Compare Nuuly and Rent the Runway

Nuuly and Rent the Runway are both women's clothing rental services that offer customers the opportunity to access a wide range of brands and styles without committing to a purchase. However, there are some key differences between the two. Nuuly, part of the URBN family of companies, focuses on sustainability and offers an affordable monthly subscription plan of $88. They have eliminated the use of single-use plastic bags by using reusable garment bags made from post-consumer plastic. Nuuly is a great fit for customers who value sustainability, creativity, and flexibility in their fashion choices. Rent the Runway, on the other hand, is a well-established rental service that carries notable designer brands and offers free dry cleaning, free two-day shipping, and rental insurance. It is ideal for customers who prioritize fashion and style in their daily lives and are looking for a more sustainable and cost-effective way to access designer clothing. Overall, both Nuuly and Rent the Runway provide customers with the opportunity to stay on-trend and experiment with different styles without the commitment of purchasing. The choice between the two ultimately depends on individual preferences, whether it's a focus on sustainability and affordability with Nuuly or access to high-quality designer clothing with Rent the Runway.

At a Glance

Comparison Between
Nuuly
Nuuly
Rent the Runway
Rent the Runway
Category Apparel Apparel
Speciality Formalwear, Clothing Formalwear, Clothing
DTCetc Score 80/100 78/100
Target Audience Fashion-savvy women Women, fashion, luxury
Stereotype Boho Fashionista
Pricing Rating
$$$$$ This brand is moderately priced
$$$$$ This brand is moderately priced
Sustainability Score
90/100
This brand scores excellent in sustainability
80/100
This brand scores excellent in sustainability
Quality Score
80/100
This brand scores excellent for product quality
90/100
This brand scores excellent for product quality

Who shops at Nuuly Vs. Rent the Runway

Who shops at Nuuly

Customers who are drawn to the boho stereotype would find Nuuly useful for a variety of reasons. These customers are typically looking for unique, eclectic pieces that reflect their free-spirited and artistic personalities. They value sustainability and are conscious of their impact on the environment. Nuuly aligns with these values by offering a rental service that reduces waste and promotes reuse. Additionally, the brand's commitment to using reusable garment bags made from post-consumer plastic further demonstrates their dedication to sustainability.

Boho customers also appreciate the ability to mix and match different styles and brands to create their own unique look. Nuuly's extensive selection of over 150 brands each month allows customers to explore and experiment with different styles without committing to a purchase. This aligns with the boho customer's desire for freedom and self-expression.

Overall, Nuuly is a great fit for customers who value sustainability, creativity, and flexibility in their fashion choices. The brand's commitment to these values, along with their affordable monthly subscription plan, make it an attractive option for those who want to stay on-trend without sacrificing their personal values.

More about Nuuly →

Who shops at Rent the Runway

Customers who would find Rent the Runway useful are those who prioritize fashion and style in their daily lives. These customers are typically fashion-forward and enjoy experimenting with different styles and trends. They are willing to invest in high-quality designer clothing but may not have the budget to purchase these items outright. Rent the Runway aligns with these customers' values as it offers a cost-effective way to access designer clothing without the commitment of purchasing.

Additionally, Rent the Runway is ideal for customers who attend events such as weddings, galas, or other formal occasions. These customers may not want to purchase a dress that they will only wear once, and Rent the Runway provides a solution by offering a wide selection of formalwear for rent.

Overall, Rent the Runway is a great option for customers who value fashion and style but are looking for a more sustainable and cost-effective way to access designer clothing.

