How the rental services compare
With wedding season in full swing, the question of what to wear to multiple events can be daunting. Clothing rental services have emerged as a popular solution, offering subscriptions that allow users to borrow styles instead of buying new outfits. Rent the Runway, which launched in 2009, pioneered the monthly subscription model. Today, it competes with Nuuly and Armoire, among others. To help readers decide which service is worth the cost, four Guardian editors tested each platform, wearing rented pieces to weddings, graduations, baby celebrations, and even everyday tasks like working at a desk or running errands.
Rent the Runway: Best for special events
Rent the Runway offers a subscription starting at $78 for five items per month (first month only, then $129). Sizes range from 00 to 22, with tall and plus sizes available. Delivery takes three days with regular shipping or less than 24 hours with rush shipping. Special categories include maternity, wedding guest attire, athletic wear, and accessories like bags, jewelry, and sunglasses. The service allows free swaps during the first 60 days of membership.
Testers wore Rent the Runway pieces to a wedding, a play, a friend's going-away party, a Mother's Day celebration, and a graduation. One editor noted that tall sizes were mostly in stock, but plus sizes varied by item. Clothing was generally true to size and fit well. The site was easy to navigate, though user reviews had limited filters. The return process was mixed: one editor had no issues, while another was incorrectly charged a late fee that she had to dispute with customer service, though she was offered 50% off her next month as compensation.
Items arrived packaged in plastic wrap and on hangers inside the classic Rent the Runway zippered bag. Everything looked immaculately clean, but the garments and bag had a distinct, musky odor resembling a basement. Two items retained the smell after removal from the bag, but it was masked with freshening spray and airing out for a day. At worst, items smelled faintly of dry cleaning, which dissipated within a day. One dress appeared to have slight pilling, and another had color fading around seams, though it was not very noticeable.
One tester recommended the Proenza dress, which she wore for cocktails the night before a wedding, styling it with gold earrings and heels. She received compliments and felt comfortable all night. Another tester recommended the Astrid polo dress, noting it was well constructed with heavy fabric that held its shape. She wore it with bike shorts and white Converse sneakers, finding it had a fun summery vibe despite the material being a bit heavy for summer in the south.
Both testers said they would renew their subscriptions. One said the service would be great for someone experimenting with different styles or regularly attending events, though the instruction not to wash the clothes could be a deterrent. The other said she would highly recommend Rent the Runway to women who haven't used it in a while, especially for back-to-back events. She noted that while she was initially disappointed by not finding items that perfectly fit her style, it forced her to step outside her comfort zone.
Nuuly: Best for everyday wear
Nuuly costs $98 per month for six items, with sizes from XXS to 5X. Delivery takes one day with regular shipping. Special categories include maternity, wedding guest attire, and athletic wear. One tester wore Nuuly pieces to a college graduation and a baby's 100th day celebration. Clothing matched website descriptions, but some materials weren't disclosed, such as unexpected suede on a pair of trousers. XS/S stock varied by item. Clothing was true to size and fit well, and the return process was quick and easy. The site was easy to navigate.
Items arrived in great condition. The bootcut pants even came new with tags. The only visibly worn item was a mini dress that was fraying at the sleeves and hems, possibly because mesh is delicate. The tester's most-complimented item was a shirt with an embroidered cat peeking out of its pocket. She said she couldn't go anywhere without hearing, 'I love your shirt!' She said she would renew her subscription.
What's at stake for consumers
For people attending multiple weddings or events, clothing rentals can save money and closet space. However, the experience varies by service. Rent the Runway offers a wide range of sizes and categories but has a higher price after the first month and potential odor issues. Nuuly provides a simpler, more affordable option for everyday wear but may have limited stock in smaller sizes. Armoire, also tested, offers a similar model. The choice depends on whether the user prioritizes special occasion wear or casual, trend-focused pieces.
Road ahead for rental services
As wedding season continues, clothing rental services are likely to see increased demand. Rent the Runway, Nuuly, and Armoire will need to address issues like odor, sizing consistency, and customer service to retain subscribers. For now, the Guardian's testers found value in both Rent the Runway and Nuuly, recommending them for different needs. Consumers should consider their upcoming events and style preferences before committing to a subscription.
Report based on information from The Guardian.
