Banana Republic is the latest to enter the world of renting clothing with an announcement that it will launch “Style Passport” next month. The store, which is owned by Gap Inc., joins the growing ranks of retailers and brands bidding for your rental business with a range of options and prices. Vince Unfold launched a rental service about the same time as contemporary brand Rebecca Taylor RNTD emerged around the end of 2018. Urban Outfitters announced Nuuly earlier this year and Loft debuted Infinitely Loft.
Bloomingdale’s also plans to start a subscription service in September and Macy’s says it’s looking into joining the fray.
Gen Zs have grown up seeing all kinds of things rented, from Airbnb vacation homes to Netflix TV shows to a backyard outdoor movie set — and it seems to be driving the market. This is the generation that has no problem with the idea of renting clothes, and demand is moving from special occasion gowns to ready-to-wear affordable daily wardrobes.
And Rent the Runway, renttherunway.com which started it all, continues to evolve. Customers can now subscribe to a monthly Update and Unlimited programs for the option to rent four pieces for $89 a month. Subscribers will get access to an unlimited wardrobe they can exchange at any time for the price of $159 a month.
Here are some of the other options available now in clothing rental.
American Eagle Style Drop, $49.95/month, aestyledrop.com
An American Eagle Style Drop subscription includes three items on loan at a time, unlimited shipments and the option to hold an entire box of signature jeans and more for as long as you’d like.
Armoire, $149/month; $399/three months prepaid; $699/six months prepaid, armoire.style
The standard Armoire package contains four items but users can rent more for an additional monthly cost. This is the only service currently offering different rental tiers. Discounts are provided when months are prepaid.
Express Style Trial, $69.95/month, expstyletrial.com
Subscribers receive three items in each box every month. Sizes range from 00 to 18 and XXS to XL. Customers can notify Express that they’ve shipped back old items in order to speed up shipping on new choices. Excellent for affordable work wardrobe.
Infinitely Loft, $64.95/month, infinitelyloft.com
Members must always have eight pieces selected but Loft recommends choosing at least 20 to make sure a customer’s picks are available. Infinitely Loft sends three items each month and allows unlimited swaps. Sizes include petite, plus, tall and maternity clothing options.
My List at Bloomingdale’s, $149/month, Bloomingdale’s
My List at Bloomingdales launches in September initially offering 60 brands and more than 100 exclusive pieces. New labels will be added each week once My List goes live. Bloomingdales entry makes it the first department store to make the leap into the rental business.
NY&C Closet, $49.95/month, NY&C Closet
Collaborations from Eva Mendes and Gabrielle Union are among the regularly updated offerings available to member New York & Company’s subscription services ships three items each month with unlimited swaps.
Nuuly, $88/month, nuuly.com
Parent company Urban Outfitters recently launched Nuuly and makes available more than 100 different brands including Urban Outfitters, Free People and Anthropologie. This subscription service differs from others in not allowing members to swap for different pieces within the month. A box of six items arrives each month and subscribers get free two-day shipping and returns.
Rebecca Taylor RNTD, $159/month, rebeccataylorrntd.com
Rebecca Taylor RNTD makes it easy to get the next box of four items fast. Just let them know that the previous items have been put in the mail and the service will expedite the next shipment. Rebecca Taylor RNTD asks customers to add 10 items to their list before the service will ship the next box.
FTF Closet, $54.95/month, fashiontofigurecloset.com
Fashion to Figure demonstrates that fashion is a state of mind and not a size by making choices available in sizes 12 through 24 and XL through 3XL. Members receive three items at a time and can keep them as long as they wish.
Vince Unfold, $160/month, vinceunfold.com
Users can rent four items with as many exchanges as they like. Members always keep at least ten options to rent in their queue, and Vince also recommends listing 24 pieces for seamless shipping.