One Rule of 5 Queen shares her experience. From sewing skills to her friend's wardrobe, Rachel Arthur survived speaking tours, motherhood - and a month in Bali.
Is there a specific app or site where you can rent out your own wardrobe? I am manifesting a fashion friend that I can swap with more easily and I imagine it would be easier to find them through that kind of app. Most of my friends are 3 sizes smaller than me.
Yes - By Rotation. It's UK based, does that work for you? If not lmk which country you are and I'll investigate. Think By Rotation maybe launching in US too this year
I rent out a few things on By Rotation and Hurr - I seem to get more requests on Hurr. It’s been great, I’ve earned back more than the original cost of some items and it’s mainly been hassle free. A renter broke an earring once but Hurr paid out my claim to get it repaired really quickly.
Before you get rid of stuff, check it can't be transformed into something you can wear. One learning from this year was that several pieces in my wardrobe I had consigned to the 'no' pile were cheerfully resurrected. They suddenly looked right after years of wrong, just need taking up or letting out. If you do want to get rid of clothes, try and give them directly to someone you know will wear them. Most of that charity bin recycling stuff ends up in west Africa where if chokes the local fashion economy and spills out of landfill. Not to mention the carbon to get it there
how do folks handle getting the right fit from rented pieces off the rack and/or needing to try a bunch of things in order to find something you want to wear to an event? that said, i’m in for 2024! going to instead invest in alterations of high quality pieces that are already in my closet but don’t look the way i’d like them to.
If you are in London My Wardrobe HQ have a concession in Harrods and you can get things sent there to try on first- but if it's a new brand and you don't know your size I agree you're stuck. The platform I use Cercle.uk has frequent evening salons where you can go and have a drink and try on a bunch of stuff. There's a US one called Nuuly that also has a store in Manhattan. I think you have to be very judicious about renting as it can end up costing a lot if it doesn't work out. That said I've never had a bad rental as even the things I've thought aren't really me I've just worn anyway - why not when it's one time only...
I had a couple of failed attempts at renting dresses which didn’t fit so started to limit myself to only renting dresses which I’d had the chance to try on in the shop first. Limits your options to things which are current season but I’m now pretty confident that I know what size I am in my favourite brands so stick to them. Renters are also normally very happy to send you measurements before you rent so that you can check fit.
Hi Amy - I agree with all the other comments here that it's a bit of trial and error and does come with some risk, but is also one of those things that you just sort of get used to (e.g. figuring out what works for you and in what way you can be bold or not - I know I can't for instance go with anything showing too much cleavage as I never like what it looks like, but I can experiment in lots of other fun ways such as colour, length, pattern, volume). From my bright pink suit to a silver sequin mini dress I wore in 2022 for my hen party, which was honestly not like anything I've EVER worn before, but was just amazing. I definitely advocate for starting with brands you know fit you though - a good try on session at the likes of Selfridges if you're able to get there is helpful. I wrote this piece ages ago that might be useful also - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-successfully-easily-get-fashion-rental-even-when-rachel-arthur/?trackingId=WPYni%2FwRSRqXrrucOGkLEA%3D%3D
Love this. I run Verte, a swap shop company, and would love to help make your suggestion a reality if there's the appetite. Even if it's just helping organise and facilitate! We need people like you to help champion these ideas, bringing them to the forefront to raise awareness of new and alternative solutions. The bigger we can make them, the more people will have to choose from. It might have taken a second visit to the swap, but you got several new items all at once! Would love to chat about collaborating on something - even if just an article!
Great piece Rachel. This has actually made me feel a lot better about my failed Rule Of 5 attempt last year. I didn't officially 'sign up', but made a quiet commitment to myself. Similarly, I caved just before a heading back home to outback Western Australia . The new items i bought for the trip were the least practical, ill-fitting, and the least worn. Also learned a lot from a few frustrating rental experiences. This has inspired me to document the journey. Will start sharing reflections on substack!
Me too, I fear it might be a bit ambitious though, (although surely a skirt can't be that hard?!). Have a look at ELV denim - they can Upcycle two pairs of your or their old jeans into something specific for you. If you're in London you can go to their studio. Also Fanfare will customise an old pair of jeans if you're bored of them
handbags and shoes count I'm afraid. Second hand is a moot point. General concensus is you are allowed a couple of second hand on top of the 5, I allowed myself 4 second hand purchases this year. Reason being second hand market is not slowing the primary market - its just adding to the mountain of stuff. But obvs it is part of the circular economy. Hot or Cool Institute say 20-30% of your wardrobe should be second hand.
I am definitely doing it
Great way to save money - you can even earn it if you start selling/renting your wardrobe
Is there a specific app or site where you can rent out your own wardrobe? I am manifesting a fashion friend that I can swap with more easily and I imagine it would be easier to find them through that kind of app. Most of my friends are 3 sizes smaller than me.
