Brands such as John Lewis, Hire Street and HURR make it possible for us to rent a dress in the UK. While we all know the damage that fast fashion can have on the world, it's understandable that when you've got an exciting event to go to, you might want something new to wear so decide to start searching for dresses for mature women. But rather than spending lots on a dress that you might only wear a couple of times, why not rent it instead?
How does renting a dress work? Think of it like renting a bike. Although sites can differ, most work whereby you visit the website, select your size, choose your dress of choice and how long you'd like to rent it for (this can range from 1-14 days). Providing it fits and you're happy with it, you can then go ahead and wear the dress before returning it.
Best sites to rent a dress UK at a glance:
• Best site to rent a dress: Jonn Lewis Fashion Rental - view on John Lewis
• Budget-friendly dress renting: Renting with Hirestreet - view on Hirestreet UK
• Buy your favourite rented dress: Register and Start Renting - view on My Wardrobe HQ
You'll find all kinds of dresses for all different seasons including summer dresses and options for the colder weather we're commonly used to, here in the UK. And if you're on the hunt for something seriously special, you may even be lucky enough to find your dream second-hand wedding dress for a bargain price.
Why rent a dress? Firstly, it'll save you money and you can rent a designer dress which you might not have worn before. Plus, on an eco-friendly note, you will reduce the amount of fabric that ends up in landfill. Arguably most importantly, you'll save on precious wardrobe space - and it'll eliminate any chances of panic buying, which we've all done. With that in mind, we've chosen the best sites to rent a dress in the UK and picked a few pieces we love.
Best sites to rent a dress in the UK
Best rent a dress for a tea party
Queens of Archive: RRP £330
johnlewisfashionrental.com
A vivid coral and fuchsia hand-drawn print on a vintage white base is the star player of this midaxi Katherine Dress. We could just see you sipping cups of tea and nibbling at a sponge in this garment...
Pros
- Hand-drawn vintage print
- A midaxi for all occasions
Cons
- Limited sizing
Best rent a dress for a little glitz
LK BENNETT: RRP £499
johnlewisfashionrental.com
The popular Boyd Floral Print Metallic Silver Dress could suit festive dancing feet. Made from metallic gold silk featuring a vibrant midnight floral print, it's sleek, fluid, and elegant, ideal for parties with strappy heels and a clutch.
Pros
- Perfect with strappy heels
- Christmas party sparkle
Cons
- Limited sizing
Best rent a dress for trips to the country
M&S Collection: RRP £50
www.hirestreetuk.com
Incredibly gorgeous, this lightweight floral midi waisted dress from M&S is perfect for trips down to the country. If you're worried about fit, take advantage of Hirestreet's offers to rent multiple items at once.
Pros
- Can rent multiple items at once to fit
- Cottagecore, idyllic and pretty
Cons
- No sizes over 18 are available
Best rent a dress for a glam night out
Whistles: RRP £169
www.hirestreetuk.com
Hirestreet adds allure to the timeless Whistles Black Sequin Wrap Midi Dress, infusing a touch of thrill. Versatile and flattering, this midi-length piece suits various occasions, perfect with black pumps and a chic box clutch.
Pros
- Suits various occasions
- Flattering, adjustable tie waist
Cons
- No sizes over 18 are available
Best rent a dress overall
www.hurrcollective.com
Discover this exclusive dress, showcasing the unique SAU LEE print of Chinese florals on pure silk chiffon. With a blouson bodice, sheer bishop sleeves, an A-line midi skirt, and a discreet back zipper this Sau Lee Faith Silk Chiffon Dress is a great pick for all year round.
Pros
- With peonies, carnations and other flowers
- Comfy with bishop sleeves and blouson bodice
Cons
- Only available in size 8
Best eco-friendly rent a dress
Saloni: RRP £495
www.hurrcollective.com
Why not rent this Saloni Lea Dress In Sugar Pawpa? Crafted from lightweight Eco viscose, it boasts a V neckline, a gathered waist, and vintage-inspired covered buttons. Pair with a straw hat for a charming holiday lunch ensemble.
Pros
- Made from a lightweight Eco viscose
- Vintage and romantic style
Cons
- Only in sizes 10 and 14
Best rent a dress for daytime
Jolie Moi: RRP £75
hire.girlmeetsdress.com
Doused in an all-over floral print, this Tina Floral Midi Dress in Apricot is flared, full-lined and ready for any occasion. Crafted from soft, fluid mesh fabric and fully lined, it's the ideal choice for any daytime occasion.
