After having another major closet cleanout to end 2022, I made a decision to limit my spending on clothing this year. One of the ways I decided to do that was to consistently invest in a monthly clothing subscription that would help me have trendy pieces without purchasing a lot of items that I may only wear a time or two and then forget that the pieces are in my closet until I do a big purge. I have tried both Rent the Runway and nuuly for monthly clothing subscriptions, which leads me to which one is better. Keep scrolling for my full review of each and which one I have decided to stick with for 2023.
Is nuuly Better than Rent the Runway?
Rent the Runaway Review
A key piece to why I decided to rent clothing each month is because I know it is wasteful and harmful to the environment to buy a lot of fast fashion pieces on top of adding up financially and not being good investments. That is not to say that I do not occasionally still buy trendy or fast fashion pieces, just a point that I am trying to be more intentional about! I have long been a fan of Rent the Runway for special events, including weddings, cocktail parties, and the like, so it was a no-brainer for me to try their monthly subscription service.
Rent the Runway Service Details
- Rent 5, 10, or 15 pieces a month with varying prices
- Hang on to the items you like for as long as you would like, then swap for something new
- Confirm your next order, return your pieces, and receive your new items in 2-3 days
- This includes gowns, everyday pieces, accessories, etc.
Overall Thoughts
I really love the pieces I received in my Rent the Runway monthly subscription and especially appreciated that I could add specialty pieces within my box without an upcharge. Also, I like that I could keep the pieces I enjoy for a season and just deduct a piece or two from my next month’s subscription. I do feel that there are times when the pieces look worn or are a bit outdated. That means that I am opting for classic pieces that I wear multiple times with a variety of options either that I rent or are already in my closet. All that to say, I began finding it a bit difficult to find daily pieces to wear daily, especially when I started working at home full-time, so I paused my membership.
nuuly Review
I have a couple of friends who have been *raving* about nuuly for months now. I decided to try it out after several months of not using my Rent the Runway subscription and it is the subscription service I have been using this year. This service offers the same standard amount of pieces, 6 pieces for the same rate, and includes a lot of new pieces from Anthropologie. These pieces can be a bit more trendy than the ones that we are seeing on our Instagram feeds.
nuuly Service Details
- Rent 6 pieces a month for $88
- All items must be returned unless you purchase them prior to returning
- Return all your pieces, wait for confirmation to order your next round, and then begin adding to your closet
Overall Thoughts
The pieces available at nuuly often come brand-new with tags. I have been receiving a nuuly box every month since the start of 2023, and every box has included at least 3 pieces that still have the tags on. I appreciate that most pieces do not look worn given that most are new and are the ones that I am already eyeing for the season. There are still classic pieces available to rent in addition to newer fashion pieces. I do wish there was an option to keep a piece or two and just deduct it from the next month’s subscription in the event that I have not had a chance to wear the pieces yet.
I think each subscription service has its pros and cons, though I have decided to stick with nuuly given the newness of certain pieces. That said, I can make a case for either and am happy to share the referral links for each for you to decide which one is best for you and your needs! For 40% off your Rent the Runway subscription, use code RTRFAM58E7FA9Â and for $10 off your first nuuly order, use this link.
