Fashion, Tips & Tricks

Which Clothing Subscription Box is Right for You?

The Smart Shopper Editors · Published on 2020-09-11

Clothing subscription boxes are the latest craze to enter the fashion world. There are plenty of perks, like getting to try the hottest trends without commitment, being more environmentally friendly by “sharing” clothes and more. For less than what you’re probably spending on buying new clothes each month, you can get brand new styles sent to your door and swap them out when you’re ready to try new ones with clothing rental subscriptions. We’re comparing style selections, how it works and price to help you find the best option for you. Check it out.

Le Tote vs. Rent the Runway vs. Gwynnie Bee vs. Armoire

Style Selections

You can tailor the options to your liking by filtering through the categories. Narrow down clothing, accessories, weather, occasion, metal and colors to browse items that suit your taste. Once you select those categories, you can narrow down by even more granular details like the dress style, length, sleeve length and neckline. My recommended styles appear more suited for everyday wear with brands being repeated often. There was a large focus on athleisure for my selections.

Featured Brands: Vince Camuto, French Connection, Kut From The Kloth, Gorjana

Suitable for: Those seeking basic and more mature styles. Most options in everyday wear, business casual attire, semi-formal events, athletic wear.

Pros: Maternity options. Includes accessories. Members only discounts. Dry cleaning included.

Cons: I wish you could browse the styles before signing up.

Those seeking more high end, designer brands will appreciate Rent the Runway. It’s a great place to get your fancy fashion fix without the large price tags as you can rent designer gowns and such for up to 90% off retail. The options are mostly dresses in all styles and lengths and jumpsuits, but you can also find dressier pants, tops, skirts, handbags, jewelry and more. Shop by celebrations or designers. This may also be a great option for those who want an easy way to build a luxurious vacation wardrobe.

Featured Brands: Rebecca Minkoff, The Kooples, Mara Hoffman, Loeffler Randall

Suitable for: Trend seekers looking to wear designer brands. Most styles are more on the formal end.

Pros: Immediate option to start browsing clothing selections. Discounted trial period. Members only discounts. Can add extra spots to your plan if you want to rent more items. Dry cleaning included.

Cons: Tailored to those looking for semi-formal and formal event options.

There are no specific styles presented to you as all that is asked is your sizing. You can browse by new arrivals or categories that include shirts and blouses, dresses, denim and pants, cardigans and sweaters and the like. Find style inspiration by looking through top rated clothing, seasonal favorites, trending styles and more. Options for sizes zero to 32.

Featured Brands: Adrianna Pappell, Calvin Klein, Gabby Skye, Lauren Ralph Lauren

Suitable for: Those seeking more mature styles.

Pros: Enjoy 50% off your first month. Members only discounts. Dry cleaning included.

Cons: Small pool of brands when building size profile.

Your online closet is organized by My Favorites, Curated For Me, categories that you said you wanted to see when taking the style quiz and a brand spotlight. You can also rate upcoming styles and have them added to your closet as they become available. While browsing, you’ll see some trending looks and style inspiration from the Armoire community of members. You can like or dislike items that have been recommended for you to narrow down a list better tailored to your style preferences.

Featured Brands: Paige, Joie, Scotch & Soda, cupcakes & cashmere

Suitable for: Those seeking trendier styles. Most options in everyday, casual wear and semi-formal events.

Pros: Maternity options. Inclusive sizing up to 3X/24W. Discounted trial period. Members only discounts. Dry cleaning included.

Cons: I wish you could browse the styles before you sign up. Only one unlimited plan offered, so you may feel the need to make it worth it for you.

How It Works

1. Answer questions about your sizing and fit and style preferences to get the right styles suggested to you.

2. Pick a plan to decide how many boxes you want monthly and with or without accessories.

3. Browse styles curated for you and choose the items you want to rent.

4. Tote is delivered to your door within two to three days via priority shipping. Wear your clothing and/or accessories as many times as you’d like during that month.

