There’s a particular kind of joy that comes from slipping into a stunning dress you’d never normally own, and I’m proud to say that at The Fitzroy we’ve built an entire business around making that feeling accessible to every woman. Founded in 2016 by two best friends and Toronto natives, The Fitzroy is Canada’s leading dress rental service, offering a meticulously curated collection of designer dresses, jumpsuits, two-piece suits, and accessories sourced from around the world and made available for any occasion that calls for getting fancy. But the fun part starts with the experience of renting from them. It’s genuinely feel-good from start to finish.
As women, we have all been there: a wedding, a gala, a milestone birthday party or an achievement in our field, and the quiet wish that we could show up looking and feeling incredible in something spectacular without spending a fortune. At The Fitzroy, we solve this high-pressure dilemma by letting you rent trendy formal and semi-formal attire at a fraction of the cost, and once you’re done wearing your designer look, you simply return it, no storage woes, no dry-cleaning bills, and no guilt about a one-time-wear purchase gathering dust in a wardrobe. That freedom alone is enough to put a smile on your face.
Because we know that walking into a high-end boutique can sometimes feel intimidating, we have created a shopping environment that is very much the antidote to that. Our Toronto showroom is a welcoming, inclusive, and non-judgmental space where you can drop in anytime without an appointment, try on as many dresses as your heart desires with the help of knowledgeable stylists, and either rent something to take home on the spot or reserve your dress for a future date. It’s the dress shopping experience women actually want — relaxed, supportive, and genuinely fun - imagine shopping in your best friend’s closet, with your own cheer squad on hand to hype you up and give you genuine feedback.
Part of what makes The Fitzroy such a fun and joyful experience is that we truly have something for everyone, no matter what age or stage of life you’re at. Our collection spans elegant classics to modern styles for all ages, and includes everything from prom dresses, on-trend wedding guest looks, bridal event dresses to mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom options and even pretty choices for flower girls. Whether you’re 22 or 72, heading to prom or a black-tie anniversary dinner, there is something on our rails with your name on it, whether you’re someone who enjoys getting dressed up, or even if you don’t - we’re here for you.
And seriously, we all know you don’t need another one-time-wear piece hanging in your closet, taking up space! Our mission at The Fitzroy’s has always been to take the stress out of getting ready while eliminating the need to wastefully buy yet another one-time-wear piece.Choosing to rent is a small but meaningful act of conscious consumption, and knowing your gorgeous night out didn’t contribute to wardrobe waste makes the whole experience feel even better.
The Fitzroy isn’t just a dress rental service; we are proud and honoured to be part of the most important moments in your life, a reminder that every woman deserves to feel extraordinary, and that looking the part should never have to be stressful, wasteful, or out of reach.
Not to mention the good ju-ju that each dress carries with it, having celebrated milestone events with so many fabulous women — the energy of this community can’t help but be contagious. People tell us again and again that they will never buy another dress, only rent, and that they’ve never received more compliments! That’s what we like to call Dress Rental Magic!
We’d love to hear from you! Please send us your suggestions for future articles. And if you’re a writer, please see our writer’s submissions page for details.
