Rental Services for Clothes Booming



By Jane Han
Staff Reporter

A chic, black satin suit made by DKNY is what college senior Yoon will be remembered as wearing in her graduation photo, but she won't be able to play dress up in the same two-piece outfit again.

In a few days, the garment has to go back to its real owner.

``The clothes fit me perfectly, but the label isn't something I can afford to buy,'' said the 21-year-old female student on her way out from Change Lady, a clothing and accessories store in Gangnam Station that specializes in short-term lending.

For a bargain price of 50,000 won, Yoon gets to keep the suit for three days, during which she has scheduled a graduation photo shoot, one job and two internship interviews.

``I'm super glad that the four occasions are back to back because I can attend all of them wearing this,'' she said, adding that purchasing a suit for a couple hundred thousand won is out of her league now.

Like Yoon, many graduating students without stable incomes are turning to renting clothes for special events, such as photo sessions and interviews. 

A brand name pants suit or dress costs an average of 300,000 to 500,000 won in department stores, while foreign makers charge several million won.

``I don't know if I'm going to end up finding a job anytime soon, so shelling out money for clothes is too big of a financial burden,'' said Kim Ji-ae, another student who was spotted at the rental store in southern Seoul.

She, too, was scooping out outfits to wear for her graduation photo shoot and job interview. 

Servicing this unique, but large crowd, apparel rental services are capitalizing on the economic downturn. Dozens of shops in Gangnam Station are competing to offer newer and fancier labels to attract the cash-crunched fashionistas. 

Even Hyundai Department Store started a rental service this past weekend. It plans to lend clothes to college seniors, many of whom will be taking yearbook photos this month.

``We're seeing a huge rise in interest among the 20-somethings who are actively job searching,'' said Bang Yun-jung, the owner of Change Lady.

She explained that her membership database soared from 1,300 last year to more than 4,000 this year.

``Our customers range from job seekers, stay-at-home moms to part-time professors,'' said Bang, adding that some shoppers even purchase vouchers for 10 rentals to enjoy borrowing shoes and accessories free of charge.

jhan@koreatimes.co.kr