Rent, Borrow, and Steal the Runway

Image via RTR

Formal wear and designer bags are just a couple of items purchased tha never get the wear and tear for the money spent on them. Hundreds to thousdands of dollars are spent on items only worn once or twice for special occasions. These decisions just don't make sense if youare trying to be financially and environmentally sustainable. Insert Rent the Runway and Bag, Borrow and Steal.

Rent the Runway is a website that gives users access to high fashion designs for a low price. You simply sign up with your email address and can browse hundreds of designer dresses. Pick out your favorite dress and you can rent the dress for a night or weekend ranging in prices depending on value of the dress. RTR then mails you the dress in two sizes to make sure you have a fit and it is yours to enjoy. Then send back the dress in the pre-paid package they provide. They even take care of the dry-cleaning! This means that each dress can get used as many times as it will last so there's no waste of money or clothing.

Bag, Borrow, or Steal is a similar concept except you can rent designer bags and jewelry. as they put it "Why should celebrities, fashion editors, and socialites be the only ones allowed to borrow fashion accessories?" The difference here is you can pay to keep an item for a longer period of time and if you fall in love with a piece, you can "steal" it and pay a portion of the price to own an item for yourself.

While these sites might just seem like online shopping, they are reducing the amount of dresses being made and sold and limiting wasteful spending and therefore reducing our carbon footprint.