The clothing library! Instead of buying or owning clothes, you rent them and wear them for a certain period. You pay for the use, not the possession. That way, you share a huge wardrobe with a lot of people and can always look nice without having to buy anything. We’ve been looking for the coolest clothing libraries in the Netherlands. So what do you think? Will you also borrow 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 – although it’s a fun pun. They all work a little differently. We’ve done our best to explain the clothing libraries as well as possible, but sometimes the rules change. Be sure to check the website or contact the intended clothing library to learn more about the current conditions. Happy renting!
LENA the Fashion Library in Amsterdam
LENA is perhaps the most famous clothing library in our country, with a beautiful store in the heart of Amsterdam’s Jordaan neighborhood and, for a while now, also in the Pijp district. At LENA, you can find cool outfits from sustainable fashion brands, eye-catching pieces for special occasions, vintage clothing, belly-proof styles (For pregnant women) and accessories. For a ten-euro fee, you become a member and then pay a x number of credits per day for a piece of clothing. If you’re done with it, you bring the clothes back and can choose something else. There is a minimum loan period, but you can keep the clothes for as long as you like. Don’t you live near our capital? No problem, LENA has a great online store. Shipping costs are at your own expense. Check the LENA washing instructions before cleaning your borrowed clothes; these vary per garment. Want to shop at LENA? 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 WAUW. So many cool everyday pieces from a wide variety of brands, but also festive clothing and accessories. In short, it’s a jam-packed wardrobe, a candy store, where there’s something for every taste. From the comfort of your couch, you can consult this clothing library. Super easy! You can rent clothes individually or choose a membership and then regularly pull something new out of the closet. You don’t have to worry about washing it, because professional cleaning is included. If you’d rather really shop in that stunning wardrobe, you can do that in the showroom in IJsselstein. Check the opening hours on the website or make an appointment.
Address: Handelsweg 2, IJsselstein
Website: wauwcloset.nl
The Outfitclub in Maastricht (for kids!)
Your child is already outgrowing those cute pants, while they still fit perfectly. Recognizable? At The Outfitclub in Maastricht, you can borrow children's clothing for children from zero to fourteen years old. For a fixed monthly fee, you choose a number of pieces of clothing that you can keep as long as they fit. Too small or time for something else? Then you simply exchange them. In the racks you'll find second-hand clothing, vintage finds, and brands like Mini Rodini, Patagonia, and Petit Bateau. From fine basics to distinctive pieces, with lots of wool and linen. And there's more: founder Debbie also organizes workshops, repair and upcycling moments, and evenings for parents. You can sign up for a year's subscription, after which you can cancel monthly. First, try it out—or borrow some clothes. Without a subscription, you can also rent individual pieces of clothing. You pay per piece, with a minimum rental period of eight weeks.
Address: Rechtstraat 27A, Maastricht
Website: theoutfitclub.nl
Rejoes Fits throughout the Netherlands
Want to browse through second-hand clothes and borrow items for a while? At Rejoes Fits, you can visit 22 Rejoes stores across the Netherlands with one subscription. You choose clothes from the shelves, record your finds in the app, and have your digital pass scanned at the checkout. Voila, you're ready to wear! How many clothes and accessories you can borrow at once and how often you can change them depends on your subscription. You can keep a favorite item longer or buy it with a 20% discount for members. And convenient: you don't have to return to the same store. So, picking out outfits in Rotterdam and later dropping them off in Maastricht is no problem at all.
Website: rejoesfits.com
Pineloue in Amsterdam
Planning a wedding, gala or chic dinner, but no desire to buy another dress that will then just sit in your closet forever? Then take a look at Pineloue. This online clothing store is full of festive dresses and sets that you can rent for a few days. Choose your favorite and decide on a rental period; they deliver it to your home or pick it up in Amsterdam-Oost. Want to try it on first? That’s possible by appointment. And great: after the rental period ends, you don’t have to deal with that delicate party dress yourself, because the cleaning is included. You send the clothes back on the last day of your rental period or bring them by again in Amsterdam.
Website: pineloue.nl
Dematerialized in Den Bosch
Another giant wardrobe to share! At Dematerialized in Den Bosch, you’ll find only second-hand women’s clothing, from fine basics to more striking items. You choose a subscription and can borrow a certain number of items at a time. Out of ideas? Then you just swap them for something else. That’s possible in the showroom in Den Bosch, but Dematerialized also works online and delivers throughout the Netherlands. Handy if Den Bosch isn’t exactly around the corner.
Address: Lange Putstraat 4, Den Bosch
Website: dematerialized.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 magnifiqueThe concept is simple: you pay a fixed amount per month and in exchange you receive a box with various items of clothing sent to your home. You create a profile and specify, among other things, what you will wear and what you like. You can then customize your own box. In this wardrobe you will find everyday clothes from all kinds of well-known brands. Tired of them? Then you return the box and you can choose something new. Shipping, returns and cleaning are included.
