Confession time: I have a closet full of clothes, but there are only a couple of basic pieces I find myself throwing on every day. To mix things up, I love borrowing trendy pieces from my friends, but you can only do that so many times before they start giving me the side-eye!
Spicing up my wardrobe has been high on my to-do list, but I can't buy a new outfit every time I feel like it (read: $$$). š° And let's not forget the accessories! A great handbag, statement jewelry, or the perfect belt can completely transform an outfit, but those little extras add up fast.
So, I turned to two popular clothing rental servicesāArmoire and Nuulyāto find my favorite. And after comparing everything from designer clothing to styling options and accessories, one service stood out.
Here's how they stacked up.
If You're Looking for Variety and Chic, High-Quality Piecesā¦ Armoire
If there's no clothing variety, I'll get bored fast. Luckily, Armoire offers stylish pieces for every kind of personal style and occasion. These vegan leather high-rise shorts from Joie are perfect for an edgier look I'm putting together, but I also love the sweet ruffles on this Diane Von Furstenberg spaghetti strap top.
I rented a BB Dakota Sweet Tooth Sweater, and it looked and felt brand-new. The knit stitching didn't have any snags, and it worked for both the office AND a weekend brunch. š»š„
Since Nuuly is part of the URBN portfolio (think Anthropologie, Free People, and Urban Outfitters), a lot of the clothes looked similar. The pieces felt less sophisticated, and there weren't as many items I'd wear to the office.
For me, the quality wasn't there with Nuuly's rentals. The dress I got looked and smelled pre-worn, and the cardigan had light pilling.
Winner: Armoire š
If You Want to Rent Accessories Alongside Your Clothesā¦ Armoire
Okay, THIS is what really sets Armoire apart for me! š
Armoire now lets members rent accessories like handbags, jewelry, belts, and silk scarves alongside their clothing cases. And as someone who loves putting together complete outfits, this is a HUGE deal.
Think about it: You can rent a gorgeous designer dress for an upcoming event and find a handbag or statement jewelry to complement it, all through the same rental service. Or take a simple work outfit and completely change its look with a chic belt or silk scarf.
I love accessories, but I don't necessarily want to spend hundreds of dollars on a handbag I'll only carry for a few occasions or statement jewelry that might go out of style next season.
With Armoire, I can experiment with different accessories, refresh my looks, and make the most of the clothes I already own without committing to buying every piece.
And here's the kicker: Nuuly doesn't currently offer a comparable accessory rental option. While you can rent clothing, you're on your own when it comes to completing your outfit with handbags, jewelry, and other finishing touches.
For me, that's a major missed opportunity. I don't just want to rent clothes. I want the freedom to create an entire look!
Armoire makes that possible, and it's honestly one of the biggest reasons I'd choose them over Nuuly.
Winner: Armoire š
If You Want Flexible, Cost-Effective Subscription Plansā¦ Armoire
One of my favorite things about Armoire is the flexibility. You can choose from multiple membership tiers based on how frequently you want to refresh your wardrobe and how many pieces you need.
The fact that Armoire lets you KEEP your current case until your new one arrives is huge. You never have to be without fresh, versatile pieces!
And with the option to rent accessories alongside your clothing, you're getting even more opportunities to experiment with your personal style.
The unlimited plan can offer especially great value for frequent renters. Those vegan leather Joie shorts retail for $248 on their own, so being able to enjoy designer fashion without paying full retail prices is a major win.
The cherry on top? Armoire includes free shipping, returns, and cleaning! āØ
Nuuly offers one standard plan with six items for $98 per month. While that includes free shipping and returns, I find having just one plan a bit limiting, especially during months when I have more events than usual (hello, wedding season).
And when I factor in Armoire new accessory rentals, the flexibility becomes even more appealing.
Winner: Armoire š
If You Want a Traditional Browse-All Shopping Experienceā¦ Nuuly
I'll give Nuuly credit where it's due.
Nuuly allows you to browse its full inventory, regardless of what you're looking for or whether items are available in your size. If you love scrolling through endless clothing options and discovering pieces on your own, that might be right up your alley.
Armoire, on the other hand, curates recommendations based on your style, occasion, and sizing preferences, making it easier to narrow down your options.
Personally, I prefer Armoire more personalized approach, but I can see why some people would enjoy Nuuly's traditional browsing experience.
Winner: Nuuly š
If You Want Personal Stylists and a Style Quiz That Nails Your Fashion Senseā¦ Armoire
Though Nuuly has a lot of inventory, going through all the clothes felt like a chore. And its style questionnaire didn't feel particularly personalized.
On the other hand, Armoire five-minute style quiz was quick and easy, and the recommended pieces were exactly what I was looking for.
As you favorite items, Armoire's algorithm continues learning your preferences to show you more of what you like and less of what you don't.
What makes this even better is the ability to incorporate accessories into your wardrobe rotation. I love the idea of choosing a few versatile clothing pieces and switching up the accessories to create completely different looks.
Armoire also has personal stylists available by phone or chat to help you select your items. Plus, members can curate looks and closets that other users can browse for styling inspiration.
Between the personalized recommendations, stylist support, and expanded accessory options, Armoire feels like a much more complete styling experience.
Winner: Armoire š
The Overall Winnerā¦ Armoire!
Both Armoire and Nuuly offer designer clothing rentals at a fraction of retail prices, but for me, Armoire wins by a long shot.
Between the high-quality designer pieces, flexible membership options, personalized recommendations, and access to personal stylists, Armoire already had plenty going for it.
But the addition of accessory rentals is what really seals the deal.
Being able to rent handbags, jewelry, belts, and silk scarves alongside my clothing means I can put together complete outfits without constantly buying new pieces. Whether I'm dressing for work, brunch, a wedding, or a night out, I love having more ways to switch up my style.
Nuuly is a solid option if you're simply looking to rent clothes, but Armoire offers something more: the opportunity to refresh your entire look, accessories included.
And for someone who loves fashion but doesn't love the price tag that comes with it? That's a game-changer.
If you're ready to upgrade your wardrobe from head to toe, Armoire is my clear winner!
