Our editors used Nuuly to get the closet of their dreams — on a budget

There are many reasons why a woman (I refer to myself) would have nothing to wear despite having a wardrobe full of clothes. From impulse buys to seasonal staples, sometimes you just want something trendy without spending more. However, since my Nuuly discovery, my daily wardrobe problems have become a monthly outfit plan, carefully curated with new pieces.

While I have tried other rental services in the past, Nuuly seemed like an affordable way to end my shopping urges and return conundrums. Aside from being an expensive activity, shopping can be time-consuming, too.

I’ve been a Nuuly customer since April 2023 and this service has saved me thousands of dollars on garments for a plethora of occasions. From elegant frocks to avant-garde coats, I always feel like I have something to wear.

Last October I met Nuuly’s head of product, Sky Pollard, to discuss the benefits of renting versus buying and how it can be a money-saving and sustainable option. I also spoke with celebrity stylist Kim Appelt for her tips on clothing rental and how to get the most from it.

What is Nuuly? | How does it work | What to rent with Nuuly? | Favorite Nuuly pieces | What we like about Nuuly | What Nuuly could do better | Who can benefit from Nuuly

Nuuly is a clothing rental subscription that allows customers to rent six pieces at a time for a monthly fee of $98. “Nuuly carries inventory from our URBN sister brands, Anthropology, Free People and Urban Outfitters, which is a differentiating factor from other rental companies,” says Pollard. The fashion rental model has been around for a while, with its first venture being in formal and occasion wear.

Compared to similar services, Nuuly feels different in terms of price, accessibility, efficiency and variety. “We carry a range of sizes, from petite to 5X, plus a large selection of maternity,” Pollard explains.

Nuuly offers an assortment of styles, from casual wear to special occasions that customers can rent for a month. The service is flexible and can be paused for the customer’s convenience. As for the garment offerings, there’s something for any occasion. “Anything that’s going in a customer’s life, whether it’s a date or a work function, they can fill their Nuuly cart accordingly,” says Pollard.

Below is a breakdown of the shopping process, sizing, price and shipping.

The $98 per month fee is for six items that customers choose for the month ahead. They can also purchase up to four additional picks for $20 per item. “We don’t do swaps, that’s one of the ways that Nuuly keeps the costs in check but if a customer gets something damaged through our processing, we’ll offer ways to offset that mistake,” says Pollard.

Nuuly offers a range of sizes, from petite to plus sizes though if you are unsure of your size in a specific brand, there are reviews to help find the right fit. “We do include model sizes and what size customers are wearing. However, if it’s a brand you’ve worn before, you might know what size you’ll be. Some customers are hesitant to try an item without reviews since the fit is troublesome,” notes Pollard.

That is why reviews detail the age, height, weight, body type and bra size of customers for the ideal fit.

The $98 fee covers the six garments and also covers returns once the month is coming to an end. An additional benefit is that customers don’t have to wash the items before returning them. “The service is already included in the monthly subscription,” says Pollard.

Additionally, after your rental service is delivered, customers are offered the opportunity to buy the pieces they are renting at a discounted rate. I have previously had to option to buy a dress from Dhruv Kapoor that was 50% off so I would be able to keep a piece I loved for less. However, this option is only available while you are renting the garment.

Nuuly’s ease of return is what keeps me coming back. Their sustainable packaging and easy-to-peel labels, also allow for seamless returns. The reusable bag (which looks like a box) comes with a handle that is easy to carry to the carrier. It also comes with a pre-paid label so all you need to do is place your worn items back into the bag and send them off.

Appelt recommends renting designer dresses for special occasions or galas, statement pieces for unique events, or even high-quality basics to test out different brands. “Renting allows you to enjoy a variety of styles without the long-term investment.”

I (Espinal) have rented pieces that I know I would only wear three to five times as trends evolve. This strategy gives me an opportunity to be on-trend without committing to a specific fashion cycle. Below you’ll discover some of our editors’ favorite pieces.

White essential: Free People Heart of Mine Dress

If you’re looking for a white dress, this one exudes the coastal chic aesthetic for the perfect fit and style. It’s easy to adjust, offers a great silhouette and is lined for extra coverage. I wore this for a day trip to DC and got many compliments, plus I was able to dress it up or down with the right footwear. While this is sold out, Nuuly is offering me to purchase this dress for 56% off.

Going for length: The Wolf Gang Alyss Maxi Dress

This is another dress I recently rented and truly adore. It’s so comfortable and ideal for warm days. Currently, I can purchase this for 52% off from my rental box. The original retail price is $258 and with the discount, I can save over $130 on this dress.

Denim desire: The Madi Front-Slit Denim Skirt

Senior editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil uses Nuuly for the office, special events and life in general. “I usually try to include a fun top I can pair with my favorite jeans and an item or two I can wear to the office,” she says. This denim skirt is flirty and elegant enough to mix and match with bold tops.

