Where Manila’s best-dressed wedding guests rent their outfits
I think I’ve finally entered the age group where all my friends are getting engaged one by one. Last year, I attended four weddings. This year, three people I know got engaged, and we’ve only just entered February.
If you’re nodding along right now, you know exactly what this means: a closet full of dresses worn exactly once, a credit card that weeps every time a Save the Date arrives, and the existential crisis of scrolling through your wardrobe the night before yet another ceremony, wondering what on earth you’re going to wear.
Here’s the thing, though—there’s actually a solution that doesn’t involve panic-buying another dress you’ll wear once or convincing yourself that no one will remember what you wore to your college friend’s garden wedding two months ago: renting.
Why rent? The case for smarter dressing
Let’s talk girl math. A designer dress that would set you back P15,000 to P30,000 to purchase? You can rent it for a fraction of that—often around P2,000 to P6,000 for a weekend. That means you can show up to multiple weddings throughout the year in stunning, on-trend pieces without the commitment or the closet chaos.
But it’s not just about saving money. Rental fashion aligns perfectly with the growing movement toward sustainable consumption.
Instead of buying fast fashion that falls apart after one wear or investing in expensive pieces that gather dust, you’re participating in a circular economy. One beautiful dress gets loved by multiple people, reducing waste and the environmental impact of constant production.
And let’s be honest. There’s something delightful about always having something new to wear. No repeating outfits across your Instagram feed, no awkward moments when someone else shows up in the same dress from last season’s Zara collection. Just fresh looks, every single time.
Where to rent in the Philippines
The Philippine rental scene has blossomed with options that cater to different styles, budgets, and wedding dress codes. These are worth checking out:
1. RNT
Best friends Radine Brito and Gaby David brought the dress hire culture they experienced during their university days in Sydney straight to Manila. What started as the two of them swapping outfits from their own closets evolved into something bigger—a way to make international designer labels accessible to Filipino fashion lovers without the hefty price tag.
That said, RNT champions circular fashion by offering both global names and local talent.
Their curation leans beautifully into garden wedding territory with breezy, romantic pieces from Australian labels like Aje and Farm Rio, plus pieces from local favorite Vania Romoff. If your calendar is full of outdoor ceremonies and you’re dreaming of flowing fabrics and vibrant prints, this is your first stop.
2. Vestido
When two of the country’s most sought-after stylists—Maica Salud Tady and Pam Quiñones—launch a rental service, you know the selection will be impeccable. Vestido curates pieces from both local and international designers, with the added bonus of complimentary fittings to ensure your rental fits like it was made for you.
Their Filipiniana collection is particularly noteworthy, featuring elevated Filipiniana pieces from designers like Martin Bautista, Neric Beltran, and HA.MU, perfect for those weddings with a Filipiniana dress code. Whether it’s a modern terno or a contemporary barong-inspired ensemble, Vestido proves that honoring tradition doesn’t mean sacrificing style.
3. Continuiti
Continuiti started exactly how many great friendships do: three friends constantly raiding each other’s closets. They turned their clothes-sharing habit into a platform that celebrates rewearing quality pieces and experiencing that “new dress feeling,” again and again.
Their aesthetic skews younger and more Gen Z, with plenty of sleek, minimalist options and classic cuts for the understated guest. Think clean lines, neutral palettes, and trendy silhouettes that photograph beautifully without screaming for attention.
Bonus: if your own closet is overflowing with special-occasion wear, Continuiti also lets you lend out your pieces to earn while others enjoy them.
4. Aecia
Aecia is romance personified. Their collection is built around soft, ethereal silhouettes: tulle-layered ballgowns, flowing silk satin pieces, and dreamy off-shoulder designs that look like they belong in a fairytale. Expect lots of feminine details like ruffled hems, delicate mesh overlays, one-shoulder drapes, and knotted bodices in a palette of sage greens, mocha mousses, dusty pinks, and champagne tones.
Perfect for semi-formal to formal weddings where the dress code leans romantic, like an evening wedding or any event where you want to channel a touch of whimsy. They curate pieces from brands like Josephine, Meshki, Zoo The Label, and their own Aecia x M.M. collaboration line.
Styling your rental like a pro
Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you can’t make the look your own. In fact, accessories are your secret weapon for personalizing a rental outfit.
Invest in quality accessories you’ll wear again and again: a great pair of heels, a statement clutch, and elegant jewelry. These are the pieces that will carry you through multiple weddings while your dress changes each time. A simple slip dress becomes cocktail-ready with bold earrings, or garden-party perfect with delicate gold pieces and woven sandals.
Renting your wedding guest outfit isn’t about compromising on style. It’s about being smarter with your money, your closet space, and your environmental impact. It’s about showing up to every wedding looking and feeling amazing without the guilt of another one-wear wonder collecting dust at home.
The next time that wedding invitation arrives, skip the shopping panic and browse a rental platform instead. You might just find yourself looking forward to getting dressed, knowing you’ll wear something gorgeous, return it guilt-free, and start fresh for the next celebration.
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