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FAQ

About Us

What is Only Once Dress Hire?

Only Once is one of the UK's favourite online designer and high-end outfit hire boutique for all of life’s special events. Whatever the occasion, Only Once provides you with a unique fashion experience right at your fingertips. We offer our customers the opportunity to rent designer garments at a fraction of their retail price - saving you money, wardrobe space and helping you do your bit for the planet. 

Does Only Once have a physical shop?

Unfortunately, we are solely an online dress hire boutique without a physical store; this allows us to offer our services UK-wide.

About Our Outfits and Your Hire

What condition will my rented designer outfit arrive in?

All our items are either brand new or in near-new condition. We adhere to strict quality control checks to ensure that our customers are fully satisfied with the condition of their outfit when it arrives. If your outfit is delivered and you are not happy with its condition, please reach out to us immediately and we will do all we can to send you a replacement or provide a full refund. 

Can you guarantee the authenticity of the garment?

At Only Once, we guarantee that all our items are 100% genuine and authentic. 

How long can I rent an outfit for?

You can make a reservation for either 4, 8 or 16 days. Simply select your preferred rental length and your delivery date when making your booking. We suggest making your delivery date 1-2 days before your event date, noting that we cannot guarantee delivery on a Saturday. Your designer outfit will be delivered to your door by 5pm via Royal Mail on your selected 'delivery date' and you are required to post the item back to us by 2pm on the last day of your rental period ('return date'). If your return date falls on a Sunday or Public Holiday please post the item by 2pm on the next working day. You can of course return your garment to us sooner than your return date, however please do not return it any later.

Example: you make a 4-day rental booking and select your delivery date to be Friday. Friday counts as the first day of your booking, Saturday as the second, Sunday as the third, and Monday as the fourth. In this scenario, you are required to drop your pre-paid mailing bag into your local Post Office no later than 2pm on the Monday. 

If you require your outfit for an extended period of time (i.e. more than 16 days), please contact our customer care team who will be happy to agree a price and make a reservation for a longer duration.

Do I need to clean (or dry clean) my rented designer outfit before returning it?

No, under no circumstances do we recommend that you try to clean your garments. Simply return them to us using the pre-paid mailing bag and we will do the rest. 

What if my rented outfit arrives and I need to iron it?

We do our best to ensure that every outfit arrives wrinkle-free, however if your outfit has become creased in transit, please try steaming the garment on a low heat. Alternatively, you can hang the outfit in a steamy bathroom and the steam will naturally de-crease it for you. Please ensure you hang the item where it can't accidentally get splashed. 

If you feel you still need to steam or iron your outfit, please reach out to our team who will advise on the best method based on your specific outfit.

What happens if I accidentally damage my rented outfit?

We offer accidental damage cover as an add-on to all orders to give you peace of mind, should anything untoward happen to your outfit. Accidental damage cover covers you for minor/repairable damage caused to your outfit, such as a broken zip, a washable stain, a split seam etc. Accidental damage cover does not protect you against loss, theft, intended or irreparable damage caused to your hired garment(s).

Accidental damage cover costs £4 per order and must be added at the checkout stage. Please ensure you select the 'Standard Shipping + Accidental Damage Cover' at checkout to protect your hire with our accidental damage cover.

Should you opt-out of our Accidental Damage Cover, you will be liable to cover the cost of any/all damage caused to your hired outfit.

For obvious reasons we ask that you do not use fake tan whilst wearing our garments as they can become easily spoiled. Please also be careful with make-up.

What if the rented outfit is damaged beyond repair?

On very rare and unfortunate occasions, you may damage your garment beyond repair. If this happens, please don't panic - we are here to help and work out the best solution for you. Simply return your item to us using the pre-paid mailing bag no later than your return date and once received, we will assess the most appropriate action. Under no circumstance should you attempt to clean or repair the outfit yourself. Whilst we will do all we can to fix any damage, if the outfit is damaged beyond repair, you will be liable to pay the full retail price of the item (as listed on our website). 

What if I lose my rented outfit?

Where items are lost, or not returned to us within 14 days of your 'return date', you will be liable to pay the full retail price of the item (as listed on our website).

I can't decide on which outfit to rent. Can I make a booking for multiple items at a time?

We understand that choosing an outfit for an important occasion can be a difficult decision. At Only Once, we offer our customers the option to add a second dress of your choice to any order, for 80% off the hire price. Refer to 'How does your Back Up outfit service work?' for more details.

If you would like to place an order for more than two outfits, please get in touch with us beforehand and we can discuss your individual requirements.

How does your Back Up outfit service work?

If you are feeling indecisive, think you may be between sizes or can't decided between two of our items, we offer a Back Up outfit service for all orders placed. This allows you to include a second garment of any size, style or brand within your booking at 80% off the hire price. If you are choosing to use our Back Up outfit service, please ensure your 'delivery date' is the same for both of your selected items. To ensure we are fair to all our customers, we only allow one Back Up garment per order. If you would like to place an order for more than two outfits, please do get in touch with us beforehand and we can discuss your individual requirements.

How to book a Back Up outfit:

1. Add your chosen two styles to your cart; be sure to select the same delivery date otherwise we might be unable to fulfill your order.

2. Ensure you have read and understood our FAQ page and our Terms and Conditions.

3. Checkout as normal and enter discount code: BACKUPOUTFIT. This will reduce the lower priced style to 80% off the hire price.