Yes - By Rotation. It's UK based, does that work for you? If not lmk which country you are and I'll investigate. Think By Rotation maybe launching in US too this year
I rent out a few things on By Rotation and Hurr - I seem to get more requests on Hurr. It’s been great, I’ve earned back more than the original cost of some items and it’s mainly been hassle free. A renter broke an earring once but Hurr paid out my claim to get it repaired really quickly.
Good intel on Hurr
Have you seen @orjenise on Insta’s campaign to get rid of 100 things in Jan on Insta? Who do you rate best for selling stuff? https://www.instagram.com/p/C1ZBO7EsTYB/?igsh=MzY1NDJmNzMyNQ==
Before you get rid of stuff, check it can't be transformed into something you can wear. One learning from this year was that several pieces in my wardrobe I had consigned to the 'no' pile were cheerfully resurrected. They suddenly looked right after years of wrong, just need taking up or letting out. If you do want to get rid of clothes, try and give them directly to someone you know will wear them. Most of that charity bin recycling stuff ends up in west Africa where if chokes the local fashion economy and spills out of landfill. Not to mention the carbon to get it there
how do folks handle getting the right fit from rented pieces off the rack and/or needing to try a bunch of things in order to find something you want to wear to an event? that said, i’m in for 2024! going to instead invest in alterations of high quality pieces that are already in my closet but don’t look the way i’d like them to.
If you are in London My Wardrobe HQ have a concession in Harrods and you can get things sent there to try on first- but if it's a new brand and you don't know your size I agree you're stuck. The platform I use Cercle.uk has frequent evening salons where you can go and have a drink and try on a bunch of stuff. There's a US one called Nuuly that also has a store in Manhattan. I think you have to be very judicious about renting as it can end up costing a lot if it doesn't work out. That said I've never had a bad rental as even the things I've thought aren't really me I've just worn anyway - why not when it's one time only...
I had a couple of failed attempts at renting dresses which didn’t fit so started to limit myself to only renting dresses which I’d had the chance to try on in the shop first. Limits your options to things which are current season but I’m now pretty confident that I know what size I am in my favourite brands so stick to them. Renters are also normally very happy to send you measurements before you rent so that you can check fit.
V. Good advice!
Hi Amy - I agree with all the other comments here that it's a bit of trial and error and does come with some risk, but is also one of those things that you just sort of get used to (e.g. figuring out what works for you and in what way you can be bold or not - I know I can't for instance go with anything showing too much cleavage as I never like what it looks like, but I can experiment in lots of other fun ways such as colour, length, pattern, volume). From my bright pink suit to a silver sequin mini dress I wore in 2022 for my hen party, which was honestly not like anything I've EVER worn before, but was just amazing. I definitely advocate for starting with brands you know fit you though - a good try on session at the likes of Selfridges if you're able to get there is helpful. I wrote this piece ages ago that might be useful also - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-successfully-easily-get-fashion-rental-even-when-rachel-arthur/?trackingId=WPYni%2FwRSRqXrrucOGkLEA%3D%3D
Love this. I run Verte, a swap shop company, and would love to help make your suggestion a reality if there's the appetite. Even if it's just helping organise and facilitate! We need people like you to help champion these ideas, bringing them to the forefront to raise awareness of new and alternative solutions. The bigger we can make them, the more people will have to choose from. It might have taken a second visit to the swap, but you got several new items all at once! Would love to chat about collaborating on something - even if just an article!
Hi Jessica, sounds great, Ill drop you a line
Please do! Email is jessbrunt1@gmail.com if easier!
Great piece Rachel. This has actually made me feel a lot better about my failed Rule Of 5 attempt last year. I didn't officially 'sign up', but made a quiet commitment to myself. Similarly, I caved just before a heading back home to outback Western Australia . The new items i bought for the trip were the least practical, ill-fitting, and the least worn. Also learned a lot from a few frustrating rental experiences. This has inspired me to document the journey. Will start sharing reflections on substack!
Yes do! My worst moment was going abroad in the summer. We get forced into rubbish decisions and panic buys. Good learnings for this year. Good luck!
Me too, I fear it might be a bit ambitious though, (although surely a skirt can't be that hard?!). Have a look at ELV denim - they can Upcycle two pairs of your or their old jeans into something specific for you. If you're in London you can go to their studio. Also Fanfare will customise an old pair of jeans if you're bored of them
Hey Tiff, what’s the rule on charity shop and second hand. Still five? And handbags and shoes?
handbags and shoes count I'm afraid. Second hand is a moot point. General concensus is you are allowed a couple of second hand on top of the 5, I allowed myself 4 second hand purchases this year. Reason being second hand market is not slowing the primary market - its just adding to the mountain of stuff. But obvs it is part of the circular economy. Hot or Cool Institute say 20-30% of your wardrobe should be second hand.
I am definitely going to lean into the sewing machine in 2024 and see where it takes me!