Fast fashion’s grip is undeniable, and while we strive to resist its allure, keeping up with ever-accelerating trends proves challenging. For fashion enthusiasts and those seeking single-event outfits, clothing rental emerges as a smart alternative to purchasing—and potentially discarding—garments. Renting not only frees up your finances but also champions a more sustainable approach to fashion.
The rising tide of clothing rental services, however, presents a new dilemma: navigating the options to find the ideal match. Let’s delve into a comparative analysis, weighing the advantages, disadvantages, and overall assessments of three prominent fashion rental platforms.
Nuuly: A Deep Dive into Urban Outfitters’ Rental World
Nuuly first sparked my interest in the realm of clothing rentals. As a college freshman on a tight budget, I admired brands like Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie. My affinity was so strong, I even took a seasonal job at Anthropologie for the employee discount!
Later, Nuuly emerged as an extension of the URBN family, showcasing pieces from its sister stores and URBN-owned brands. This clothing rental service operates on a monthly membership model, providing:
- 6 items per month
- $98 monthly fee
- Option to add extra items at $20 each
- Discounts for purchasing rented items
Rating: 9/10 – Nuuly: A Strong Contender for Best Clothing Rental Service
Nuuly’s diverse selection caters to a wide range of occasions. Over four years of intermittent membership, I’ve explored everything from everyday knit tops to glamorous evening gowns. My overall rating for Nuuly stands at 9/10, and here’s why it might be the Best Clothing Rental Service for you:
Key Advantages:
- Extensive Inventory: A vast and varied catalog ensures options for almost any style or event.
- Versatile Style Range: From ultra-formal to incredibly casual, Nuuly covers all bases, making it a truly comprehensive clothing rental service.
- Rapid Shipping: Expect prompt delivery, getting your rentals to you quickly.
- Transparent Pricing: No surprise costs – late fees and hidden charges are absent.
- Excellent Customer Support: Responsive and helpful customer service enhances the rental experience.
- Organized Wish Lists: Create and manage lists easily on both mobile and desktop, streamlining your selection process.
Areas for Improvement:
- Price Hikes: Increased popularity has led to price increases, impacting affordability.
- Limited Size Availability: Popular items often face size limitations, particularly in high-demand sizes.
- Accessory Gap: Rental options don’t extend to accessories like bags and jewelry.
- Female-Centric Focus: A wider inclusion of menswear, particularly from Urban Outfitters, would broaden its appeal.
- Wrinkle Factor: Garments sometimes arrive wrinkled, requiring steaming or ironing.
Bonus Perk: Nuuly extends its offerings with Nuuly Thrift, a platform akin to Depop or Poshmark for buying and selling pre-owned clothing, expanding its reach in sustainable fashion.
If you’re drawn to URBN brands and hesitant about their full retail prices, Nuuly presents an excellent “try before you buy” opportunity or a way to refresh your wardrobe without long-term commitment. Notably, all outfits featured in the images throughout this article are Nuuly rentals, demonstrating the service’s real-world application.
Rent The Runway: The Pioneer of Designer Clothing Rental
Rent The Runway (RTR) stands as a pioneering force in fashion rentals. My journey with RTR began with occasional rentals for significant events like college galas and formals, eventually evolving to include rehearsal dinners and weddings.
RTR distinguishes itself with a curated, designer-focused inventory encompassing clothing and accessories—including coveted handbags and jewelry. While renowned for sophisticated gowns, cocktail dresses, and travel-ready ensembles, RTR also features a smaller selection of everyday and athleisure wear, catering to diverse needs.
Let’s break down their monthly subscription service, often touted as a top contender for the best clothing rental service for designer fashion:
- Flexible rental periods – keep items as long as desired.
- Item swaps allowed throughout the month.
- Plan tiers range from $94-$169 monthly, offering 5, 10, 15, or 20 items per month.
Bonus Feature: RTR provides a one-time rental option, allowing users to reserve items up to 60 days in advance, complete with a complimentary backup size in each order, offering flexibility for special occasions.
Rating: 8.5/10 – Rent The Runway: Ideal for Designer Dreams
RTR’s access to designer brands is a major draw, positioning it as a strong contender for the best clothing rental service for luxury fashion. However, the tiered plan structure can make value comparison challenging. After experiencing the monthly subscription firsthand, I rate RTR at 8.5/10.
Key Advantages:
- Designer Handbag Rentals: A unique perk, offering access to high-end handbag rentals to complete your look.