Cocktail hour is calling: The Maya Ruched Cowl-Neck Dress Mesh Edition

This is another dress favorited by Cocchi Zabloudil. “When choosing items for my rental order, I think about what I have going on that month. I’m attending seven weddings this year, so there’s usually a wedding guest dress or two in the mix (I usually have luck with the brands Hutch, Elliat or Astr the Label). If I have a bridal shower, bachelorette party or a vacation, I’ll rent items accordingly,” she says.

A flirty sensation: Kourt Dolly Satin Top

This is one of the tops previously added to Cocchi Zabloudil’s rental closet. Aside from its popularity, this is a top you can wear with skirts, jean shorts and pants.

Straight to the point: Riley Cropped Slim Straight Jeans

If you’re on the journey to find the perfect jean, this is a great choice to try. Like Cocci Zabloudil, I also add denim and other basic pieces to rental service when I need to upgrade my wardrobe for the month.

During the 9-months hiatus: Jacquard Tiered Dress

Editor Rebecca Brown has tried this dress before and loves how Nuuly gives her access to trendy pieces for a few months. “I rented this for a baby shower and wore it eight months pregnant. I just sized up and it worked. I’d never buy a nice maternity dress for such a short life moment, so this was perfect,” says Brown.

One of the key factors that make Nuuly unique is its flexible subscription. You can pause your rental service at any time and they don’t charge fees for cleaning or damages. “It’s all within the monthly subscription price,” says Pollard.

Another benefit is their style of assortments. Nuuly has curated edits based on special occasions and seasonal trends. There’s also a section for essentials and new arrivals that compiles highly rated and most-reviewed pieces. Personally, this makes my online search easier when adding items to my cart.

Cocchi Zabloudil is also a fan of the vast selection of styles and options. “I mainly use it to mix up my wardrobe while curbing my shopping habit. I enjoy browsing the Nuuly app every month to pick out my rental items, which feels like shopping. For me, the $98 monthly fee is more economical than buying a few fast fashion pieces every month that I’ll regret later. I also enjoy trying out new trends and statement pieces, since renting feels like less of a commitment than making a purchase.”

Nuuly’s core demographic leans younger with the majority falling in the 25 to 35 age range It’s a group of people engaged in a number of activities that justifies having six new items to wear every month. “That group is our main focus when it comes to building our assortments,” says Pollard.

Offering more timeless and mature options is a space I can see Nuuly growing to be even more inclusive. With over 20,000 pieces across their website, there is a lot to choose from and the garments tend to fall into trendier fashion cycles that can be harder to sift through for the mature consumer.

In addition to offering more classic styles, the other downside is that you can only purchase a garment while you are renting it. So if you’re still thinking about a dress you wore a few months back, the only way to purchase it is to rent it again.

Another thing to note is that you can’t swap items once you’ve received them. If the item doesn’t fit as well as expected, you won’t be able to try a different size until the following month.

Appelt has used clothing rental for her clients and says, “Clothing rental services are perfect for anyone looking to refresh their wardrobe without the commitment of buying new pieces. It’s especially beneficial for those attending special events, trying out new trends or wanting to minimize their environmental impact by reducing fashion waste.”

Life changes can also give women plenty of reasons to update their style. Whether you’re going through pregnancy or starting a new job, a rental service can provide a wardrobe refresh without the need to invest in the full price tag.

Brown also has used the rental service for specific life moments like “during pregnancy, or when I’m going on a big vacation.”

“I use it mainly to rent pieces that are so trend-specific I know I’ll get tired of [wearing] it in a few months so I don’t want to make the purchase. Most recently I rented the Citizen of Humanity horseshoe jeans for three months straight,” says Brown.

It’s like test-driving a car without fully committing to it. “Maybe you’re going through postpartum and your body’s changing, or maybe you want to try a different style without compromising on a huge expense,” adds Pollard.

It’s also a good option for those interested in trendy styles from brands they might not have tried otherwise. They offer brands like Anthropology, Universal Standard, Madewell, ASTR and other brands that offer plus sizes. They’ve also partnered with Eloquii, a plus-size-only brand with more classic styles in its inventory to provide more fashion convenience.

In my experience as a fashion journalist, Nuuly has helped me experiment with different brands and sizes, while identifying those key pieces that compile my personal style. After wearing certain pieces from my rental, I can gauge which items I’ll be wearing frequently and adhere better to my current pieces. Whereas, shopping directly from a store makes me hesitant to return them. While there is room for growth, I think this is a solid money-saving option for those interested in expanding their style without the commitment.

Every piece featured in this article has been worn by one of our editors. None of the editors are partnered with Nuuly and this is a story based on personal experience with the clothing service.

• Kim Appelt is a personal and celebrity stylist and author of the Amazon bestselling book “Style for Everybody,” which focuses on creating a classic and timeless wardrobe for individuals based on their body, style and life.  
• Sky Pollard is the head of product at Nuuly, a clothing rental and resale platform.