I’m sharing my thoughts on two of the most popular clothing rental services, Rent Runway Unlimited and Nuuly. <— I've added both of my referral links here if you decide to check them out!
Hello friends! what are you doing I hope you are having an amazing week so far. It was good 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, review the budget and make plans.
I LOVE making our membership payments every year and *trimming the fat.* So often, we’ll notice we’re paying for things we 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 going through everything, he saw that we were paying for both Rent the Runway and Nuulyand she told me she thought I should keep them because it cuts into 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 purchases over the past couple of years and still get to try a number of fun, innovative options thanks to RTR and Nuuly.
Here’s a little about why I love using these two services, what makes them worthwhile, and any of the downsides I’ve experienced. You can also see an earlier 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 cozy jacket or special events like if I know we have a military function or party. I love Nuuly for more casual options like tops and dresses and if we’re going on holiday.
I have used both services in the past and canceled at various points. I’ve been collecting the two services for a few years now, and here are some of the things I’ve noticed:
Advantages:
– Less shopping. I shop less and focus less on *fast fashion.* Because I can rent luxury options and the options are constantly changing, I never feel like I’m missing out and I don’t feel compelled to buy a ton of extra stuff.
When I shop now, it’s for things I really need and love (like a new pair of awesome jeans or shoes), or I might grab something from an RTR or Nuuly consignment and pay for it at a discount. I discovered new brands and learned my sizes for different brands without having to buy and exchange multiple times.
(This blazer was a keeper from a Nuuly tradition)
– I can order dresses for the girls. I also like picking out dresses or sweaters for Liv on my quests because we’ll 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 have also ordered some children’s options for P from Nuuly for events and loved them.
– Different styles and purposes. Nuuly is Anthropologie clothing 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 often filter the options based on my favorite brands. They also have accessories such as sunglasses and jewelry, bags and outerwear.
– More variety and the ability to try 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 on without actually buying it (like the whole “vest as a shirt”) thing, it’s not a commitment.
– 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 to shop, but I feel a lot more careful about my shopping habits. I also like that items are shipped by both companies in a reusable bag and RTR recycles all plastic packaging.
COMPOSITIONS/MISCELLANEOUS:
– Sometimes shipping is slow, especially for Nuuly. Rent the Runway it tends to be a little faster, but I feel like the shipping time always drops a bit in the subscription month.
– Quality. I feel like overall, Rent the Runway is always fresh, new and clean. I’ve gotten some worn and dirty pieces from Nuuly in the past and had to wash some items that didn’t smell as fresh.
– It depends on what you are looking for. If you have a holiday or event I would definitely recommend Rent the Runway. If you’re looking for more everyday options, I’d check out Nuuly.
– Cost. Here is the cost difference between the two options:
Nuuly it’s about $100 with tax/shipping (6 total for the month) and Rent the Runway it’s about $150 (total 10 pieces for the month, you get 5 at a time and you can exchange once). For me, it has been worth it with the number of events and trips over the past year. I might cancel one for the summer depending on what happens. I could see it being worth it if you work in an office environment and want to change your rotation. My good friend works in an office and has to look at least business casual every day, and she loves RTR.
(I still wish I had kept this!)
If you want to try them out, here are my referral links!
Nuuly
Have you tried any of these online clothing options? Any others you use and love??
xo
Gina
