The Good

• Designer Access Without Commitment: Many users like being able to try high-end brands before buying. “I’ve used it to trial certain brands I’ve been interested in (like AGOLDE jeans) to determine if it’s an investment I would want to make” (28 upvotes)
• Convenience for Special Events: Popular for weddings, concerts, and other one-off occasions.
  • “I recently ordered an outfit for the Taylor Swift concert and had it delivered to my hotel. Worked out great!” (19 upvotes)
  • “I rented from RTR in January for a wedding and had a great experience! Your rental price includes two sizes, so that’s awesome.” (18 upvotes)
• Sustainability: Seen as a more eco-conscious choice.”Rent the runway is a way better option for the environment than hoarding clothes you only ever wear once” (242 upvotes)

The Not So Good

• Quality Control Problems: Reports of damaged or overly worn clothing are common.
  • “I dislike how worn out the clothes are. They’ve been rode hard and put away wet. Repeatedly. Stretched out collars, pilled material, curling hems, misshapen fabric.” (28 upvotes)
  • “I just received an item so worn, I can’t wear it” (37 upvotes)
• Sizing Challenges: Petite and plus-size customers often struggle to find well-fitting items.
  • “I am usually a size 10-14 (depending on brand) and I’ve found many items either don’t come in my size or do come in my size but run super small” (16 upvotes)
  • “I can’t use rental companies because I can’t wear a dress without altering it. Like you said, it will simply swallow me.” (16 upvotes)
  • “RTR isn’t always great for short people (me) so just choose pieces carefully” (41 upvotes)
• Limited Everyday Wear: “I notice a large hole in inventory for just ‘cute tops’—tops that aren’t cropped, too spaghetti strapped, and that can be worn with a bra” (16 upvotes)

Comparison to Alternatives

• Nuuly: Nuuly often praised for flexibility.
  • “Honestly they both have pluses and minuses. I have found that RTR clothes are not in fashion. I love the clothes Nuuly has” (37 upvotes)
  • “The biggest advantage to Nuuly in my opinion is that you can pause your membership whenever and they don’t make it a big hassle” (28 upvotes)
• Other Rental Services: Mixed experiences with competitors.
  • “I have used 3 monthly services – Nuuly, RTR, and Haverdash. Haverdash – not worth it… RTR – not worth it for me personally… Nuuly – I currently subscribe to this and I think it’s worth it” (28 upvotes)
• Buying Secondhand Instead: “I was finding renting from them more expensive than owning from consignment stores. Also, the clothes weren’t anything I was excited to wear. I’d rather shop and own for a better value.” (25 upvotes)

Tips and Tricks

• Order Multiple Sizes: Take advantage of RTR’s two-size inclusion. “Your rental price includes two sizes, so that’s awesome. I would recommend going to the dress manufacturer’s website, finding their size chart, and using that to measure yourself and pick two dress sizes” (18 upvotes)
• Use Reviews and Photos: Real-user feedback helps avoid fit issues.
  • “One of my favorite parts of RTR are the reviews and the photos of real women wearing the clothes. I love the fit guidance and the styling inspo I get from other women” (47 upvotes)
  • “Make sure to read reviews because they can give you insights into funky sizing or fit issues” (18 upvotes)
• Know Your Brands: Familiarity helps with fit and selection “Knowing your size in the specific brand is helpful” (41 upvotes)

The Verdict

Reddit sentiment on Rent the Runway is mixed. The appeal – designer looks without buying – works best for weddings, special events, and sustainability-minded shoppers. But recurring issues with garment condition, sizing, and price make some hesitant. RTR excels for event wear, but falls short for everyday value.

Many prefer Nuuly for flexibility or secondhand shopping for better quality at lower cost. Success with RTR depends on picking the right items, reading reviews, and managing expectations!

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