If you’re a Millennial woman like me, you’ve probably been on a journey with clothing rental. Does anyone else remember Le Tote? (Are they even still around?) I’ve tried them all – from the early days of subscription boxes to a long-standing, on-again-off-again relationship with Rent the Runway.
My current fixation, and the service I’ve been using consistently since 2022, is Nuuly. I personally turned to clothing rental to find a more sustainable (for my wallet and the planet) way to have fun with fashion.
Because I’ve used so many of these platforms, I feel like I have a pretty well-rounded perspective on the women’s clothing rental subscription service landscape. And I get this question all the time from friends is Nuuly… actually good?
I’m finally sitting down to write my honest Nuuly subscription review. I’m breaking down the cost, the pros, the cons, and the all-important comparison to Rent the Runway. Let’s get into it.
Heads up! If you’re just here for a discount, I’ve got you. After reading my review, if you decide you want to try Nuuly, you can click here to get $30 off your first month’s box!
What is Nuuly? (And How This Women’s Clothing Rental Subscription Works)
In short, Nuuly is a women’s clothing rental subscription from the parent company URBN (the powerhouse behind Anthropologie, Free People, and Urban Outfitters).
The concept is simple: For a flat Nuuly cost of $98 per month, you get to rent any six items from their collection (with taxes this comes out to $106 for me).
You pick the six pieces yourself, it’s not a styling service. You wear them as much as you want, and at the end of the month, you send them all back in a reusable bag with a prepaid label. They handle all the laundry and dry cleaning.
If you need more than six items for a big trip or a busy month, you can add up to four “bonus items” to your box for $20 each.
Nuuly vs. Rent the Runway: A Side-by-Side Comparison
This is the big one. If you’re considering a women’s clothing rental subscription, you’re probably deciding between these two. I recently renewed my RTR subscription for a trip to Spain (I did one Nuuly box and one RTR box), and it was a perfect reminder of the key differences.
Price & Flexibility: The 6-Item Plan vs. Swaps
- Nuuly: Has one simple plan: $98 for 6 items. That’s it. You can add bonus items, but you can’t swap items out mid-month.
- Rent the Runway: Has several different plans. Their main draw is the ability to get more items per month and “swap” them out. This is great in theory, but I find Nuuly’s simple plan less stressful.
Brands & Style: Casual-Cool vs. High-End Formal
- Rent the Runway: Traditionally known for its high-end, designer formalwear. It’s a go-to for black-tie events.
- Nuuly: Casual-cool, trendy, and “going-out” wear. Because it’s owned by URBN, you get incredible, new-season access to Anthropologie, Free People, AGOLDE, Farm Rio, and For Love & Lemons. It has way more casual items than RTR. Note – I still get plenty of work attire from Nuuly (I wear business casual to the office, but they have plenty of blazers, etc to choose from as well).
The “Hearted Item” Problem (A.K.A. Availability)
This was the main reason I kept pausing Rent the Runway. I would spend hours “hearting” items, and when it came time to fill my bag, so many of them were unavailable.
To be clear, this is a challenge with all rental services, including Nuuly. Your most-wanted items won’t always be available. But in my personal experience, the availability problem on RTR felt constant and much more frustrating.
The Pros: What I Absolutely Love About Nuuly
Here’s why I’ve been a loyal member since 2022.
Pro: It Cures My “Itch to Shop” for Statement Pieces
I love bold prints and statement pieces (think Farm Rio). The problem? If I buy a $250 Farm Rio dress, I’ll wear it once, everyone sees it, and then it sits in my closet forever because it’s so memorable. With Nuuly, I rent those “wow” pieces, wear them on repeat for a month, get all the compliments, and send them back. It completely satisfies my desire for new, fun clothes without the buyer’s remorse or the credit card bill.
This is how the $98 monthly fee becomes “affordable”—it stops me from spending hundreds on new clothes each month. That’s the real value.
Pro: You Can Rent Black-Tie Gowns in Your Normal Box
This is my favorite defense of Nuuly. People think it’s just for casual wear, but I have easily rented black-tie formal gowns as part of my normal 6-item subscription. Just last month, I had a black-tie optional event and got a stunning formal dress along with my five other regular items. With RTR, you often have to dedicate your entire (and more expensive) rental to that one event. Check these pics from a black tie wedding (Sachin & Babi) & black tie optional gala (Halston) – both rented from Nuuly.
Pro: The Value Breakdown vs. Rent the Runway
As of our publishing date (October 2025), the Nuuly plan is $98 for 6 items in one shipment.
