I don’t know how I’ve stumbled into three different rental services this year but here I am, renting my life away. And you better believe I’m reviewing all three just for you. (For reference, I’m currently renting with Nuuly, I’ve been trying out Rent the Runway and last month I was sponsored by Vivrelle, a rental service for designer bags.) You know that I’m already a pretty consistent Nuuly renter, but recently Rent the Runway reached out and asked if I’d like to try it for a couple of months. Being the curious blogger I am, I said absolutely and started my rental with them at the end of February / beginning of March. Right off the bat I noticed how different it is from Nuuly and I wanted to report back on my experience because not all rental services are alike. (If you’re not familiar with my Nuuly reviews, you can find them all here!)
Before I get to the pros and cons, let me breakdown the structure of Rent the Runway. (Note: Rent the Runway is too long to keep typing out so ‘RTR’ will be its nickname from here on out!) The backend for RTR feels a lot cleaner / more robust than Nuuly, probably because it’s been around longer but also they offer three different subscription tiers. You can rent 5 items, 10 items or 20 items (!!) a month, with 5 items split into 1, 2 or 4 shipments each month. You can change from month to month as well or add on items as needed or cancel any time (just before your next billing date!) I signed up for the 10 items a month because it was more than Nuuly’s 6 items and less than their top option of 20 items, which seemed overwhelming to me. My items were broken into 2 shipments, 5 items at a time. You must send your 5 items back to get the next shipment. Since it’s almost April, I’ve completed a whole month cycle on RTR so I feel good about giving it a not-so-quick review!
The Pros
Here is what I really like about RTR: you can keep whatever item you’re loving through multiple shipments. So let’s say you really loved a pair of denim and your next month is coming up, you can select to ‘keep’ this item as one of your next 5 items. I LOVED this option and used it twice so far. (They also have a size guarantee and will swap you a size, if you need to do so for first time customers.)
I received my first shipment SO quickly. We are talking 1- business day fast. I’m wondering if this is because I’m in the DFW area and they have a distribution center here? So this may not be the case for everyone in the US. But I was very surprised and pleased with how quick the shipping is because essentially you are paying for the days your items are in transit. (Nuuly is somewhere between 3-5 days once processed.)
As a direct comparison with Nuuly, the items from RTR seemed cleaner and of higher quality. That’s not to say that Nuuly isn’t clean but I have received pieces before that smelled or I thought they should be retired. Each piece I got from RTR was in excellent condition, even if not NWT. Now this is a bit unfair as I’ve rented on and off from Nuuly since 2023 and this was 2 shipments from RTR. But overall everything I received was top-notch.
I loved that I was able to rent handbags! I’ve always loved a bag but I’m not really into buying designer right now. So being able to rent nice, high quality on-trend handbags was a lot of fun.
The Cons
While I loved the ‘Keep’ option during the two shipments over the month, the math gets a bit confusing. Let me explain: Because it’s always 5 items at a time, when you keep an item from the previous shipment that item counts as 1, which is then deducted from your next shipment. So for instance, on their backend they show 5 slots for your next shipment, but I decided to keep a sweater, so it was reduced to 4. At the end of the day, I ended up only renting 9 items because I kept the sweater for two shipments. It was 9 items on paper, but I always had 5 items at a time therefore I rented 10 items.
I was a bit surprised with the selection of casual / everyday pieces, or rather the lack there of. It seems harsh to say so but I found myself really having to mull over items, not because I couldn’t make a choice but because I wasn’t thrilled with the selections. My process ended up being going through all of the tabs, filtering by size, sorting newest and ‘hearting’ the ones I liked. Then I chose from my easy to access Favorites folder. When I went back for my second monthly shipment, I noticed there wasn’t much new so I just chose from my favorites folder again.
