[MonkeyMama]

There is a dress rental shop in the area - my friend was just telling me her daughter rents her prom dresses.

For dresses sounds like a great deal. I have old prom dresses, old bridesmaid dresses, my old wedding dress, all worn once, never needed again, and wouldn't fit today anyway.

It would certainly depend on the cost though. But since I have historically needed dresses for one event only, sounds like a good idea. Though when it comes to stuff like expensive baby items I usually buy it and then turn around and sell it when done. You might come out ahead if you could buy a dress or suit and then sell it - depends on the market for things. I know for baby things I have often paid $0 to "rent" things in this fashion - buy and then sell for full price.

For clothes, could probably buy for less than the rent, at a thrift shop...