Banana Republic Tries On Fashion for Rent

The new fashion trend is not high heels, not crew neck t-shirts or skinny jeans. It is renting. Several brands have already boarded the boat and now Banana Republic is hopping on too.

Banana Republic is known for basic styles, arguably an oddity given the ever-changing world of fashion. However, Banana Republic will not tolerate being an oddity in shopping. Joining the likes of Urban Outfitters and Loft, Banana Republic will launch Style Passport this September.

Style Passport is an online fashion subscription service that gives customers the ability to rent three different branded items for a monthly payment of $85. Not only will customers be able to rent up to three outfits at a time, the subscription will include free priority shipping, unlimited exchanges and returns, and an on the house laundering service.

“Style Passport will drive incremental revenue, and help us connect with younger shoppers who appreciate great style and want an affordable, sustainable way to try new fashion,” Mark Breitbard, CEO and president of Banana Republic, said in a statement to Elle. “With this new service, we’ll gather valuable insights from a highly interactive customer base that can be used to design future product and experiences.”

Initially, Style Passport will only offer women’s apparel, but there are plans to add men’s eventually. One can hope the full Style Passport comes sooner rather than later. The last thing a shopper needs is more bananas going bad.