Nuuly Review: Is This Clothing Rental Subscription Worth It?

Let me start by saying—I’ve tried more clothing subscription boxes and rental services than I care to admit. Sometimes it’s just easier than braving the mall, you know? So when I first heard about Nuuly (it’s the one affiliated with big names like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie), I figured, why not see if it’s actually worth it or just hyped up like the rest of them.

This review is going to be honest, a bit rambling (sorry in advance), and packed with my own weirdly detailed experiences and thrown-in research because, well, I’m a chronic comparison shopper. If you’re on the fence about dropping nearly $ a month on fancy rental clothes, read on.

So, What Even IS Nuuly?

Okay, Nuuly is basically a monthly clothing rental deal. You pay a set fee—currently about $98—but check their site in case it nudged higher since writing this. In return, you can rent six pieces each month. And by “pieces,” I mean actual stuff you’d want to show off: think cute dresses, wild statement tops, vintage jackets, flirty skirts, even winter coats if you’re lucky.

The catalog is pretty massive and always evolving; I swear I see new brands pop up every time I check. There’s loads of sizing too—petite, plus, tall, pregnant, curvy, you name it. And there’s vintage! (Don’t roll your eyes; vintage hunting online is way less musty than digging through racks.)

How Does Nuuly Work in Real Life?

1. Sign up: Make a profile, fill in your size(s), and set some style preferences.
2. Pick your pack: This is the fun part (or extremely stressful, if you’re indecisive like me). You browse through stacks of clothes, add six to your cart, and hope your favorites are actually in stock.
3. Wait for shipping: Usually ships pretty quick, but sometimes it drags—like that one time I needed a wedding guest dress ASAP and it cut it super close.
4. Try everything on: Sometimes I’m strutting, sometimes I’m sending awkward selfies to friends asking, “Is this too much ruffle?”
5. Wear/Buy/Return: You rent for a month, though there’s no late fee if you keep them a touch longer. You can keep anything you love (at a discount, though not always as cheap as I wish), or send it all back with the prepaid bag.

Honestly, the process is mostly easy. No complicated rules, and the return bag is way sturdier than it looks. One tip: keep the return packaging—they hate sending out extras!

Is $ a Month Actually Reasonable?

This question’s probably the whole reason you’re reading, right? Well, here’s the deal. That price gets you six items shipped to your door. Shipping both ways is included, laundry is covered (you don’t have to wash anything, thank goodness), and you can pause or cancel whenever. If you want to keep renting extra, they’ll let you add another batch in the same month—costs extra, though.

Now, am I always thrilled to pay $100-ish per month? No way. Some months, I’ve barely worn half the stuff because life just got boring or I lived in sweats. In busy months with lots of events or travel, though, Nuuly is one of the best budget hacks I’ve found for staying stylish and not dropping hundreds at the mall on things I’ll never wear twice.

Who Actually Loves Nuuly?

If you burn through fashion like I drink iced coffee, Nuuly is made for you. It’s awesome for:

• Trend chasers who want to try out new looks without committing.
• Eco-warriors who want to ease off on fast fashion.
• Soon-to-be-moms and postpartum people—maternity pieces cost a fortune, but renting is brilliant!
• Folks with fluctuating sizes—nothing worse than buying jeans you’ll only fit in for a season.
• Social butterflies with lots of events, dates, or big reasons to dress up.

If you only shop twice a year and live in yoga pants, it’s probably overkill (unless you just love options, in which case—no judgement!).

The Good, the Bad & The Unexpected (My Honest Take)

What’s Actually Great About Nuuly

• Vast selection: The new arrivals tab is my guilty pleasure. I find everything from sequin jumpsuits to linen rompers. Added bonus: it’s better than scouring secondhand stores for that “yes, I thrifted this” brag right now.
• Inclusiveness: This can’t be overstated. As someone who falls out of “standard” sizes, I appreciate the full range—especially for special occasions.
• Chill cancellation policy: You can skip, pause, or quit at the drop of a hat. No weird guilt-tripping or phone-only cancellations.
• Sustainability: Eco packaging, professional cleaning, less waste from shopping. Fast fashion guilt: slightly reduced.
• Surprising savings: I once wore a $ Anthropologie coat for a month and sent it right back, feeling like a minor celebrity. Try doing that for less than a hundred bucks anywhere else!

