Renting a designer outfit is not only possible but easy in India.
When Andria D’Souza urgently needed a designer outfit for a party, she didn’t know who to turn to. “I had nothing to wear, it was a day before the party and I was desperate,” says the 30-year-old Mumbai-based actor. Then someone suggested Delhi-based Swishlist, a designer-wear rental website. D’Souza browsed it and within an hour had selected the perfect outfit, a half-stitched sari by designer Bhaavya Bhatnagar. “I ordered at 10pm and they FedExed me the dress, dry-cleaned and ironed, the very next evening,” she says. D’Souza, who owns a designer gown bought for Rs80,000, which she has worn only once, says this kind of rental service is a boon.
“Spending Rs80,000 on a dress which you wear once kind of pinches,” she says. “On the other hand, renting a designer outfit for as little as Rs2,000-4,000 is a boon.” Here are a few sites that you can look through to have a sparkling wardrobe this party season at a fraction of the cost. All websites and services may charge extra for shipping and may also have a refundable security deposit, depending on what you order.
The clothing rental
Looking for a tuxedo or a sequined dress? The Clothing Rental is a Mumbai-based rental site that offers more than 5,000 clothing options, for both men and women, from designers like Ermenegildo Zegna, Hugo Boss, Marchesa, Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang and Armani. They are open to taking orders from any city in India. “For customers who like to visit, touch and feel the product, try it on , we have two stores in Mumbai,” says Shilpa Bhatia, founder and director, marketing and business development, The Clothing Rental.
When you order, you have to give a security deposit twice the rental cost of the garment and this is refunded when the outfit is returned. “If the person damages the product beyond repair, we decide costs on a case-to-case basis,” says Bhatia. This season, they have a wide range of dresses, including sequined gowns and clutch bags for women, and coloured suits, tuxedos, bow ties, lapel pins and pocket squares for men.
Rental charges: Rs500 onwards. Order on Theclothingrental.com.