New app lets students rent high-end clothing

UF students can now rent clothes from their peers for up to four days through an app.

The Curtsy mobile app, which launched at UF on Monday, allows users to rent formal dresses, rompers, jumpsuits and two-piece outfits at discounted prices, said Brooke Meitzler, the Curtsy lead marketer. The app is free and available for download on any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.

Students connect to Curtsy through their UF email address, she said. Matches for renters are filtered based on location, availability, size, brand, color and style.

Clothing prices range from about $60 to $300, with high-end designer options such as BCBG Max Azria, Parker, For Love and Lemons and Free People, Meitzler said.

“We advertise it as a local ‘Rent The Runway,’” the 22-year-old said. “It encourages women to look at their closet as an investment because they can make money off of their garments.”

Users have 24 hours to try an owner’s garment on before being charged, she said. As a precaution, Curtsy requires a $5 insurance fee for renters to cover any damages. If the garment is damaged by the renter, Curtsy will either repair or fully reimburse the owner of the garment.

Rachel Chapman, a UF health science senior, said she plans on using the app.

“Buying new clothes all the time gets so expensive especially when you only wear it once or twice,” the 21-year-old said. “It seems like an awesome idea that will allow girls who don’t know each other well to borrow and exchange clothes for a weekend.”