We Tried Rent the Runway and Here are Our Thoughts (2024)

I first used Rent the Runway in 2019 when I was 22 and new to NYC and corporate life, and I was immediately obsessed. It was a fun way to add professional pieces and trendy going-out looks to my wardrobe without committing to pricey styles I couldn't afford. Since then, I have used Rent the Runway on and off as a way to revitalize my closet with new pieces, especially for special occasions like weddings, themed parties or vacations.

When my shipments arrive, it's like a mini-Christmas morning. I get to do a runway show for my roommates and feel invigorated to style each piece. It's a fun way to flex my creative muscles and showcase my personal style without running up a huge shopping tab.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tests all types of clothing subscription services in addition to Rent the Runway like Nuuly, Stitch Fix and Haverdash. To evaluate Rent the Runway, I tested both the subscription service and one-time rental. I worked with Amanda Constantine, GH Apparel & Reviews Analyst and resident trendsetter, who tested the 10-piece subscription service and Jessica Teich, GH Deputy Editor and long-term subscriber, to learn more about their experiences with the platform.

EXPLORE RENT THE RUNWAY

Rent the Runway (RTR) is a clothing rental service where you can borrow clothing and accessories as part of a one-time rental or subscription plan. Launching in 2009, RTR quickly popularized clothing rental as a way to try new pieces without massive shopping hauls that lead to excess waste.

Offering all types of fashion pieces including ball gowns, snow pants, designer purses, jewelry, sunglasses and everyday clothes, Rent the Runway is a great way to try new trends or find an outfit for a special occasion without accumulating pieces you'll only wear a few times. It also allows you to stretch your budget, and opt for luxe pieces you wouldn't normally splurge on.

One time rentals

TRY RENT THE RUNWAY ONE-TIME RENTAL

Ideal for a wedding, photoshoot or work conference where you want a piece you'll only wear once, one-time rentals allow you to rent single pieces for either four or eight days. They are more affordable than a subscription service if you only plan to use the service now and again.

You simply select which piece you want to rent from the site and it'll be conveniently delivered to you before your rental period. You also get a free backup size to ensure a proper fit! With one-time rentals, you do have to cover shipping and rental insurance, which depends on the retail price of the garment.

I did a one-time rental of a SALONI dress, Derek Lam jacket, Staud purse, SHASHI earrings and a Missoma necklace for an anniversary date night. It was a fun way to have an entirely new outfit for a special occasion (especially pieces I know I wouldn't wear regularly).

• One-time rental pricing starts at $30 per item, but some designer pieces reach over $100 — plus rental insurance and shipping.

Subscription options

TRY A RENT THE RUNWAY SUBSCRIPTION

With the membership plan, the cost depends on the number of items you receive per month — not the retail price of the pieces. You can choose from 5, 10 or 20 pieces each month. Here is how each plan breaks down:

• 5-piece plan: One shipment per month. $84 for the first month and $94 per month after that. Access to a limited subscription closet.
• 10-piece plan: Two shipments per month, five items at a time. $89 for the first month and $144 per month after that. Access to the full subscription closet.
• 20-piece plan: Four shipments per month, five items at a time. $160 for the first month and $235 per month after that. Access to the full subscription closet.

With the 10- and 20-piece subscription plans, you get multiple shipments throughout the month of five pieces at a time. You have the option to hold onto pieces for as long as you like, but you'll get fewer pieces in your next shipment. Because you can only keep five items at a time, if you want to hold onto one item, then all your shipments would have four pieces until you return it.

I liked that I got to refresh my closet throughout the month, but it also meant I spent more time on the site trying to find the best pieces. I also shipped and received more packages than if I kept the pieces all month. I preferred using the five-piece plan to minimize the amount of back-and-forth.

I have used both the one-time rentals and month-long subscription plans. I prefer the subscription plans because you get a variety of pieces for only a bit more. Because I always like having options for a big event, the subscription plans work better for me. While one-time rentals are only for a few days, you have the whole month to return your subscription order, so I found it less stressful to make sure I got my package in the mail on time. Subscription plans also offer free shipping and you don't have to cover rental insurance.

Designer pieces

With my budget, I rarely get to splurge on designer items. Renting designer pieces is my favorite way to experience my favorite designers firsthand without overspending. The subscription service doesn't charge extra for pricier pieces, so I like to fill my shopping cart with designers I've always wanted to try but can't afford to own. I've used other clothing rental services, but I find that Rent the Runway has the best selection of luxurious, designer pieces.

