I have never been a “clothes” person – I mean, I wear them (of course), but I’ve never put a lot of time, effort, money or energy into them. As a teenager, my mom would want to take me back to school shopping, and I would groan. She had to bribe me with tea and rugelach at the Macy’s cafe. I bought my wedding dress within 90 minutes from one store visit. I think the last major clothing purchase I asked for was a wetsuit so I could paddleboard through the fall.
So. Trust me, I have never been a clothing- or fashion-interested person. But one day, finding myself so bored with my closet as I got dressed for work, I happened on a website talking about clothing rentals. After months of thinking about it (I just couldn’t trust it – like, I bet they made problems for me so that I ended “having” to buy the clothing for $1,000s), I finally decided to jump when I knew I was having some big work meetings coming up.
I chose to try out FashionPass for a bit.
As of this post, I have rented 26 items from FashionPass, including skirts, shirts, dresses, and jewelry. And I am here to share my review and thoughts about the service.
A post like this is way outside my comfort zone, but let’s see how this goes, shall we?
This post is not sponsored. I signed up for and currently pay for FashionPass as a client at full price. All thoughts are my own. However, if you use the code ALLISON148U to get $20 off your first month of FashionPass, I will receive a small credit to my account towards extra rentals.
Also note: I am sharing this post because I wanted to know more about FashionPass before I committed and wished I had these answers. I am creating the article I was looking for – not doing this for the rental benefits (although those are nice).
Get Tips from the Trip Delivered
Life with a family is constantly a trip, and we’re here to take it with you. Once a month, we send intimate essays, tips, book recommendations, and travel guides to help you live an intentional family life
Why FashionPass?
I chose FashionPass because I was most interested in the clothes they had online.
I also considered:
- Nuuly (I am a middle-aged mom who goes into a professional office – Nuuly felt like it appeals to a much younger, nights-out-in-the-city kind of crowd)
- Armoire (I liked some of their brands, but I don’t like Lily Pulitzer and brands similar, so I was a bit turned off by their curation and also how their website works)
- Rent the Runway (way too fancy for me)
- Even a return to Stitch Fix (which I tried for a very brief stint way back when it first started and did not love)
I also find the FashionPass website very easy to navigate, browse, and discover new items. I like the way they organize their content and clothing. I love the brands they have and the type of clothing they offer.
How Does it Work?
After an introductory offer to try it out, I now pay $131 a month to have two orders within that month. I can have one order at a time.
My “order” includes five clothing pieces and one accessory, but I can trade in one clothing piece for additional accessories. The “Accessories” category includes jewelry, but also tank tops, bodysuits, bags, sunglasses, scarves, and beanies.
Each order shipped to me includes a labeled, prepaid FedEx return envelope. When I am done with my items, I log on to my FashionPass account, select the items I am returning, then take the package to a FedEx store.
If I want to keep an item or two, I go into my FashionPass account, select the items I want to keep for “transfer,” and click to return the rest. I keep the transfer items, and they take up space in my next order. For example, if I transfer two items to keep longer, then I only have three clothing items to choose from in my next order.
I can transfer and keep things as long as I want – I just have to manage my account. I don’t think it is worth the money for two orders a month if you don’t use two orders a month. I have gotten better at returning things quickly if I wore them once and am done, don’t love them, or they don’t fit right (which is rare, to be honest) and transferring the other items.
As soon as FedEx scans the package of my items I am returning, my next order is unlocked. FashionPass does not wait to confirm that I shipped back what I said I was going to and transferred what I said I was going to. I can get started on my next order right away. I love that trust system! It makes a huge difference in turnaround time.
FashionPass usually estimates a ship time of 6-7 business days, but I have been getting my packages quicker than that, even with the free shipping option. If you want to make sure an item comes before a specific event, you can pay for expedited shipping.
FashionPass asks clients NOT to wash anything or spot treat anything before sending it back. Just package it up dirty and send it.
When I get the clothing, the items have been compressed to ship, so nearly everything requires an iron or steamer prior to wearing.
The monthly payment is auto-processed on the same date of every month.
My (honest) Review of FashionPass
It has been incredibly fun to have FashionPass in my life! And even though $130 a month may not be the most logical bill we pay – this is definitely a luxury item – it has been worth it to me!
I like having the opportunity to try high fashion but not feel obligated to spend $130 on one shirt alone to own it. I also like that this has eliminated my desire and spending on “fast fashion” at places like Old Navy just because I am bored with my closet. While most clothes that come are previously worn, they are all in fabulous shape, and I have even had some items come with the tags on.
I find the FashionPass website very easy to use and navigate, and I always find enough clothes and accessories I am excited to try every time I log on. I haven’t run out of road with their clothes yet.
I can’t imagine a world in which I will ever purchase any of the clothing items. Never say never, but most of the clothes I pick are unique, not necessarily staple pieces, and the discount off retail for purchase isn’t fantastic.
I do have guilt about the climate impacts of shipping clothing across the United States a couple of times a month. Obviously, that’s creating a carbon footprint I don’t love. But I am considering if this is better than the carbon footprint I leave buying fast fashion and cheap clothes that go into the garbage or to Goodwill within a couple of years.
I am decidedly uninterested in purses and phone cases, but I do like that they offer options in those categories. Note that intimates are for purchase only on the site (which, of course, makes sense).
Overall, the word that keeps coming to mind when I think of my FashionPass experience is FUN. And I feel like there isn’t a lot of fun in my life these days.
It has shown me how fashion and clothing can be a creative outlet. It can send a message. High-end designer clothing really does fit and feel different than discount brands. I am not going to say I am addicted, but I am not quitting soon.
If you are interested in trying FashionPass, head to www.fashionpass.com (and use the code ALLISON148U to get a discount on your first month).
Older Articles You May Like-
What I Learned When I Donated My Hair
When we like the decisions we’ve made, we feel GOOD. We might not actively think about it when we like it, but it deflates our self-confidence when our hair is not what we want.
Why Pink Hair?
I have never dyed, teased or highlighted my hair. But one day this summer, in July, I sat my butt in the swiveling chair in front of a large mirror reflecting my egg-shaped head back at me, and I said, “Make it pink,” as though I was at a buffet.
Like it?
Save it.
