn't play fair.
I'm one of a pair,
And I could---oh no!
Dancing through life!
Style on a Budget Books
FreeCycle: Keeping stuff that can be used out of our landfills
Recycle Reuse Educate
- Freecycle.org
- "Members go to the site to give or receive what they have and don't need or what they need and don't have -- a free cycle of giving which keeps stuff out of landfills"
"Freecycle can educate the world at a local level about how critical recycling and reducing waste are. It empowers people on a grassroots and local level to take charge and make the world a better place, keeping countless tons of reusable items out of local landfills. It is a cycle of giving, not charity. Everyone gives to everyone with absolutely no expectations of anything at all in return." -- from their web site
Purse Parties: Purse Party Profits
Purses are Hot in Any Economy
Purse Party Profits explains how to start your own purse party business. Includes 3 bonus eBooks and time saving forms to help keep your purse party business organized.
No Fluff - 180 Pages ***
From the author: "Learn How I Went from Being Dead Broke to Doing Over $100,000 Per Year With My Own Business Hosting Home Purse Parties!"
What Is A Purse Party?
If you've never heard of a purse party before, it's a business that has actually been around for quite a few years. It's business model follows the same format as traditional home party businesses but allows women to get together and have a relaxing time shopping in a party-like setting.
Generally, when a woman hosts a purse party, she invites family, friends, co-workers and other acquaintances to her home. There, a consultant (you) will showcase merchandise consisting of purses, wallets and women's fashion accessories. Guests are free to browse at their leisure and purchase any merchandise that catches their eye without feeling any pressure from pushy sales people.
At the end of the purse party, the sales are totaled up and the hostess usually receives between 10% -20% of the sales in compensation which can be applied to her purchases. The rest of the money is yours.
Discount Designer Fashions : Designer brand names, fashions up to 70% off
Fashion Designer Discount : An exclusive, private shopping experience
Discount Designers : Designer brand names and fashions, at up to 70% offMembers receive preferred treatment. Designer brand names and fashions, at up to 70% off. Discount designer apparel.
An exclusive, private shopping experience. Receive fresh and current sale info and updates, daily 100% fully certified authentic merchandise. Discounted designer dresses.
Receive fresh and current sale info and updates, daily
100% fully-certified authentic merchandise
No waiting list; receive instant access and shop today
Shipping available worldwide
Widest selection of inventory online!
[image from public domain pictures]
Slinky Shoes
Papa & Santa Have a Brand New Bag MP3s
James Brown and more!
Going green and giving clothes a new life and style : Books
Second-Time Cool: The Art of Chopping Up a Sweater by Anna-Stina Linden Ivarsson, Katarina Brieditis, Katarina Evans
Create unique fashion styles using old sweaters! Here's more...0 points
Secondhand Chic: Finding Fabulous Fashion at Consignment, Vintage, and Thrift Shops by Christa Weil
Fun, funky, and fabulous, this is the first personal more...0 points
T-Shirt Makeovers: 20 Transformations for Fabulous Fashions by Sistahs Of Harlem, Carmia Marshall, Carmen Webber
From their vibrant offices in Harlem, New York Cit more...0 points
Green Is the New Black: How to Change the World with Style by Tamsin Blanchard
For girls who care about global warming and next season's more...0 points
Casual Power:: How to Power Up Your Nonverbal Communication & Dress Down for Success by Sherry Maysonave
What are you saying before you speak a word? Does more...0 points
Love, Loss, and What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman
"Illuminates the experience of an entire generation more...0 points
Green Recycled Art & Fashion Shows - Links
Calendars United States
- Green is the New Black: Clothing Swaps, Recycle Fashion Shows
- Green Fashion & Art Shows Springtime/Summer
- Green Art, Recycled Art Shows : One man's trash may be an artist's treasure
- Green Art & Fashion Shows Fall/Winter
My Coat of Many Colors MP3
Dolly Parton
Shop Your Closet
With this accessible, stylish guide, you'll find out how to redo your closet and organize your clothes so that you can, yes, go shopping there-sort through shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, scarves, and shoes, all in perfect condition and ready to go.
From the first closet face-off to long-term maintenance, Charlton Fascitelli takes you step by step through the entire process of turning your closet into a "safe haven" for your clothes.
Learn how to:
Face your inner packrat and clean out your closet
Shop for and pick items that flatter your body
Craft the best wardrobe for your lifestyle
Create space in your closet by reworking it logistically
Store your clothes and shoes so they last longer
Charlton Fascitelli also covers consigning or donating all your old stuff; keeping your closet clean and tidy; packing smartly and efficiently; storing your linens; and organizing other areas of your home, including your medicine cabinet, pantry, or CD collection.
Clearing clutter, organizing clothes, and remaking your wardrobe has never been so easy or attainable. Shop Your Closet is your go-to source for closet nirvana. -- Amazon
Have your say: Would you Rent That Dress?
