Sustainable Fashion Trends

We rent cars, apartments, vacation homes…why not clothing? Renting a single piece of clothing can save energy, water, and CO2 emissions when compared to purchasing a new one. It can also extend its life cycle. But is it truly sustainable?

Rent the Runway co-founders Jennifer Hyman and Jenny Fleiss started the clothing rental trend in 2009 when they opened a pop-up shop at Harvard University to save students money. Their business eventually grew into an online subscription model. It was especially helpful for people needing an expensive outfit for a special event or maternity wear that they’d quickly outgrow. Clothing rental has since grown into a billion-dollar industry.

Today, you can find myriad rental platforms, including Nuuly, Armoire, and Switch. Subscription models usually offer a monthly plan with a variety of options, depending upon how many pieces you wish to rent. The companies handle the cleaning and provide pre-paid return shipping.

“Peer-to-peer” businesses, such as Rotate Your Closet, Wardrobe, and Rotation, encourage people to earn money by renting out their own clothes. These companies may be more eco-friendly than inventory-based companies since they eliminate the middle person and excess stock, and encourage people to rotate more and purchase less.

Is the rental market really helping the environment? Since the majority of emissions occur during a garment’s production, prolonging its life by as little as a year can reduce its environmental footprint by as much as 20 percent. However, the delivery methods and detergents used also play a factor. A better solution might be to simply buy less and only rent special occasion-type clothing. When you do purchase a garment, buy from companies that maintain ethical, eco-friendly practices, as well as safe working conditions for their employees. That way, sustainable fashion is a win-win for all, including mother earth.