Pros
- Feminine silhouette in apricot midi
- Soft and fluid mesh fabric
Cons
- Only available up to size 18
Best rent a dress for weddings
KIYONNA: RRP £134
hire.girlmeetsdress.com
From Girls Meets Dress, we like this Katarina Floral Dress - designed for supreme comfort when taking Afternoon tea. A modest neckline is perfect for a wedding or Sunday lunch, this dress rental has you covered.
Pros
- Feminine floral print and flattering silhouette
- Comfortable, stretch mesh fabric
Cons
- Limited sizing
Best rent a dress on a budget
Wyse London: RRP £250
www.mywardrobehq.com
Worn buttoned up to the neck or undone, this navy Fabienne Broderie Dress is slim, flattering and puff-sleeved. Though a little Spring-inspired, this dress could be perfect for the festive season. Cute, right?
Pros
- A slim, flattering fit with different looks
- Could be your Christmas party dress
Cons
- Limited sizing
60s-inspired florals in delicate chiffon
Hush: RRP £110
www.mywardrobehq.com
From Hush, we love this Abelia Maxi Dress in 60's Floral Multi, coming in a loose and delicate fit for comfort. Wear this dress with bare legs and trainers or layer with tights and boots on those winter days.
Pros
- Made from a lightweight Eco viscose
- Comfy - suitable for year-round style
Cons
- Limited sizing
Best rent a jumpsuit
Persaverance London
hirethecatwalk.com
Though not technically a dress, we love this Pascale Embellished Flared Jumpsuit, which is flared and elegant. This piece would make a welcome addition to any (and every) event on your calendar.
Pros
- Stunning and embellished with sequins
- A welcome addition to any festive event
Cons
- Comes up a little long
12.
Lake Ball Gown
Best rent a dress for evening 'dos
Forever Unique: RRP £400
hirethecatwalk.com
From Forever Unique, we suggest this opulent Lake Ball Gown, which is floor-length and sparkling midnight blue. With a V-neckline, this blue gown will ensure you sparkle your way through the party season. 'Tis the season to sparkle.
Pros
- Perfect for a sparkly season favourite
- Intricate sequin design and figure-hugging
Cons
- Limited sizing
Best rented wedding guest dress
The Vampire's Wife: RRP £995
byrotation.com
From The Vampire's Wife, this Midnight Tremors Chiffon Dress has beautifully fluted sleeves and a ruffle hem. By Rotation recommends wearing this at a wedding - you'll look fabulous. Pair with chunky black ankle boots.
Pros
- Beautiful cotton chiffon
- A modern take on vintage
Cons
- Will fit a small size 12
FAQs
Things to consider
You might fall in love with a dress and not be able to buy it afterwards
Sizing might not be accurate and it may not fit
You cannot make any adjustments or changes to suit you
What if I spill something?
Generally, while minor stains are covered by rental fees, most platforms will charge you the market value of the rental piece if it gets seriously damaged.
Can I rent a wedding dress in the UK?
Absolutely! We all know how expensive wedding dresses can be and renting one is a cost-effective way of looking and feeling fabulous. From many of the same sites, you'll also be able to rent bridesmaid dresses too.
Wedding and bridesmaid dress rental sites
John Lewis: Need a big occasion outfit without making a major investment? John Lewis may be the place for you. Rent up to 35 designer brands from as little as £20 - from dresses to jumpsuits to trousers. John Lewis even has maternity fashion.
Hire Street: Hire Street is a fashion rental platform committed to making style and sustainability accessible for all women. They believe that fashion is for everyone and that no one should have to compromise on confidence.
HURR dress rental: HURR is a tech-first platform with thousands of renters and lenders (yep, you can loan your own dresses) building a smart solution for fashion. If you're looking for a designer dress, this is the place to go.
Girl Meets Dress: Specialising in dresses, with Girl Meets Dress, you can either pay as you go and order for two or seven nights or sign up for a membership (£99 per month) where you get three dresses on rotation every month.
My Wardrobe HQ: Believed to be the UK’s first fashion rental marketplace, with My Wardrobe HQ you have the option to buy your dress if you really love it and then when you want to share and earn some money from it, simply list it back on the platform.
Hire The Catwalk: Founded in 2013, Hire The Catwalk ship dresses all over the UK. They offer over 150 designer dresses available to hire in different sizes starting from just £24.99.
By Rotation: The world’s first social fashion rental app, By Rotation launched back in October 2019. "Rotators" can rent and lend their designer fashion directly to each other, creating a community of sharers. Browse over 60,000 listings on the app before selecting the dates you are looking to rent for, sending a rental request and communicating directly with the lender about your chosen item.
Emily Gilbert is a Features and Review Editor for Mother&Baby and Yours and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.