4. Complete the checkout process as normal.

Kindly note that including a Back Up outfit in your order does not entitle you to wear both of them during your rental period. One of your outfits is required to be returned to us with tags in tact and no signs of wear. If not, it will be considered worn and you will be charged the full rental price of the Back Up outfit (less the amount already paid).

We recommend choosing two styles within a similar price range as the difference between the two styles does not get refunded if you choose to wear the less expensive style.

Please note that you are unable to combine this discount code with any other offer or discount.

What happens if my rented outfit becomes unavailable between my booking date and my delivery date?

Whilst it is rare, there are some circumstances where by your chosen outfit may become unavailable (i.e. the outfit has been damaged by a previous customer and we've been unable to source a replacement, or the outfit has not been returned in time by the previous customer).

As soon as we become aware of such instances, we will notify you and will also offer an alternate option (subject to availability), completely free of charge or offer a full refund.

Can I request an outfit, size or designer/brand that is not featured on your site?

If a particular outfit, size or designer/brand is not featured in our collection, please feel free to contact us and we will see what we can do. We are always on the lookout for the best selection of designer outfits to stock and are continuously wanting to ensure our customers are satisfied. 

How does your Only Once wedding registry work and how can I register my special day with you?

We are excited to offer all brides (and grooms)-to-be an exclusive 25% discount off for their wedding guests to hire their wardrobe from us for their special day.

If you are a bride or groom and would like to take up this offer, please contact us using the link on our homepage and a member of our team will be in touch.

All subsequent orders placed using the exclusive discount code must have a delivery day of within 7-days of the wedding date. Any other orders placed using the issued discount code will be cancelled without warning and a full refund issued.

Delivery, Returns, Cancellations & Change of Minds

How much is delivery? And do you accept returns?

Hire Orders

For all hire orders, we charge a flat rate of £8.00 for Royal Mail delivery to the UK for each unique delivery date. This includes both delivery to your door on your selected delivery date and a pre-paid mailing bag to return your outfits to us at the end of your rental period. The delivery fee also includes garment cleaning costs following your rental. 

Ex-Hire Outlet Sales

For sales of our ex-hire styles, delivery is free of charge. We don't accept returns on ex-hire sales so please check the outfit is suitable before purchasing - if you have any specific questions on size, styling or fit, then please get in touch. This does not affect your statutory rights.

Accessories Sales

For sales of accessories, we charge a flat rate of £3.00 for Royal Mail delivery to the UK. We accept returns for accessories providing we are notified within 14-days of delivery and the goods are returned to us in the subsequent 14-days. Goods must be returned to us unused, in their original packaging, and in a resellable condition. Please do contact us at hello@onlyoncedresshire.com or use our contact form if you would like to return any accessories purchases. Unfortunately, we're not able to accept returns on earrings. This does not affect your statutory rights.

Please refer to our full delivery and returns policy here.

Do you offer international shipping?

Unfortunately at this stage we are unable to offer international shipping on hire/rental reservations and ship to within the UK only.

If you are interested in any of our ex-hire outlet garments, we are able to offer international shipping. Please contact our friendly team to discuss further before placing an order.

What happens if my rented outfit arrives before my chosen delivery date?

Where outfits are available, we aim to deliver orders a day or two in advance of your chosen delivery date to ensure that you have your garments in plenty of time for your special occasion. If this happens, please consider this a bonus - the first day of your rental still commences on your original chosen delivery date.

What happens if my rented outfit doesn't arrive within the specified delivery time?

We do all we can to ensure that your chosen outfit arrives on your selected 'delivery date'. In rare circumstances that your dress doesn't arrive within the specified deliver time, please contact our friendly customer care team immediately and we will do all we can to help.

What if I want to cancel or change my order?

In order to cancel or change your order once it's been placed, please contact us here.

Hire Orders

Cancellations made 14 days in advance of your delivery date are eligible to receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 14 days of your delivery date will receive a refund for any postage and packing costs and a hire credit for the remaining value of their order. Cancellations made once your outfit has been dispatched will receive a hire credit to the value of their order, less any postage and packing costs.

Ex-Hire Outlet and Accessories Sales

Please check our Returns Policy for our ex-hire outlet and accessories purchases.

What if the rented designer outfit doesn't fit, or I simply don't like it?

We understand that there'll be times when our garments don't suit you as you expected. If your item arrives and you feel it is unsuitable, please contact us immediately and we will either look to send you out a new size or style (if timing permits), or we will offer a hire credit (less return postage and packing costs). If you decide to return your outfit to us, to be eligible to receive a rental credit you must send your garments back to us within 24-hours with all tags/security ribbon still in tact. If an item is not returned in the above time frame, or with the tags/security ribbon removed, we will assume the item has been worn and you will not be eligible to receive a hire credit.

What if I return my rented outfit later than my agreed 'return date'?

We offer a minimum 4-day rental period to ensure you have sufficient time to wear and return your item within the agreed time lines. If you do happen to miss your return date and send your garment back late, then a late fee of £10/day applies. Where an item is not returned within the 14 days following the agreed return date, we will assume the outfit has been lost and we reserve the right to charge you the full retail price of the item (as listed on our website), less any late return fees already charged. 

Still got an answered question?

If you've still got a question or want clarity over anything, please feel free to contact our friendly team below.