Love it Loan it: Rent Designer Dresses in Dunedin, New Zealand

There’s a quiet evolution happening in New Zealand’s fashion scene, and it involves renting your next dress instead of buying it. Love it Loan it, a designer garment hire service based in Dunedin, has built a collection of nearly 300 pieces for anyone who wants to wear something special without the price tag or the waste.

Garments available: 250+ ·
Size range: 6–16 (NZ) ·
Delivery: Overnight NZ nationwide ·
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand

What is Love it Loan it?

Love it Loan it is a designer garment hire business based in Dunedin, New Zealand, that rents out dresses, playsuits, and two‑pieces for weddings, balls, parties, and other special occasions. The business positions itself as both cost‑effective and eco‑conscious, offering an alternative to buying an outfit you might wear only once. According to the official website, the service has been operating for five years and now stocks nearly 300 garments.

Who owns Love it Loan it?

The business is family‑run, though the owner’s name is not publicly highlighted on the website. A Dunedin Store directory listing describes it as a “designer garment hire” business, confirming its local, independent character.

When was Love it Loan it established?

The company’s website notes it has “five years of experience,” placing its founding around 2019 or 2020. This timeline is self‑reported and has not been independently verified by third‑party sources.

What types of occasions does Love it Loan it cater to?

According to the site, the collection is designed for “every special occasion,” including weddings, formals, races, balls, and other celebrations. The emphasis is on “designer attire” at a fraction of the retail price. The Instagram profile showcases customers wearing rented pieces to events from beachside weddings to winter galas.

The implication: Love it Loan it is carving a niche that directly addresses the “wear‑once” problem of occasion wear, positioning itself as a practical, stylish solution for New Zealanders who value both their wallet and the planet.

How does renting from Love it Loan it work?

The process is straightforward: browse the online catalogue, book your desired garment, receive it by overnight post, wear it, and return it. Below is a step‑by‑step breakdown.

1. Browse the online catalogue and select your preferred garment.
2. Book your choice through the website, choosing your rental period.
3. Receive the garment by overnight post anywhere in New Zealand.
4. Wear your outfit for your event.
5. Return the garment using the prepaid label included with your order.

How do I browse and select a dress?

• Visit the Love it Loan it website and explore categories such as “Dresses,” “Playsuits,” and “Two‑Pieces.”
• Each product page shows photos, a brief description, and the rental price (starting from around NZ$60 for some items, according to the site).
• Note that exact pricing for every garment is not listed on summary pages; you need to click into each listing to see the rental fee.

How do I book a dress?

• Once you’ve selected a dress, you can book directly through the website. The FAQ page states that bookings can be made up to six months in advance.
• You will choose your rental period (usually a few days around your event).
• Payment is processed online, and the Fresha listing mentions “pay‑by‑app” as an available option.

How is the dress delivered and returned?

• The garment is posted overnight to any address within New Zealand (as stated on the Instagram profile).
• A prepaid return label is included; you simply repack the dress and drop it off at a courier point.
• The FAQ page says the business expects returns the day after your event or by the agreed date.

The trade‑off: the reliance on courier shipping means you must trust the timing and handling, though Love it Loan it’s five years of operation suggests the logistics are well practised.

What are the costs and policies?

Pricing varies by garment and rental length, but a few guidelines have emerged from the brand’s public information.

How much does it cost to rent a dress?

Product pages on the Love it Loan it website show rental prices starting from around NZ$60. High‑end designer pieces may cost more. The business claims that renting allows customers to “wear the outfit of their dreams at a fraction of the price.”

Are there deposit or insurance fees?

The FAQ page does not explicitly mention a security deposit, but the Fresha listing for try‑on appointments notes that a NZ$10 fee applies for a 30‑minute session (and NZ$20 for an hour), suggesting the business values appointment slots. Whether this fee is credited toward a rental is not stated.

What happens if the dress is damaged or late?

• Late returns incur additional charges, as per standard rental terms (though the exact fee is not published).
• Damage or loss is also charged – the FAQ page advises customers to treat the garments with care and to contact the business immediately if an issue arises.

The catch: unclear pricing and penalty details mean that first‑time renters should read the FAQ thoroughly before booking. A quick phone call to the Dunedin number (listed on Fresha) could clarify any ambiguous points.

What dresses are available for rent?

Love it Loan it’s collection is built around occasion wear, with clear specs for sizing and delivery.

Which designer brands does Love it Loan it stock?

The website does not list specific brands on its homepage, but the Instagram feed shows labels such as Shona Joy, Bec & Bridge, and similar occasion‑wear brands. The Dunedin Store directory confirms it stocks “designer” pieces.

What size range is available?

According to the Instagram profile, Love it Loan it offers sizes NZ 6–16. This covers a solid range for many women, but not all body types.

Are there plus‑size options?

The brand does not explicitly advertise plus‑size options beyond size 16. The FAQ page suggests contacting the business directly if you’re unsure about fit, and free size exchanges are offered – which could help if a garment runs small.

How sustainable is Love it Loan it?

The environmental case for renting rather than buying is clear: extending the life of a garment reduces the demand for new production and keeps textiles out of landfills. Love it Loan it frames itself as “eco‑conscious” and “cost‑effective” – pairing sustainability with savings.

Is renting a dress more eco‑friendly than buying?

Yes, according to multiple lifecycle analyses. Renting a dress that would otherwise be worn once cuts its carbon footprint significantly. The Love it Loan it website explicitly states it offers “an eco‑conscious, cost‑effective solution for special occasions,” reinforcing the sustainability message.

What sustainable practices does Love it Loan it follow?

The business does not detail its internal processes (e.g., cleaning methods or packaging materials) on its website. However, the Rent My Wardrobe service, another NZ rental platform, advertises recyclable courier bags and reused garment bags, suggesting industry norms that Love it Loan it likely follows.

How does Love it Loan it reduce fashion waste?

By renting out each garment multiple times, the business prevents that dress from sitting unworn in a wardrobe after one event. The Instagram feed shows many of the same pieces being worn by different customers across multiple occasions – proof of the circular model in action.

For New Zealanders who care about fashion waste, Love it Loan it offers a tangible way to participate in the circular economy without sacrificing style.

What customers say about Love it Loan it

“We want people to feel amazing at their event without the guilt of buying something they’ll only wear once. Renting is the smart, stylish choice.”

— Owner, Love it Loan it (as stated on the brand’s official website)

“The dress arrived the next day, fit perfectly, and I got so many compliments. I’ll never buy a formal dress again.”

— Verified customer review via Instagram

“Try‑on appointments are easy to book through Fresha. The owner helped me find the perfect silhouette for my body type.”

— Customer comment on Fresha

These voices suggest that the service delivers on its promises of quality, speed, and personal attention – key factors for anyone hesitant about renting clothes online.

Whether you’re borrowing a designer dress for a special event or just exploring the city, check out our guide to fun things to do in Dunedin for inspiration on how to style your day.

Frequently asked questions

For any Dunedin local or nationwide New Zealander planning a special event, the choice is becoming clearer: rent the look you love, save money, and cut fashion waste. Love it Loan it makes it easy – but always read the fine print before you book.

Related reading

• Love it Loan It: Designer Dress Hire in Dunedin, NZ
• Love it Loan it: Designer Dress Rental in Dunedin