The clothing library! Instead of buying or owning clothes, you rent clothes and wear them for a certain period of time. You charge for use and not for possession. So that way, you share a huge wardrobe with lots of people and you can always look nice without buying anything. In this article, we share the nicest clothing libraries in the Netherlands. So what do you think? Will you also start borrowing clothes more often?
Why borrow clothes from the clothing library?
We buy and own too many (unworn) clothes! The German think tank Hot or Cool Institute has calculated that every world citizen can buy a maximum of five new pieces of clothing a year to stay within the 1.5-degree global warming limit, as agreed in the Paris Climate Agreement. In other words, if the earth gave us dressing money every year, we would run out of money after five clothing purchases. But it is plausible (sigh) that an average Dutch person would not come out of this. Because another study by the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) shows that that average Dutchman buys 46 items of clothing per year. Aiiii, so that's 41 too many. The clothing library offers a solution: together, you share a gigantic wardrobe. This way, you can always look nice without having to buy new clothes all the time.
No one size fits all at the clothing library
A physical shop, though. No physical shop. Free shipping. No free shipping. Free returns. Not free returns. Includes cleaning. Does not include cleaning. Please note, there is no one size fits all at clothing libraries - though it's a fun pun. They all work slightly differently. We have done our best to explain the clothing libraries as best we can, but sometimes the rules of the game still change. Be sure to check the website or contact the intended clothing library to find out about the current conditions. Happy renting!
LENA the Fashion Library in Amsterdam
LENA is perhaps our country's most famous clothing library immediately beautiful shop in the heart of Amsterdam's Jordaan neighbourhood and since a while also in the Pijp area. At LENA you can find cool outfits from sustainable fashion brands, eye-catchers for special occasions, vintage clothes, belly-proof styles (for pregnant women) and accessories. For a tenner you become a member and then you pay x number of credits per day for an item of clothing, equivalent to one or a few euros per day. If you get tired of it, you bring (or send) it back. So there is no loan period. You can keep your clothes for as long as you like. Don't live near our capital city? Don't worry, LENA has a great webshop. Delivery and returns are not included and you clean the clothes yourself or for difficult items LENA will do it for you. Want to shop at LENA? Check the opening hours on the website. A report on our visit to LENA The Fashion Library can be found in this article.
Address: Westerstraat 174 & Daniël Stalpertstraat, Amsterdam
Website: lena-library.com
Borrowing clothes from the LENA clothing library in Amsterdam.
WAUWcloset in IJsselstein
This wardrobe is absolutely WOW. So many great everyday clothes from so many brands, but also party clothes and accessories. In short, a jam-packed wardrobe, a sweet shop, with something for every taste. You can consult this clothes library from the comfort of your own sofa. Piece of cake! You choose a membership that suits you (or a strippenkaart) and then you can pick two to eight items of clothing each month. lease. You can choose from more than ten thousand outfits and accessories in sizes 34-48. You don't need to worry about washing, as professional cleaning is included for all garments. Whether returns are included in the price depends on the chosen membership. Would you rather really shop in that wow wardrobe? You can do so in the showroom in IJsselstein. Check the opening hours on the website or make an appointment.
Address: Handelsweg 2, IJsselstein
Website: wauwcloset.nl
Sophie Stone in Utrecht
At Utrecht-based sustainable fashion shop Sophie Stone, you can also rent party clothes. So are you having a wedding, gala or other big party soon? Sophie Stone is the place to be for sustainable fashion lovers in Utereg, your townie. The rental period is ten days as standard, minor repairs are co-insured and you wash it yourself, unless you want to hand over the cleaning. That can be done for a small extra charge.
Address: Steenweg 11, Utrecht
Website: sophiestone.nl
Get started with a no buy clothing style
The clothing library is great, but we have many more ideas for making the most of the clothes that are already there. We'll help you get started with the No Buy Fashion Guide. Over a hundred pages of cool ideas on how to look nice without even buying anything. Nothing. Nope. Nada. Not even second-hand! For 9.50 euros you will have it delivered straight to your inbox and thus on your tablet or mobile phone!
Will you also join this fun community? Read this guide too and discover lots of original ideas. Because so many cool clothes are already out there! Order the No Buy Fashion Guide from our webshop!
