As people are becoming more aware of the negative consequences of fast fashion, clothing and accessory rental companies have become increasingly popular in the recent years. In fact, since 2017, the online clothing rental industry is estimated to have grown at an approximate rate of 10.6% each year, and it is expected to continue growing at this rate for the next few years.

But why are so many people drifting away from fast fashion and starting to rent their accessories and items of clothing instead of buying them? Here are 5 reasons why clothing rental is most likely going to be the future of fashion!

1. It’s less expensive than buying new clothes.

This might seem like the most obvious reason, but renting your clothes instead of buying them will save you a lot of money! A study by the Hubbub Foundation found that half of young women didn’t want to wear the same look twice when going out.

This means that most of the new clothing that is bought will only be worn once or twice! If you rent accessories for a special night, a fancy blazer for a job interview or a cute dress to go out with your friends instead of buying them, you will look as good without having to feel guilty about only wearing it once!

2. It is good for the environment.

Over 35% of microplastics found in the ocean come from abandoned clothing fibre... That’s a lot of waste that can be avoided! Every time you rent a piece of clothing instead of buying it, you extend its life cycle.

Think about it: if 10 people who want to buy a dress for a specific occasion decide to rent the exact same dress instead, only one dress would have to be produced instead of 10! It might still end up in a landfill in the long-run, but at least it will generate a significantly smaller amount of waste.

3. It allows you to be up to date with fashion trends.

We all have a few forgotten items of clothing in our closet, that end up being thrown or given away after a few years because they are no longer in style. When you rent instead of buying your clothes and accessories, you can make sure that you are always up to date with the latest trends!

It is also a great way to try items that would normally be out of your comfort zone; If you end up not liking it, you can always trade the item for something that is more your style when you subscribe to monthly rental plans that include unlimited swap throughout the month.

4. It saves closet space.

Between the skirt you bought just because it was on sale and the gala dress you swore you would wear more than once, a lot of your closet space is most likely filled with items you will never wear again. When you rent accessories and pieces of clothing instead of buying them, it gives you the chance to try them and see if you would really like to wear them again before committing to actually buying them.

5. It allows you to dress perfectly for any occasion.

Finally, finding something to wear from your closet for a special event such as a wedding or a first date at a fancy restaurant can definitely be a challenge. You might end up wearing something you don’t really like, just because you want to avoid purchasing something new. Renting a designer purse or a luxurious dress for this special occasion is the perfect way to look your best without breaking the bank! Ask Beyond the Runway’s team to advise you. It will be a pleasure to help you.