For comparison, Rent the Runway’s standard plans are:
- 5 items / month (in 1 shipment): $129
- 10 items / month (in 2 shipments of 5): $164
When you compare them side-by-side, Nuuly offers more items (6 vs. 5) for $31 less than RTR’s most basic, comparable plan. The value is clear. While RTR’s 10-item plan offers swaps, it’s significantly more expensive. For the value, I get so much more out of my $98 from Nuuly.
Can You Buy Clothes on Nuuly? (The “Keep” vs. “Thrift Shop” Explainer)
Yes, and this is a key feature! But it can be confusing because there are two different ways to buy from them. Both are only for active subscribers.
1. “Keeping” Items from Your Box: This is the most common way. You’re renting a pair of jeans, you fall in love, and you decide you can’t send them back. Nuuly charges you a discounted purchase price, and you’re done. I rarely do this (I’ve only kept ~2 items since 2022) because my mindset is to rent, not shop. But the option is great, and they sometimes offer stackable coupons!
2. “The Thrift Shop” (A Subscriber-Only Store): This is what you might see called “Nuuly Thrift.” It is not a peer-to-peer site like Poshmark. “The Thrift Shop” is an exclusive, final-sale store inside the Nuuly platform, just for subscribers. It’s filled with clothes that Nuuly has retired from its rental rotation. You can buy these items outright (at a great discount) and they ship for free inside your next rental box. It’s a fantastic way to snag deals without taking up one of your 6 rental spots.
The Cons: The Risks You Must Know Before Subscribing
No Nuuly subscription review would be honest without the cons. These are the things you need to be aware of.
Con: The Event Gamble (You Only Get One Size)
For event attire, this is Nuuly’s biggest weakness compared to RTR. If you are renting a dress for a critical event (like a wedding you’re in), it’s dicey. You only get to pick one size. If it doesn’t fit, you are screwed. Rent the Runway is better for this specific need, as they often let you select a backup size for free.
Con: Quality Control Can Be Hit-or-Miss (The “Wrinkle” Factor)
Sometimes, items arrive and you can tell they were just washed and not professionally ironed or steamed. I’ve received things that are more worn out than I’d like.
The Silver Lining: Nuuly’s customer service is excellent. If you get a damaged or worn item, just snap a picture and send it to them. They’ve always refunded me for that item (about $17) and given me a credit for a bonus item in my next box.
Con: The Shipping Time Can Be Slow
This is my biggest personal con. I’m based in San Francisco, and I find that it takes at least 5 business days for my box to get to me. For context, I just placed my latest order on a Thursday morning, and it’s not scheduled to arrive until Tuesday end-of-day. When you’re paying for a 30-day rental, that’s a long time to wait.
Con: You Must Do Your Homework (A.K.A. Read the Reviews)
This is not a “set it and forget it” service. You have to spend time reading the reviews for sizing and fit. If you don’t, you’ll end up with a box where half the items don’t fit. I often see this complaint, and it’s almost always from people who aren’t using the review feature. If you don’t want to spend time saving items to your closet and reading reviews, you won’t enjoy this.
My Top 3 Tips for Your First Nuuly Box
If I’ve convinced you and you’re signing up, here is my “pro-user” advice.
- Master the “Closet” and Filter by “New”: Save things to your closet constantly. But my best tip is to filter by “All Styles” and sort by “Newest.” This shows you all the new arrivals and they are unlikely to have wear-and-tear yet. Note – downside is they won’t have reviews so you’ll do a little gambling there, but…
- Be Wary of Items with Tons of Reviews: If an item has 100+ reviews, that means it has been in heavy rotation. This is where you run the risk of getting an item that’s faded, shrunk, or visibly worn out. I almost always prioritize newer styles.
- Always, Always Read the Sizing Reviews: I can’t say this enough. This is the key to success. Look for reviews from women with a similar size and body type. It’s the only way to get a good fit.
Final Thoughts & Who Nuuly is Best For
Nuuly is perfect for you if:
- You get bored with your clothes easily and love trying new trends.
- You love statement pieces (like Farm Rio) but don’t want to buy them.
- You have a few events or weddings a year but also want new items for daily life.
- You are on a budget and want to get the most value for your money.
Nuuly is not for you if:
- You want a “no-hassle” service and don’t want to spend time reading reviews.
- You want clothing to fit perfectly (ie can’t just rock a sweater even if it’s a bit oversized on you).
Ready to give it a try? Click here to get $30 off your first Nuuly box!