5. Keep the pieces you love for up to 50% off and return the rest in the prepaid bag. Clothing will be laundered upon return as part of your subscription.

1. Pick a plan depending on how many items and swaps you want per month.

2. Build your first shipment of designer clothing and accessories. Items arrived dry cleaned and ready to wear in a reusable garment bag.

3. Wear the items for as long as you want. When you’re ready to swap, send them back in the reusable garment bag before building your next shipment.

1. Complete a survey to build your size profile based on your sizing in dresses, tops and bottoms at three brands.

2. Explore brands and curated collections, then add styles to your online closet.

3. Items get delivered to your door and wear them as many times as you’d like.

4. Return the items or buy it for less than retail price.

1. Take a quiz about your style preferences, favorite brands and sizing.

2. Sign up and choose a plan. One will be recommended to you, but you can change it.

3. Browse curated styles based on your preferences and add them to your case.

4. Your case will be delivered to your door. Wear the items as many times as you want during that month.

5. Send back the items in a prepaid bag or purchase your favorites at a discount.

Pricing & Plans

Free shipping both ways. Pause or cancel anytime. $5 monthly insurance covers all repairable damage. Maternity plans are about $10 extra monthly for each plan.

Unlimited Boxes Per Month: $79 monthly for four clothing items or three clothing items and two accessories.

One Box Per Month – five clothing items: $59 monthly or five clothing items and three accessories for $79 monthly.

One Box Per Month – eight clothing items: $89 monthly or seven clothing items and three accessories for $99 monthly.

One Box Per Month – 10 clothing items: $109 monthly or 10 clothing items and five accessories for $119 monthly.

You can do both one-time rentals or a clothing rental subscription. We’ll break down pricing for the subscription service. Rental insurance covers minor tears and spills. Pause or cancel anytime.

One Swap: Four items per month at $89 monthly ($69 trial month). Choose four items at a time from 10,000+ styles and 400+ designers. Items have retail value up to $350. Monthly shipments worth up to $1,400.

Two Swaps: Eight items per month at $135 monthly (two trial months for $99 total). Choose four items at a time from 15,000+ styles and 650+ designers. Items have retail value up to $3,000. Monthly shipments worth up to $5,000.

Unlimited Swaps: Unlimited items per month at $159 monthly (no trial). Choose four items at a time from 15,000+ styles and 650+ designers. Items have retail value up to $3,000. Monthly shipments worth up to $10,000+.

Only one unlimited plan offered. Free shipping plus unlimited styles and returns. Pause or cancel anytime.

Unlimited Plan: $69 monthly with 50% off first month.

Free shipping both ways. Pause or cancel anytime. Minor damages covered. Lost or theft will incur a fee of 100% of member price.

Capsule: Four items per month at $79 monthly ($39 for first month). Four items per case, one shipment per month, more than $2,000+ worth of clothes a month, unused shipments roll over.

Two Swaps: Eight items per month at $130 monthly ($49 for first month). Four items per case, two shipments per month, $4,000+ worth of clothes, unused shipments roll over.

Unlimited: Unlimited swaps per month at $149 monthly ($69 for first month). Four items per case, unlimited shipments, $5,000+ worth of clothes.

Final Thoughts

The best clothing subscription boxes are the ones that offer you the most styles that suit your tastes. The option with the most niche audience is Rent the Runway, offering styles tailored towards events and such. This is how I would rank in order of maturity in styles from trendiest to most mature: Armoire, Le Tote, then Gwynnie Bee. If you’re looking for accessories, too, Le Tote is your best option. In terms of cost, Gwynnie Bee takes the cake as it is most affordable long-term and offers unlimited swaps.

The Smart Shopper Editors

From the latest tech to the hottest fashions and everything in between, the editors at The Smart Shopper are in the know and ready share their expertise. Check out our posts on shopping secrets and product trends for those who live for a little retail therapy.

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