Pack Really, Really Light with Clothing Rental

Tired of packing and re-packing to make sure that you are traveling with everything that you need?  Are you exhausted from lugging around a heavy bag?  Do you want to pack light – and I mean really, really light?  Zero Baggage is hoping you answer those questions in the affirmative and will take advantage of it’s soon-to-be-launched concept of renting your vacation clothes.

Zero Baggage, expected to launch in Spring 2010, will be an online service where you can rent, or as they call it “borrow,” clothes for a short period of time on your vacation.  After wearing, items can be returned, exchanged, and even purchased.  You make clothing selections from an online store, select your rental period, and pay a rental fee commensurate with your selections.  You’ll be able to choose from New items, or rent “previously loved” items at a lower cost.  The clothing you selected will be waiting for you in your hotel room for your arrival.

At the end of your vacation, leave the clothes in your hotel room and a staff member will collect them.  After wearing and cleaning, the clothes are returned to the online store for future rentals.

What this all means is that you can travel with fewer clothes, meaning lighter bags, and not purchase clothing intended just for vacation wear.  If you live in a city that has Zero Baggage, it also means that you can occasionally supplement your special wardrobe requirements without the necessity of a major purchase.  If you have a special event coming up, but can’t justify the cost of a wardrobe purchase for a one-off wearing, you can rent appropriate clothing for a fraction of the cost of purchase.

The first two cities to launch this service will be Toronto, Canada and Gold Coast, Australia.  The company is currently seeking investors to keep on track for its Spring 2010 launch date.

What do you think?  Is this more-with-less an idea that’s time has come?  Would you rent clothing for your vacation?

Photo credit: SXC