Website: lecloset.fr/en
& -Onwards in Utrecht
According to their own words, ‘the ultimate exchange platform for men and women with a wide collection of clothing’. From everyday clothes to designer party wear and everything in between. What stands out is that many items are from beautiful brands and Dutch and international designers. For a fixed monthly fee, you can rent clothes and regularly pick something new out of the closet. Additionally, you can buy pre-loved clothing.
Address: Oudegracht 109, Utrecht (in E&Co Warenhuis)
Instagram: @and.onwards
Iconic Wardrobe
Rent everyday and luxury (party) clothing, but from sustainable brands or very special pieces that will make the heart of a fashion lover beat faster. Owner Robin has carefully put together her clothing library, that’s for sure. Basically, you choose the pieces in her online shop; there’s no physical store. If you have specific requests or would like to try on the clothes for a while, Robin is not the hardest person to get along with. Send her a text message; she’ll be happy to make an appointment with you. She also gives style advice! Delivery is free, return costs and cleaning are on your own. And oh yeah, before we forget, she also has a tasteful bag collection. Also available for rent!
Website: iconicwardrobe.nl
Designer on Rotation
Have you always wanted to wear a designer handbag from Chanel, Gucci, or another designer? Designer on Rotation is the solution for you. Instead of a clothing library, it offers a pre-loved designer handbag library! The recipe? In the online library, you choose a bag of your choice that will be delivered to your home on the agreed date. You agree on a rental period and only pay for the use. This way, you can rent a bag for a special occasion, but also for a longer period. Tired of it? Then the bag goes back to you. A cool idea, right? So why not try wearing a special bag once in a while without having to buy it yourself!
Website: designeronrotation.com
The Collectives Amsterdam
Vintage designer clothing for rent – yes, you can also make money with your pearls here – or buy it at The Collectives Amsterdam. You can browse the clothing library online, select your favorites, and specify how long you want to rent an item. Prefer to try on first? Then you can also make an appointment for a fitting session in the showroom in Amsterdam. And it’s worth knowing: The Collectives has more clothing than you see online.
Address: Elandsstraat 111, Amsterdam (by appointment only)
Website: thecollectives.amsterdam
Outfit Library LESS in Arnhem
Arnhem residents, you're in luck! In Weverstraat you'll find Outfit Library LESS, a clothing library where you can borrow clothes with a membership card. For one strip, you can borrow one item for one month. Tired of it? Then bring it back and you can choose something else. For the current opening hours and other practical information, check the website or Instagram.
Address: Weverstraat 37, Arnhem
Instagram: @outfitlibraryless
A look at clothing library Flups in Amersfoort.
Flups in Amersfoort
Readers from Amersfoort, let me know, because you have a very nice clothing library called Flups as well. The recipe is simple: you choose an outfit to wear for four weeks in the store. Then you return it. Flups does the washing and you only pay for the use. All the clothes in the Flups store are second-hand, they call it ‘fresh vintage and second-hand designer’ themselves. A double sustainable clothing store, then. If you come from Amersfoort, hurry over to Flups.
Address: Kamp 4, Amersfoort
Website: flupsonline.nl
Our Aunt Leen in Lemelerveld
In Lemelerveld (Overijssel) you will find a clothing library with a very cozy name: Onze Tante Leen. With a one-year subscription, you can take out six pieces of clothing from the closet and wear them for up to a month. After that, you can return them clean or you can decide to buy a favorite one for a great price. And Tante Leen has more to offer: there is also a workshop where members can use machines such as sewing machines and where regular workshops and activities on repairing and reusing are organized.
Address: Handelsweg 20, Lemelerveld
Website: onzetanteleen.nl
DEB!EB in Groningen
At the Textile Hub In Groningen you will also find a clothing library: DEB!EB. You can visit it on Wednesday evenings from 18:00 to 21:00 and every other Saturday afternoon from 14:00 to 16:00. For the current opening hours and schedule, check Instagram in particular!
Instagram: @debiebliesofjufjuut
Fashion-conscious clothing boutique in Assen
Yes, clothes can also be borrowed in Drenthe. In and around Assen, clothing swap site Modebewust regularly pops up. You can choose clothes to wear for a month and return them afterwards. Check Instagram or send a DM for the current location, agenda, and practical information.
Insta: @fashionconscious_clothingbib
Fashion Library Zest in The Hague
We spotted another wonderful gem, this time in The Hague! Fashion Library Zest is a pop-up clothing library where you can choose clothes for a while to wear during special lending days. From affordable everyday finds to special designer pieces: the wardrobe is quite diverse. During the next pop-up, you return the clothes you borrowed and of course you can try them on right away. Want to know more or find out where and when the next pop-up is? Check Instagram.
Address: often in Weimarstraat, The Hague. Check Instagram for the current pop-up location.
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.
