Inspired By Carrie Symonds’ Wedding Dress, Here’s More Bridal Looks To Rent At MyWardrobeHQ

Forget the 'Kate effect' or even the world's obsession over what Meghan Markle might be wearing, it seems that the new influencer who's impacting women's wardrobes across the UK is Carrie Symonds, now the new Mrs. Johnson. When she married the prime minister over the weekend, Symonds chose to rent her wedding dress – a move that has since caused a surge in bridal rentals.

The dress in question is by Christos Costarellos, a Greek fashion designer whose collections are stocked at Net-a-Porter, where Symonds' own dress was available for £2,870. I say was because after photographs emerged of the secret wedding, the dress sold out completely, despite that fact that not even Symonds herself purchased it. Hers was rented from MyWardrobeHQ for a very modest £45.

Even before Symonds' nuptials, wedding dress rentals were exploding, with so many rental platforms noting a significant increase in appetite for bridal looks and accessories. Since the weekend, however, MyWardrobeHQ saw a spike in bridal rentals, while Hurr – not even the same rental platform used by Symonds – reported a 268% increase, with some prospective brides booking as far ahead as autumn 2022.

It's a very modern choice, one which was undoubtedly the product of very careful thought – particularly in the wake of a media frenzy regarding the price of the Johnsons' new wallpaper. Cynicism aside, it's clear to see why more brides are choosing to make their dress their something borrowed. It seems outdated to pay thousands for something that, more often than not, can only be worn on your wedding day. Add to that the growing climate crisis, to which the fashion industry contributes hugely, and it makes sense that rental could be the future.

While there are plenty of platforms to choose from, MyWardrobeHQ has one of the most impressive bridal selections available. There are more contemporary choices, like Symonds' Costarellos dress, but there are also more traditional gowns by the likes of Monique Lhuillier, Viktor & Rolf and Amanda Wakeley, all available from just £22 per day.

As so manyweddings have been cancelled, postponed or entirely re-planned thanks to Covid-19, renting a dress or bridal outfit is an easy way of keeping costs down while still being able to look and feel the way you want to on your wedding day.

So, as the rest of the country has clearly gone bonkers for Mrs. Johnson's choice of wedding attire, here are some of the other brilliant bridal looks available on MyWardrobeHQ right now...