Thanks… It’s Rented!

If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that nothing stays the same. Between schools switching to remote learning, constant lockdowns, restrictions and working from home, life has shifted in so many ways. Fashion is always shifting, transitioning, and moving through different cycles as well. How we consume it, how we receive it and now how we purchase it are all in a process of evolution as well.

Sustainable fashion is building much momentum these days and people support repurposing old garments for new use. Clothing donation centres are receiving a huge influx of clothing, and in many friend circles there’s an increase of clothing swaps. As a result of growing eco-consciousness in fashion, clothing rental subscription companies are gaining popularity. Let me give you a breakdown of some factors that have led to the rise of these companies in the fashion industry:

•  Fast fashion has contributed significantly to f@%king up the environment. Thanks Forever 21!

• More people are demanding that the industry take responsibility for its role in unethical product resourcing and human exploitation involved in getting the clothes into the marketplace.

• There has also been a rise in minimal conscious living. Slowing down, being mindful of our food, product, and resource consumption. More and more people are becoming more discerning about what, where, and why they make purchases they do.   

As a result of all these issues (and many more) some fast fashion companies have begun partnering with subscription services to encourage a cleaner carbon footprint. I think it’s important to note that there is a valid criticism in the model for brands attempting to greenwash their image. Working with subscription services do not eliminate unethical production and sourcing practices. 

Companies like Second Outing, The Rotation and the Mr. and Ms. Collection that offer a monthly subscription where you can go through the web site and select several pieces to rent for the month, and at the end of the month you have the option to return the pieces and select new pieces or purchase the items you tried for a “discounted” price.

In my mind there are 2 types of guys I see taking advantage of this service. One is the guy who hates shopping. Everything about shopping annoys him and if he could do without it, he would. The other type of guy is the one who is trying to figure out his look. Someone who is unsure of what works for him and what his style is. 

For the men who are actively trying to develop your style I think a subscription program can be   a great idea. Clothing subscriptions allow you to experiment and explore different looks without the commitment of an actual purchase. Clothing rentals can be a smart affordable way to test out the latest trends, try new colours and cuts of clothing from the comfort of your home. It’s also a great way to inject new life to a stagnant closet. 

For me, myself, personally… I will not be accessing this service. (P.S if you know the reference for that opening line you are the G.O.A.T)   Here are my reasons for not jumping on this shopping option:

1)    I’m too much of a germaphobe to do it. I barely shop second hand for this very reason, hell I’ve turned down being in bridal parties because they want to rent tuxes. And with a service like this my mind will always wonder about the hygiene of the last person who rented the items. 

2)    I’m very intentional/picky about what I buy. I shop with purpose and I’m very specific about what goes into my closet. I’ve spent WAY too much time building my closet, curating my look, and defining my swag to start entertaining temporary pieces. I’m very particular about the cut and length of my pants and would not be comfortable leaving it to chance regardless of it being a rental or not.  

3)    Much like music streaming platforms, I don’t get the concept of renting if you know what you like. So, for this reason it feels like a waste of time for me. 

Now, if you do subscribe to one of these services here’s some tips, I would recommend getting the best out of this service.

Vacations

If you happen to be planning a trip for someplace warmer during the colder seasons but don’t want to spend most of your vacation money buying new clothes than this makes the most sense. Rent a couple of statement pieces to give your vacation look a little more pop.

Formal Events

Now it’s the tried-and-true staple, men renting formal clothing for an event, however, with these new rental subscriptions you can switch up the rules on traditional formal wear. Use the opportunity to rewrite what you consider formal and find use these rentals to stand out from the crowd.

Sampling Accessories

I’ve done articles about figuring how to wear accessories and that it takes time to figure out what works for you. Rentals like the Gentleman’s Box are a great way to play around and get and get a feel for what you like, and what looks good on you.

Ultimately, no matter where you stand on this I think we can all agree shopping consciously is the best way to go. And though I’m still not personally sold on these subscriptions, I’d encourage you to check out the sites listed and see if it’s a service for you. So let me know if you are someone who would try these subscription options. Drop a comment below and let’s discuss.