I’ve had a complicated relationship with rental wardrobes. They can feel like a long-term monthly commitment. They may not be as sustainable as they are marketed (HERE). Or sometimes, dropping off the package can seem like a chore. But with a big Italy trip on the horizon, I found myself craving to wear new pieces without necessarily wanting to purchase more stuff. I thought it was the perfect time to give Nuuly a try. As a newbie, I am sharing some tips from my first Nuuly rental so you can create that perfect capsule!
Disclosure: This post makes use of affiliate links, which may result in a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Hunting for a great Nuuly piece is competitive. I will notice brands like Hillhouse and Farm Rio, for example, go in and out of stock very quickly. To maximize your chances of scoring something you love, be sure to save them into your closet. You can click the ‘Closet’ symbol in the upper-right. Then once it is time for you to pick your pieces, you can toggle to ‘Available Now’ to see which items are available.
I also suggest saving a few similar back-up pieces in case the item you like is not available. Underneath each product page is a carousel of ‘similar styles’ and I actually find the suggestions to be pretty spot-on! This function is helpful for moments when you’re renting for a special event, or you need something that matches a particular style / dress code.
Nuuly does a great job of soliciting reviews from renters. So you’ll notice most pieces come with detailed notes, customer images, and even information on their height, weight, and size selected. If only every brand offered this level of detail online!
Don’t skip on this research because Nuuly does not let you exchange items from your rental box that don’t fit. You are stuck with the item for the full month, which is risky especially if you need the item in time for a specific occasion. Reading the reviews can also help if you’re experimenting with a new silhouette or fabric that is less forgiving. Which leads to my next point…
This tip is probably the most important one as a first-time Nuuly renter. Although most pieces I rented lived up to their quality, I have read reviews from customers who were not so happy with what they received. To reduce your chances of of feeling dissatisfied, stick with hardy fabrics. For example, choose sweaters from the ‘New Arrivals’ section if you don’t want to chance getting something that has shrunken or pilled.
If a delicate dress has numerous reviews, then there is a high chance you’ll receive one that isn’t in pristine condition. It depends on the risk you are willing to take. In my first box, I ended up purchasing a beautiful lady cardigan for $40. It wasn’t brand new, but because the knit is dense and smooth, I knew pilling wouldn’t be an issue.
Another way to reduce your chances of getting stuck with highly worn items is to use the ‘newest’ filter. This is pretty much their only filter for checking the condition of an item. If you get lucky, you may even be able to purchase the item at a sizable discount, stackable with other discount codes that Nuuly offers throughout the month.
Once you receive your box, you’ll get a price breakdown of how much each item costs if you’d like to purchase it. I ended up purchasing my nearly-new lady cardigan for $40 after receiving a $20 coupon from Nuuly. I couldn’t be happier with the purchase that would have originally cost $118.
Here’s the fine print that wasn’t super clear to me as a first-time renter: Nuuly doesn’t charge late fees, but you will be charged for the next cycle if you don’t return your box by the drop-off deadline. At the same time, you won’t be able to rent more pieces, so you will have paid for the next cycle with a shorter rental period.
The best way to synch your Nuuly subscription to a schedule that works for you is to pause the account anytime you need a reset. For example, I started my first subscription in early September so I could receive my pieces in time for Italy, but still have enough time to return the box when I came back. I don’t have an occasion in October, so I’ve paused the account for now and will resume in late November for an upcoming wedding.
Your next Nuuly box unlocks shortly after your UPS drop-off gets scanned (not delivered), which means you’re protected against the whims of carrier delays, lost-in-transit issues, etc.
Many customers have shared that they had better experiences with Nuuly in previous years. While I don’t have that vantage point to compare it to, I do agree that it’s hard finding great pieces in-stock. However, if you follow my tips above for your first Nuuly rental, I do believe it will maximize your wardrobe options and satisfaction with the program.
There are lots of gems you can find on the platform, and even buy at a hefty discount that can make Nuuly worthwhile. I hope you found this review helpful, and here is my referral link for $30 off your first box!
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