Who doesn’t love Rent the Runway? One of the OG clothing-rental destinations, RTR first rose in popularity as a more affordable and sustainable option for event dressing. (I’ve rented quite a few wedding guest ensembles in my day.) However, the brand’s thousands of items go way beyond formalwear, including office-appropriate attire, going-out tops, and more casual wares, and it all comes from premium labels. Plus, RTR offers a full range of rentable accessories, including bags, shoes, sunglasses, and jewelry.
You have the option to choose between a one-time rental for special occasions or a monthly subscription that ranges from four to 12 items. And if you decide you want a piece to be yours forever, you have the option to purchase it at a discounted rate.
Brands: hundreds of brands, from Badgley Mischka and Self-Portrait to A.L.C. and Anine Bing
Cost: four-item trial membership for $69/month ($89/month after) and up or $10+ for one-time rentals
Sizing: 0 to 22
Another one of my current favorite places to rent is Nuuly, an offshoot of Urbn (which owns retailers Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People). For an $88 subscription fee that you can easily pause or cancel at any time, you can pick six items to be delivered to your doorstep every month. That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me. But what makes Nuuly so exciting is the selection. Not only does Nuuly carry everything from winter coats to going-out tops from all of its retailers’ in-house labels, but it also offers goods from 150+ premium brands and some pretty cool vintage pieces. Should you fall in love with an item (which I certainly have), you can purchase your favorites at a discounted rate.
Brands: Free People, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters private labels, plus 150+ premium brands and vintage
Cost: $88/month for six rented items
Sizing: XXS to 5X, plus petite
If your goal is to turn heads at your next big event, look no further than Nova Octo for something truly special. The rental service boasts a stunning selection of gowns, cocktail dresses, bags, jewelry, and other one-off pieces from labels such as Gucci, Jacquemus, Giambattista Valli, and more. As you might expect, prices are definitely on the steeper side, with the majority falling into the $300 to $950 range, but let me reiterate here that everything is breathtaking. The site also offers a selection of ready-to-wear such as LaQuan Smith moto pants and a Brock Collection pleated top. All you need to do is select the date of your event and choose from the pieces available. You’ll pay a one-time rental fee, which also covers the cost of shipping and dry cleaning.
Also nice? Nova Octo offers in-person appointments at its NYC showroom, where you can try on pieces before you rent and even have temporary alterations made if needed.
Brands: Gucci, LaQuan Smith, Giambattista Valli, Jacquemus, Retrofête, and more
Cost: varies per item
Sizing: 0 to 16
When it comes to timeless and understated wardrobe staples, no brand comes to mind quicker than Vince. The California-based label is beloved for its quality pieces that look a lot more expensive than their price tags, so when it launched its rental platform Vince Unfold in 2018, fashion people everywhere rejoiced. Vince Unfold offers an impressive variety of pieces to rent: cropped wool jackets, silky slip skirts and pant sets, and plenty of elevated cashmere knits.
All that’s required is saving at least 10 styles to your Edit folder, and you’ll then receive four of them. Once you’re ready to exchange, ship back your items in the included prepaid bag and select your next picks. While the monthly fee is $160 for four pieces, you can exchange them for something new as you please throughout the month. And like many rental services out there, you can keep the items you love for a discounted rate.
Cost: $160/month for four items
Sizing: 00 to 22, XXS to XXXL
Think of Tulerie as the product of Rent the Runway and The RealReal having a baby: pre-owned luxury items that you can rent straight from the owner’s own closet. Ideal for a special event or vacation or just for fun, the Tulerie app allows you to borrow pieces for four, 10, or 20 days at a time.
How it works is pretty simple. Download the app and browse through its extensive catalog (including everything from Chanel and Fendi to Aje and Frame). When you find an item you love, request it from the lender and choose the delivery date and amount of time you’d like to rent it for. Once the lender approves, it’ll be shipped straight to your doorstep. Of course, like other secondhand luxury retailers, you can choose to buy pieces through the website at consignment-level prices, which vary according to the brand and item condition.
Brands: luxury labels such as Fendi, Chanel, and Bottega Veneta and contemporary brands such as Aje, Frame, and Sea
Cost: varies per item
Sizing: XS to XL
Of all the rental services available, Gwynnie Bee is, by far, the most inclusive. The service began by catering to sizes 10 through 32 but recently expanded its offering of casual dresses, separates, and outerwear to include sizing down to 0. It’s also one of the most cost-effective options. It starts at $49 a month for one item, which may sound steep, but you’re allowed to swap it out as often as you’d like. This gives you the ability to constantly refresh your closet. It offers multiple plans, with its highest tier allowing you to rent 10 items for $199 a month. Plus, you have the option to purchase your favorites at a discount.
Brands: Eloquii, Hutch, ASOS, Lauren Ralph Lauren, and more
Cost: one item for $49/month up to 10 items for $199/month
Sizing: 0 to 32
Dreaming of adding a Chanel or Bottega Veneta bag to your closet but not quite ready to drop thousands of dollars? I get it—that’s where Vivrelle comes in to save the day. The members-only rental service offers hundreds of incredible designer handbags as well as fine jewelry, which you can rent per month or hold on to for longer. While the selection includes plenty of classic bags—think quilted Chanel and Gucci GG Marmont—there’s also an array of statement-making pieces like Fendi Vertigo-print bags and rainbow Louis Vuitton pieces.
Membership is broken into four tiers: Premier for $39/month, which allows you to rent one item valued up to $1000; Classique for $99/month for items valued up to $4000; and Couture ($199/month) and Couture+ ($279/month), which allow you to rent one or two items over $4000 as well as unique and limited-edition items. You can also choose to pay monthly or prepay months in advance.
Brands: Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, and more
Cost: $39/month for one item valued up to $1000 up to $279/month for two items valued over $4000, plus access to limited-edition items
Similar to Vince Unfold, Banana Republic entered the rental world with Banana Republic Style Passport back in 2019, allowing you to refresh your wardrobe with chic casual wares and elevated office staples for just $75 a month.
Browse through the site’s weekly new arrivals and save your favorites to your “Closet.” Three items will be selected and shipped to you in every box. When you’re ready for newness, send back all three pieces in the prepaid envelope (or purchase them at a discounted price), and your next three will be shipped out. The service allows you to swap at your own pace, meaning you can receive three or more boxes per month.
Cost: $75/month
Sizing: 0 to 20, XXS to XXL
If you’re interested in renting but not sure where to start, let Armoire and its team of professional stylists do the work for you. Similar to a subscription box, all you need to do is take a quick style quiz, and a stylist will curate a selection of pieces based on your results. You can then choose your favorites and rent them for as long as you’d like or purchase them at a discount.
The site boasts thousands of items, from designer jeans and elevated workwear to casual loungewear and athleisure, making it a great option for your WFH or in-office ‘fits. It’s also one of the more affordable rental services out there, so it’s definitely a great way to dip your toes if this whole renting thing is new to you.
Brands: Rag & Bone, Diane von Furstenberg, Eloquii, Hutch, and many more
Cost: four items for $79/month, seven for $119/month, unlimited for $249/month
Sizing: 0 to 24
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