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You have a wedding, a gala, or a formal dinner in three weeks. You do not want to drop $400 on a dress you will wear once. So which rental service do you pick — Rent the Runway or Nuuly? Both let you borrow clothes for a monthly fee. But the math, the inventory, and the fine print are very different. Here is the breakdown with real numbers.

How the Two Services Work — and What They Actually Cost

Rent the Runway (RTR) started in 2009 and built its reputation on designer gowns and cocktail dresses. Nuuly launched in 2019 under Urban Outfitters, pulling inventory from brands like Anthropologie and Free People. Both are subscription-based, but the pricing structures are not the same.

Rent the Runway Pricing

RTR offers a tiered membership. The base plan is $94/month for one shipment of four items at a time. You can swap as often as you want — keep the dresses for as long as you like, send them back, and order the next set. There is also a $135/month plan that gives you eight items per month (two shipments of four). A $210/month premium plan adds access to higher-end designers like Marchesa and Badgley Mischka.

Nuuly Pricing

Nuuly is simpler: one plan, $98/month. You get six items per month. You choose them, they ship, you wear them for a month, then send everything back in the same prepaid bag. No swapping mid-month. No tiered access. You pick six pieces and that is your rotation for the billing cycle.

Bottom line: If you need more than six items per month, RTR’s $94 plan gives you unlimited swaps. If you want exactly six pieces and no fuss, Nuuly is cheaper per item ($16.33 vs. RTR’s $23.50 on the base plan).

Inventory Quality — Designer Labels vs. In-House Brands

This is where the two services really split. RTR carries names like Staud, Retrofête, Alice + Olivia, and Badgley Mischka. You can rent a $1,200 gown for $94. That is the main draw. Nuuly’s catalog is heavy on Urban Outfitters house brands — Anthropologie, Free People, BDG, Maeve. You will also find some third-party labels like Ganni and Rails, but the selection skews casual and bohemian.

What This Means for Event Dresses

For a black-tie wedding or a formal gala, RTR wins. Their formalwear section has thousands of gowns with clear size charts and customer reviews on fit. Nuuly’s formal section is thinner. You will find sequined midis and silk slips, but not many floor-length ball gowns. For a cocktail party or a semi-formal dinner, Nuuly is fine — and often more comfortable because the fabrics are less fussy.

Verdict: RTR for formal events. Nuuly for everyday workwear, weekend trips, and casual parties.

Hidden Fees, Late Returns, and Damage Policies

Both services charge for damage and late returns, but the amounts differ. RTR charges a $50 late fee per item if you do not return it within two days of the due date. If you lose an item or damage it beyond repair, they bill you the retail price minus a “wear and tear” discount. That discount is not guaranteed — it is decided case by case. Customers report bills of $150–$300 for stained or ripped items.

Nuuly charges a $15 late fee per item if you miss the return window by more than one day. Their damage policy is more forgiving: they do not charge for normal wear like pilling or loose threads. For major damage (rips, burns, stains that cannot be removed), they charge the retail price. But Nuuly’s retail prices are lower — most items cost $60–$150 new, so the penalty is smaller.

Bottom line: Nuuly’s damage policy is less risky for clumsy wearers. RTR’s late fees are steep and the damage assessment is subjective.

Fit and Sizing — Which Service Gets It Right?

RTR offers sizes 00–12 (some styles go to 20 in their extended size line). You can rent two sizes of the same item for $10 extra per shipment. That is a useful option if you are between sizes or unsure about a brand’s fit. Nuuly offers sizes XXS–3X. They do not offer a two-size rental option. You pick one size and hope it works.

Customer Review Data

On Trustpilot, RTR scores 3.8 stars. Common complaints: items arrive with stains or loose buttons, and customer service is slow to process refunds. Nuuly scores 4.2 stars. Users praise consistent sizing (since most items are from the same parent company) and clean, well-packaged shipments.

Verdict: Nuuly is more reliable for fit if you know your Urban Outfitters size. RTR’s two-size option helps if you are trying an unfamiliar designer.

Monthly Limit Comparison Table

When You Should NOT Rent — and What to Buy Instead

Renting a dress makes sense if you attend 2+ events per year and hate repeating outfits. But there are clear cases where buying is smarter.

If you need a dress for one event and have no plans to rent again in the next six months, skip the subscription. A single rental from RTR (no membership) costs $30–$70 per dress plus shipping. That is $50–$100 for one dress. You can buy a solid dress from ASOS or Lulus for $60–$90 and own it forever.

If you are hard on clothes — spill wine, snag fabrics, sweat through deodorant — renting is risky. The damage fees add up fast. A $70 dress from Target’s Who What Wear collection costs less than one RTR damage charge.

If you need a specific size or style for a wedding party, renting is unreliable. Inventory changes daily. That perfect dress might be gone when you need it. Buying from Nordstrom Rack or Poshmark gives you certainty.

Verdict: Rent if you attend 3+ events per year. Buy if you need one dress or hate returns.

Which Service Should You Pick?

For a formal wedding or gala: Rent the Runway. The designer selection is unmatched, and the two-size rental option saves you from fit disasters.

For casual events, workwear, or a month of varied outfits: Nuuly. Lower cost per item, simpler policies, and better customer reviews.

For one-time use: neither. Buy a dress from Lulus or rent a single item from RTR’s non-member option if you must.

This is not financial advice. Your wardrobe, your call.