Have a Closet Full of Clothes? You Can Make Money Using a Fashion Rental App – Think Airbnb

Ever bought a dress for a wedding, wore it once, and now it’s just chilling in your closet collecting dust? What if I told you that instead of it taking up space, it could actually be making you money? Yep, welcome to the world of fashion rental – think Airbnb, but for clothes!

Larissa Manley - Instagram

How It All Started

Back in 2014, an Aussie student named Larissa Manley had a bunch of formal dresses but barely any money in her bank account. Instead of selling her dresses, she started renting them out through Instagram. Fast forward to today, her platform, Rent a Dress, has blown up with thousands of followers and customers.

And she’s not alone. Rental platforms like The Volte, Air Closet, and Rent a Dress have made it easy for people to turn their wardrobes into a side hustle – and some users are making serious bank (we’re talking $50k-$200k a year!).

Nicole Shiraz, the founder and CEO of Air Closet, says: ‘Our users love to rent items they know they only want to wear once’

Why Renting Clothes is the Future

Besides the fact that it’s a great way to make passive income, fashion rental is also a huge win for sustainability. Instead of buying something new for every event, people can rent and re-wear, which cuts down on waste and pollution. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, renting a dress instead of buying it can slash its carbon footprint by 41%!

How Does It Work?

If you’re thinking about giving it a go, here’s what you need to do:

1. Pick a Platform – Sign up on rental sites like The Volte, Air Closet, or Rent a Dress. They’ll take a small commission (around 15%) but handle logistics and customer service.

2. Upload Your Items – Take high-quality photos (preferably of you wearing the outfit) and list details like designer, size, fabric, and rental price.

3. Start Renting – When someone books your item, you’ll receive their info and send the item via post, courier, or arrange a pickup.

4. Get Paid! – Once the renter returns your item, you collect your earnings. Just remember, cleaning the outfit is your responsibility before it goes out again.

   
   

What Clothes Rent Best?

People mainly rent outfits for special occasions – weddings, formals, parties, and even maternity shoots. Designer dresses, handbags, and statement pieces tend to do the best. If you’re investing in rental pieces, go for classic, timeless styles that won’t go out of fashion too quickly.

Some of the dresses available to hire from The Volte, including by designers such as Oroton (left), Maticevski and Rachel Gilbert. Composite: The Volte

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Don’t rent out sentimental pieces – If you’d be heartbroken over a spilled cocktail or a torn hem, keep that dress to yourself.

• Quality matters – Stick to well-made garments that can survive multiple wears and washes.

• Read the fine print – Platforms have rules for late returns, damages, and even cases where items go missing.

The Future of Fashion Rental

Fashion rental is just getting started. Platforms are adding cool features like virtual try-ons (so you can see how a dress will look on you before renting) and instant listing options for brand-new purchases. The industry could be worth $700 billion by 2030, making it one of the most exciting shifts in sustainable fashion.

So, if your wardrobe is overflowing with barely worn gems, why not turn them into a money-making machine? Who knows – your side hustle might just turn into a full-blown business!