Re:What's Behind the Exodus from Rent the Runway?
by harryh on Thursday November 19, 2015 @03:57PM
(#10597603)
The depreciation issue is offset by the fact that you could get more usage out of a single outfit before it goes out of fashion if it was shared. People aren't wearing the same thing every day. Clothes sit unused in closets for weeks at a time while they are still in fashion.
Re:What's Behind the Exodus from Rent the Runway?
by dragonwriter on Thursday November 19, 2015 @04:42PM
(#10597921)
> The depreciation issue is offset by the fact that you could get more usage out of a single outfit before it goes out of fashion if it was shared.
Remote sharing of clothes imposes latent constraints; being available "on demand" is a key part of the value. And the things for which not having the clothes immediately on-hand is most acceptable are the things for which personal tailoring/alterations are most likely to be desired.
Re:What's Behind the Exodus from Rent the Runway?
by harryh on Thursday November 19, 2015 @04:55PM
(#10598002)
Indeed, all of that is true. Not saying any of this is easy, but when I see giant closets stuffed with clothes that are rarely worn I continue to see opportunity. Feels like someone will crack it eventually.
"Bored" is probably not the right word; getting rid of clothes that aren't worn out is driven, AFAICT, largely by changes in fit (because people change over time) and changes in fashion; the former doesn't tend to be planned/anticipated except for children or people engaging in deliberate programs (like planned diets), the latter also entails significant depreciation in the clothing (which occurs even if the reason the particular person gets rid of clothing is the first.)
There's obviously some opportunity for rental services (and several online rental services exist), but its not clear to me that its a "pretty big" opportunity, because for most people, the turn around times, even when they don't involve wear, are long enough that they involve significant depreciation.