Women on Capitol Hill have found a new way to make an often mundane, colorless place fun and lively: clothing rental services.

Subscription services such as Nuuly and Rent the Runway have become staples for staffers who work hard and want to dress well while doing it. Women’s fashion, often scrutinized while many men opt for a simple suit and tie, has long been a way to stand out in a city built on clout. The advent of mail-delivery clothing has made doing so easier and more affordable for aides living on a budget.

The services allow customers to pay a set amount to receive a box of clothing that is swapped out at the end of the month for a new wardrobe delivery. Nuuly is $98 monthly for six items, whereas Rent the Runway has plans ranging from $94 monthly for five pieces to $316 for 30 pieces. Each piece is available to buy at a discounted rate at the end of each month. 

Influencer and former Hill staffer Beverly Hart went viral on TikTok for labeling different clothing items and accessories as either “Democrat” or “Republican,” with her first video reaching 1.5 million views.

“For women, the easiest way to tell was either the bag or the shoes,” Heart says of the guessing game, stating that Telfar bags are “screaming Democrat” while Louis Vuitton is “screaming Republican and not just Republican, like Trump Republican.”

Not only do Capitol Hill staffers use these services, but so do members of Congress, lobbyists, and federal workers. In a city of trends, Nuuly and Rent the Runway have found their place alongside Capitol Hill mainstays such as Celsius energy drinks.

Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), the Democratic freshman class president, made an outfit video in March as she came off the House floor, pointing out her shirt was from Rent the Runway. 

“I appreciate renting clothes because, as a congresswoman, there are countless events, meetings, hearings, et cetera, and I appreciate the convenience and affordability of getting to try out new clothing items without breaking the bank,” Ansari told the Washington Examiner. 

“I get excited about fashion, and that doesn’t make me any less serious of a legislator! And every now and then, I find a piece I love and am able to buy it for much cheaper,” she continued. 

Members in state legislatures use the services, too.

“I have at least one Nuuly all the time, and also add Rent the Runway during session,” West Virginia state Rep. Kayla Young (D-WV) told the Washington Examiner.

At the Capitol, the service is a chance to overcome its stuffy culture with a pop of color or a patterned outfit.

The Washington Examiner held an Instagram poll asking women in politics what they like about the services. Many cited the ease and variety that come with a subscription.

“Nuuly for work is the best thing ever because it’s an easy way to make a serious job more fun,” Jane Evans, a government relations associate, told the Washington Examiner. “Also, a good outfit gives me more confidence when I’m up on the Hill.” 

“It makes me feel more sustainable and also more relatable because I do not have the money some of the older VPs at my firm do, who are buying expensive dresses,” Evans continued. “All us 20-somethings (more or less) are kinda in the same boat of wanting to look our best for less!”

Evans pointed out that the service is a helpful way for women on the Hill and in the industry to connect. In a world where everything revolves around networking, clothing provides a touchpoint that can help professionals relate to one another.

“I love Nuuly because I can wear statement pieces and colorful things without it getting old,” a National Institute of Health employee said. 

“I’ve used Nuuly for about three years!” wrote one reporter. “Obsessed. Versatile. Customer Service.”

“Renting>buying for sure,” said a representative for the Massachusetts Young Democrats Women’s Caucus Board. 

Although the services are similar, many people prefer one or the other based on what they are looking for or their particular style. Some offices dress more casually, while others are buttoned-up.

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“My issue with Nuuly is it’s too casual. My friends like RTR,” one House staffer said. 

“After my internship on the Hill, I realized I didn’t have the clothes that I needed to show up in a really professional setting, especially after moving from the West,” said one former Senate committee staffer. “Instead of dropping a ton of money on new stuff, which I would have needed to do, I could kind of shop around and figure it out.”