Hirestreet review: we rented four outfits for four summer events and now we’re hooked
BEEN thinking about trying a fashion rental service? Read on for our Hirestreet review, in which I see if renting clothing from the platform is all it's cracked up to be.
With many of us turning our backs on the world of fast fashion and over-consumption — while still wanting to show off an ever-changing wardrobe — fashion rental platforms have emerged as an attractive solution to shopping outfits sustainably.
Self-dubbed as "the UK’s top-rated fashion rental platform", Hirestreet stocks over 10,000 items and 100+ brands handpicked by its expert stylists, so I was intrigued to give it a go myself.
I rented four pieces with four different summer events in mind. Read on to see how I got on.
- Rent clothing at Hirestreet -
Pros
- Cheaper than buying items outright
- Can rent for up to 30 days
- Great way to try out a range of brands and looks you might not normally go for
- Ideal for special occasions where you're likely to only wear an item once
- Unworn items can be returned for credit on your next rental
Cons
- Costs can add up if used frequently
- Outfits feel less spontaneous and require planning
- No refund if an item doesn't fit or suit you: only rental credit
- Filters could be more refined
- More dresses than everyday separates
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Hirestreet review: first impressions
Using the Hirestreet website was really user-friendly and intuitive. I had some summer events in mind and appreciated being able to shop by occasion – be it holiday, wedding guest or festival – or specifically by brand.
There was a good choice of sizes in stock and lots of pieces already had customer reviews and photos, which is always handy when it comes to checking sizing and fit.
Once I'd chosen my items, they arrived promptly (in packaging that was completely plastic-free) and I was impressed by the condition of the garments. There's no way you'd be able to tell they'd been previously worn: Hirestreet professionally dry cleans every item, so you don't need to wash clothes before returning them.
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Once my hire period was up, it was easy and convenient to return my parcel. I made sure to keep the paper bag it came in, so it was just a case of attaching the prepaid returns label included and popping it down to the Post Office.
- Rent clothing at Hirestreet -
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Hirestreet review: the items we rented
For a wedding: Simply Be Ivory Floral Floral Midi Dress
- Simply Be Ivory Floral Floral Midi Dress, rental from £20 at Hirestreet -
This flowy frock is, for me, the perfect example of when fashion rentals make a lot of sense.
I'd be likely to buy it for a specific occasion like a wedding and then just never wear it again – so renting it out instead is much more cost-effective and environmentally conscious.
For a garden party: French Connection Belle Verona Crepe Midi Dress
- French Connection Belle Verona Crepe Midi Dress, rental from £20 at Hirestreet -
I absolutely love angel sleeves on a dress: they're both whimsical and incredibly flattering, so this French Connection number was a no-brainer.
It retails for £95, so the £25 price tag for a 10-day rental makes a lot of sense. I loved the fit and would totally wear it to a sophisticated garden soiree.
For a festival: M&S X Ghost M&S X Ghost Ditsy Floral Wrap Jumpsuit
- M&S X Ghost M&S X Ghost Ditsy Floral Wrap Jumpsuit, rental from £20 at Hirestreet -
With a festival in the diary, I decided to try this M&S x Ghost jumpsuit.
It was insanely comfortable on (it felt like pyjamas) and flattering to boot, but unfortunately, the trouser legs were too long so I didn't end up wearing it.
This is one of those situations where Hirestreet isn't always a viable choice, as there's no option of having a garment altered.
For a picnic in the park: M&S Floral V-Neck Tie Waist Midi Wrap Dress
M&S Floral V-Neck Tie Waist Midi Wrap Dress, rental from £20 at Hirestreet -
This is one of those dresses where having rented it, I'd probably decide to buy it as it's one you could get a lot of use out of, from picnics in the park to holidays in the sun.
It retails for £40, so although it was nice to try it for a brief period, I feel like value-wise, I'd get a better cost per wear if I owned it outright.
Saying that, Hirestreet does have a where you can shop secondhand fashion.
How much does Hirestreet cost?
There are no monthly fees to pay for Hirestreet: you simply shop for clothes as you would on any other website. The only difference is that the price you pay is for the rental, rather than purchase, of the garments.
All of the pieces I rented started from £20, but it all depends on the brand and the retail value of the garment: for example, rentals for cult vintage-inspired British brand are from as high as £55 due to the fact that the dresses cost over £300 normally.
The verdict: is Hirestreet worth the money?
For items that are of high retail value or likely to be worn for that one special occasion and never again – then yes, I definitely think that Hirestreet is worth the money.
I love the idea of fashion being circular, and the fact that all items are professionally dry-cleaned before being rented out makes them feel like new; I also couldn't fault their condition.
I'm not saying that you should have an exclusively rented wardrobe as that just wouldn't be practical or realistic. But if you have an event coming up and want to wear something special without having to invest in a full purchase, then Hirestreet offers great value.
One thing I would point out is that fashion rental services very much sit within the special occasions niche, so there are definitely more dresses than everyday separates and staples available to shop at Hirestreet.
You'll need to be organised and have a clear idea of when you're going to wear your garments to make the most of the rental period, but provided you do that, it's a great way to enjoy the buzz of new clothing without the full financial commitment.
- Rent clothing at Hirestreet -
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Does Hirestreet have any discount codes?
Yes. Hirestreet advertises its offers on the site, so it's worth keeping an eye out for what it has on. Here's what codes are available to use at the time of writing (July 2023):
- Rent two items for five days for £35 using code 2FOR35 at checkout
- Rent three items for 10 days for £50 using code 3FOR50 at checkout