What I Wish Was Better

• The cost stings if you slack off. Some months, $ feels like too much if I barely leave my house or if weather ruins my outfit plans.
• Six piece limit feels restrictive if you have a packed social schedule (or tend to spill on yourself…yeah, guilty).
• Slightly unpredictable sizing: Because, shocker, not every brand measures the same and some fabrics have zero stretch. Order backups if possible.
• Some things look a little loved. I get it—it’s rental wear. But every so often, a piece will turn up with faint fading or a pulled thread.
• Popular items are snatched fast! If you want that Instagram-famous shacket or a viral leopard print, prepare for heartbreak. Or babysit the site like I did (don’t recommend unless you like frustration).

How Does Nuuly Stack Up Against Other Clothing Rentals?

Nuuly is truly the middle ground: fresher styles than Le Tote, less stiff than Rent the Runway, broader catalog and sizing than Haverdash. The only thing it misses is accessories—you’re on your own for bags and jewelry.

What Real People (And I) Say About Nuuly

I polled my friends, stalked Facebook groups, and squinted through online reviews. Standouts:

• “I finally stopped impulse shopping junk at the mall. My closet is happier and so is my bank account.”
• “A lifesaver during my pregnancy. Rented clothes I actually wanted to wear instead of settling for tent-like stuff.”
• “Sometimes things are little worn, but nine times out of ten, customer service hooks me up with a replacement if I ask.”
• “I find myself looking forward to the next pack, which is a nice feeling. Shipping’s slower around holidays, though.”

As for me, I’ve had months I raved to everyone, and one or two where I barely bothered. The good easily outweighs the meh, but it won’t magically solve all closet woes. At least my laundry pile is happier.

Nuuly’s Spin on Sustainability

This is getting more important to me—and, frankly, most shoppers I know. Nuuly’s taken a bunch of steps toward being green(er): reusable zipper bags, pro garment cleaning (less water, better detergents), thoughtful brand curation, and honest communication about clothing lifespan. Is it perfect? Of course not. But I definitely feel better renting than buying a bunch of throwaway trends.

FAQs—Because I Know You’re Wondering

Is Nuuly worth it financially?

If you’re a frequent shopper, fashion lover, or event-hopper—absolutely. If you wear the same yoga pants for days on end, maybe not so much.

Can you skip or pause months?

Yep, the pause button is a lifesaver if you’re traveling or just want to take a month off. Super easy, no awkward emails needed.

Oops, I spilled wine on a blouse. Now what?

Light stains/wear are no big deal. Big damages may cost you, but customer service is usually reasonable.

Can you choose when stuff arrives?

It’s not DoorDash, so not exact, but shipping’s pretty quick. For special events, aim for a week buffer. Don’t risk it for a wedding unless you like adrenaline.

What about men’s clothes?

Not right now. Hopefully someday soon. Vintage lovers, you might find a gender-neutral gem.

So... Is Nuuly Worth a Try?

I get overwhelmed by choice, but Nuuly keeps dressing fun and—when I remember to wear the stuff—saves me a ton. My closet feels fresher. My urge to splurge at sales has chilled out. I waste less money and, maybe more importantly, less closet space. I just wish I could rent accessories too!

If you’re craving variety, love to experiment, or feel that seasonal itch for something new, Nuuly is worth at least a test run. If you’re more of a shopping minimalist or hate returning stuff, you might pass and stick with what’s in your closet already.

Honestly, it won’t change your life. But it might make getting dressed in the morning (and for that random last-minute party) a lot more fun. And sometimes that’s all you need.