Buying designer handbags can take a toll on your bank account. While every handbag lover would love to fill their closets with the most luxurious arm candies, it is just an addiction that’s too expensive to maintain. Thankfully, there are now handbag rental services all over the web to help cater to our needs. With just a few clicks, you get temporary ownership of that “it” bag you’ve been eyeing, without the burden of having to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Whether you are an avid collector who wants to try out new purses or a fashionista on a budget, this modern-day service will be extremely useful. Bag lovers like you and me can live that dream of rocking a different designer bag on every occasion. Want to try out a new tote before buying? Borrow first and see if you like it. Got a formal event to attend? How about renting a designer dress for a minimal cost?
We scoured the web and found seven trustworthy websites that offer this useful service. Read on below to learn more:
1. BagBorrowOrSteal.com
Based in: Seattle, WA USA
Rentals: monthly and subscription
Website: BagBorrowOrSteal.com
Chanel Calfskin Herringbone Medium Boy Bag Rental $475/month
Founded in 2004 and was one of the first “Netflix for handbags” in the niche. It’s gone through a name change in 2008 and reverted back to the cheeky name that customers refuse to let go. Made famous by Sex and the City (movie) where Jennifer Hudson, as Carrie Bradshaw’s assistant, is able to carry designer high-end bags on rental, the brand was introduced to the vast Sex and the City audience.
Currently, Bag Borrow or Steal allows you to: rent luxury brand bags for an unlimited time, buy pristine, vintage, pre-loved bags and sell your pre-loved handbags, accessories and clothing. Rental prices start at just $50/month for mid-designer labels like Tory Burch and MICHAEL Michael Kors, and go up to around $500 – $600/month for high-end purses from Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
BBOS offers detailed photos of the exact bag, blemishes and all for your reference. Some of the brands in their inventory include Chanel, Fendi, Gucci and Hermès. Aside from the option of renting designer handbags, the site also buys used designer bags, accessories and shoes from their customers.
2. RentTheRunway.com
Based in: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Topanga, San Francisco
Rentals: 4- 8 days, monthly and “unlimited” subscription
Website: RentTheRunway.com
Source: Jason Wu Primrose Diane Crossbody $300/month
Launched in 2009, this website allows you to rent designer dresses for roughly 15% of its retail price. Expanding to world of rental handbags and accessories in 2010, RTR continues to add even more items to their inventory.
Currently, they have five physical stores located in the US. Customers can book an appointment to browse the wide inventory of their dream closet. Pick up, drop off and exchange of the merchandise can also be done in their stores. See below:
• NYC Flagship
• Washington, DC
• Chicago, IL
• Topanga
• San Francisco
The site has a wide range of styles and also offers sizes from 0 – 22. They also have a rich variety of designer handbags and accessories in their catalog. RTR offers three different rental plans or options to their customers:
I. The RTR Reserve
Starting at around $30 per rental, their basic plan allows customers to borrow an item or items for 4 – 8 days. This plan includes one back-up size for each order (without added charge), just to ensure that you get the right fit.
II. The RTR Update
The RTR Update, which costs $89 per month, is more of a monthly subscription, where members are entitled to rent 4 pieces each month, which can be exchanged any time. This plan offers stylish pieces from curated edits of over 200+ designer brands. A members-only discount is also available if you want to purchase a dress you rented.
III. The RTR Unlimited
Their most premium option costs $159/month and members can have unlimited rentals, 4 pieces at a time, which can be exchangeable at any time. Members can keep sending back used items and exchange it for a different style. As long as you have 4 pieces in rotation, you pretty much have unlimited access to their inventory of over 450 designer and top brands. An exclusive discount is also given to members who want to purchase.
3. ArmGem.com
Based in: Denver, CO USA
Rentals: monthly
Website: ArmGem.com
Chanel Lambskin Black 2.55 Single Flap Bag $525/month
Currently, the site offers a monthly subscription plan, where you can rent your preferred handbag (also called ‘gems’). There is a limit of up to two handbags that can be rented at a given time but this option is only given to long-time customers who have developed a good borrowing history with the website.
