I tried Rent The Runway for a year. Here’s what I think.

For the past year, I’ve been a loyal Rent the Runway subscriber, shelling out about $150 every month for access to 10 different pieces of clothing. After a year of experimenting with various outfits and styles, I've come to appreciate the benefits enough to keep my membership, despite a few bumps along the way. Here’s my honest take on the service, from the pros to the cons, and why I think it’s worth it overall as someone who goes into the office for work.

What is Rent the Runway:

Rent the Runway is a clothing rental service that allows you to rent high-end designer pieces for a fraction of the cost. The service is designed for those who want to refresh their wardrobes regularly without the commitment of purchasing expensive clothes. With the option to rent anything from dresses to blouses, pants, and outerwear, Rent the Runway gives you access to hundreds of dollars worth of designer clothing each month—making it an appealing alternative to fast fashion.

*pricing as of March 9th, 2025

The Pros: Fresh Wardrobe Without the Price Tag

One of the biggest benefits of Rent the Runway is the variety it offers. Since I work in an office environment, it’s allowed me to try out different styles and looks that I wouldn’t have the courage (or budget) to invest in otherwise. I get to wear beautiful, high-end pieces—many valued at hundreds of dollars per article of clothing—without breaking the bank.

In fact, over the past year, I’ve rented about $20,000 worth of clothing. While I would never buy these items at full price, I get to wear them for a fraction of the cost. It’s like shopping at a luxury boutique but with none of the commitment. I get to play dress-up with designer clothes, and it’s honestly kind of fun!

Another unexpected benefit has been the sustainability factor. I love the idea of renting clothes, which helps me avoid the environmental impact of fast fashion. Plus, having a rotating wardrobe means I don't need to buy more clothes. I’ve actually found that I like having fewer clothes in my closet, just the staples. It keeps me organized and reduces decision fatigue when choosing an outfit each day.

What’s even better is that Rent the Runway offers you the chance to buy the clothes you’ve rented at a heavily discounted price. If something really stands out to me, I can keep it forever at a fraction of the retail cost.

The Cons: The Frustrating Details

While Rent the Runway has its perks, it’s not without its flaws. Perhaps the most annoying aspect is the availability of items. Just because you see a piece of clothing you love on the website doesn’t mean it's available for you to rent. More often than not, the item is already rented out, leaving you with no choice but to settle for your second or third choice. When you're eyeing something specific for an event or even just for the week, this can be a real letdown.

Another challenge is sizing. Sizing can be a hit or miss, which is something I’ve learned the hard way. It’s crucial to read reviews before making your selection, as they often provide insight into how others felt the clothing fit. Even then, there are times when I’ve received garments that don’t fit right because of their design. I’ve had pieces that didn’t fit my shoulders, bust, or hips, even though I ordered my usual size. And let’s be real—finding the perfect pair of pants online without trying them on first is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The sizing for pants in particular is notoriously difficult to get right.

On some occasions, I’ve gotten entire batches of clothes that I didn’t even wear because they just didn’t fit well enough. That’s frustrating, especially when you’re excited about freshening up your wardrobe and end up with pieces that are unwearable. And NO, they do not allow swaps when this happens…

Flexibility and Membership Tiers

One of the nice things about Rent the Runway is that you can pause your membership and switch between different tiers based on your needs. This gives you flexibility and helps manage costs if you’re not in the mood for new clothes one month or if you’re budgeting for other expenses.

Final Thoughts:

At the end of the day, Rent the Runway is a great option if you’re someone who loves to freshen up your wardrobe regularly but without the hefty price tag that usually comes with it. While there are some frustrating elements—like the availability of items and occasional sizing issues—the pros far outweigh the cons for me. The ability to experiment with different styles, wear luxury items without the commitment, and embrace a more sustainable wardrobe keeps me coming back month after month. If you’re someone who enjoys variety in their wardrobe but doesn’t want to constantly buy new clothes, Rent the Runway is worth considering.

However, if I ever needed to save money or if I was in a job that no longer required office time, Rent the Runway would be the first thing to go.

If you want to try it out yourself, use this link to get 40% off your first order: https://www.renttherunway.com/shares/rOghe_QDbsSLFHDl9xhIiA==