Everyone may voice an opinion. This is a g-rated page and any abusive language or off-topic comments will have to be removed. Thanks for understanding and thanks very much for your participation & interest.
Would you rent an dress for a discount price for an event?

I'd want the dress to be mine, all mine!
Sure, why would I shell out money I don't have for a dress I'm only going to wear once?
aj2008 says:
All of this makes such good sense if you are serious about the reducing the negative effect we are having on the planet!
The Way You Look Tonight MP3
Choose your favorite rendition, your favorite artist
Everything is Rent
Some lists have arrows, why? Why does it say 0 points?
- Get the RSS feed: Keep an eye on this Plexo list. See who wins. And who's left in the dirt.
- Get the widget: Add this Plexo list as a widget on your blog, site, forum, whatever. Be influential. Show off your great find. Show off where you're featured!
- Get this on my lens: "Attack of the clones!" Grab this Plexo module for your own lens. Start an account on Squidoo for yourself.
- Hit the arrows up (or down) and hit refresh to vote for your favorites. The items gain or lose points through viewer votes. If you have the widget or the RSS feed, you can keep track of the status of the votes and any additions to the list.
- Plexo on Squidoo: Plexo is a Squidoo feature that lets anyone vote on links, books and videos. Sort of like Digg or Reddit, but with the Long Tail thrown in. Start an account on Squidoo for yourself.
Handbags & Gladrags MP3
Lane Bryant Gift Cards : Fashion Bug...
Lane Bryant Gift Card
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 06/03/2012)![]()
Premium greeting cards options are available.
Mail the gift card inside a personalized, 5x7 inch greeting card, which can added during Checkout.
In store only
Retail stores located nationwide at
Lane Bryant
Fashion Bug
Catherines
Lane BryantTM catalog
Lane Bryant Outlet or
Petite Sophisticate Outlet stores and/or online
Handbag Borrowers - YouTube
"As seen in the new Sex and the City movie!"
Pirate Books Amazon
You at that party in the best designers' clothes
Sampling of designers maybe available --
Calvin Klein
Betsey Johnson
Prada
Michael Kors
Marc Jacobs
Zac Posen
Emilio Pucci
Dolce & Gabbana
Vera Wang
Valentino
On the Catwalk MP3
These Boots Were Made For Walkin' MP3
Company & Product Information
Please Note: Unless stated otherwise, product descriptions and information about programs come from manufacturers and the sites themselves. Images are also provided by manufacturers and/or merchants directly selling products. Sites will give more information.
Eco-Clothing Featured Lenses
Recycling & Green Ideas for Fashion & More
Comments? Would you rent clothes?
A handbag?
Spam posts and unsolicited advertising links will be declined at the first opportunity and will not show here. In kind, relevant comments will be accepted at the first opportunity - and proudly displayed. Thanks
-
-
Margo_Arrowsmith
Nov 16, 2010 @ 7:53 pm | delete
- I love thrift store shopping I was just there today!
-
-
-
Tipi
Sep 10, 2010 @ 5:51 pm | delete
- This is a cool lens that I'm lensrolling and going to feature on Squidoo Bartering lens.
-
-
-
imaginemdd
Dec 1, 2009 @ 5:56 pm | delete
- Thanks for the kind words and for the tip. I appreciate it.
-
-
-
aj2008
Dec 1, 2009 @ 3:12 am | delete
- This is an excellent lens, with great info and links. SquidAngel Blessings for you!!
I would also like to suggest that if you have not already done so, pay a visit to the SquidU Forum (link at the bottom of the page under Help and Feedback), where you can get all sorts of tips for making your lenses even better and how to get traffic to your lenses.
-
by imaginemdd
Share your reviews, articles, tips, photos and information with the world right here on Squidoo. Build your online identity and credibility. You can add... more »
Explore related pages
- Cupcakes Fun Fashionable Calorie Free: Handbags, Aprons, Accessories for Women, Katy Perry Costumes Cupcakes Fun Fashionable Calorie Free: Handbags, Aprons, Accessories for Women, Katy Perry Costumes
- Diamond Rental : Adorn : Jewelry Rental for Wedding Diamond Rental : Adorn : Jewelry Rental for Wedding
- Art & Craft Podcasts: iTunes MP3s at your workbench Art & Craft Podcasts: iTunes MP3s at your workbench
- Recycled Fashion Shows - Trashion | Summer Camps Recycled Fashion Shows - Trashion | Summer Camps
- Ruffle Handbags | Steve Madden | Ruffle Purse Great Easter Gifts for Women Ruffle Handbags | Steve Madden | Ruffle Purse Great Easter Gifts for Women
- Footzyrolls | Spare Soles | Foldable Flats | Prom Ideas | Bridesmaid Gift Footzyrolls | Spare Soles | Foldable Flats | Prom Ideas | Bridesmaid Gift
