Prices for the purses range from $60 up to $350 for the more high-end brands. Chanel purses, which are some of the most popular gems in the site, are priced at around $500 per month. Shipping is covered by ArmGem unless the rental is less than $100/mo. While its inventory is small, the site carries a good variety of the major high end brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci as well as new brands such as Rebecca Minkoff, Tory Burch and Tom Ford.
4. Bagtropolis.com
Based in: USA
Rental: exclusive monthly subscription
Website: Bagtropolis.com
Chanel Large Classic Flap Patent Bordeaux $99/month with paid membership (+initial join fee)
At Bagtropolis, customers can buy, layaway and rent pre-owned designer handbags. To borrow from their catalog, one must sign up to their Exclusive Rental Club, where members can enjoy renting one designer bag for each month. Their inventory includes popular designer names including Chanel, Balenciaga, Celine, Chloe, Christian Dior, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Coach, Tods and more.
Aside from the option to rent pre-owned designer bags, they can also be purchased through layaway plans or at a discounted price. Currently, they do not have the option to rent just one item. You have to sign up to become a member to have access to their bag inventory. The monthly membership fee is $99 per month, plus a one-time sign-up fee of $199 for new members.
5. MonLuxe.com
Based in: France, EUR (Not Available in US)
Rental: 3 days, 7 days, monthly and subscription
Website: MonLuxe.com
Hermès Birkin 35 in Taupe €1,200/month for non-members
MonLuxe offers luxury handbag rental service for customers in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, UK, Spain, Italy and Switzerland. The website carries a variety of covet-worthy bags from Mulberry to Chanel and even Hermes. Non-members are welcome to rent but fees will be much higher than exclusive members (price difference is around €20 -€30). To get the best price, subscribe for a membership. Currently, they offer three kinds of membership:
• 3 months (€24)
• 6 months (€36)
• 12 months (€48)
You can rent an item for 3 days, 7 days or for the whole month. There are no hidden taxes or surprise charges, so the prices displayed on the site (plus shipping) are the actual costs of the items. Delivery has a fixed price at €15 per shipment. Aside from designer handbags, high-end jewelry from brands like Dior and Chanel are also available for rent.
6. BagDuJour.com
Based in: New York, NY USA
Rental: Monthly
Website: BagDuJour.com
Chanel Boy with Handle in Silver $550/month
Bag Du Jour offers an eclectic variety of designer handbags including names like Alexander McQueen, Fendi, Valentino and Saint Laurent. You can rent designer bags on a monthly basis, with no membership required. Bags can be rented as long as a customer wants, for a corresponding monthly fee, which will vary depending on the specific bag style chosen. Rental fees range from $90 – $500 and more. Unlike other bag rental sites, Bag Du Jour does not offer the option to purchase a rented bag. There are, however, used and brand new bags (separated in a different category) that are available for purchase. Items on the ‘for sale’ category are not as expansive as their ‘for rent’ inventory.
7. BagRomance.com
Based in: Texas, USA
Rental: 7 days or 30 days
Website: BagRomance.com
Gucci Marmont Matelassé Mini $120 for 7 days
Bag Romance, formerly known as Supursestyle, is another popular website for designer handbag rental. The company was founded in 2015 but recently received a major update and brand makeover, hence the name change.
Bag lovers can rent a handbag for either 7 days or 30 days, for a fraction of their original retail price. Rental fees start at just $45 for the 7-day period and around $75 for the 30-day period. More high-end purses from labels like Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent are priced at $100 – $200 weekly. Aside from the typical totes and purses, Bag Romance offers evening clutches from the likes of Jimmy Choo and Edie Parker, which are perfect for formal events. Up to two handbags at a time can be borrowed but only if you have developed a good standing or reputable history with them. A secondary security deposit will also be required for the second handbag.
That’s All Folks…
If we have missed your favorite handbag rental business, please let us know, we’d love to add to this post.
If you’d like to share your handbag rental experience please share in the comments. I’m sure our readers would love a first-hand referral or rating.
Please let us know what you think of his listicle and if you’d like to see more of this type of post.
Thank you!
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Julia
December 5, 2016 10:47 pmBagsàporter.com is missing from your nice list! Check them out! They have high class service.
Lisa Hong
December 6, 2016 7:22 pmThank you for letting us know. We will take a look and update the post!