The term “wardrobing” may not be widely known, but the practice itself is growing in popularity. Wardrobing involves purchasing clothing or shoes, using them, and then returning them. This is especially common with shoes and apparel, and is done for both professional and personal reasons. Influencers and stylists often engage in wardrobing when they need last-minute outfits and shoes for a shoot or a show, and do not have enough time to source them. Others do it for different reasons, such as realizing the item is not worth the price or wanting to avoid wearing the same dress as others.
Khushnaz Turner, a lifestyle and fashion influencer, believes that even brands are aware that wardrobing is done for professional purposes. She also thinks that if someone returns items for other reasons, it is better to do so rather than hoard them when they won’t be used. Store managers state that they will overlook minor damages and accept returns as long as they are within the specified timeline.
Those who have engaged in wardrobing advise being knowledgeable about the return policies of the brand. Khyati Ahuja, a marketing consultant, shares that she has returned a dress worth ₹8,000 after wearing it once because she needed money for travel. She also returned a pair of uncomfortable stilettos without the tag, but with the bill. A few years ago, many international brands reportedly changed their return policies to discourage wardrobing. Some websites also decided to blacklist serial returners. Shailja Shukla, a software engineer, suggests avoiding online purchases if engaging in wardrobing and instead buying from a physical store to ensure the right fit. She also notes that returns can be made at any outlet of a brand.
Store managers and employees reveal that almost 40% of returns within a 30-45 day period are cases of items being worn once and then returned. They check tags, bills, and the condition of the item, sometimes overlooking minor stains if the item can still be put back on the rack for sale. As long as the return is made within the specified timeline and the item is not visibly damaged, they rarely refuse the return.