Note that I am coming at this as a style influencer / blogger and with content in mind first. But one thing I immediately noticed was: I don’t know any of these brands and holy cow it’s expensive. Now there was a time that I bought designer and spent more money than I should have but that was before kids and before I turned 40. So I do not shun those pieces, but I do feel weird about renting and wearing items I wouldn’t actually buy. Now is this the influencer in me influencing these choices? Yes. But I wanted to keep as close to my own budget / reality as I could, which is maybe why I prefer Nuuly’s selection. It’s closer to my price point that I aim for as a content creator and a consumer. So that’s a con that I didn’t see coming. Do I love that $400 designer dress? Yes. Am I actually going to wear it…that’s a different thing entirely.
However, if I was in a corporate position, I would be ALL over those pieces. I can really see RTR as a nice addition to a professional wardrobe, just adding in a few nice pieces here and there. I would highly recommend this if you are bored with some of your work clothes but don’t necessarily want to re-invest in more pieces.
Overall
I really like RTR’s backend, fast shipping and ability to hold items over from month to month. I love that I can rent bags and genuinely love the high price point / quality pieces. However, I just didn’t find the selection to be as robust as Nuuly. Which is wild to say. I thought I’d prefer RTR more! But again, I’m just one month in and these are my first thoughts. Okay let’s get to what I rented!
If you are interested in trying RTR then you can sign up and use my link here (affiliate) and use code RTRxKSKEEN for 60% off your first month! It’s better than any online promo they’ve got going on since they’re working with me directly!
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I’m keeping the same rating system as my Nuuly posts as well as Cost Per Wear. Now this one was free to me as it was gifted, but I calculated it from a typical month so we could keep things consistent for comparisons sake. Which by the way, without the promo, RTR’s CPW is only $.07 more per item than Nuuly! (I did not take in account for the first month’s discount of 60% off here.)
Here are the numbers: each box is $164 for 10 pieces. So if you take the $164 divided by the 10 items, it’s about $16.40 per item, if you wear each item one time. Every item’s cost of $16.40 will be divided by the frequency of wear. (i.e. Cost of item rental ÷ times piece was worn = rental price per wear).
Here is the rating system for a quick recap!
MY RATING SYSTEM:
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ = would consider buying full price / will miss it when it’s gone!
⭑⭑⭑⭑ = really liked it, would prefer to buy on sale
⭑⭑⭑ = on the fence, liked it but can’t see myself wearing that often
⭑⭑ = liked it ok but didn’t wear it at all or found it hard to style
⭑ = didn’t like it / didn’t fit
Madewell Collarless Jacket
⭑⭑⭑
TIMES WORN OVER THE MONTH: 2
CONDITION: GOOD USED
COST PER WEAR: $8.20
I DID like this jacket but it was a bit snug at the chest for my liking. I even ordered the 10 thinking there would be more room, but alas. Boobs-1, Jacket-0. So my only issue was sizing and fit, otherwise I would have worn it a lot more especially at the beginning of the month, as we were still in cooler weather.
You can find this jacket on sale at Madewell, but size up!
Favorite Daughter Oversized Blazer
⭑⭑⭑
TIMES WORN OVER THE MONTH: 2
CONDITION: Good Used
COST PER WEAR: $8.04
Hm. This blazer was just okay. This one was also a sizing issue,as well. This was the medium and it fit…but I wanted it to be more oversized. A large would have been spot on! The condition was good, no flaws or stains or funky smells. I will say I was expecting more from the brand on this one. It felt just like one I ordered from Amazon but the price difference is about $300. This is why I like renting and you know what? It IS nice to rent more expensive brands just to see if I want to invest in them.
Was happy to send this one back at the two week mark!
Favorite Daughter Blazer | Amazon Similar Version | Quince kitten Heels
Levi’s Baggy Dad Jeans
⭑⭑⭑⭑
TIMES WORN OVER THE MONTH: 5
CONDITION: Excellent Used
COST PER WEAR: $3.28
I’ve been wanting to try this style for a bit but I’m fussy with Levi’s. Sometimes they’re too big, sometimes they’re much too small. So renting them is a good way to try them out. (Also going into a store…to try them on…but I digress) This is the size 30 and they’re a bit fitted at the waist. Still really cute, but not “baggy” like I was expecting. I ended up wearing them quite a lot, but I did end up swapping them on the second shipment for a different wash and size.
