If you want to refresh your style without buying new clothes, a clothing subscription service is one of the best ways to do it. These two rental services let you expand your wardrobe without keeping clothes or having to buy them. Instead, you can try them out and return them when you’re done.
The difference between Le Tote and Ms. Collection is that Ms. Collection is a styling service. Le Tote is a clothing rental service that lets you borrow your choice of clothes each month. You can also let a stylist select the clothing rentals you receive, if you’d prefer.
How Do They Work
| Price | Style | Age Range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Collection | $59 – $89 | Everyday clothes, special occasion outfits | 20-40 |
| Le Tote | $59 – $129 | Workwear, activewear, formalwear, everyday clothes | 20-60 |
Le Tote
Le Tote is a subscription service that aims to expand your clothing options without breaking the bank or taking up valuable space in your closet. To get started, you’ll need to choose
Le Tote has a styling component, but it’s primarily focused on letting you choose items to rent. Their website is easy to browse, and you can check it out even before signing up as a member.
Once you finalize your choices, Le Tote will ship them in the next couple of days. When you’re done, you can send them back using a free shipping bag.
Canceling or Pausing
Le Tote requires you to call them to cancel your subscription. They’ll also want you to mail back any rental items you don’t plan on buying before they can cancel your subscription.
You can pause your subscription at any time without calling, but again, they will need to have any outstanding rentals before they can pause the subscription.
Ms. Collection
The internet has given us more shopping options than ever. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with your usual choices, a styling service like Ms. Collection can narrow down your choices and help you find clothes that make sense for your lifestyle.
To get started, you’ll need to choose your plan. Personally, I recommend trying one of the more affordable options first.
Each package is curated by a stylist according to your style preferences, size, and the local weather. You can also make specific requests, like when you need a wedding outfit or something for a job interview.
You can keep your items for as long as you’re a member. When you’re ready for a new batch, you can send them back using the pre-labeled shipping bag that comes with each order.
Canceling
Ms. Collection makes it a little harder to cancel your subscription than most services. You need to email them at least 3 days before your subscription is due to be renewed. Like other rental services, you’ll need to mail your rental back ahead of time to make sure they receive it before your subscription renewal date.
Pros/Cons
Le Tote
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lots of clothing options | The styling element is less personalized |
| Trying clothes before buying | Accessories selection is sometimes small |
| Great discounts |
Pros:
Le Tote has thousands of items on their website, although your options may be limited by your size and the styles you’re interested in. They have workout clothes, work outfits, party dresses, and everything in between. You’ll also find lots of casual tops, pants, and skirts for running errands or meeting up with friends.
Le Tote allows you to buy any of the clothes you rent, if you like them enough. There’s no obligation to buy, but it’s helpful to wear clothes before buying them. That way, you get a more accurate picture of what it feels like to wear them all day.
When you do decide to buy clothes, you can get them at a discount. When items go on clearance at the end of a season, you can get them for under $50.
Cons:
Le Tote can select clothes for your Tote each month, but they don’t put as much care and attention into it as some styling services do. If you want personal styling, I recommend a service like Stitchfix or Trunk Club that focuses more on that aspect.
In my experience, the accessories selection on Le Tote is more limited than their clothing selection. They sell out quickly, so there are sometimes only a few pieces left to rent.
Ms. Collection
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stylist curates each package | Can’t select items yourself |
| Personalized touch | Small selection |
| Try clothes before buying |
Pros:
Each package from Ms. Collection is put together by a stylist to reflect your tastes. If you want expert style advice, this service is a great option. You can leave feedback on previous boxes so they can learn more about your style and adjust the clothes they send accordingly.
Over time, you can develop a rapport with your stylist and receive pieces that fit well and boost your overall style.
When you find items you do like, you can get them for up to 50% off. These discounts can really add up.
Cons:
Ms. Collection is stylist-based, and you can request items, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get them. If you have something specific in mind, I would recommend using another service that lets you choose from hundreds of pieces.
On a related note, Ms. Collection seems to have fewer options than other services. On their website, they list far fewer item examples than other rental services. They seem to focus mostly on trendy styles and less on classic pieces.
How Much Do They Cost
These two services start at the same price point, $59 per month. However, Le Tote has more subscription options and goes up to $129 a month. Overall, Ms. Collection has more affordable membership plans.
Le Tote
1 Tote a Month
- $59 for 5 Clothing
- $89 for 8 Clothing
- $109 10 Clothing
- $79 5 Clothing, 3 Accessories
- $99 7 Clothing, 3 Accessories
- 10 Clothing 5 Accessories $119
Unlimited Plans
- 3 Clothing + 2 Accessories $79
- 4 Clothing $79
Maternity Plans
1 Tote a Month
- $89 5 Clothing 3 Accessories
- $1097 Clothing 3 Accessories
- $129 10 Clothing 5 Accessories
- $79 5 Clothing
- $99 8 Clothing
- 10 Clothing $119
2 Totes a Month
- $89 3 Clothing + 2 Accessories
- $99 4 Clothing
Le Tote has options that include only clothing and some that include clothing and accessories. They also have several maternity membership plans, and those are priced higher than the standard options.
Ms. Collection
- $59 for Standard Once a Month – three items each month
- $69 Premium Once a Month – four items each month
- $79 Standard Unlimited – three items in each pack, unlimited packs per month
- $89 Premium Unlimited – four items in each pack, unlimited packs per month
The Ms. Collection has two styles of membership: once a month and unlimited. If you’re just trying them out, I recommend the once a month option so you can get a sense of the service before committing to one of the pricier choices.
What Style Of Clothes Do You Get?
Both of these services specialize in everyday clothes. Le Tote offers a wider selection, though, and they have some clothes for basically every occasion.
Le Tote
Le Tote has a wide selection of clothes and accessories from mid-range brands you may be familiar with. They have clothes for every occasion, from working out to holiday parties. They also have belts, bags, scarves, and jewelry. Their jewelry selection is focused on statement pieces and costume jewelry, so it might not be to everyone’s taste. It’s not my style!
Le Tote has clothes from XS to XL, or 0 to 16.
Le Tote has clothes from brands like:
- Vince Camuto
- Kate Spade
- DKNY
- Anne Klein
Ms. Collection
The Ms. Collection has a more limited selection of clothing than most other subscription services I’ve tried. Their sizing is also limited: items come in XS to XL, or 2 to 14.
Ms. Collection features brands like:
- Vince Camuto
- Bobeau
- Michael Stars
- Staccato
- Alice Blue
Final Thoughts
Ms. Collection is designed to introduce you to clothes that fit your style profile and size. Over time, you can give your stylist feedback and get very accurate results, but it may take some time to troubleshoot and get exactly what you want.
Le Tote leaves the selection up to you. They have hundreds of clothing items and let you browse freely, with filters to sort by garment type, color, brand, and more. I find their service more enjoyable and more useful as a rental service.
I recommend Le Tote if you want to try new styles for an affordable price. The website makes it easy to pick out items that will enhance your style, like the perfect black dress or a new jacket.
