How dress rental works in Tallinn: 6 steps from fitting to return
Updated: 4 days ago
The invitation says “pidulik riietus” and the party is three weeks away. You moved to Tallinn with two suitcases, and neither of them had a floor-length gown in it. A colleague tells you people here simply rent. Fine – but where do you go, can you try things on first, when do you pay, and what if the dress looks nothing like the photo once it is on you?
We are the team at Kostüümirent, a dress and costume rental in Tallinn, and we answer those questions every day. Here is the whole process in six steps, from the first scroll through the shop to handing the dress back after the party. If this is your first rental, read it top to bottom. If you have rented before, skip to the timeline table.
The six steps at a glance
Pick two or three favourites in the online shop.
Check the size on the product page.
Book a fitting at our showroom.
Confirm the booking.
Collect your outfit and go to the party.
Return it – cleaning is on us.
1. Pick two or three favourites online
Start in the online shop. Every piece is listed with photos, a description, the sizes we have and the price. The price on the product page covers a 3-day rental period, so there is nothing to calculate.
Our advice: do not fall for just one dress. Choose two or three with different cuts – one fitted, one with volume, and one you would never try in a shop. In the fitting room, it is surprisingly often the third one that wins.
Azure Cape dress 
Emerald Sea dress 
Noir Taffeta dress
Three cuts, three moods (from left): Azure Cape dress, Emerald Sea dress, Noir Taffeta dress.
2. Size: what to look for on the product page
A rental collection is not a high-street shop where every style comes in every size. Each piece exists in specific sizes, and they are listed on its product page. Women’s pieces currently run from XS to L, and men’s suits from 48 to 54 in European sizing.
Look at the size options, not the model. The photo shows the cut, not how it sits at your height.
Dual-size pieces (S/M, XS/S) give you room if you are between sizes.
Not sure? Message us your measurements and height – in English is fine. We will help you choose the right size.
We covered the usual worries about height and size in 8 myths about renting party wear.
3. The fitting at our showroom
Our showroom is in the Krulli quarter in North Tallinn: Krulli 2b, room 412. You choose your fitting time when you book – write to us on Instagram or by email, or see the Book a visit page. That way the fitting room and our attention are yours for the whole slot.
Allow between 30 minutes and an hour. That is enough to try your favourites and for us to bring out a couple of options you had not considered.
What to bring
The shoes you plan to wear. Heel height changes the length of a maxi dress more than you would expect.
The underwear you will wear under the dress, especially for an open back or a strapless cut.
Your phone. Take a photo and a short video of yourself walking – deciding at home that evening is much easier.
A friend, if their opinion helps. If it tends to confuse you, come alone.
In the fitting room, do more than stand in front of the mirror. Sit down, raise your arms, walk a few steps. You will be doing all of that for hours at the party.
What if it does not fit?
That is exactly what the fitting is for. If your favourite does not sit right, nothing is lost: we bring another size or a different cut, and most people leave with a different dress from the one they came in for. It is also why a fitting a week or two ahead beats one on the eve of the party.
If you cannot get to Tallinn to try things on, choose more carefully: send us your measurements, lean towards dual-size or looser cuts, and read the delivery page. When you order without a fitting, a deposit is added (by invoice). Try the piece on the day it arrives: if it does not fit, tell us the same day and send it back unworn the next day by parcel locker or courier – we will exchange it or refund you. Delivery is at the customer’s expense. If you tried the piece on at the showroom, you have confirmed the fit yourself, so there is no later exchange or refund.
4. Booking and payment
Once you have chosen, we agree on the rental period. The standard period is up to 3 days – typically collection the day before, the party itself, and return the day after.
Your booking is confirmed when the rental agreement is signed or the payment arrives, whichever comes first. The rental fee is due on the collection day at the latest. If plans change, you can cancel up to 72 hours before the rental period begins. For a booking that is not cancelled or not collected, the rental fee is payable in full. The full details are in the rental terms, and we recommend reading them before you confirm.
5. Collection and the big night
Your outfit comes ready to wear. At home, take it out of the bag straight away and try it on once more with your shoes and jewellery – not to change anything, just so the party day holds no surprises.
Perfume and body lotion go on before the dress. Let them dry first.
Make-up first, dress second – or step into the dress instead of pulling it over your head.
With sequins and beading, carry a smooth bag that will not catch on the fabric.
In November and December: long coat, boots on your feet, party shoes in a bag. Venues here have cloakrooms, and everyone changes shoes.
6. Returning it
The easiest step. Bring the outfit back at the agreed time – no cleaning needed, we take care of the dry cleaning. Please do not try to remove stains at home; just tell us what happened. If the evening went differently from the plan, the rental terms explain what applies.
Our motto sums it up: shine, wear, return – simple.
Timeline: what to do when
When | What you do | Good to know |
2–3 weeks before | Choose favourites online and message us about a fitting | Start earlier in November and December |
1–2 weeks before | Come for the fitting and confirm the booking | A visit takes 30 minutes to an hour |
Up to 72 h before the rental period | Last moment to cancel | See the rental terms |
Collection day | Pick up the outfit; the fee is paid by this day at the latest | Try it at home with shoes and jewellery |
Party day | Shine | Perfume before the dress, not after |
End of the rental period | Return the outfit at the agreed time | Cleaning is on us |
Frequently asked questions
Can I try a dress on before renting it?
Yes. Fittings take place at our showroom in Tallinn (Krulli 2b, room 412). You choose the time when you book – on Instagram, by email or on the Book a visit page.
How long can I keep the outfit?
The standard rental period is up to 3 days. The price on the product page covers a 3-day rental period.
When do I pay?
The rental fee is due on the collection day at the latest. A booking is confirmed when the rental agreement is signed or the payment arrives, whichever comes first.
Do I need to clean the dress before returning it?
No. Kostüümirent takes care of the dry cleaning. Return the outfit as it is after the party.
What if my event is cancelled?
You can cancel the booking up to 72 hours before the rental period begins. For a booking that is not cancelled or not collected, the rental fee is payable in full. The exact conditions are on the rental terms page.
The first step is the easy one
Open the shop, pick the two or three dresses that make you look twice, and write to us. We will sort out the rest together. Anything still unclear? Have a look at the FAQ.
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