You have a wedding in six weeks. A gala next month. Maybe three events in one season. Buying a new dress for each is financially reckless. Renting is the obvious answer, but choosing between Rent the Runway and Nuuly is where most people stall. Both promise designer dresses at a fraction of retail. They operate differently, charge differently, and serve different kinds of renters.
Pricing Models: What You’ll Actually Pay
Rent the Runway uses a membership model. You pay a monthly fee and swap items throughout the month. Nuuly uses a per-box model. You pay per box of six items, keep them for a month, then return everything at once.
The price gap matters more than people assume. Rent the Runway’s lowest tier costs $89 per month for 5 items, but the fine print matters. The 5-item plan limits you to one shipment per month. For a single event, that works. For multiple events in different weeks, you’ll need the $119 monthly plan with two shipments. Nuuly charges $98 per box of 6 items, flat rate, no membership commitment. You can skip months freely.
| Feature | Rent the Runway | Nuuly |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $89/month (5 items, 1 shipment) | $98/box (6 items) |
| Commitment | Monthly membership, cancel anytime | No commitment, pay per box |
| Items per cycle | 5-10 depending on tier | 6 fixed |
| Insurance included | Yes, minor damage covered | Yes, minor wear covered |
| Purchase discount | Up to 40% off retail | Varies, often 20-30% off |
| Shipping | Included | Included both ways |
For a single event, Nuuly is usually cheaper. For a season of events, Rent the Runway’s multiple shipments win. The math is that simple.
Hidden Fees Nobody Mentions
Both services charge for lost items or damage beyond normal wear. Rent the Runway’s “minor damage forgiveness” covers small snags and stains. Nuuly’s policy is similar but stricter on missing items. If you lose a belt or detachable strap, expect a charge. Read the damage policy before renting anything with removable parts.
Inventory: What You Can Actually Find
Rent the Runway has the deeper designer bench. You’ll find brands like Badgley Mischka, Marchesa Notte, and Monique Lhuillier consistently available. Nuuly leans more contemporary and casual. Think Free People, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters brands, plus some designer crossover like Selkie and LoveShackFancy.
For a black-tie wedding, Rent the Runway wins. They stock more formal gowns in more sizes. For a cocktail party or semi-formal event, the gap narrows. Nuuly’s selection skews younger and trendier, which works if you want something that doesn’t look like a traditional “rental dress.”
Size availability is where Rent the Runway pulls ahead significantly. They carry sizes 0-22 across most styles, with dedicated plus-size inventory. Nuuly’s size range is improving but inconsistent. If you’re above a size 14, Rent the Runway is the safer bet for formal events.
Fit Accuracy and Backup Sizes
Rent the Runway lets you add a free backup size on most items. This is huge for formal wear, where a half-inch difference in waist fit ruins an evening. Nuuly doesn’t offer backup sizes. You get one size per item. If it doesn’t fit, you’re stuck until the next box.
When NOT to Rent
Renting makes sense if you attend events regularly or need a dress you’ll wear once. It makes zero sense if you attend events sporadically and have time to shop sales. A $98 Nuuly box buys a decent dress on sale at Nordstrom Rack or Saks Off 5th. You’d own it forever.
Also skip renting if you’re between sizes and picky about fit. Rental dresses can’t be altered. A tailor can’t take in the waist on a rented gown. If you know you’ll need alterations, buy something on sale and pay the tailor. The total cost will likely beat rental frustration.
Last point: if you’re attending a destination event and need the dress for more than a month, rental math breaks down. Extending a Nuuly box costs extra. Rent the Runway memberships roll over, but you’re paying for time you may not use.
Shipping, Returns, and Turnaround Time
Rent the Runway ships via UPS with included return labels. Turnaround between shipments averages 3-5 business days. Nuuly uses UPS too, with similar timing. The difference is flexibility. Rent the Runway’s membership means you can return items individually and get replacements sooner. Nuuly requires returning the entire box before receiving a new one.
For back-to-back events in different weeks, Rent the Runway’s individual returns matter. You can send back one dress and get another while keeping the rest. Nuuly’s all-or-nothing return is a real limitation if you need different dresses for different dates within the same month.
What About Cleaning?
Both services handle dry cleaning. You don’t clean anything before returning. This is included in the price. It’s a genuine convenience, especially for silk or beaded pieces that require special care.
Verdict: My Pick for Specific Situations
For a single black-tie event: Rent the Runway’s one-time rental option (they still offer this for non-members at higher per-item prices) or the $89 monthly plan with a backup size. The backup size alone is worth it for formal wear.
For a casual wedding or rehearsal dinner: Nuuly. The Anthropologie-heavy inventory has better semi-formal options that don’t look like traditional event wear. You’ll find something you actually want to wear, not just something that fits the dress code.
For a full season of events (3+ in 3 months): Rent the Runway’s $119 plan with two shipments. The ability to swap items mid-month solves the back-to-back event problem.
For plus-size formal wear: Rent the Runway, no contest. Their size range and backup size option make them the only realistic choice for many women.
For trying trends without commitment: Nuuly. The flat $98 box with no membership means you can rent once, decide you hate the trend, and never pay again.
One more thing: both services let you purchase items you love at a discount. If you rent something and never want to take it off, buying it at 30-40% off retail is often cheaper than finding it on sale elsewhere. Factor that into your decision.
The single most important takeaway: Rent the Runway wins for formal events and size flexibility; Nuuly wins for casual-to-cocktail rental without commitment.