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 you the side-eye!
Spicing up my current wardrobe has been high on my to-do list for a long time, but I can’t just buy a new dress or top every time I feel like it (read: $$$) 💰. So, I turned to 2 of the most popular clothing rental services–Armoire and Nuuly–to find my favorite. This winner might surprise you…
If you’re looking for variety and chic, high-quality pieces…Armoire
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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. 💻🥂
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 I got had light pilling.
If you want flexible, cost-effective subscription plans… Armoire
The fact that Armoire lets you KEEP your current case until your new one arrives is huge. You never have to be without a new set of versatile, fresh pieces! You can choose from three tiers: unlimited items for $249/month (with a huge discount for your first month!), 7 items for $119/month, and 4 items for $89/month. 👗
The unlimited plan means you can pay as low as $10 per item–the vegan leather Joie shorts are $248 on their own, so these are MASSIVE savings. The cherry on top is Armoire’s free shipping, returns, and free laundry service! ✨
Nuuly only offers one plan, which is 6 items for $88/month. This also includes free shipping and returns, but I find that the 1 plan option is a bit limiting, especially if you have more events than usual in a certain month (hello, wedding season).
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If you want a traditional browse-all shopping experience…Nuuly
Nuuly allows you to browse their full inventory, regardless of what you are looking for or whether the items are available in your size. On the other hand, Armoire curates your options based on your style, occasion and size needs, so it’s easy to find the perfect piece.
If you want an easy-to-navigate site, on-call personal stylists, and a style quiz that nails your fashion sense…Armoire
Though Nuuly does have a lot of inventory, going through all of the clothes felt like a chore. Also, Nuuly’s style questionnaire isn’t very curated.
On the other hand, Armoire’s 5-minute style quiz is quick and easy, and the selection of clothes were exactly what I was looking for. As you favorite items, the algorithm continues to work in the background to show you more of what you like and less of what you don’t. Armoire also allows you to filter by different categories–if you’re looking for fall clothing but you live in a warm-weather climate, they’ve got options for you. ☀️
What’s more, Armoire has personal stylists on deck to work with you over the phone or via chat to select your items. Additionally, they allow members to curate looks and closets that are available to everyone who uses the site, so you can see how others are styling their looks for inspiration.
The overall winner…Armoire
Both Armoire and Nuuly offer a wide variety of designer brands for rent at a reasonable price, but Armoire wins by a long shot. Flexible pricing plans, designer clothes, and a user-friendly interface only scratch the surface. But the proof is in the photos–Armoire’s clothes are so cute, right?
