Youth Incorporated Magazine

Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor recently made headlines when she revealed that the outfits she wears for public appearances are often rented. She emphasized that these fashion rental outfits, styled by their stylists, contribute to sustainability. “The shoes and rings are mine, but the necklace, bracelets, and even the shirt are not mine. They are rented!” said the actress during promotion for her new movie Mr. and Mrs Mahi. Following her, another Bollywood star, Ayushmann Khurrana, spoke about similar sentiments about actors frequently renting clothes rather than owning them. He humorously remarked, “Pura Bollywood rent pe hai” (The entire Bollywood is on rent) explaining that stylists source the clothes for events and return them afterward. “Where do we store so many clothes?” he quipped.

These words have a significant impact because celebrities and influencers help shed light on the trend of renting clothes and raise awareness about the environmental implications and factors of managing large wardrobes. As result, Renting clothing stores have become the latest talk of the town and have gained popularity in recent years. This trend is driven by factors such as the growing interest in sustainability, the desire for variety in fashion without the commitment of ownership, and the convenience it offers to customers. It’s not only brands but even local people have been more into the concept of thrifting.

According to statistics, the rental fashion market in India will have a growth of 10.6%. Thus, rental clothing allows people to access designer or high-quality garments for special occasions without the hefty price tag associated with purchasing them. Plus, it reduces the environmental impact of fast fashion by promoting reuse and reducing the demand for new clothing production. It’s a win-win for both fashion enthusiasts and the planet. Therefore, let’s have a look at the top fashion rental stores in India.

Top Fashion Rental Platforms In India:

Flyrobe:

Flyrobe is one of the biggest platforms that have started the rental fashion platforms in India. Aanchal Saini is the founder of this brand and she appeared on one of the famous shows Shark Tank India to present her brand. They have many offline stores in 30+ places like Mumbai, Nashik, Ludhiana, Bangalore, Bhopal, etc. It has more than 50+ categories of fashion styles ranging from accessories to clothing wear like kurtas, plazos, crop tops to rings, clutches, pendant scarves and more. Along with more than 200 brands with the most famous ones being luxury fashion wear. They include Dior, Prada, Burberry, to famous Indian brands like Falguni Peacock Shane, Anita Dongre, Sabyasachi, and the list goes on.

Price range: Starting from Rs.1000 to Rs 1 lakh.

Stage3:

Stage 3 was founded by Sabena Puri, Sanchit Baweja and Rina Dhaka in 2016. It rents out designer wear outfits from over 50 famous designers. “The designer wear market in India is worth $2 billion a year. Most of these clothes are hardly ever worn again and sit uselessly in closets, especially occasion wear,” pointed out Sanchit Baweja. Recently, famous designer Rhea Kapoor curated their latest collection during the wedding season. One can rent a Sabyasacahi lehenga for Rs. 7000 to Rs. 8000. They have an offline store in Delhi. The rental period for an outfit is 3 or 6 days. For residents living in Delhi, there is a try on session for which one pays extra 200 rupees. And for non residents the alterations are asked to be sent online.

Price range: Starting from 2000 to 60,000.

The Clothing Rental, Mumbai (Bandra):

The Clothing Rental is a popular establishment in Mumbai’s most famous neighborhood, Bandra. The place is well-known for its clothing, which ranges from Catholic wedding gowns to traditional Hindu apparel. They also rent out shoes and accessories, as well as coats, jackets, and handbags. If you’re searching for the perfect glamour on a date night or a cocktail, this is the place to go. Men’s attire is also included in this rental trend, with men’s blazers, jackets, watches, shoes, and other items priced between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000. Another fantastic piece of work is their “social media looks” area, which features fashion styles from their Instagram and Facebook networks.

Price range: Rs. 500 and beyond. 

The Dress Bank, Bangalore:

The Dress Bank, located in Bangalore also having an online presence, is a well known fashion rental establishment offering affordable rates for a wide array of occasions such as weddings, parties, maternity shoots, and modeling gigs. Catering to both genders, their collection includes tops, kurtas, maxi dresses, anarkalis for women, and blazers, dhotis, kurtas, and shirts for men, starting from just Rs. 250. Customers can rent outfits for three days, with the convenience of trying them on the first day and paying the rental fees. The Dress Bank’s motto revolves around the cycle of selecting, trying, renting, and repeating the cycle of fashion rentals, encouraging customers to explore new styles without commitment. Additionally, individuals can also make money by renting their outfits that have never been used or one-time-worn by them at The Dress Bank.

Price Range: Rs. 500 to Rs. 15,000

5. Rent an Attire, Pune:

Rent an Attire, situated in Pune, is a popular fashion rental destination, particularly bustling during wedding seasons. Thus, letting your wedding be on a budget with bridesmaids and best man’s dresses rented at an affordable price. Their extensive collection includes Indian bridal outfits, designer lehengas, tuxedos and sherwanis. For women, they boast a range of exquisitely embroidered sarees from luxury brands like Sabyasachi, Ridhi Mehra, Sonam Parmar, and Kora. Rentals begin at a pocket-friendly Rs. 1700 for women’s wear and Rs. 1000 for men’s wear. Their policy allows clients to choose a style, reserve an outfit for 3,5, 7, or 10 days, and return it a day after the occasion or on the customer’s preferred date. TV actresses have also flaunted their exquisite RAA rentals on social media. Rent An Attire also allows you to rent jewelry for a starting fee of Rs 500.

Price Range: Rs. 800 to Rs. 5000 and beyond for designer lehengas and more.

In conclusion, when the need arises for a glamorous outfit, consider renting rather than spending thousands or even lakhs on a designer outfit. Renting can offer a quick and convenient way to access high-quality, branded clothing without the hefty price tag, especially when faced with last-minute shopping or time constraints. By opting to rent, you can save both money and time, avoiding the hassle of visiting multiple stores or websites. Additionally, renting promotes sustainability by reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion. The outfits purchased for a one day event always end up laying in the shallow end of your closet, wrapped in plastic, only someday to find they no longer fit or have shrunk. Therefore, renting platforms can allow oneself to enjoy stylish attire without the burden of long-term ownership.