An online subculture is gaining popularity among teenagers that's helping them overcome the pressures of a fast-fashion, wear-things-only-once world.

For 17-year-old Adelaide student Lily Habel, her adventures into clothes renting began after she posted a photo of her formal dress on Instagram.

"I got approached by a girl my age who I had never spoken to before who wondered if I was hiring it out," she said.

Lily Habel now rents out her own clothing and hires items for social events. ( ABC Radio Adelaide: Brett Williamson )

"Within my group of friends [hiring clothes] is very common.

"If there is an event coming up, you'll first look online to people's Instagram pages and Facebook pages to see if there is anything you like.

"There is no stigma to it and it is really common and growing."

Brand names are popular among teens who rent clothing and shoes online. ( ABC Radio Adelaide: Brett Williamson )

Interested hirers contact the owner, make an offer for the item and negotiate a fee.

High-end fashion items are popular in hiring communities.

Lily said it was possible to hire out a $500 outfit several times and recoup the purchase cost.

A school effort

At Eve Habel's high school, the students have created their own shared Instagram page for clothes hiring.

Eve Habel rented this dress to friends after her sister wore it to a formal. ( ABC Radio Adelaide: Brett Williamson )

"Everyone just logs in and puts [photos] of their own garments on," the 15-year-old said.

"We pick things out, text [the owners] to ask if we can hire it and they bring it to school."

She explained that students usually hired clothing from people in different grades to avoid their friends having seen the clothing before.

The pitfalls of hiring

Eve said she had become more cautious though about renting out her clothes after an item was returned dirty.

"Some people get quite annoyed about that, but I don't know what you can do about it," she said.

Even with the risk of items being damaged, Eve said she and her friends were now renting more clothes than they were buying.

"If I needed some shorts to wear to a party, I would definitely hire them today, but a year ago I would have just gone and bought them."