As summer winds down, it is time to trade in those flip-flops for booties, your favorite shorts for jeans and outdoor patio furniture for a love seat. Thanks to the innovation of the digital age, you can now have it all with the swipe of a finger and a click of a button.
Here, we share six growing smartphone apps that will provide you with the latest trends, deals and styles to get you ready for cooler weather.
Rent the Runway
While subscription clothing companies continue to pop-up in the retail market, Rent the Runway, which gives shoppers the chance to rent items like a $550 Veronica Beard dress for just $63, could be credited for starting the trend about 10 years ago in 2009. A few months ago, the company reached $100 million in revenue and 9 million members, according to Business Insider. The concept is this: either sign up for a one-time rental or pay for a membership, choose from thousands of designer styles, wear it to your next event, then ship it back and repeat.
OfferUp
In the market for home furniture but don’t want to spend too much on brand-new items? OfferUp is the app for you. The free-to-download app uses location services to show you items for sale nearby—like electronics, furniture, cleaning supplies and more—making it easy to find exactly what you are looking for in minutes. Or, if you are interested in selling your own items, the camera feature enables users to snap a photo of the item and post it online for buyers to check out for themselves.
Chairish
As an online marketplace, Chairish is the go-to application for design junkies who love to fill their home with vintage decor, furniture and art. Founded by a husband-and-wife duo—one who served as a fashion executive and the other as a tech entrepreneur—the company offers high-end, chic designs through innovative features. See a couch you like but not sure how to tie it together with the room? Not to worry! This app has a 3D camera feature, allowing you to try it before you buy it.
Wanelo
This business model was born from three words: Want, need and love. Together, they form Wanelo, a self-identified “mall on your phone,” enabling shoppers to browse over 550,000 stores from across the country, ranging from independent boutiques to well-known brands. There are more than 11 million users on Wanelo who can create wish lists of their top-rated items, follow one another and then be directed to the proper online store to find what they are looking for. From leather jackets to coffee pots, Wanelo is a one-stop destination for all.
Poshmark
Poshmark prides itself on connecting people to one another. Featuring over 5,000 brands at up to 70% off retail prices, this easy-to-use app lets you customize the products you see to meet your individualized style. When browsing, users can follow an account they admire and continue to shop from that person’s digital closet. Plus, if you are interested in making your own side cash, you can start snapping photos of old clothing and sell it in the marketplace. When it’s time to send your items to the buyer, the staff at Poshmark will provide you with a prepaid shipping label to speed up the process.
The RealReal
While it began as a San Francisco-based luxury consignment venture, The RealReal is now an e-commerce stable for fashionistas who desire top-notch designer brands at a reasonable price. Whether you are in the market for fine jewelry or new, high-quality clothing for your kids, The RealReal offers a variety of products for up to 90% off retail prices. While most items are curated by the company’s team in warehouses, those who wish to sell also have the chance to do so from their own home.
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