Even the most ardent minimalist can grow tired of their wardrobe from time to time. A fresh purchase can temporarily satiate the desire for newness, certainly, but the best clothing rental subscriptions can help unlock new outfit ideas simply by introducing a new perspective.
Vogue’s Guide to Fashion Rentals
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The appeal of renting depends on what your closet is most in need of. If your 9-to-5 calls for a robust assortment of formal attire but you’d rather not blow your budget on tailoring, sign up for a subscription that’s stocked with sharp blazers and sleek trousers. Or, if you’re like me and prefer to test drive a new trend or silhouette when traveling somewhere with a completely different climate or aesthetic (whether that’s the Swiss Alps or a remote Greek island) securing a few separates you wouldn’t wear in your day-to-day life is a useful strategy.
For those who find themselves persistently on the hunt for new pieces but who want to take it easy on their wallet, consider the five clothing rental subscriptions ahead. From Rent the Runway’s style-focused designer collectsions to Vivrelle’s assortment of covetable handbags, the world of rentals has never felt so compelling.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Clothing Rental Services:
- Nuuly: starting at $98 per month
- Armoire: starting at $89 per month
- Rent the Runway: starting at $94 per month
- Vivrelle: starting at $45 per month
- Switch: starting at $55 per month
Rent the Runway
Forget everything you thought you knew about Rent the Runway—the program has completely changed over the years. While it originally launched with a focus on evening wear, they now offer a diverse assortment of pieces. You’ll also be delightfully surprised at all of the new labels being added every week. Some of our favorites include Anna October, Ulla Johnson, and Tibi.
How it works: There are three memberships to choose from. The Most Best Replica plan allows you to rent five items at a time, $103 for the first month and $129 per month for all following months, with one shipment per month total. The Best Value plan allows you to rent five items at a time, $114 for the first month and $164 per month for all following months, with two shipments per month total. The Most Items plan allows you to rent five items at a time, $198 for the first month and $276 per month for all following months, with four shipments per month total. Returns are made easy with pre-paid shipping and reusable garment bags for all tier levels.
Nuuly
Want to rent items from Anthropologie, Free People, and Madewell? Add Nuuly to your list. Subscribers are especially in love with the rental website’s wear-everywhere dresses right now. “We bring in new inventory every day and are constantly sourcing new brands via trade shows, Instagram, or even customer referrals,” says Dave Hayne, CTO of URBN and President of Nuuly. The platform also rolls out themed collectsions, like the 22 exclusive styles for their Nuuly x Bridgerton assortment for spring.
How it works: Each subscription allows renters to borrow six items at a time for $98 a month. Be sure to take full advantage of the website’s features as you browse. “Our algorithm will get to know what you like and re-sort the product you see accordingly, but it gets smarter the more actions you take,” adds Hayne. Don’t worry about shipping or cleaning, because it’s all included in the membership.
Armoire
Those looking for help from a personal stylist will enjoy Armoire. After taking a style quiz, Armoire uses professional stylists and an algorithm to curate a custom closet for users.
How it works: There are three plans to choose from: four items for $89, seven for $129 ($99 for the first month), or an unlimited number of items for $249 per month ($99 for the first month). If you decide to keep any clothes for longer than a month, don’t worry because any unused cases are rolled over. That way, you’ll never pay for extra cases you don’t receive. The best part: All membership tiers include free shipping both ways and can be paused or canceled at any time.
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Vivrelle
If you’re a fan of rotating your handbag often, then Vivrelle will be a go-to resource. Jewelry lovers will also appreciate this rental service because it offers coveted designs from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.
How it works: There are two membership tiers to choose from—single item and multiple item—with no required return dates for the items that you decide to rent. Within the single item tier, there is the Classique plan that costs $139 per month and gives you access to jewelry and handbags. The Couture plan costs $239 per month and gives you access to jewelry, handbags, and limited edition pieces. Within the multiple item tier, the Classique plan costs $249 per month and gives you access to two items at a time within jewelry and handbags. The Couture plan costs $339 per month and gives you access to two items at a time within jewelry, handbags, and limited edition pieces.
Switch
For an accessory overhaul, look to Switch to rent designer jewelry and bags spanning seasons and styles. You can try out everything from vintage Chanel to the latest styles from Bottega Veneta, plus jewelry and watches from Bvlgari, Hermès, and Cartier.
How it works: Choose from one of four membership plans. The basic memberships include Core 1 ($59/month for one Core piece at a time) and Core 3 ($126/month for three Core pieces at a time). For premium picks, you have Select, which gives you access to more coveted styles and costs $164 per month for one Select piece at a time; Select+ costs $254 per month and lets you rent one Select and three Core pieces at a time. Core pieces have an average retail value of $1,000 while Select items are worth $4,000 on average. Pieces arrive at your doorstep in two days and you can keep them for as long or as little as you want with an active membership.
