Renting clothes: trendy eco-friendly choice or costly wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen?

Concerns about unanticipated damage costs are surfacing as younger consumers increasingly use clothing rental services as an environmentally friendly substitute for fast fashion.

Serena Godinović, a former frequent renter, shared her disappointment after being unexpectedly charged $560 for damage to a rented dress from an undisclosed service.

"I tried my best to be careful, so it was quite a shock," Godinović said.

After renting a dress for the races Godinović found she had pulled the train of the dress and reached out to the rental service to let them know.

The incident left Godinovich “traumatised” prompting her to swear off renting altogether.

Most established rental services have the option of insurance, charging around 10 to 15 dollars for cleaning and mending costs if damage occurs.

Godinović wished the company she rented through had a form of rental insurance.

“100 per cent I would rent again if there was insurance.”

Insurance is not an option for most rental businesses run on Instagram accounts due to the lack of resources and management.

Shuanna Li, Co-Founder of Dress For Less, rental services, recognises the challenges faced by the industry.

Li said that her company had thought about insurance, however, the logistics of doing so would have been challenging.

Li explains that if a dress is damaged, she will take it to a mender or dry cleaner and obtain a quote for the cost of repair, after which the renter will be charged the repair fee.

If the dress is found to be beyond repair, the renter will be charged the full price, as explained here.

In recent years, the clothing rental sector has experienced significant growth, evolving from small-scale operations to billion-dollar enterprises.

Predictions by Vogue Fashion suggest that by 2030, the market could reach a valuation of $3.8 billion NZD.

Rental platforms offer designer garments for special occasions at a fraction of their retail price, appealing to those seeking cost-effective and sustainable fashion options.

Godinović urges renters to check the terms and conditions before renting to save them from being hit with a hefty bill.