Hey, y'all! My name is Isabella, and I’m a college student learning how to navigate adulthood right alongside you!! Today, I will tell y’all about my favorite places to shop for formal/dance dresses!
Date party season is coming for college students, and dance season is coming for high schoolers! So here are the best places to shop for cocktail dresses, prom dresses and formal dresses! This article includes numerous brands that vary in price point and size range. I hope these tips will help you find the perfect look for your big night!
- Poshmark!
- First, if I find a dress I like on Revolve, Saks, Dillards, etc., somewhere where the dress might be costly, I first order it from that website to find what size fits me and ensure I like it. Then, I will return the dress to the original company and Google search for that same dress to find the cheapest option. This will often be on a platform that allows you to buy it second-hand, such as Poshmark, Curtsy, or eBay. Check if your dress is available on one of these platforms because sometimes it is hard to find certain styles. My biggest recommendation is to use Google image search for this!
- Consignment flip!
- This is another excellent option if you're looking for affordable prices and unique style! Search on a platform that allows you to buy second-hand, such as Poshmark, Curtsy, eBay, or a consignment store. Look for a dress that fits you at least relatively and is a fabric that can quickly be taken in. You can chop a long formal dress and make it a unique mini dress, you can stitch up a slit in a dress, and so much more seriously, just have fun with it!
- Rent The Runway
- Rent the Runway is one of the best rental sites for luxurious and unique dresses! I highly recommend this as an affordable option.
- The Real Real
- If you find a costly dress, see if TRR has it. As I suggested above, buying a second-hand dress is an excellent way to save money and still get the dress you love!
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Saks is such a staple. They also have dresses of all styles, shapes, and colors. Also, be sure to check out the sale section!
- Saks OFF Fifth
- This is the discounted version of Saks, where they sell clothes from past seasons of numerous designer brands at amazingly discounted prices! This is one of my absolute favorite places to shop.
- Revolve
- I got 90% of my dance dresses in high school from Revolve, and a lot of the time, I would be able to find one I loved in the sale section! I often make alterations to the dresses from the sale section. They were significantly discounted, so I could pay to alter them to mold them how I wanted. Revolves return policy is also excellent!!
- Bloomingdales
- I just love Bloomingdales, and I feel like it is so underrated. They have stunning styles of maxi, midi, and mini dresses and lots of affordable prices. Again, don't forget if you find a dress you like on a big website like this, Google search for the cheapest option!
- Nordstrom
- Big department stores like this are lovely before they have many options and usually good return policies. I shop mainly for maxi formal dresses at Nordstrom because I feel they have the most of them and broad options of styles.
- ASOS
- This would be my go-to brand for a more unique and bold style of dress! Although they have many cute options, I recommend them for bold statement pieces.
- Dillards
- I love Dillard's, but I recommend shopping there in person because I honestly feel like they have a better selection in-store. Regardless, make sure to check the sale section, either online or in-store. My favorite place to shop is Dillard's Clearance! We have a huge Dillard's clearance store in my hometown, and I have found multiple affordable dance dresses there! Side note: This is also a great place to find business professional dresses.
- Showpo
- You have to look a little bit harder to find the really cute ones on Showpo but they have some stunning and unique dresses. Their return process is also easy!
- Zara
- Zara is so affordable and often is so surprising in producing some of the most gorgeous dresses! Highly recommend! Each store has somewhat different products so I recommend always stopping in to browse.
- Tuckernuck
- Some of their items are pretty expensive but others are relatively affordable and are stunning. They are so unique, classy, and feminine! Tuckernuck is truly a wonderful place to shop.
- Ramy Brook
- I had to include it because this brand is simply so elegant and classy. Their pieces are stunning. They are pretty expensive, but I included them because this would be a good brand to buy secondhand, for example, on The Real Real.
- Pepper Mayo
- This brand has all kind of different styles so I’m sure you can find something to your taste no matter what your style is!!!
With Love,
Isabella XO