More about Rent the Runway →

Nuuly Vs. Rent the Runway The Pros

Nuuly's Pros

  • Nuuly is a great solution for people who want to always have a fresh closet without breaking the bank. The brands available are top-notch and the selection is wide-ranging.
  • Nuuly is a great way to engage in trends without funneling through fast fashion items that won't last the season or won't get worn more than once.
  • Nuuly has a “save to closet” feature which allows customers to save items they may want to rent at any time.
  • Nuuly comes with a little kit (sewing and deodorant eraser) which is very handy.
  • Nuuly has cute selections and the shipping and returns process is easy to do.
  • Nuuly has an extremely responsive customer service team.
  • Customers can rent high-end pieces for a fraction of the price and can even keep (and pay for) clothes from the rental if they want.
More about Nuuly →

Rent the Runway's Pros

  • Was an early adopter of RTR back in 2010, with amazing customer service and access to super cute, trendy, special occasion dresses.
  • Rent the Runway allows users to rent nice designer clothing for a fraction of the price of buying, and real reviews and photos of people wearing the clothes in real life are available.
  • They bring in cute new on trend items and offer sample sales in NY.
  • Delivery is fairly consistent and fast in NYC.
  • Renting clothes is much better for the environment than fast fashion.
  • The customer service is kind and super responsive, and their selection is impressive.
  • Over time, RTR has narrowed in on sizing very well.
  • It has saved customers real money and helped elevate their personal and professional style.
  • Love the novelty of getting new clothes in the mail and the subscription is very fun.
More about Rent the Runway →

Nuuly Vs. Rent the Runway The Cons

Nuuly's Cons

  • The quality of some items in the Nuuly box is subpar.
  • The clothing in the Nuuly box may arrive wrinkled and require additional care.
  • Nuuly's logistics can be unreliable, resulting in delayed orders.
  • Exchanges are not an option with Nuuly.
More about Nuuly →

Rent the Runway's Cons

  • The website has a lot of low-quality items that make it difficult to find the best pieces.
  • Customer service can be impersonal and unhelpful at times.
  • The selection may not work for all body types.
  • The clothes may not hold up well over time.
  • The rental window is too short.
  • The company has had recent management issues, including layoffs.
  • The new plan has received negative feedback from some customers.
More about Rent the Runway →

Nuuly's shipping policy Vs. Rent the Runway's Shipping Policy

Nuuly's shipping policy

Nuuly ships all orders within the US using UPS from Monday through Friday. It usually takes two business days to process the order and an additional three business days for delivery. Nuuly does not offer expedited shipping and all orders are shipped in the Nuuly reusable garment bag, except for any oversized items which will be shipped in a separate bag. Nuuly does not ship to APO/FPO or PO box addresses. There are no additional shipping costs or deals for purchases over a certain price.

More about Nuuly →

Rent the Runway's shipping policy

Rent the Runway is currently only available in the United States and offers a variety of shipping options. For domestic customers, standard shipping costs $10, Manhattan same day delivery is $10, non-Manhattan next day delivery is $10, Manhattan Saturday delivery is $10, and non-Manhattan Saturday delivery is $35. Customers can track their orders using the ‘order tracking’ link on each item they’ve requested and orders will ship 1-2 days before the rental date begins. There are no international shipping options.

More about Rent the Runway →

Nuuly's return policy vs Rent the Runway's Return Policy

Nuuly's return policy

Nuuly offers customers a prepaid return label to return items from their monthly order. Items that customers choose to keep and purchase are final sale and are not eligible for a refund. To return items, customers must zip them up in the Nuuly reusable garment bag, slip the prepaid return label into the outside clear pocket, and drop it off at UPS or schedule a pickup. Customers should return items two to three business days before the billing date in order to unlock the account on time. Any items that are not returned before the billing date will not incur late fees, but the account will not be able to place another order until the current order is scanned by UPS. Items that customers wish to keep can be purchased from the Rental History in the account. Nuuly does not accept returns on any items that have been purchased. It takes the company one to two business days to process a return.

More about Nuuly →

Rent the Runway's return policy

Rent the Runway allows customers to return their items either online or in-store. Customers must package their rentals in the reusable bag it was sealed in and they are provided with free two day shipping for returns. Intimates are not refundable or exchangeable and members can return as many pieces as they want when they want with Unlimited Swaps. Returns must be made within the specified time limit and the company typically processes returns within two business days.

More about Rent the Runway →