Oxfam branches into fashion rental with 14-day online pilot

Oxfam has launched an online clothing rental pilot, offering distinctive donated garments to rent from £22 for 14 days.

The charity describes the initiative as the first rental service launched by a national UK charity. It began the pilot on 3 August, ahead of its annual Second-Hand September campaign.

The Oxfam Rental platform offers hundreds of garments selected from donated stock, including vintage finds and directional designer pieces considered less suited to its standard shop rails.

The womenswear launch range features a Balenciaga dress with blue-and-white spots, a tailored yellow jacket by Stella McCartney and a strapless black Dolce & Gabbana dress.

Rental creates another route for donated stock

Oxfam will use the pilot to test demand for hiring second-hand fashion, focusing on customers seeking event clothing without committing to a purchase.

Each item is cleaned, pressed and prepared before dispatch, then returned for another customer to hire. Oxfam said the model could extend garments’ useful lives while generating income for its humanitarian and charitable work.

Julie Tyrell, Head of E-Commerce & Retail Sustainability at Oxfam, said: “We see pieces come through our shops that you simply won't find anywhere else - and until now, the only way to own one was to buy it outright. Rental means people can access that wardrobe for the moment they actually need it and then not let it just sit in a cupboard afterwards

"This is another interesting option which gives people access to pieces that are genuinely different, without adding to that wear-once cycle. If our pilot shows people want to rent rather than buy for a single occasion, that's a real shift in how clothes get used, not just where they come from." 

Customers can choose their rental dates online, with delivery and prepaid return shipping included in the price. Oxfam says orders need to be submitted at least 48 hours before the hire period begins, although it recommends arranging delivery four days before an event.

The service currently covers UK Mainland addresses, excluding Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. Garments cannot be collected from or returned to Oxfam shops because the online operation is managed separately.

ACS provides rental and fulfilment infrastructure

Fashion rental and fulfilment company ACS is supplying the operational infrastructure, including garment preparation, dispatch and returns. According to Oxfam’s service information, womenswear items are hand-checked and ozone-cleaned ahead of each rental.

Menswear is supplied through a partnership with ACS and includes suits, tuxedos and other occasionwear. Measurements are provided online, while product pages for vintage womenswear without standard labels include garment dimensions.

Customers do not need to dry-clean items before returning them. Late returns carry a £10 daily charge, while optional insurance covers accidental damage beyond expected wear. The platform does not currently allow renters to buy hired garments.

Anthony Burns, Chief Operating Officer at ACS, said the partnership would help extend the life of clothing while supporting Oxfam’s fundraising. "We are incredibly proud to partner with Oxfam on an initiative that demonstrates the power of circular innovation to deliver both environmental and social value. ACS and Oxfam share a commitment to creating a more sustainable future for fashion, while ensuring positive outcomes for communities. 

“By providing the operational infrastructure behind Oxfam's online rental proposition, we are helping to extend the life of garments, increase access to more sustainable fashion choices, and support the generation of vital funding for Oxfam's important work around the world. This partnership is a strong example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose and a commitment to driving meaningful change," Burns said, 

The pilot adds rental to the charity’s existing shop (the charity operates 500 stores nationwide) and e-commerce operations as it prepares for Second-Hand September, its campaign encouraging consumers to choose pre-owned fashion.