Caloundra Cup fashion: Outfit of the Day business owner Brooke Gilmour starts affordable designer dress hire service on Sunshine Coast

Millennials have moved from owning a wardrobe to sharing it. And here is how Sunshine Coast fashionistas can get designer gear without the price tag.

Sunshine Coast mother Brooke Gilmour is behind fashion start-up aptly called Outfit of the Day. Picture: Supplied

Millennials have moved from owning a wardrobe to sharing it, and they have started a trend that all generations are cashing in on.

Our jaws drop, and we gasp with delight and quite possible a tad of envy when we see the size of Celine Dion, Oprah Winfrey and Lisa Vanderpump’s wardrobes.

The gowns, shoes, bags, and accessories are in an enormous room, usually bigger than a two-bedroom apartment.

Women only dream of having a wardrobe like theirs.

Well now, you can without breaking the budget.

I bet the hair just stood up on the back of your neck, right?

A girlfriend asked me recently how much I would spend on clothes and shoes each year:

A) $0.00 to $500

B) $500 to $1000

C) $1000 to $5000

D) $5000 to $10,000

When I thought about it, it would have to be “D”.

When you think about all the events you go to each year – and a good quality dress, which would cost a few hundred dollars, shoes, bags and so on — it doesn’t take long for it all to add up.

So, imagine my delight when I was introduced to innovated women and men across Australia who created start-up companies hiring out their wardrobes for a pinch of the price you would pay on the rack.

Take Brooke Gilmour, a local Sunshine Coast mum.

In 2020, Brooke left her well-paid beauty therapy job for a fashion start-up aptly called Outfit of the Day, and it paid off.

With working from home being the new normal, Brooke came up with the perfect home business in the fashion space.

Sunshine Coast mother Brooke Gilmour is behind fashion start-up aptly called Outfit of the Day. Picture: Supplied

How it works is simple. You can either browse through the collection of designer dresses, millinery, bags and accessories; book your favourite dress online; and they deliver to your door anywhere in Australia.

The dress is usually yours for four to six days, and most of them come with accidental damage insurance.

Or, if you live on the Sunshine Coast, you can visit Out Fit of the Days studio to browse and try on before you hire.

Brooke, a qualified personal stylist of five years, has the eye to dress you for any occasion.

With an abundance of accessories, it’s your one-stop glam shop.

When finished with the dress, either place it into the prepaid satchel provided by the company or drop it back.

From there, it makes its way back to be dry-cleaned and ready for its next night out.

BE AWARE OF CHEAP IMITATIONS

Be sure to use reputable companies with a proven track record and great reputation.

Do your homework and be aware of cheap imitation start-ups or companies. You don’t want to be frockless for your event.

To put it all into perspective, a designer dress such as from Self Portrait, Thurley, Alex Perry or Manning Cartell would set you back $500 to $1500 if purchased in-store.

to hire them would set you back anywhere between $100 to $150.

With Caloundra Cup just around the corner (July 3), this may be your perfect opportunity to give hiring a go.

Whether it is something chic for a night out, a beautiful dress for a friend’s wedding, a formal gown for a gala ball, there is a dress for all occasions.

Happy hiring fashionistas.

Tamara Wrigley is a media commentator, fashionista, award-winning businesswoman and property mogul, who bought her first property at the age of 21. Follow her Instagram page.