Got a big event coming up but the idea of shelling out big bucks for a one-time outfit is not in your budget? Here’s why renting a dress can be a total lifesaver AND kinder on your wallet, and the planet!
It was my beautiful friend Rory who first introduced me to the concept of renting dresses for big events. At our friend’s wedding, Rory was resplendent in a glorious floral dress that had us all in love. When she told us it was rented, it was like being introduced to a whole new world – this was possible?!
In the years since, renting dresses has become a big business in Aotearoa and personally, it’s a lifesaver. I first rented a dress when I was in the first trimester of pregnancy, the awkward stage where you hate everything, feel horrendous and go from looking not pregnant to five months pregnant, depending on your bloat that day. A rented Zimmerman wrap dress saved me from having one of my hourly meltdowns – and it saved me from spending permanent money on a dress that I only needed for a night.
This last weekend, my friend and I rented dresses to be bridesmaids and again, it was a rented Zimmerman that came to the rescue. We were elegant! Twirly! We had sleeves! And we didn’t have to spend money on a bridesmaid dress that we would absolutely never wear again.
There are SO many positives to renting, but I’ll just name a few:
1. It’s Fun As Hell
In every coming-of-age movie while I was growing up, there was a makeover and clothing montage. Now, our experience at The Dress Room at Auckland was slightly less glamorous, in that it was me sharing a changing room with my bored-as-hell infant, and the majority of the other people there were 16-year-olds trying on ball gowns (my friend and I were the age of their mums).
But age spirals aside, it is extremely fun to try on one million slightly ridiculous fancy dresses. If you can’t do in-person try-ons, no worries – most rental companies will let you hire a back-up dress as well for a smaller add-on price, and some will also post out dresses for try-ons.
2. You Can Choose A Different Style
My clothing aesthetic goal is always Kooky Primary School Teacher, which never serves me well for a black tie event. But because it’s for One Night Only, you can try on so many different personalities dresses and see what suits you, including styles that you might not have expected.
3. It’s Great For Changing Bodies
Evening dresses tend to be less, hmm, forgiving than your average outfit, and if you’ve got a body that’s going through some changes, you might not want to be committing to laying down serious $$$ for something that might not fit in a year’s time. I’ve rented dresses both while pregnant and then postpartum, and it felt a lot less stressful. Also, there are ‘bump-friendly’ options on many of the websites.
4. It’s Cheaper & More Sustainable
I’m not sure about your life, but you may not have many opportunities to wear a $900 ball gown, so the cost per wear for decking yourself out for a fancy night is astronomical. I have a suitcase full of black-tie dresses from my former life as a magazine person that I have no idea what to do with.
Instead of spending hundreds on a dress that then takes up space, I spent $130 on a dress for four days and don’t have to see it again. Yes, $130 is a lot of money – it’s definitely at the higher end of the options, don’t panic – but as Ethically Kate told Capsule about her wardrobe freeze, one of the biggest responsibilities of buying new clothes is thinking about having to deal with them for the next five years.
Whereas, I spend a lot of money to wear a beautiful dress for one night, but the cost of not having to store it for years = invaluable. Plus, other people get to wear it and feel like a fancy flamenco dancer, like I did!
There are HEAPS of dress rental companies popping up around the country, here are just a handful:
The Dress Room: This is where I have borrowed from twice, once when they were only an online brand, and once again now that they have a walk-in, in-person shop to try things on. It’s invaluable to try dresses on in person (not to mention, as above, extremely fun) and if you have an event or so coming up in a few months, well worth spending an hour or two trying on a range of options, noting down sizes and styles, so you’re prepped for any event that comes your way. You can also make an online wish list on the website as well, which is super helpful. Pro tip: try and avoid going on a Saturday, because a lot of the dresses are booked out (especially during wedding season).
Auckland in-person shop, delivery nationwide
Love & Lend: Great sizing range from size 12-26, this Auckland based rental company was created to fill a gap in the market for glamorous dresses in inclusive sizing. The site was the easiest to navigate in terms of searching by size and has gorgeous options, as well as being beautifully photographed on size inclusive models (which is SO HELPFUL when you’re trying to work out what will suit you, and you’re not a size 8 16-year-old). You can also rent for 8-day periods, which is very helpful if you’re travelling (most rental companies only over 2 or 4-day lending periods).
Auckland based try-ons, delivery nationwide.
The Curvy Rental Boutique: With dresses ranged size 12 to 22, this shop has over 500 options and an appointment-only try-on shop in Auckland. They have a wide range of designers, including a huge range of the Ruby Mirella dress (it’s like the Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants pants, in that it’s a dress that looks freaking amazing on everyone).
Auckland try-ons available, delivery nationwide
All The Dresses: With over 3000 dresses available, this website brings together dresses from 20 different online rental shops, which is much faster when you’re on a time crunch and need options, NOW. With options for sizes 6 to 16, this is a very glam range of dresses (great school ball options here). Also has bags, jewellery rental as well.
Different options for delivery only/in-person try on, depending on brand.
The Borrowed Collective: A great range of different dresses from some of the other rental brands, The Borrowed Collective prioritises NZ and Oz designers. They also have more low-key day-time outfits as well (there are genres you can pick from that include Races, and Brunch). One thing to note: Sizes only go up to a 14.
Auckland try-ons available, delivery nationwide.
Love Me, Rent Me: This company offers appointment-only in person try-ons in Dunedin, and delivery try-ons around the country. Offering sizes 6 to 18, this is a very glam range of dresses and great to have a home base, delivery wise, in the South Island.
Dunedin try-ons available, delivery nationwide.
Oh Rent Me: Promising an overnight courier delivery if you’ve suddenly got a last-minute big event, this rental shop also has a great option of $35 rental dresses. Plus they have a good range of size 16+ dresses, as well as more casual options.
Waiuku try-ons available, delivery nationwide.
Note: these are just some of the options in Aotearoa – if you’ve got a dress rental company you love that we’ve missed, email emma@capsulenz.com and we can keep this list updated!