If you have a wedding, gala, or formal dinner coming up, you do not need to buy a new dress. The math is simple. A single designer dress costs $200 to $600. A monthly rental subscription costs $98 to $168. For most people, renting wins.
But which service? Rent the Runway and Nuuly are the two biggest names in dress rental. They work differently, carry different brands, and charge different prices. Here is exactly how they compare — and which one you should pick for your next event.
How the Two Services Actually Work
Both are subscription-based. You pay a flat monthly fee, pick items from their catalog, wear them, send them back. But the details matter.
Rent the Runway: The Original
Rent the Runway launched in 2009. It offers two main plans. The RTR Update plan costs $98 per month for four items at a time. The RTR Reserve plan costs $168 per month for four items with unlimited swaps. You can also buy a one-time rental for a single dress — typically $30 to $80.
Inventory includes over 800 brands. Expect names like Badgley Mischka, Marchesa, Self-Portrait, and Shoshanna. Most dresses are high-end formalwear. You can filter by size (00 to 22), color, occasion, and length.
Shipping is free both ways. You keep the items for as long as you want on the Reserve plan. On Update, you swap them out when you receive your next box.
Nuuly: The Urban Outfitters Option
Nuuly launched in 2019 as a subsidiary of Urban Outfitters. The single plan costs $98 per month for six items. That is two more items than Rent the Runway’s base plan for the same price.
Nuuly carries brands from the Urban Outfitters family: Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters, plus third-party labels like Farm Rio, Ganni, and Molly Goddard. The vibe is less formal and more boho-chic. Great for brunch, rehearsal dinners, and casual weddings. Less ideal for black-tie galas.
Shipping is free. You get one month per rental cycle. Return everything in the prepaid bag and pick your next six items.
| Feature | Rent the Runway | Nuuly |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $98 (Update) / $168 (Reserve) | $98 |
| Items per month | 4 | 6 |
| Brand focus | Designer formalwear | Contemporary / boho |
| One-time rental | Yes ($30–$80) | No (subscription only) |
| Size range | 00–22 | XS–3X |
| Shipping | Free both ways | Free both ways |
Which Service Has Better Inventory?
This is where the two diverge hard. Rent the Runway owns the formal occasion space. Nuuly owns the everyday-to-semi-formal space. Neither is better overall — they are better for different events.
Rent the Runway has a dedicated Wedding Guest filter. You can select “Mother of the Bride” or “Bridesmaid” and get curated options. The dresses are often beaded, floor-length, and structured. Think satin, chiffon, and lace. For a black-tie wedding, Rent the Runway is the clear pick.
Nuuly excels at printed dresses, midi lengths, and linen separates. A typical Nuuly box might include a Farm Rio floral maxi, a Free People embroidered blouse, and an Anthropologie velvet blazer. It is better for destination weddings, garden parties, and events where you want to look stylish but not overdressed.
One mistake people make: signing up for Nuuly for a formal gala. You will find maybe 20 gowns in the catalog. Rent the Runway has hundreds. Check the event dress code before picking a service.
Pricing Breakdown: When to Subscribe vs. Rent Once
Not every event justifies a monthly subscription. Here is the math.
If you need one dress for one event, a one-time rental from Rent the Runway costs $30 to $80. That is cheaper than a month of either subscription. Do not subscribe for a single event unless you plan to use the service again within 30 days.
If you have two or three events in one month, a subscription makes sense. At $98 for four items, you can rent one dress for Event A, one for Event B, and two accessories. That beats buying at $150+ per dress.
Nuuly only offers a subscription. You cannot rent a single item. If you only need one dress and do not want to commit, choose Rent the Runway’s one-time rental.
Pro tip: Both services let you pause your subscription. If you sign up for Nuuly for a month of events, pause it after. Do not let it auto-renew.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Rental services are not perfect. Here are the three most common complaints and how to avoid them.
Problem 1: The dress does not fit. Sizing varies wildly between brands. A size 6 at Badgley Mischka fits differently than a size 6 at Farm Rio. Rent the Runway offers a backup size option for $10 extra. Use it for high-stakes events. Nuuly does not offer backups — order two sizes if you are unsure, then return the one that does not fit.
Problem 2: The dress arrives damaged or stained. Both services inspect items before shipping. But it happens. Check your dress immediately upon arrival. If you see a stain or tear, contact customer service within 24 hours. They will usually send a replacement or refund that rental.
Problem 3: You forget to return it. Late fees add up fast. Rent the Runway charges $15 per day after the due date. Nuuly charges a flat $15 late fee per item. Set a calendar reminder for the return date. Use the prepaid shipping label and drop it off the day before.
When NOT to Use a Rental Service
Renting is not always the answer. Here are three situations where buying makes more sense.
You need the dress for more than two weeks. Both services expect items back within a month. If you are traveling for three weeks and need the dress the whole time, you are effectively paying for two months. Buying a mid-range dress from ASOS or Lulus (often $80–$120) may be cheaper.
You are hard on clothes. Rental dresses have seen many wearers. If you spill wine or tear a seam, you may face a replacement fee. Rent the Runway charges up to the retail price for irreparable damage. Nuuly charges a flat $50 fee for minor damage, up to full retail for major damage. If you are clumsy, buy a cheap dress instead.
You want to keep the dress. Both services let you buy the item at a discount. But the discount is usually 30–50% off retail. That is still often more than buying the same dress on sale at Nordstrom or The Outnet. If you think you will love the dress and want to wear it again, check the sale price before committing to a rental-to-own.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Pick?
For a black-tie wedding or formal gala, use Rent the Runway. Their inventory of gowns and designer labels is unmatched. The one-time rental option also saves you from a monthly commitment.
For a casual wedding, brunch, or multiple events in one month, use Nuuly. Six items for $98 is a better deal. You can rent dresses, tops, and accessories for different occasions. The boho and contemporary styles fit most semi-formal dress codes.
For a single event on a tight budget, rent one dress from Rent the Runway for $30–$80. Do not subscribe unless you have more events lined up.
Both services are reliable. Both have good customer service. The choice comes down to what you are wearing and how many times you need it. Check the dress code. Count your events. Then pick the service that fits.
