Rent the Runway is an online rental service that gives customers the opportunity to rent designer clothing and accessories without paying wholesale prices.

The company is one of many that offer renting clothing as a more environmentally friendly option than buying. Rent the Runway is most commonly used by customers who are searching for special occasion or one time use outfits.

Iowa State now has Rent the Runway representatives on campus, one of whom is Hannah Mauser, a sophomore studying apparel, merchandising, design and journalism.

“I heard about [Rent the Runway] last semester and I saw a lot of things on social media about it and it really sparked my interest,” Mauser said.

A big part of Rent the Runway’s mission is sustainability, as expressed in one of their mottos, “Buy less stuff.”

On their website, the company states that they use “patented eco-friendly garment bags” to incorporate a sustainable mindset into their operations.

As the world’s current rate of consumption regarding apparel continues to increase, as said in the 2011 documentary, “The True Cost,” sustainability is on the minds of students across all majors, especially those studying apparel.

“As an apparel major myself, I’m really interested in the ethical and sustainable aspect of the fashion industry,” Mauser said. “Being a part of Rent the Runway is a really great stepping stone into that area of my major.”

Renting has presented many benefits for consumers, according to Rent the Runway users and sustainability supporters like doctorate student and graduate assistant, Danielle Testa, who also teaches apparel, events and hospitality management classes at Iowa State.

“Realizing the big opportunity there is to be more sustainable … I think just knowing that there has to be a solution and ways to make fast fashion and just fashion in general more sustainable has been what’s intrigued me about the situation,” Testa said.

Mauser explained how rental and second hand companies like Rent the Runway and Thredup — an online resale platform for buying and selling — are two websites that are attempting to pave the way towards a more sustainable future.

By renting or buying second hand rather than buying new, consumers will create less waste and spend less money in the long run.

“There is so much available that it’s hard to consume less, one of the hardest things with sustainability is that we are over consuming,” Testa said.

To address the topic of over consuming, Rent the Runway gives consumers the chance to turn their wardrobes into a “capsule wardrobe.” A capsule wardrobe is an assortment of a few classic pieces. It can be worn year round by being mixed with seasonal pieces to help reduce waste.

“Those kinds of businesses are really maximizing the opportunity that they know exist and they’re really able to minimize that waste element, and that benefits both the business and the consumer its really addressing that end of life issue,” Testa said.

Iowa State students have sought the services of Rent the Runway through Mauser and the other campus representatives. One Rent the Runway customer is Elli Jennings, a sophomore in marketing.

“I chose rent the runway actually because a couple girls in my sorority house are reps for the company,” Jennings said. “My one year anniversary was coming up with my boyfriend so I thought that would be a great occasion to use up my rental and wear something special.”

First, customers go onto the website and decide what kind of service they are in need of — whether that be a one time rental, or one of the many rental plans.

Next is picking the garment or accessory to rent. Rentals are shipped out so that they will arrive two days prior to the event. RTR sends the garment in two different sizes just incase, as well as a goodie bag with little gifts such as nail polish.

“The experience was super fun honestly,” Jennings said. “I loved looking at all of the clothing, and once I picked out my piece they had site ‘stylist recommendations’ for accessories I could choose to style my outfit with which I thought was super fun.”

After use, customers are given a date by which the rentals must be shipped back. Rent the Runway provides the shipping label and dry cleaning services.

“I have rented an orange jumpsuit, skirts, pants, purses and jewelry,” Jennings said. “Everything has always arrived in amazing condition….I would recommend RTR to anyone who loves current fashion trends but doesn’t want to spend an overload of money.”