Rent the Runway vs Nuuly: which is better?

by trends January 15, 2025, 10:37 pm 1.6k Views

I share my thoughts on two of the most popular clothing rental services, Rent the Runway Unlimited and Nuuly. <— I added my two reference links here if you decide to check them out!

Hello friends! How are you? I hope you’re having an amazing week so far. It’s been good around here. I had choir (one of the highlights of the week), taught two barre classes, and met friends at True Food for dinner. The Pilot and I also took some time to plan the rest of the year, evaluate the budget and make plans.

I LOVE reviewing our subscription payments each year and *trimming the fat.* Quite often, we’ll notice that we’re paying for things we don’t use or need, and it’s an easy way to get some money back. . (Especially when groceries cost a billion dollars.) As we were going through everything, he saw that we had been paying for both Rent the Runway and Nuuly, and told me that he thought I should keep them, because it’s so cut out in my online shopping habits, especially since we’ve had a lot of trips and events.

It’s true! I’ve definitely cut back on my purchases over the past few years and have still been able to try a ton of fun, new-to-me options, thanks to RTR and Nuuly.

Here’s a little bit about why I love using these two services, what makes them worth it, and any of the downsides I’ve experienced. You can also check out a previous review of RTR here and Nuuly here.

Rent the Runway vs Nuuly: which is better?

I like both RTR and Nuuly because they have different options and are for different occasions. I use RTR for more basic seasonal pieces, like a comfortable jacket, or special events, like if I know we have a military event or party. I love Nuuly for more casual options, like tops and dresses, and also if we go on vacation.

I have used both services in the past and canceled them at various times. I’ve been combining the two services for a couple of years and these are some of the things I’ve noticed:

ADVANTAGES:

– Less purchases. I shop less and focus less on *fast fashion*. Since I can rent luxury options and the options are always changing, I never feel like I’m missing out on anything and I don’t feel obligated to buy a bunch of extra clothes. things.

When I shop now, it’s for things I really need and love (like a new pair of jeans or awesome shoes), or I can keep something from a shipment from RTR or Nuuly and pay for it at a discount. I discovered new brands and learned my sizes for different brands without having to buy and exchange them many times.

(This blazer was a porter from a Nuuly delivery)

– I can order dresses for the girls. I also like to choose dresses or sweaters for Liv in my shipments because we often have events together (like the NCL tea). The cost of two dresses would easily be more than what I pay for my monthly RTR subscription. I also ordered some children’s options for P from Nuuly for events and she loved them.

– Different styles and purposes. Nuuly is clothing and Anthropologie brands, while Rent the Runway is a mix of designer brands. Some of my favorites are Ulla Johnson, Derek Lam, Rails, Mother, MISA and Farm Rio, so I often filter the selections by my favorite brands. They also have accessories, such as sunglasses and jewelry, bags and outerwear.

– More variety and ability to try trends without fully committing. I tend to dress more on the classic side, but if something is trendy and I want to try it without having to buy it (like the whole “vest as a shirt” look), it’s a no-brainer.

– Better for the earth! It makes me feel like I’m doing something for the earth by renting clothes instead of constantly buying new things. Don’t get me wrong, I still LOVE shopping, but I feel much more conscious of my shopping habits. I also like that items ship from both companies in a reusable bag and that RTR recycles all plastic packaging.

CONS/DIFFERENCES:

– Sometimes shipping is slow, especially for Nuuly. Rent the Runway tends to be a little faster, but I feel like the shipping time always cuts into the subscription month a bit.

– Quality. I feel like, overall, Rent the Runway is always fresh, new, and clean. I’ve received some worn and dirty clothes from Nuuly before, and I’ve had to wash some clothes that didn’t smell as fresh.

– It depends on what you are looking for. If you have a vacation or event coming up, I would definitely recommend Rent the Runway. If you’re looking for more everyday options, I would check out Nuuly.

– Cost. Here is the cost difference between the two options:

Nuuly costs about $100 with tax/shipping (6 pieces total per month) and Rent the Runway costs about $150 (10 pieces total per month; you get 5 at a time and can exchange once). For me, it has been worth it for the amount of events and trips in the past year. I might cancel one for the summer, depending on what’s going on. I think it’s worth it especially if you work in an office and want to change your rotation. My good friend works in an office and has to look at least casual every day, and she praises RTR.