Designer dress rentals at a fraction of the cost

Dressing fashionable does not have to break the bank, particularly as consumers stretch their paychecks farther in a tight economy. At Couture House Rentals, designer gowns can be borrowed for weddings, proms, quinceaneras and other special events. Short dresses can be rented for about $50, and long dresses for $70 for a three-day period. Customers also have the option to buy.

"It is like borrowing from your rich girlfriend's closet, that friend who is always dressed to the nines," said owner Misty Clow.

Clow said the affordable prices—considerably less than the hundreds or thousands one might shell out for such dresses—helps guarantee that everyone can have a "Cinderella moment." Once the dress is returned, Couture handles the dry cleaning at no cost.

Many consumers may be new to the fast-growing trend of renting gowns. The trend of renting dresses rather than purchasing them is quickly growing.

Renttherunway.com began nearly three years ago and offers designer gown rentals. The site reached one million members in May 2011, according to the company's website.

Clow opened Couture House Rentals about two years ago. She said she noticed she was spending a lot of money on dresses she would wear only once, to events such as galas and charity balls.

She had heard of renting dresses, she said, but mostly as a consignment. Clow wanted instead to offer her clients new and current dresses.

So, she opened Couture and orders dresses from all over the world, including Tel Aviv, the Philippines and Australia.

"We carry name-brand designers that are not available in Houston," she said.

Every dress in the showroom has a story, Clow added. She pointed a guest to a dress similar to one worn at the Golden Globes, another worn at the Grammy Awards and another for the Miss Magnolia Pageant.

Once a patron decides on a dress, Clow registers it to help ensure that no one else could attend the event and wear the same dress.

The showroom also has full-time seamstresses on staff to tailor dresses, if needed. Evening bags, jewelry, shoes and belts can be rented, as well.

Clow also plans to collaborate with several local hair stylists who will offer consultations.

The showroom is open Monday through Saturday by appointment.

"I hope that they have a designer experience for a fraction of the price," Clow said. "It is not one of those too-good-to-be-trues. You are walking out of the door for less than $100."

Couture House Rentals, 2551 Budde Road, Ste. 302, The Woodlands, 281-863-9542, www.couturehouserentals.com