Lender's Guide: Top Rented Pieces and Tips for Success
Wanting to elevate your shared wardrobe? Look no further! We spoke to our Top Lenders on their tips for renting out their wardrobes as seen in Stylist Magazine.
From the trending items to keeping your wardrobe in top condition, find out what you can do to increase your rentals! Scroll to learn how you can elevate your fashion rental side hustle and find out what pieces are trending right now.
Anna Bunney
What are your three top tips for renting?
1. Photos! I always try to show photographs of me wearing and enjoying the items, this way they can see the fit!
2. Communication and enthusiasm! I love the back and forth with renters and always give good updates on the delivery of items and ideas on styling!
3. Reliability, on the BR app you can block out availability via the Vacation Mode, this is great, so people don’t get their heart set on something that’s then unavailable. By updating the availability you’ll increase your acceptance rate.
How many pieces are you currently renting and how much are you making monthly from this?
I currently have 50 items in my shared wardrobe and make between £100 and £600 a month renting my wardrobe. It’s changed my life - I now have my dream wardrobe as I re-invest in items I love.
Which pieces rent the best in your wardrobe?
My most popular dress is a pink floral Needle & Thread gown, which I’ve made more than £800 on and it’s been rented out over 30 times. I find that my ball gowns are most popular as it just makes sense to rent for a big event like this rather than buying new and having a huge dress hanging in your wardrobe forever.
What pieces do you think people would like to see more of on rental sites?
With over 120,000 items on the app, there is always something to find in so many different sizes and styles, there’s even luggage and homeware available to rent!
Natasha Fearon-Smith
What are your three top tips for renting?
1. Having good communication with renters - I like to keep communication open and flowing at all times and I make sure I’m available to answer questions before, during and after rentals.
2. Having a varied wardrobe - I have items to cover all seasons and occasions from weddings to casual days out.
3. Having a sewing kit - as items are in constant rotation, it’s normal to get some wear and tear. I find that having a sewing kit and knowing a few basic stitches helps to keep the item in top condition.
How many pieces are you currently renting and how much are you making monthly from this?
I currently have 60 items available to rent with my monthly income during Spring Summer being upwards of £700.
Which pieces rent best in your wardrobe?
My Aje pieces do the best in my rental wardrobe. Aje make the most stunning dresses in such flattering shapes, and they appeal to so many different women.
What pieces do you think people would like to see more of on rental sites?
I think body diversity is really big at the moment so more plus size pieces would be great and pieces that cater to petite and tall women are also definitely needed!
Tabitha Wilcox
What are your three top tips for renting?
1. Use photos of yourself in the garments, or the permission of another who is the same size as the garment. This gives an idea of what the garment will look on that body size/shape.
2. Communication is key, By Rotation is a community app after all. I always ask if they have any questions before confirming and always send a card with my rentals too, wishing them a lovely occasion!
3. Include as much information about fit as you can, this includes the cut i.e. bias, which can be more generous in size, and actual measurements
How many pieces are you currently renting? How much are you making monthly from renting?
I am renting 25 garments in a UK size 16 to 24 and my monthly income changes throughout the year, however the most I’ve made in one month is £259.
Which pieces rent the best in your wardrobe?
My most rented pieces are from Rixo, one of my favourite designers too! Other than of course being beautiful garments, the fit is excellent, and the rental cost is mid-price. I think this is why they rent so well for all occasions and all times of the year.
What pieces do you think people would like to see more on rental sites?
For myself and my peers it would be more plus size rentals. When speaking to Eshita Kabra about this she told me, ‘It starts with you.’ Once I start renting my plus size garments others will too, and she was right. Since I started renting, nearly 3 years ago, the choice in plus size rentals has increased greatly, but there could be more.