If you were thinking about how you might be able to add a bit of sparkle to your weekend, you might be interested in the news that Lady Amelia Windsor (third cousin of Princes William and Harry and currently 39th in line to the throne) has listed some pieces from her very glamorous wardrobe on By Rotation in order to raise money for charity.
This means that you could spend your Saturday twirling around the house in a glamorous gown or even take Amelia's Miu Miu bag with you on your daily walks next week. Perhaps you have a Zoom party coming up? Or possibly you've planned an actual (fingers crossed) IRL party for when lockdown lifts. Either way, this is a great way to find something brilliant to wear without having to buy something new.
100% of rental proceeds will go to the Henry Dickens Community Centre, which was specifically chosen by Amelia. 'I discovered the incredible work the Henry Dickens Community centre does while watching the Grenfell tribute film during lockdown,' she says. 'They run activities for local children after school and in the holidays that provide a space to bring people together and support families.'
By Rotation is one of the rental apps that has seen amazing success over the past year as we all try to marry a love of fashion and clothes with a need to be more sustainable. Even Selfridges has started offering a rental service via Hurr, cementing the fact that renting clothes is no longer a novelty – it's fast becoming our future.
'I love the fact that you can share a piece of clothing with a community and have different adventures in it and it can give happiness to lots of people,' says Amelia. She has listed Ganni skirts, Lulu Guinness shoes and Tommy Hilfiger trousers, which are available to borrow from as little as £4.
'It's been such a pleasure getting to know Amelia since launching By Rotation,' says Eshita Kabra-Davies, the app's founder. 'We naturally bonded over our mission to make the fashion industry for sustainable and available to all. She has been so generous to list some amazing items on our app which I'm sure will be snapped up for the festive season and all for a good cause too.'
The Best Rental Platforms For Bigger Sizes
1 of 15BY ROTATION
Rotate your wardrobe at your fingertips. BY ROTATION is the UK's first and only peer-to-peer fashion rental app. No subscription fee and no waiting list. Do good for the planet, your wardrobe and wallet at the same time.
2 of 15Faithfull The Brand, De Christin Wyldie Animal Dress, UK18
3 of 15HIRESTREET
Own your style. Not your outfit. HIRESTREET might be a new rental platform, but it's already made a significant mark on sustainable premium fashion. The brand are conscious of building a community and empowering women is echoed in their broad range of sizes.
4 of 15Seven Wonders, Limoncello Wrap Co-Ord, UK14
5 of 15ROTARO
Rent, Reduce, Repeat. ROTARO's carefully curated selection of contemporary luxury designers work for multiple occasions, work events, holidays or as a platform to discover new brands... Designers include: Rixo, Ganni, Reformation, Cult Gaia, Cecilie Bahnsen and Stine Goya, with weekly product drops.
6 of 15Ghost, Daisy Print Green Satin Midi Dress, UK16
7 of 15HURR COLLECTIVE
The UK's first peer-to-peer wardrobe rental platform. HURR COLLECTIVE is for members to rent and lend their wardrobes, making economic and environmental sense. From Chanel to Uterqüe, there's something for every price range.
8 of 15REFORMATION, Fay Jumpsuit, UK18
9 of 15MY WARDROBE HQ
Buy less, buy better, rent it out. MY WARDROBE HQ is a social community for buying, selling and renting designer items. Customers can shop womenswear clothing and accessories from the wardrobes of Poppy and Chloe Delevingne, Olivia Buckingham, Arizona Muse, as well as fashion stylists and influencers.
10 of 15Christopher Kane, Feather Insert Midi Dress, XXL
11 of 15ONLOAN
Cool clothes on subscription. ONLOAN was created by two girlfriends, with a shared mission to reduce waste, curate brilliant independent designers and reignite a love of clothes without the guilt.
12 of 15Olivia Rose The Label, The Beryl Shirred Dress, UK16
13 of 15Endless Wardrobe
Rent, Wear, Return. ENDLESS WARDROBE allows you to tailor your rental time. Choose from a 4, 10 or 16-day rental period. And, for anyone that's a bit clumsy, amazingly, you won't be charged for damage or stains. Red wine is your friend again.
14 of 15De La Vali, Koko Top, UK16
15 of 15Free People, Harper Printed Velvet Jumpsuit, L
If you haven't yet discovered the world of renting, now's the time to start. Not only will you have the opportunity to wear beautiful clothes without impacting the environment, you'll also be joining a wonderful – and growing – community.