Rent the Runway vs Nuuly – which is better?

January 15, 2025 |

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

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

I LOVE to go through our subscription payments each year and *trim the fat.* So often, we’ll notice that we’re paying for things and don’t use or need, and it’s an easy way to get some $$ back. (Especially when groceries are a billion dollars.) While we were looking through everything, he saw that we’ve been paying for both Rent the Runway and Nuuly, and told me he thought I should keep them, because it’s cut way back on my online shopping habits, especially since we’ve had a lot of travel and events.

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

Here’s a bit about why I love using these two services, what makes them worth it, and any of the cons I’ve experienced. You can also check out an older 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 choices and are for different occasions. I use RTR for more staple seasonal pieces, like a cozy 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’re going on vacation.

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

PROS:

– Less shopping. I shop less and I’m focused less on *fast fashion.* Because I can rent luxe options and the options are always changing, I never feel like I’m missing out, and don’t feel compelled to buy a ton of extra things.

When I shop now, it’s for things I genuinely need and love (like a new pair of amazing jeans or shoes), or I might keep something from an RTR or Nuuly shipment and pay for it at a discount. I’ve discovered new brands and learned my sizes for different brands without having to purchase and exhange a bunch of times.

(This blazer was a keeper from a Nuuly delivery)

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

– Different styles and purposes. Nuuly is Anthropologie clothes and 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’ll often filter the selections by my favorite brands. They also have accesories, like sunglases and jewelry, handbags, and outerwear.

– More variety and ability to try out trends without fully committing. I tend to dress more on the classic side, but if there’s something that’s in style and I want to try it without actually buying one (like the whole “vest as a shirt” vibe), it’s no commitment.

– Better for the earth! It makes me feel like I’m doing a little something for the earth by renting clothes instead of constantly buying new things. Don’t get me wrong, I still LOVE to shop, but I feel much more mindful about my shopping habits. I also like that the items are shipping from both companies in a reusable bag, and RTR recycles all of the 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 shipment time always cuts into the subscription month a bit.

– Quality. I feel like on the whole, Rent the Runway is always fresh, new, and clean. I’ve gotten some worn and dingy pieces from Nuuly before, and I’ve had to wash some items that didn’t smell quite as fresh.

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

– Cost. Here’s the cost difference between the two options:

Nuuly is around $100 with taxes/shipping (6 pieces total for the month) and Rent the Runway is around $150 (10 pieces total for the month; you get 5 at a time and can swap once). For me, it’s been worth it with the amount of events and travel this past year. I might cancel one for the summer, depending on what’s going on. I could see it to be especially worthwhile if you work in an office setting and want to switch up your rotation. My good friend works in an office and has to look at least business casual each day, and she raves about RTR.