NOOS Sharing Boutique in Leiden
Are you having a party, wedding, gala or other poochic event soon? Then come and have a browse at clothing boutique NOOS. You can choose your evening wear online or borrow jewellery. The evening wear will then be sent to your home on the day you need it. The standard rental period is seven or 14 days. Cleaning and minor repairs are included in the price. Would you like to try on the clothes first? Then you can make an appointment at the boutique in Leiden.
Address: Zaaijerplein 110, Leiden
Website: noossharingboutique.com
Le Closet
A clothing library from France? Is that sustainable? We can hear you thinking, but since we now know that the environmental impact of parcel post is not so bad and since France is not on the other side of the world and the clothes will not be delivered by plane or by refrigerated transport, we would like to give this one a tip. We like this concept très magnifique ! The concept is simple: you pay a fixed amount per month and in return you can borrow four items of clothing that are sent to you in a box. You create a profile and tick off what you are going to wear the clothes for (work, leisure, holidays or...) and also what sustainable features you consider important. The site then shows you all kinds of options. In this wardrobe, you will find everyday clothes from popular brands such as Scotch & Soda, Levi's, Samsøe & Samsøe, Only and many more. In a month, you can change as often as you like. The return label and cleaning are included in the price. Mais oui!
Website: lecloset.fr/en
& -Onwards in Utrecht
In its own words, ‘the swap platform for men and women with a wide collection of clothes’. From everyday clothes to designer party clothes and everything in between. What stands out is that many items are from beautiful (sustainable) brands and from Dutch and international designers. For a fixed amount per month, you can wear two, four or six garments that are sent to your home free of charge (returns and cleaning are also included in the membership). If you get tired of your outfit, the season changes or you just need something for a special occasion, as a member you can change garments as often as you like. By the way, if you are from the Utrecht area, you can also pop in for a fitting session.
Address: Lange Viestraat 6, Utrecht (in E&Co Warenhuis)
Instagram: @and.onwards
Iconic Wardrobe
Everyday and luxury (party) clothes for hire, but from sustainable brands or very special masterpieces that make a fashion lover's heart beat faster. Owner Robin has put together her clothing library with care, that much is clear. Basically, you choose the garments in her webshop, there is no physical shop, and the rental lasts thirty days as standard. If you have different requirements or prefer to try on the clothes anyway, Robin is not the fuss. Send her an app and she will be happy to make an appointment with you. She also gives style advice! Delivery is free, but return shipping and cleaning are at your own expense. And oh yes, before we forget, she also has a tasteful bag collection. Also for rent!
Website: iconicwardrobe.nl
Designer on Rotation
Have you always wanted to carry a designer bag by Chanel or Gucci or another designer? Then Designer on Rotation is the answer. Not a clothing library but a pre-loved designer bag library! The recipe? In the online library, you choose a bag of your choice that will be sent to your home on the agreed date. You agree on a loan period and pay only for use. You can rent a bag for a fortnight, 29 days or even longer. As a member, you can also choose to always carry a designer bag from Designer on Rotation and change it regularly. Worn out? Then the bag goes back. They take care of the return costs. Great idea to do this for a special occasion or to feed your bag kick in a sustainable way!
Website: designeronrotation.com
The Collectives Amsterdam
Rent vintage designer clothes, rent them out - yes, you can also earn money with your pearls here - or buy them at The Collectives Amsterdam. You can browse the clothing library online to select your favourites. You can then send a WhatsApp message via the site to coordinate the rental. What the exact price is depends on the item you choose and duration of the rental. If you find this a bit cumbersome, you can also make an appointment for a fitting session in the showroom in Amsterdam. The Collectives: ‘We have a lot more clothes than you can see on the site’.’
Address: Elandsstraat 111, Amsterdam (by appointment only)
Website: thecollectives.amsterdam
Rerun in Amsterdam
A clothing library offering a mix of new items from smaller unknown labels as well as outspoken vintage pieces from great designers. At Rerun, you can go for all moments when you want to look that little bit more special, be it your birthday party, a weekend in Paris or a gala. Therefore, the collection consists not only of dresses, but also many tops, jackets and special jewellery. You shop the designer clothes online in the webshop and they come to your home for free - including a return label. Handy! Cleaning of the clothes is also included. See, we love that. The benefits, not the burdens. This library also has a showroom in Amsterdam that is open by appointment. Check the website or send a DM or email! Fun fact: Rerun also has a small collection of wedding dresses for rent. Also, hopefully you only need one time in your life. So why not rent?
