Is Renting the runway sustainable?
The idea of renting clothes instead of buying them seems to make sense from a sustainability standpoint, because it allows people to wear the same outfit more often and wear it over the life of their ownership, rather than letting it sit in their closet until they wear it once and then letting it hang there forever after. But is renting really more sustainable? Let’s find out!
Sustainable fashion, or slow fashion, as some call it, has been on the rise over the past decade with consumers looking to buy clothing that can last longer and create less of an environmental impact. However, there hasn’t been much discussion on whether renting clothes via an app such as Tres Chic gives you similar sustainability benefits in comparison to simply buying your clothes second hand.
The past few years have seen a surge in rental fashion startups, like Rent The Runway and Bag Borrow or Steal. These companies encourage users to pay a monthly fee for access to a pool of designer dresses, shoes, and accessories that they can borrow as needed (on an unlimited basis). Customers have loved it; investors have doubled down; press coverage has been strong. So is renting your closet really more sustainable than buying clothes outright? Or are there hidden costs you should be aware of before diving into renting your wardrobe? Let’s take a look at some key factors.
While renting clothes has become a popular alternative to fast fashion, it does have its fair share of pros and cons. Most people think that renting makes sense because they don’t have to deal with return policies or they don’t want to pay high shipping costs; however, in reality those issues aren’t much of an issue—you can just return them (I did return both clothes I tried) and there are plenty free shipping promos out there that most companies will honor. In fact, renting clothing isn’t as good for your wallet either; all-in-all you could be paying upwards of $150 per month when you rent compared to just $50 per month when you buy clothing! That’s not including any potential sales on your favorite pieces, too. In short: while renting might seem like a good idea on paper, it isn’t cheaper and worse for our planet by creating demand for low-quality products.
There is also the environmental factor to take into consideration. The Environmental Research Letters study found that renting clothing had a higher global warming potential than resale, recycling and owning for an extended amount of time. The study factored in the gratuitous amount of carbon emissions occurring during transport to and from the rental company. It shows that one garment rented can have a much larger impact than one garment owned for good, making it a less sustainable business model than the circular fashion model of buying, owning for a few years and then selling back in through thrifting or online resellers.
Three ways to contribute to sustainable fashion.
Buy secondhand clothes. If you aren’t into shopping for vintage looks, there are plenty of places that offer lightly used trendy apparel. Poshmark, Thred-Up and your local clothing exchange likely have everything you would want, and at a more affordable price.
Borrow pricier items from friends. Need a new cocktail dress for a wedding? Find a friend who is the same size as you and ask if you can borrow something! Most women have multiple fancy dresses in their closet they have only worn once that they would be glad to give life to.
Buy from reputable, sustainable brands. If you must get something new, make sure you are shopping for brands that have third party verification for organic materials, ethically sourced labor and / or recycled materials. Holding Court is a great go-to for sunny, comfortable clothes guaranteed to turn an eye.
Courtney Barriger is an award winning writer and sustainable fashion creator. When not on set or word-smithing, you can find her hiking through California’s wilderness or conspiring a new creative project for my eco-fashion brand www.holdingcourtinc.com. www.esnow.org @courtneybarriger @holdingcourtinc