- Accessory Options: “Piggybacking” allows renting jewelry and sunglasses alongside clothing, providing comprehensive styling possibilities.
- Flexible Return Timelines: No strict return deadlines offer convenience and ease of use.
- Premium Packaging: Items arrive in garment bags with hangers that you can keep, enhancing the overall experience.
- Mid-Month Swaps: The ability to exchange items mid-month maximizes wardrobe flexibility.
Areas for Improvement:
- Higher Cost Per Item: Compared to services like Nuuly, RTR is pricier for a smaller number of items.
- Slower Shipping: Shipping times have occasionally been slower than expected.
- Complex Plan Structure: The variety of plan options can be somewhat confusing and difficult to evaluate in terms of value.
- Limited Everyday Wear: Less practical for those seeking primarily casual, day-to-day clothing options.
RTR excels as a service for individuals with busy social calendars filled with events demanding sophisticated attire. If your life involves dress codes like “fabulous,” “bejeweled,” and “lively,” Rent the Runway is a service worth exploring as your best clothing rental service for special occasions.
FashionPass: A Mixed Bag of Styles and Options
FashionPass occupies a unique space, offering rental options suitable for everything from casual date nights to park strolls and formal black-tie events. Why limit yourself? This clothing rental service aims for versatility.
Similar to RTR, FashionPass allows item swaps throughout the month for a fixed membership fee. Subscription details include:
- 12-24 items monthly
- Monthly fees ranging from $89-$149
- Selection includes clothing, accessories, and everyday basics.
Rating: 5.5/10 – FashionPass: Needs Refinement to Compete as Best Clothing Rental Service
I tested FashionPass earlier this year when I needed outfits for two weddings in a single week. My FashionPass experience yielded a 5.5/10 rating, highlighting areas where it falls short compared to competitors in the best clothing rental service category.
Key Advantages:
- Expedited Shipping: Shipping is notably fast, ensuring timely delivery.
- Good Item Availability: Desired items were generally readily available during my experience.
- Accessory and Basic Options: Inclusion of accessories and basic wardrobe staples adds to its potential versatility.
Areas for Improvement:
- Limited Size Range: Size inclusivity is lacking, with no petite sizes offered, restricting options for many body types.
- Accessory Restrictions: Strict limitations on the ratio of accessories to clothing items per month can be restrictive.
- Overall Inventory Depth: Inventory appears less extensive compared to Nuuly and RTR, limiting choices across the board.
- Price Point vs. Value: Compared to Nuuly and RTR, FashionPass feels overpriced for the available selection and quality.
- Quality Concerns: The quality of some received items was subpar, with one item arriving with deodorant stains, raising concerns about quality control.
In comparison to Nuuly and RTR, FashionPass struggles to justify its price for the available options and quality. The inventory felt somewhat repetitive, and quality inconsistencies detract from the overall experience, preventing it from being considered a top contender for the best clothing rental service.
Maximizing Your Clothing Rental Experience: Smart Strategies
Regardless of your chosen platform, the question remains: how to best utilize these rented pieces? I’ve developed a three-pronged approach to rental success:
- Event-Focused Rentals: Concentrate your monthly rentals around 1-2 specific events (weddings, work functions, photoshoots, concerts, travel). Select items tailored to those occasions, ensuring purposeful and stylish rentals.
- Mood Board Inspiration: Maintain a dynamic mood board on Pinterest. Refer to it when seeking trendy pieces or items you’re hesitant to purchase outright. This allows you to recreate inspired looks by combining rental items with your existing wardrobe, creating fresh and budget-conscious outfits.
- Mini Capsule Wardrobe Creation: If neither event-focused nor mood-board driven approaches resonate, curate a mini capsule wardrobe from your rentals. Select pieces that are easily interchangeable and mix-and-matchable. This maximizes the utility of your rentals while ensuring practical, high-quality additions to your temporary wardrobe.
Bella Rainey (she/her) is a journalist and social media expert based in KCMO. Holding a M.A. in Project Management and boasting 5 years of media experience, Bella embraces diverse roles. Beyond writing for KCtoday and Catcall, she cultivates her thrifted wardrobe, enjoys craft beer, and delves into enemies-to-lovers fiction. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Avila University’s School of Visual Communications.
Kelcie McKenney (she/her) is a writer, editor, and artist passionate about intersectional feminism, local activism, queer representation, and community building. You can find Kelcie engrossed in reading (likely romance or Twilight), discussing astrology, spending time with her three-legged cat and four-legged dog, or advocating against patriarchal structures.