Because you only get the pieces for a limited time, it's a great way to try super trendy styles. I rented a super unique pair of jeans from Coperni that retail for $750. I ended up loving them and never would have gotten to wear them without RTR. Constantine shared, "I was able to try bolder pieces from brands I’ve been interested in but didn’t have to worry about spending a fortune on a style I would only wear a few times." She especially loved this ROTATE Birger Christensen top.

If you truly fall in love with a piece, you have the option to purchase it at a discount after renting. "I was shocked by the steep discounts available on some of the higher-end items I rented," said Constantine. "I was able to score a designer dress that I loved for 90% off retail price!"

Convenient shipping and returns

The items are shipped together in a big bag right to my doorstep. Each clothing item was on a hanger in a dry cleaning bag as the brand handles all the cleaning for you. It comes with a preprinted shipping label, so all I had to do was drop off the package at a UPS drop-off site before noon on the return date. In select zip codes, RTR now offers complimentary pick-up too.

Huge range of styles

Whether I needed a piece for a black-tie wedding or a ski trip, I could find just what I needed in Rent the Runway's massive inventory. Unlike other clothing rental services, Rent the Runway also offers accessories. Renting purses, jewelry and sunglasses was a game-changer — it made each of my outfits feel way more put together and special.

"I love that RTR allows me to try out different styles in a low-commitment way," said Teich. She loves that she can try clothes with bold colors and patterns she wouldn't wear regularly. "It feels more cost-effective and space-efficient to rent them rather than having them clog up space in my closet," she said.

During our tests, we wore RTR pieces to weddings, live TV segments, international vacations and photoshoots — and, of course, to the office and out and about in the city.

RTR Conceirge

Your subscription plan includes personal styling with a member of the concierge team who will add items to your cart that they think match your style — but you get the final say on each order. The concierge program helps make it easier to find pieces you like without scrolling through a ton of pages.

Constantine said that RTR concierge is "a super helpful tool for someone who hasn’t tried a clothing subscription service before or isn’t 100% sure of their personal style." Constantine's stylist asked her about her usual style, any colors she liked to avoid and even if there were areas of her physique she wanted to emphasize or downplay. Constantine sent her pictures of her favorite outfits for inspiration too. In the end, Constantine said, "I didn’t end up going with all of my concierge-recommended styles, but even just seeing the styles picked out for me helped me to narrow down my search and introduced me to new brands I wasn’t familiar with."

Teich also praised the brand's customer service, saying they're "fantastic as well, and they're always going above and beyond to rectify any mistakes (sending an alternative size overnight, replacing damaged garments, etc.)."

Availability

As a super picky shopper, it can be frustrating when the pieces I want aren't available when I need them. RTR has a huge inventory of styles, so I have always been able to find something that'll work for my occasion, but what I end up with is not always my first choice. You're shopping at the same time as others, so items that look available one minute may be gone the next. Teich agreed, saying, "It's very rare that I'm able to rent every item on my wishlist since things go in and out of stock at random times."

Damaged items

Because the items are previously worn, a bit of wear and tear is to be expected. Out of the 15 products I received while testing RTR for this review, only one had any noticeable damage. Some garments had tiny loose threads or fuzziness, but the products I received were overall in good condition. The service cleans each item after someone rents it, so sometimes fabric texture or garment size is affected by the extensive laundering.

When I had a concern about a damaged jacket I received, I messaged the live chat in the app and the customer service team responded quickly and helped resolve my issue. It's also a good idea to alert Rent the Runway of any damage when your shipment arrives, so the company knows it wasn't your fault. RTR covers any minor damages, but if you destroy or lose the product, you are responsible for its cost.

If you love trying new trends, are obsessed with shopping online or need a special outfit for an important occasion, Rent the Runway is absolutely worth it! You get unparalleled access to a massive inventory of designer pieces, so it's a great way to spruce up your wardrobe. You can pause or cancel your membership at any time with no penalty, which Teich, Constantine and I all appreciate.

It can take time to browse the site to find the best pieces, and it's even more challenging if you are petite, tall or plus-size. The concierge can help you find stylish pieces, but we found that the user reviews gave us the best idea of whether a piece was going to fit us properly.

• A Rent the Runway subscription is a great way to add trendy, new pieces to your wardrobe (even high-end designer looks) in a cost-effective way that minimizes clothing waste.
• There are three different subscription plans starting at $94 a month as well as one-time rentals for special occasions that start at around $30 per item. Note that you must pay shipping and insurance fees with one-time rentals.
• While RTR offers a huge range of styles with a massive inventory, we found it frustrating when pieces we loved weren't available when we needed them.
• We recommend reading the user reviews to learn more about how each piece fits such as if it runs true to size, how long the inseam is, its appearance in person and more. This is especially helpful if you're petite or tall!

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