Rent the Runway

Rent the Runway provides unlimited access to designer clothing through monthly subscriptions. Choose 5, 10, or 20 items per month from 750+ brands including Diane von Furstenberg, Theory, and Proenza Schouler. Items arrive ready to wear, return in prepaid bags, and RTR handles all cleaning. Perfect for fashion-forward professionals who want variety without closet clutter.

About Rent the Runway

Rent the Runway fundamentally changed fashion consumption when it launched in 2009. Co-founders Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss recognized that the traditional model, buying expensive clothes, wearing them a few times, then storing or discarding, was wasteful and financially burdensome. Their solution: the world’s largest shared designer closet, where members access 750+ luxury brands through monthly subscriptions.

The premise is simple but revolutionary. Instead of owning designer pieces, you borrow them. Order online from brands like Diane von Furstenberg, Theory, Proenza Schouler, and hundreds more. Items arrive ready to wear. Return in prepaid bags when done, no cleaning required, RTR handles everything. Then select new pieces, creating an infinitely rotating wardrobe without closet overflow or buyer’s remorse.

For fashion-forward professionals, the economics are compelling. Monthly membership costs $109-265 depending on item count. In return, you access clothes with retail values up to $3,000 per piece. A single blazer from the collection might retail for more than a month’s membership. For those who need variety for work, events, or simply love fashion without waste, RTR delivers unprecedented value.

Pricing Plans

Rent the Runway offers tiered membership options:

Plan	Monthly Cost	Items/Month	Details
5-Item Limited	$109	5 total	Limited brand selection
5-Item Full	$129	5 total	Full 750+ brand access
10-Item	$164	10 total	2 shipments monthly
20-Item	$265	20 total	Maximum rotation

First Month Discounts:

• Often 50-60% off first month with promo codes
• Referral programs offer additional savings

All Memberships Include:

• Free shipping both ways
• Free dry cleaning (you never clean items)
• Damage insurance
• Pause or cancel anytime
• Backup sizes for events (request when ordering)

One-Time Rentals:

• Available without membership for events
• 4 or 8-day rental periods
• Good for testing before subscribing

How It Works

1. Subscribe: Choose your plan based on how many items you want monthly. Start with 5-item to test, upgrade later if needed.

2. Browse and Select: Explore 750+ brands online. Filter by size, occasion, color, brand, or style. “Heart” items to track availability.

3. Receive Your Items: Orders ship free and typically arrive in 2-3 days. Items come cleaned, pressed, and ready to wear.

4. Wear and Enjoy: Keep items as long as your membership allows. Style for work, events, casual outings, whatever you need.

5. Return When Done: Place items in the prepaid return bag, drop at UPS or home pickup. No cleaning required, RTR handles it professionally.

6. Swap for New Pieces: Once items return to RTR warehouse, your “spots” free up for new selections. The rotation continues.

What’s Included

Brand Access (750+ designers including):

• Diane von Furstenberg
• Theory
• Proenza Schouler
• Tanya Taylor
• Veronica Beard
• Alice + Olivia
• Badgley Mischka
• And hundreds more

Item Categories:

• Workwear: Blazers, dresses, blouses
• Casual: Weekend wear, athleisure
• Events: Cocktail dresses, gowns
• Accessories: Handbags, jewelry (some plans)
• Seasonal: Coats, vacation wear

Services:

• Professional dry cleaning between rentals
• Quality inspection before shipping
• Minor repair services
• Damage forgiveness policy

Who It’s For

Rent the Runway is perfect for working professionals who need wardrobe variety for office days, client meetings, and business travel without buying new outfits constantly. Fashion enthusiasts who love experimenting with new designers find RTR ideal because they can try luxury brands without the permanent commitment of purchasing. The service appeals strongly to sustainability-minded consumers who prefer participating in the sharing economy rather than contributing to constant consumption and textile waste.

Those with event-heavy lifestyles requiring different looks for weddings, galas, dinner parties, and social gatherings benefit tremendously from unlimited rotation. Closet minimalists who want access to great clothes without storage overflow appreciate that items return to RTR rather than accumulating in already-full closets. The subscription model solves the eternal problem of having “nothing to wear” while maintaining a streamlined living space.

Consider alternatives if you live outside the United States, as RTR currently operates domestically only. Those needing extended sizes consistently may find inventory varies significantly in less common sizes. If you want specific items guaranteed for important events, popular pieces frequently sell out due to high demand across the membership base. Budget-conscious subscribers should carefully evaluate whether $109-265 monthly fits their clothing budget. Some people simply value owning their wardrobe and building a permanent collection rather than borrowing, and RTR may feel unsatisfying for those who prefer ownership over access.

Rent the Runway’s 4.1 Trustpilot rating across 560 reviews reflects genuine satisfaction with the service, though the 30% 1-star ratings highlight the importance of managing expectations around item availability and condition. For the right user, someone who values variety, convenience, and access over ownership, RTR delivers a unique fashion experience unavailable anywhere else.

Sustainability Benefits

Rent the Runway promotes fashion sustainability through multiple channels. The environmental impact is significant: the sharing model extends garment lifecycles, reduces clothing waste from single-wear purchases, and decreases demand for fast fashion production. Professional dry cleaning between rentals extends item longevity far beyond what typical home care achieves.

The economic efficiency benefits complement the environmental ones. Members access expensive designer items without paying full purchase prices, try trends without long-term commitment, reduce closet clutter and storage needs, and avoid buyer’s remorse on special occasion pieces that might otherwise hang unworn for years.

RTR has earned significant industry recognition as a pioneer in the fashion rental economy. The company has been studied by sustainability researchers, inspired similar services globally, and actively advocated for a circular fashion model that challenges traditional consumption patterns.

Tips for Success

To maximize your membership, add items to your “hearts” list to receive availability notifications when popular pieces become available. Check inventory early in the month when selections are freshest and more options are in stock. Being flexible with sizing helps since member reviews often provide real fit guidance that differs from standard sizing charts. When your first choice is unavailable, explore similar items from comparable brands that may have availability.

Ensuring good fit requires reading member reviews for honest feedback about how items actually wear. Order backup sizes for important events when fit matters most, and compare garment measurements against your own body measurements before ordering. Over time, note how different brands tend to run so you can predict sizing for future orders.

Managing returns efficiently keeps your rotation moving smoothly. Schedule UPS pickups for convenience rather than making trips to drop-off locations. Return items promptly to free up your spots for new selections. Always check pockets and ensure nothing personal remains before sealing return bags, and keep your prepaid return bags organized and accessible for quick turnaround.