I used to buy a new outfit for every event, now I just rent one.

For years, I'd see a party invite and head straight to a fast fashion site, buying a $30 dress I'd wear once. My closet was full of tags. Last fall, I needed a formal dress for a wedding in Chicago and tried a rental service for the first time. I got a designer dress for $60, wore it, and sent it back. It saved me money and closet space, and I didn't add to the pile of clothes I never touch. Has anyone else made the switch to renting for special events, and did you find it hard to break the habit of buying new?

3 comments

3 Comments

alicer5317d agoMost Upvoted

My sister's wedding last year was the final straw. I counted 12 dresses in my closet with the tags still on, all from other weddings. I rented a gorgeous blue gown for that one, and it felt like a cheat code. Not having to store it or feel guilty about the waste was huge. It totally rewired my brain about what I actually need to own.

patricia_carter17d agoMost Upvoted

I mean, it's just a dress, not a life changing decision.

ruby_wright17d ago

Actually think it can be a pretty big change for some people. It's not just about the dress, it's about breaking a whole shopping habit that's easy to fall into. That takes real effort. Renting instead of buying new is a different way of thinking about stuff you own, and that's a shift.