Clothing Rental: Turn Your Wardrobe into a Profitable Side Business

Earnings vary significantly based on your inventory quality, location, and how actively you manage your rental business. Here's a realistic breakdown:

Beginner (20-30 items): $300-$700 monthly. With a small collection of mid-range designer pieces, you might secure 5-10 rentals per month during peak seasons, fewer during off-seasons.

Intermediate (50-75 items): $800-$1,500 monthly. With a diverse inventory across multiple categories and price points, you can achieve more consistent bookings throughout the year.

Advanced (100+ items): $2,000-$5,000+ monthly. With a substantial collection of in-demand pieces, strategic purchasing, and optimized operations, this becomes a significant income stream.

Remember that these figures are gross revenue before expenses. You'll need to account for platform fees (15-40%), cleaning costs ($10-30 per item), shipping expenses ($8-15 per transaction), and occasional repairs. Most successful renters reinvest 40-50% of their earnings back into inventory expansion during the growth phase.

Location also impacts earnings potential—metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami generally see higher rental demand and rates than rural areas.

This is one of the biggest concerns for new clothing rental entrepreneurs, but platforms have developed systems to protect lenders:

Prevention measures:

• Take detailed photos of items before each rental, documenting condition
• Implement security deposits (typically 10-20% of the item's retail value)
• Use platforms with ID verification and renter reviews
• Create clear rental agreements outlining responsibility for damages

When damage occurs:

1. Document the damage immediately with clear photos
2. Contact the renter through the platform messaging system
3. File a claim through the platform's protection program (if available)
4. For minor damages, request reasonable compensation for repairs
5. For major damages, platforms typically charge the renter's payment method for the agreed replacement value

For non-returns: Most platforms have processes to charge the renter's payment method for the full retail value of the item after a specified grace period (usually 3-7 days past due date). Some platforms like Style Lend and Tulerie provide additional protection through their own insurance programs.

While damage does happen occasionally, serious issues are relatively rare. Most renters are respectful because they know their reputation and security deposit are at stake. In my experience, less than 5% of rentals result in damage claims, and most of those are minor issues like small stains that can be professionally removed.

You don't necessarily need to start with luxury designer items, but there is a "sweet spot" for rental profitability. Here's what works at different price points:

Mid-range contemporary brands ($150-$400 retail): Brands like Reformation, For Love & Lemons, Ganni, and Sézane rent well because they're desirable but still at a price point where many consumers prefer to rent rather than buy. These can be excellent starter inventory with rental rates of $30-$80 for a 4-day period.

Bridge designer brands ($400-$800 retail): Brands like Self-Portrait, Zimmermann, and Cult Gaia offer excellent rental ROI with relatively lower initial investment than luxury labels. These typically rent for $60-$120 for a 4-day period.

Luxury designer ($800+ retail): Higher-end designer pieces from brands like Gucci, Prada, and Saint Laurent command premium rental rates ($100-$300+) but require significant upfront investment.

Items below $150 retail value generally don't rent profitably after accounting for cleaning, shipping, and platform fees—unless they're highly unique or trendy pieces. Fast fashion brands (H&M, Zara, etc.) typically don't perform well in the rental market.

My recommendation for beginners: Start with 10-15 quality contemporary pieces from your existing wardrobe that retail for $200+ and are in excellent condition. Test the market response before investing in purchasing additional inventory specifically for rental. Focus on special occasion items rather than everyday basics, even at lower price points.

The time commitment varies based on your inventory size and business model, but here's a realistic breakdown:

Setup phase (first month): Expect to spend 20-30 hours photographing items, creating detailed listings, researching pricing, and setting up your profiles across platforms.

Ongoing weekly time commitment:

• Small inventory (20-30 items): 2-5 hours weekly
• Medium inventory (50-75 items): 5-10 hours weekly
• Large inventory (100+ items): 10-20 hours weekly or more

Regular tasks include:

• Responding to rental inquiries (30 minutes to 1 hour daily)
• Preparing and shipping items (15-30 minutes per rental)
• Cleaning and inspecting returned items (20-40 minutes per item)
• Managing calendars and availability across platforms (30 minutes weekly)
• Photographing and listing new inventory (1 hour per item)
• Bookkeeping and expense tracking (1 hour weekly)

Time demands fluctuate seasonally, with wedding season (May-September) and holiday season (November-December) requiring significantly more attention. The business becomes more time-efficient as you develop systems and potentially outsource tasks like cleaning and photography.

One advantage of clothing rental over other sidegigs is that much of the work is "batchable"—you can handle multiple shipments or cleaning sessions at once—making it well-suited for weekend warriors who can dedicate blocks of time rather than daily attention.

The best platform depends on your inventory type, location, and business goals. Here's guidance for choosing the right starting platform:

If you're in the United States:

• Style Lend: Best for designer and luxury pieces in major cities. Their authentication service and urban user base make it ideal if you have higher-end items. Commission: 20%.
• Tulerie: Excellent for contemporary and designer fashion with a highly vetted community. The phone interview verification process means fewer problem renters. Commission: 18%.
• Rent My Wardrobe: Strong in Southern markets (especially Texas) with a focus on occasion wear and accessible pricing. Good for mid-range designer items. Commission: 25%.

If you're in the UK/Europe:

• By Rotation: The leading peer-to-peer platform with strong social features and growing user base. Offers both shipping and in-person handovers. Commission: 15%.
• HURR Collective: Combines peer-to-peer with concierge options. Strong sustainability focus and premium positioning. Commission: 15-25%.

For beginners, I recommend: Start with one platform that best matches your inventory and location. Master that platform's systems before expanding to others. Many successful renters eventually list across multiple platforms to maximize exposure, but this requires careful calendar management to avoid double-bookings.

Another approach is starting with a platform that offers in-person handovers (like By Rotation or Rent My Wardrobe) to eliminate shipping costs and build confidence before expanding to shipped rentals. Most platforms offer free account creation, so you can explore the interface and user base before committing your inventory.

Proper cleaning and maintenance are crucial for maximizing the lifespan of your rental inventory. Here's a comprehensive approach:

Cleaning protocols by fabric type:

• Delicate fabrics (silk, chiffon, lace): Professional dry cleaning is usually safest, though some items can be hand-washed with gentle detergent. Budget $15-25 per cleaning.
• Structured garments (blazers, formal dresses): Dry clean only, typically $15-30 per item.
• Cotton, linen, and durable synthetics: Machine washable on gentle cycles with color-appropriate detergents. Air dry to prevent shrinkage.
• Knitwear: Hand wash with wool-specific detergent or dry clean for cashmere and fine wools. Use sweater stones for pilling.
• Handbags: Surface cleaning with appropriate leather or fabric cleaners; professional cleaning for significant soiling.

Cleaning frequency: Clean items after every rental, even if they appear clean. This ensures hygiene and prevents odor buildup. For items rented multiple times in quick succession, assess on a case-by-case basis—some may need spot cleaning rather than full cleaning between close rentals.

Maintenance best practices:

• Inspect items