As fun as it may be to plan out a collection of outfits for a trip in theory, the truth is, it isn’t always convenient or realistic. A desire for shiny new Instagrammable outfits for any and every occasion is often quickly shut down by ever-inflating clothing prices, the need to travel light and, of course, airlines cracking down on the weight and dimensions of guests’ luggage.

Instead of vacuum-sealing a capacious statement coat for a cold-weather trip or shoving in an inconvenient look that you may only wear for a photo, some travelers are relying on unique services to lighten their loads while embracing the style of their destinations. 

“Since the pandemic, we’ve noticed a trend of [hotel guests] having very specific outfits for local events…that and the trend of airlines reducing baggage allowance, especially for short-haul flights,” Lorna Turnbull, director of marketing for the Nobu Hotel Barcelona, tells Fashionista. “We thought, ‘Why not facilitate this and support local companies and designers?'”

This summer, the property began partnering with Trent, a Barcelona-based clothing rental startup with a showroom in the heart of the city. There, customers can try on pieces, take them home and return the items when they’re done. Now, Nobu is bringing that service directly to its hotel.

“Each room has a QR code that takes you straight to a curated collection on Trent’s platform. They have accessories, clothes, shoes, bags, everything,” explains Turnbull. “You can choose the piece you want in the size you want and decide how long you’re going to rent it for. Once that goes through, Trent delivers it to your hotel room within an hour. Once you’re done, you just pack it up and leave it for our concierge.”

The rental cost of each item varies, but there’s no additional fee or premium for the messenger service or the dry-cleaning that happens in between uses. Guests can also request pieces in advance, ensuring their outfits are ready upon arrival.

Beyond the practicality of the service, the edited collection heavily features Spanish designers and brands, allowing guests to access special items they likely wouldn’t pull outside of their vacation, and avoid impractical permanent purchases.

“It’s really fun to be able to dress in a way that you wouldn’t normally back home,” says Turnbull. “It’s fun to be able to say, ‘I’m in this city and I’m going to try something new,’ and explore what local designers have created, which is obviously inspired by the city or region itself.”

Of course, not all international travelers are in need of designer labels and luxury concierge services. Any Wear, Anywhere is a basics-focused rental company that ships to any address in Japan. Rather than appeal to a more fashion-forward tourist, it’s better suited for someone backpacking with limited storage, a professional on a work trip or someone who is simply uninterested in dealing with laundry throughout their stay.

“As people who love to travel, we realized that while meals and hotels are typically sourced locally, clothing is the one thing travelers must bring from home,” the brand shared with Fashionista via email. “This sparked the idea: If clothing could also be provided locally, it would eliminate many of these burdens and offer environmental benefits as well.”

Any Wear, Anywhere presents pre-selected sets of uncomplicated outfits (think solid colors, button-down blouses and neutral trousers) organized by season, gender preference and sizing. In the most expensive package, $71 gets a customer three bottoms and five tops (all complementary to each other), plus the delivery and pick-up of the clothes to and from wherever you’re staying.

While these types of amenities are attractive to those looking to reduce packing stress and avoid carrying heavy luggage, another camp of vacationers travel with the intention to shop local, aiming to arrive with an empty suitcase and leave with one filled to the absolute maximum. To that end, on the other side of the globe in New York, The Mark Hotel boasts one of the most elite, VIP services possible: 24/7 access to the renowned Bergdorf Goodman department store and its personal shopping team.

“Many of our guests arrive with a desire to travel light, preferring instead to immerse themselves in the style of the city,” says Maria Wittorp, the hotel’s chef concierge. “They’re not looking for just any outfit — they want pieces that reflect New York’s sophistication, spontaneity and flair. This service allows them to dress for the moment, effortlessly.”

Prior to a party’s arrival, the concierge team “discreetly” informs guests of the under-the-radar resource. From there, those staying with the hotel can give advance notice for high-level requests (such as eveningwear and bespoke garments), reserve a private shopping session at the store or have options brought to their suites for an in-room styling appointment — all of which is available at any time: “We never say no — we find a way,” says Wittorp.

As for what these indulgent clients are seeking, anything from $50 three-packs of underwear to BG-exclusive designer accessories (like a $6,000 Judith Lieber Manhattan Martini clutch or a $4,000 bedazzled hoodie by Wiederhoeft) is all on the table.

“It’s a beautiful mix,” says Wittorp. “We’ve seen everything from elegant travel-ready knits to couture gowns find their way from Fifth Avenue to The Mark’s closets.” Ultimately, though, Wittorp says it’s not just about shopping, “it’s about feeling effortlessly prepared, inspired and taken care of.”

Over the last few years, hotels around the world have also collaborated directly with high-end fashion brands and retailers, giving guests a limited-edition capsule to shop on-location. Recently, Gurney’s Montauk in the Hamptons has been partnering with Dolce & Gabbana — a move the beach resort says has “far exceeded sales at any other pop-up shop” they’ve done. 

“We’ve definitely noticed that guests are looking for ways to travel lighter and leave with something memorable,” says Michael Nenner, president and chief operating officer at Gurney’s. “Travelers love special pieces they can take home as a lasting reminder of their trip — and they appreciate having stylish options that reflect the destination’s aesthetic without the hassle of overpacking.”

Across the board, those behind these activations agree: Vacationers are interested in carrying less of their own clothes. While some want new and exciting pieces that they either don’t have to take home or can invest in as a souvenir, others simply want to sidestep the labor of packing.

The latter set is turning to Uovo, a luxury storage company that does the hard work for you. If you’re storing your wardrobe with the company, members have instant access to a digitized version of their closet via an app. On the platform, they can select which pieces they’d like to travel with, and Uovo’s team does the rest.

“Many clients value this service because it’s much easier to be hands-free when traveling,” says General Manager Brennan Lowery. “Depending on where they are traveling, someone [on our team] will often receive their items and unpack so their closet is ready when [the guest] arrives. We also work with hotels and concierges to arrange pick-ups when items are shipping back to Uovo and returned to storage.”

As luxurious as these options all are, the promise of a destination-specific wardrobe isn’t accessible only to the ultra-wealthy. Bnto, a fashion rental subscription that gets customers six items for $68 a month, reported a 23% rise in shipments sent to alternative addresses during early June compared to May, with some shipments even listing hotel names specifically.

Whether it’s about blending in with the locals, avoiding crammed luggage, skipping the chore of laundry or capturing the perfect picture in a curated look, modern travelers have endless possibilities when it comes to packing (or not packing at all). 

“We hope [this option] gives people the ability to connect with the city in a different way,” says Turnbull. “I really hope that from this experience, it encourages people to discover something new.”

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