economy
The Women Who Don’t Own Clothes
The rental service Nuuly is taking over America’s closets.
TL;DR
- Nuuly, a clothing rental service founded in 2019 and owned by URBN, has become the largest in its sector with 477,000 active monthly subscribers.
- For $98 a month, customers can rent six clothing items, with no fees for stains, damage, or late returns, and the option to purchase items at a discount.
- The rise of clothing rental services is linked to the sharing economy and the desire for constant newness, fueled by social media.
- Despite marketing claims of sustainability, a study found rental services may produce more emissions due to double the delivery trips.
- Customers primarily use rental services for affordability and variety, especially for event dressing and body changes, rather than for environmental reasons.
- The article questions whether a revolving wardrobe hinders the development of personal style and the creation of a meaningful, long-term wardrobe.