Nuuly vs. Rent the Runway: Battle of the Clothing Rental Services
Wirecutter manager of editorial operations Jessie Mohkami wearing the Rachel Antonoff Sal Collard Jumpsuit from Nuuly. Jessie Mohkami/NYT Wirecutter
The styles that these two services offer couldn’t be more distinct. Our testers agreed that Nuuly shines with its broader range of styles, catering to every taste from edgy and trendy to minimalist and bohemian aesthetics. In contrast, Rent the Runway skews more business-oriented, with a polished vibe that leans heavily into workwear, occasionwear, and accessories.
Let’s say, for example, you’re looking for a leather jacket on both platforms. On Rent the Runway, this search produces leather blazers, fitted silhouettes, and jackets with features such as collars, waist cinching, and waist ties. The options lean toward a polished aesthetic and lean away from more casual looks.
Nuuly’s leather-jacket selection offers some similar styles in addition to more casual and trendy silhouettes like oversize leather bomber jackets, moto-style jackets, and leather shirt jackets.
Nuuly also stands out for its diverse clothing options, as it offers a wider selection of athleisure, loungewear, and outdoor adventure gear, giving you a versatile wardrobe that goes far beyond the 9-to-5.
Tester Hali Potters wearing the Ganni Collard Button Down from Rent the Runway. Hali Potters/NYT Wirecutter
Jennifer Hyman, co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, says the company focuses on three key categories: workwear, special events, and vacation. She emphasizes that Rent the Runway isn’t targeting customers with edgy or bohemian styles, but rather those seeking a sophisticated, feminine wardrobe. In this sense, the company’s offerings are more narrowly tailored compared with Nuuly’s broader range.
Whereas Nuuly may excel in style variety and clothing categories, Rent the Runway stands out with a bonus category: accessories. Bags, jewelry, and other extras are available to rent and buy, a feature our testers loved.
Getting to rent an $800 bag from A.P.C. for special occasions or experimenting with a pair of statement sunglasses from Marc Jacobs before purchasing them is a major plus, and one area in which Nuuly falls short, especially for people who view accessories as an essential part of their closet.
Hannah Frye wearing the Marc Jacobs Sunglasses from Rent the Runway. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter
