You have a wedding, a gala, or a fancy dinner party in two weeks. You don’t want to drop $300 on a dress you’ll wear once. So you’re looking at Rent the Runway and Nuuly. Which one actually delivers a dress that fits, arrives on time, and doesn’t cost more than buying something off the rack?
I’ve used both services multiple times over the last three years — for bridesmaid duties, a black-tie fundraiser, and even a last-minute birthday dinner. Here’s where each one wins and where they fall apart.
How the Pricing Actually Breaks Down
Let’s start with the numbers, because the marketing can be misleading.
Rent the Runway has two main plans. The “Rent the Runway” subscription starts at $94 per month for four items. You can also do a one-time rental, which runs $30 to $200 per dress depending on the designer and whether you add backup sizes or insurance.
Nuuly costs a flat $98 per month for six items. That’s it. No one-time rental option — you must subscribe. Cancel anytime, but you’re paying for a full month.
Here’s a direct comparison for a single-event rental:
| Cost Factor | Rent the Runway | Nuuly |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription price | $94 (4 items) | $98 (6 items) |
| One-time rental (single dress) | $30–$200 | Not available |
| Backup size fee | $10 per item | Included (no extra fee) |
| Shipping (round-trip) | Free | Free |
| Late fee per day | $15 | $10 |
Bottom line on pricing: If you need one dress for one event, Rent the Runway’s one-time option is cheaper — you can grab a mid-tier dress for $50–$80. Nuuly only works if you plan to rent multiple items in a month, or if you want to use the subscription for everyday wear too.
Selection and Designer Access: Who Has What?
This is where the two services diverge hard.
Rent the Runway carries over 800 designer brands, including big names like Badgley Mischka, SHUSHU/TONG, and Retrofête. They have dedicated sections for bridal, bridesmaid, and black-tie. If you need a floor-length gown with serious structural elements — think boning, heavy beading, or a train — Rent the Runway is the better bet.
Nuuly is owned by URBN, the parent company of Anthropologie, Free People, and Urban Outfitters. Their inventory is heavily skewed toward those brands. You’ll find Anthropologie’s Maeve collection, Free People boho dresses, and some third-party labels like Ganni and Staud. But the overall count is smaller — roughly 100 brands versus Rent the Runway’s 800.
Where Nuuly wins: If you’re into the Anthropologie aesthetic — floral midi dresses, linen sets, cottagecore vibes — Nuuly is a goldmine. They also stock a solid selection of plus sizes (up to 3X in many styles).
Where Rent the Runway wins: Actual event-level formality. Need a sequin column gown for a New Year’s Eve party? Rent the Runway has 50 options. Nuuly might have six.
Fit and Sizing: The Real Pain Point
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: renting a dress means you’re wearing something that 10 other people have already sweat in, spilled wine on, and returned. Both services clean everything professionally, but fit is another story.
Rent the Runway lets you order a backup size for $10 extra. That’s a smart move if you’re between sizes, because their sizing chart is not consistent across brands. I’ve rented a size 6 Badgley Mischka that fit like a 4, and a size 6 Retrofête that fit like an 8. The backup size saved my event twice.
Nuuly includes two sizes per item at no extra charge. You pick your primary size and a backup when you check out. This is a better system — no nickel-and-diming for something that should be standard.
The failure mode most people miss: Length. Both services assume a standard height of 5’9″ for gowns. If you’re 5’4″ or shorter, you will be hemming or wearing heels you can’t walk in. Rent the Runway offers a “Petite” filter, but the selection is thin. Nuuly has no petite filter at all. For shorter women, this is a real risk.
When NOT to Rent from Either Service
This section might save you more money than the comparison itself.
Don’t rent if:
- You need the dress for more than 4 days. Rent the Runway’s rental period is 4 days. Nuuly gives you a full month, but you’re paying $98. If you need a dress for a week-long vacation, buying a $60 dress from ASOS and donating it afterward is cheaper.
- You have a very specific size requirement. If you wear a size 00, 0P, or 14W, your options on both services shrink dramatically. Rent the Runway’s inventory in extreme sizes is sparse. Nuuly is better for plus sizes but still limited for very small frames.
- You’re on a tight timeline. Both services need 5–7 business days for delivery. If your event is in 3 days, you’re better off going to a mall. Rent the Runway does offer overnight shipping for $25, but that adds to the cost.
- You want to keep the dress. Neither service offers a buyout option on most items. If you fall in love with a dress, you can’t keep it. You just send it back.
When renting makes sense: You have a single black-tie event, you’re between size fluctuations (postpartum, weight changes), or you want to try a bold trend without committing to the price tag.
The Verdict: Pick Based on Your Event Type
No service is universally better. Here’s how to decide:
Choose Rent the Runway if: You need a formal gown for a wedding, gala, or awards dinner. You want access to high-end designers like Marchesa or Monique Lhuillier. You’re okay paying $10 for a backup size because the selection justifies it.
Choose Nuuly if: You want casual-to-semiformal dresses for multiple events in a month. You love Anthropologie and Free People. You want the backup size included for free. You’re plus-size and need consistent availability above size 14.
Skip both and buy if: Your event is more than a week away and you can find a similar dress on sale for under $80. I’ve seen Lulus run bridesmaid dress sales for $40. That’s cheaper than either rental service, and you own the dress.
This is not financial advice. Your specific event, body, and budget will shift the math. But for a single formal event where fit matters more than cost, Rent the Runway with a backup size is the safest bet. For a month of casual rentals, Nuuly’s six-item plan is the better value.
