Most schools require you to wear a graduation gown, complete with the cap before you are allowed to walk across the stage to graduate. However, the majority of students – and parents – don’t see the point in buying apparel that you will only ever need to wear once.
This is why more and more people are looking for information to rent out their gowns.
While gown rental is certainly becoming more popular, it is still a developing practice.
Due to this, there can be quite a bit of discrepancy when it comes to price. And, you don’t always have as many options as you would like. To get the full picture on how much it will cost to rent out a graduation gown, here is what you need to know:
What is the Overall Cost?
As mentioned, it can be difficult to narrow down just how much you have to pay to rent out a graduation gown. The cost can often depend on the size, quality of the garment as well as just how many options are available to you.
On average, you can expect to pay between $14 and $40 for your graduation gown. In some cases, the cap will be included in this cost. In other instances, you will be required to pay an additional fee for this accessory and any others that you will need for your graduation ceremony.
If you are renting your gown online, you will have to pay additional delivery charges. This can vary depending on your location in comparison to the apparel store. When renting online or from a physical store, you may be required to place a security deposit that will be refunded back to you when you return the gown.
Are Rental Graduation Gowns Always Cheaper?
Most people look for rental gowns as they imagine it to be the more affordable cost. However, this isn’t always the case. In some states such as Utah, the rental graduation gowns can often be more expensive. It isn’t uncommon to find that it costs twice as much to rent a gown as to buy one!
The good news is that this isn’t always the case. And, you can often find gowns for lower prices than the keepsake ones.
What Determines Rental Gown Prices?
So, why does the cost vary as much as it does? What is the logic behind how graduation gowns are priced?
First and foremost, it is about how readily available rental gowns are in an area. For instance, if you live in a town or city where there are plenty of rental options, then you are likely to find lower priced options. Since the competition is greater here, the rental agencies have little choice but to make their prices look more attractive.
This is something that you will find in areas with a large number of schools. Since there are more business opportunities here, you are more likely to find a greater number of rental options as well. The same can’t be said for towns or cities where there isn’t as much demand.
If your area has just one rental agency, for instance, then they are fully aware that they are the only option around. And, considering that students have no choice but to rent a gown if they want to graduate, such companies can hike up their prices.
Some schools and school districts have contracts with specific companies. As a result, even though you are renting out the gowns, you will only be able to go to one source. Furthermore, the price will have already been chosen for you.
The quality of the graduation gown can also determine the cost. Many graduation gowns are made from cheap material and with minimal effort made regarding the design. These will often be the cheapest option as no care has gone into the production of the gown.
In other instances, though, you may find gowns of higher quality. The material will look better and you will find a more professional looking design. The manufacturers will also have given greater attention to elements such as stitching.
The other thing that can drive up the cost of the graduation gown rental is the size. The price is set according to how much fabric is used for the gown. Therefore, if you are a taller individual or have a larger physique, then you will end up paying more.
Tips for Keeping the Cost of Rental Down
If you want to spend as little money when renting out your graduation gown, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Compare Prices
It is now easier to compare prices of graduation gowns than ever before. Due to this, your first order of business should be making a list of all the companies in your area that are willing to rent out a gown. Then, compare and contrast the prices.
Before you make a decision, though, you should consider why the discrepancy in cost exists. Is this because of quality and design or for no reason at all? If you do want to look your best on your graduation day, you may want to pay a little bit more for better quality.
Consider Ordering in Bulk
Since there are a number of students who are interested in renting out gowns, it is a good idea to think about ordering in bulk. Most rental companies will give you a discount per gown when you order multiple gowns. As such, everyone involved will be able to save some money.
So, go ahead and get in touch with people and see which one of them would like to join up with you. Then, gather up payment and place the order for the gowns.
Place Your Order Ahead of Time
Since you are aware of when your graduation date is, order your gown as early as possible. The closer that you get to the date, the higher in demand these gowns will be. This may cause some companies to hike their prices to make maximum profit.
This is why you should order your gown well in advance. Just pay attention to when it will be arriving at your home and when it needs to be returned. You could end up saving quite a bit of money with this tactic.
Pay Attention to Return Dates
Graduation gown rental companies require you to return their apparel to them by a particular date. Make sure to pay attention this date and to return the gown as soon as possible. This is because most companies will tack on late fees for their gowns. Therefore, if you aren’t careful, you may end up spending more than you imagined.
Take Care of Your Gown
Some rental companies will require a security deposit. Others will charge you extra or even require you to buy the gown if you damage it in any way. To avoid any accidents make sure that your gown is covered in plastic until the moment that you put it in on. You may also only want to wear it just before the graduation ceremony begins.
Once the ceremony is over, make sure to wrap it up in a protective layer once more. This ensures that you don’t stain or damage the gown in any way. In turn, your security deposit will be returned to you in full.
Other Guidelines for Renting Out Graduation Gowns
Here are a few other guidelines for renting out graduation gowns:
Know the Style
Even high school graduation gowns come in different styles. This could be the color, neckline, or the length. Therefore, you should always check with your school about the exact style – perhaps get a picture.
Then, pay attention to the style details mentioned on the site. If you are in doubt, email or call the manufacturer to make sure that you are getting exactly what you need.
Pay Attention to Measurements
If you are renting your graduation gown online, then size can be a tricky thing to get right. Fortunately for you, most sites will offer up measurements instead of just sizes. They may provide you with dimensions for the shoulder, length, etc.
Make sure to take your measurements and compare these to the ones provided by the site. Don’t just consider sizes such as Small, Medium, etc. as these can vary from one company to the other.
Order Early
Keep in mind that there is no guarantee of what you will be getting in terms of quality, appearance, and size. This is why, if possible, you should order the gowns well before your graduation date. This gives you time to see if it is in good condition and if it fits you well.
If this isn’t the case, then you will need to send the gown back and order a new one. Or, you may decide to order the gown from an entirely new place. You will need time to do all of these so place your order sooner rather than later.
This is all the information that you need on how much it costs to rent out a graduation gown. With these details, you can now make a more informed decision for yourself.
