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

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

Rent a Designer Handbag

Clothing Swap : SwapORama

"Be Good. Be Green. Be Glam."

Clothing swaps are happening in living rooms all over the country. I'm showing some of the biggest organized events I found but a lot of friends and groups are putting on smaller scale swaps on their own. What isn't taken goes to charity.

"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

ThredUp : Free Kids' Clothing Swap : Costume Swap Halloween

National Costume Swap

ThredUp : Free Kids' Clothing Swap Service

Trade 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

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

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

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

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

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: 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! An assortment of retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters

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 icon

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
icon
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

Trunk & Swap events were held in May and March 2010. These are 21+ AND OVER EVENTS.
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 The Chadwick Diamond Cuff Bracelet This gorgeous diamond cuff bracelet features delicate fleur de lis patterns of pave diamonds totalling 3 carats. Sure to be the perfect bridal jewelry statement piece for any look, this diamond bracelet is "the one". The bracelet is 6 1/2 inches in circumference and 1 inch wide.

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'

Take a listen. If you like, you can click and buy on Amazon.
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

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FreeCycle: Keeping stuff that can be used out of our landfills

Recycle Reuse Educate

"The Freecycle Network is made up of 4,859 groups with 6,750,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free." -- from their web site
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

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% off

Members 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!

Listen. If you like, you can click and buy on Amazon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Listen to the song. If you like, you can click and buy it on Amazon.

Shop Your Closet

Just when you feared your overstuffed, eyesore of a closet was a lost cause, here's the antidote to all your closet woes. Closet expert and style maven Melanie Charlton Fascitelli is here to help you whip your closet into shape, refreshing your wardrobe and saving you time along the way.

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

Shop Your Closet: The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Closet with Style

Amazon Price: $8.39 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

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?

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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

Take a listen. If you like, you can click and buy them from Amazon.

Even The Chief needs her purse - YouTube

Short clip from 'The Closer'

Thw Closer - "I'm losing my ability to function"
by moviealamode | video info

36 ratings | 12,579 views
curated content from YouTube

Everything is Rent

Some lists have arrows, why? Why does it say 0 points?

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.
  • 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

Take a listen. If you like, you can click and buy it on Amazon.

Lane Bryant Gift Cards : Fashion Bug...

Lane Bryant Gift Cards

Lane Bryant Gift Card

Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

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!"

Rent a Handbag - Sex and the City
by HandbagBorrowers | video info

0 ratings | 3,016 views
curated content from YouTube

Pirate Books Amazon

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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

Take a Listen. If you like, you can click and buy it on Amazon.

Wear Today Gone Tomorrow - YouTube

Celebrity Fashion? Wear today gone tomorrow!
by reginadowling | video info

2 ratings | 308 views
curated content from YouTube

These Boots Were Made For Walkin' MP3

Take a listen. If you like, you can click to buy it on Amazon.

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

This lens isn't really about recycling or how to create green fashion. There are some amazing lenses about these things already. I've linked to just a few.
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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.

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imaginemdd

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