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Toronto-based boutique The Fitzroy specializes in rentals.

Maintaining a wardrobe that keeps up with a full social calendar is a time consuming (and often cost prohibitive) endeavour that, thanks to pioneers in the garment sharing economy such as the Fitzroy, is no longer a required. This Toronto-based boutique specializes in fashion rentals for special occasions, including dresses, accessories and outerwear, giving clients stylish options without a big up front investment. “Women want to have variety in their wardrobes and this is a way for them to have that variety and not have to spend hundreds of dollars on one dress,” says Julie Buczkowski, who co-founded The Fitzroy with Angela Pastor.

Originally operating as a women’s fashion pop-up, the Fitzroy opened its first permanent rental-dedicated shop in 2016. It only took two years for the business to outgrow the space before moving to a new, larger location in the city’s booming Junction Triangle neighbourhood. Sitting at 2,500 square feet, Fitzroy’s new store is designed to feel like a dress-up lover’s paradise. “We wanted to design it to be a place where women feel really comfortable and like it’s a dream dress land,” says Buczkowski.

With plenty of room to lounge on velvet sofas and daybeds, The Fitzroy stocks dresses in a wide range of sizes and styles from buzzy labels such as Realisation Par and Reformation. According to Buczkowski, going the rental route is a budget-smart approach to dressing that’s not going away any time soon. “You don’t need these kinds of gala or even cocktail dresses sitting in your closet.”

The Fitzroy, 225 Sterling Rd., Toronto, 416-901-6572, fitzroyrentals.com.

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Rixo London Samantha Sequin Mini Dress, $100 for a four-day rental.

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Whiting & Davis Rio Change Fringe Bag, $35 for a four-day rental.

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Aidan Maddox Anastasia Beaded Tulle Gown, $100 for a four-day rental.

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