Splendid Sweater Cardigan
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
TIMES WORN OVER THE MONTH: 5
CONDITION: New With Tags
COST PER WEAR: $3.28
Love this cardigan! So much I’ve kept it for this month too! I love the rollover feature so so much. I am in the large, per usual with me and Splendid It fits perfectly, slightly loose / relaxed in this size. It’s so comfortable and it’s so easy to wear with denim, shorts, these spanx pants…etc.
It is on sale at Splendid right now! 30% off is the sale! I’ll link it here.
Splendid Sweater | Spanx Pants
NAADAM Summer Boucle Sweater Vest
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
TIMES WORN OVER THE MONTH: 3
CONDITION: New with Tags
COST PER WEAR: $5.47
I LOVE this sweater vest, so so much. I wish it was $250 because I’d probably buy it I like it that much. This top was in my second shipment and I’ve kept it for April as well. It runs a bit short, but overall fit is TTS. I’m in the large. I can’t find it anywhere but RTR, even though I’ve heard of this brand before. So I’ll just link a similar one from BR here!
Levi’s Baggy Dad Jeans
⭑⭑⭑⭑
TIMES WORN OVER THE MONTH: 3
CONDITION: New with Tags
COST PER WEAR: $5.47
Again, same review as above but I sized up to the 31 and they fit so much looser and more like they’re designed to. I liked them but I think I prefer the lighter wash. I don’t know if I would purchase these, as they’re not the most flattering for me but overall it was a nice rental for the month! Would rent again, just probably wouldn’t buy.
By Malene Birger Printed Maxi Skirt
⭑⭑⭑
TIMES WORN OVER THE MONTH: 1
CONDITION: Excellent Condition
COST PER WEAR: $16.40
This skirt has A LOT of fabric and a thin drawstring waist and it’s not my best silhouette. Honestly the first week I got it I tried it on and immediately put it back, thinking this one is a miss. But when I was shooting these photos, I loved this outfit so much I ended up wearing it this day. I did like this outfit but I was reminded that a thicker waistband or a smocked waistband is best for me with skirts. This one was probably my least favorite piece I rented.
Find my sweater vest here | mesh flats here.
VINCE. Athene East/West Shoulder Bag
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
TIMES WORN OVER THE MONTH: 10+
CONDITION: Excellent Condition
COST PER WEAR: $1.64
I loved this bag throughout the month as well! I do think it’s a bit heavy moving into spring but I love this shape! Quince has one similar and I love the brown hue for spring / summer / fall. Overall this purse was such a fun carry and I loved adding it into my outfits on here. 10/10 recommend renting handbags, what a thrill!
A.P.C. ‘Virginie’ Flap Shoulder Bag
⭑⭑⭑⭑
TIMES WORN OVER THE MONTH: 6
CONDITION: Excellent Condition
COST PER WEAR: $2.73
I love renting handbags, I’ve realized and it’s fun to swap it / mix it up each month. This one was a great size, loved the leather and it was a nice minimal bag to add in this month. I do wish the color had been a bit less yellow and more camel, but renters can’t be choosers, you know? I probably wouldn’t buy this bag but just because of the color, but I would rent again! (Does that make any sense? lol)
So that’s it for this month! I hope you guys find this interesting? It’s been fun to give it a try to see if rentals are worth it. So far I really like both RTR and Nuuly, with RTR having an edge on shipping speed and elevated styles. Let me know if you like these kind of deep dive posts!
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Affiliate Disclosure: I was gifted two months from Rent the Runway to try out but this is NOT a sponsored post! I am free to say what I want, how I want, because there are no strings attached *twirls like Maria in Sound of Music* However, while not sponsored if your interest is piqued and you do sign up, I will receive an affiliate credit, just FYI. And because they want you to sign up they're offering 60% off your first month if you sign up before March 31st. You must use this link and my code RTRxKSKEEN to get the 60% off discount!