Address: Tesselschadestraat 12, Amsterdam
Website: rerun.rent
GAIA Concept store and clothing library in Zutphen
In Zutphen you will find GAIA, a great concept store with knitting café and... clothing library! The formula is familiar by now, namely that you become a member for a fixed amount per month and you can choose and exchange four outfits in GAIA's library as often as you like. For heavy users there is also a VIP subscription where you can borrow ten garments a month. You can exchange them as often as you like. Check opening hours on the website or on Insta.
Address: Laarstraat 53, Zutphen
Website: clothing library.nl
Outfit Library LESS in Arnhem
Attention Arnhemmers, you are in luck! In Arnhem's central station (in Fraenk's shop) sits a spacious clothing library that also operates very simply and conveniently with a strippenkaart: one strip allows you to borrow one item for one month. Check opening hours on the website or Insta or make an appointment.
Address: Stationsplein 162 (Arnhem Central Station)
Instagram: @outfitlibraryless
A look at clothing library Flups in Amersfoort.
Flups in Amersfoort
Readers from Amersfoort let's hear from you, because you too have a very fine clothing library called Flups. The recipe is again simple: you pick an outfit in the shop to wear for four weeks. After that, you hand it back in. Flups does the laundry and you only pay for its use. All the clothes in Flups‘ shop are second-hand, ’fresh vintage and second-hand designer' they call it themselves. So a doubly sustainable clothes shop. Are you from Amersfoort? Then hurry to Flups.
Address: Kamp 4, Amersfoort
Website: flupsonline.nl
DEB!EB in Groningen
At the Textile Hub in Groningen you will also find a clothing library, at least if you come on Friday afternoons or once a month on Saturdays. By appointment, there are more possibilities. Wondering when DEB!EB is open? Check Instagram!
Instagram: @debiebliesofjufjuut
Something Borrowed
To this address we looked for a long time, a hidden gem aka a hidden gem not yet on many lists. Bizarre, because this clothing rental platform is very well put together. On the website, you make a choice, select the rental period and then the item, including a return sticker (handy) arrives your way. And then it shine begin. Something Borrowed has something for every taste. The common denominator is that it is all high-end garments are, shall we say top of the luxury segment and therefore ideal for special occasions.
Website: somethingborrowednl.com
Fashion-conscious clothing library near Assen
Yes, borrowing is also possible in Drenthe. In the public library in the town of Gieten (near Assen), a clothing library pops up every fortnight. You buy a strippenkaart that allows you to pick clothes that you can keep for a month. Check Instagram or send a DM for the schedule.
Address: Eexterweg 12, Gieten
Insta: @fashionconscious_clothingbib
Fashion Library Zest in The Hague
We spot another fine gem, this time in The Hague! Fashion Library Zest is a pop-up clothing library where you can borrow clothes once a month. You can do so from five euros per item. But the really special items, such as a classic Burberry trench coat or a stylish Brunello Cucinelli dress, go towards forty to fifty euros per month, they write on their Instagram. The loan period is one month, as you return it during the next pop-up. Want to know more or check the calendar? Go to Instagram.
Address: Waldeck Pyrmontkade 116, The Hague (in Grandcafé Utopie)
Instagram: @fashionlibrary_zest
Clothing library spotted?
Have you been in real-life Spotted a clothing library not on this list? Or has a clothing library we tipped off disappeared regretfully? Be sure to let us know! Send an email or DM on Instagram and we'll update the article! You can find our contact and follow buttons at the bottom of this page!
More sustainable shopping tips
- Also see: The Clothing Loop, swapping clothes with your neighbours.
- Also check for a pop up of FREE FASHION is near you.
- A wonderful second-hand boutique is TOF Diemen. Have you heard of that?
Sources: hva.nl, Hot & Cool Institute, nos.nl. Photo credits: main image: LENA, other: LENA, thegreenlist.nl, Citymarketing Amersfoort.
