Have you ever wanted to try out a vibrant leather jacket or funky pair of pants, but feared wasting your paycheck on an impulse purchase? Have you ever committed to an expensive item that now collects dust in your closet? You might be able to say goodbye to post-shopping regret thanks to Nuuly, a new clothing rental service.
As an superfan of Nuuly, I’ll admit it’s nearly impossible to give an impartial review. But I hope to give readers a better understanding of renting from the perspective of a college shopaholic.
Nuuly was created by URBN – the company that owns Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People. It launched in the summer of 2019 and has clothing from over 100 brands including their own stores, Loveshackfancy and For Love & Lemons. If you love these brands as much as I do, you know they can be quite pricey. But for $88 a month, Nuuly subscribers pick six clothing pieces to borrow until the next billing date. Two-day shipping and returns are free and you can ‘pause’ your subscription at any time, according to their website.
Clothing rental companies present themselves as an efficient, guilt-free option for shoppers. They’ve drawn increasing popularity from the ability of users to wear the perfect dress for a wedding or rock a bold statement piece without fear of one-time-use or breaking the bank. Subscribers have freedom to test the waters of fashion. And who doesn’t love the feeling of a new package waiting on their doorstep?
At first, I was reluctant to hop on the clothing rental train. I was unsure I’d be willing to pay $88 each month. I figured I would probably end up paying for other shopping on top of Nuuly’s subscription. But I realized Nuuly deserved a shot when I’d saved 37 items in my shopping cart after just two minutes perusing their website.
I browsed through more clothes, read sizing reviews and gathered all my favorite brands. There were all kinds of clothing from fancy maxi dresses to fluffy winter coats. The beauty of Nuuly was that I got to pick clothing I loved but couldn’t afford to actually purchase.
When the package arrived on my doorstep, the thrill was undeniable. It was like playing dress up as a kid. My hope was that my subscription would help reduce, if not replace, in-person shopping costs. Fortunately, the new items momentarily suppressed my desire to shop. The best part about my Nuuly items were all the compliments I received. My family laughed each time someone new commented on my Avec Les Filles coat.
As I mentioned, I have just a slight shopping addiction. So let’s talk about what happens if you decide you absolutely cannot part ways with your rental items. If you fall in love with any of your pieces – which you will – you can purchase them with a considerable discount. Depending on condition, number of rentals and the original price, the item will be marked down 20–70%. The discounts are typically fantastic. And extremely dangerous.
Now let’s talk about returns – the saddest part of my month. Returns are free and Nuuly takes care of damage and dry cleaning. There are no late fees, so if you really love an item and want to keep it for another month, you can. If you have questions, you can chat with live representatives on the Nuuly site. They were very responsive and helpful, another feature that makes renting so easy.
My tip for Nuuly users: strategize when selecting your items. If you’re going to a chilly climate, pick out some fun winter jackets and corduroy pants. When a tropical vacation rolls around, check out the abundant sun dresses and tunics.
I highly recommend Nuuly, especially to college girls and working women who want to switch things up. I love that they have eye-catching clothing suitable for both work and play. I ditched my unhealthy shopping habits and have officially hopped on the clothing rental bandwagon. I have a feeling there’s no going back!
words, photo & video_natalie abatemaro