Tom Haverford, the resident no-effort-high-reward seeker of “Parks and Recreation,” had a slew of business ideas, but only one really worked...for a time. Rent-a-Swag (a clothing rental store for kids made up of Haverford’s own literal wardrobe -- he was a short dude) was up and running for a while, until a competitor bought it out. Nevertheless, Tom had a great idea! Great enough, in fact, that it looks like Rent the Runway caught on to the fictional company.
Rent the Runway, which has been leasing everything from formal black-tie apparel to bags, sunglasses and earrings for periods of four to eight days, is expanding to little girls’ apparel. Girls ages 3 to 12 can soon shop designers including Stella McCartney, Little Marc Jacobs and Fendi just like their moms, and the styles will make you reconsider that whole tacky matching-outfits-with-your-kids schtick.
The idea is that, obviously, children grow out of their clothes faster than you can keep buying them at times. Why continue to buy (and subsequently donate or toss just a few months later) when you can rent? I don’t think this concept would necessarily apply to everyday apparel like sneakers and jeans, but say you have a wedding coming up and little Susie needs a mini cocktail dress! If your family’s next formal function worthy of such a dress doesn’t come around in time, Susie’s dress will become useless. Enter Rent the Runway.
Not to mention your kid will be dressed to the absolute nines. See ya, Old Navy.
Sure, an 8-year-old probably doesn’t need Chloé shoes, but allowing a treat once in a while can’t hurt!