Has anyone bought an evening dress online?

R

red_mct

Cathlete
Ladies:

I am desperate. I am going to a wedding in a couple of weeks with an ex-boyfriend of mine and it is imperative that I look very, very hot. }( }( }( Nothing like showing them what they are missing, lol. Anyway, I can't find anything in local stores, so I have been looking online. I'm a bit leery of spending a lot of cash on something like this only to discover the fit is terrible, they won't take it back, etc. So I'm wondering - has anyone done this and can you make any recommendations? I am looking at nordstroms.com now... they have a pretty big selections and a couple dresses that I really like (which alas may be out of my price range).

Feedback appreciated!!

Thanks,
Marie
 
I have never bought something like that online, but I have done my fair share of shopping for prom dresses. I serve in a youth group and every year there is prom dress shopping with at least a couple of girls.

Anyway, what I have discovered is that you must try on EVERYTHING!! No thumbing through and seeing what you might like. Anything in your size you scoop up and head to the dressing room. I have found that the dress that least impressed you, or you would never have picked turns out to be the one you buy. Never fails, so don't rule anything out because you just never know how it will look until it is on your body....bring friends to give you an honest opinion too:)
 
I couldn't agree more, Dani!

My wedding dress I only took into the fitting room out of curiosity. I didn't LIKE it...it was different from anything else I was seeing in the store and I just couldn't imagine what it looked like on so I brought it in just for the heck of it...and...low and below I fell in love with it! It was one of the first dresses I put on and I went back and bought it. I knew it was the dress for me!

~Wendy~

I smoked my last cigarette on March 17, 2004 at 10:00 pm!

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?WENDYMIN

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EDD: 05/19/05
 
Marie, I think buying on-line is the way to go a lot of times. Sometimes the selection isn't that good in the local stores. On-line you are able to buy colors that you like, etc.

If you don't mind me asking, what is your skin and hair color? What length of dress are you looking for?

Lori
 
Hi Marie. The key to buying clothing online is being honest when you take your measurements. You can go to the stores and get your dresses in a medium and then have to buy them online as a small for example. The first thing you should do is check out the size charts on the website you're visiting. They vary a lot. Then take your measurements according to their specific instructions and order your size accordingly. It doesn't matter if you have to go up to a bigger size or smaller. You'll regret it if you don't order the correct size.

You have to remember also that the online stores always use the model that looks the best in a specific outfit and you should find a model that has a body type like yours. If they show a really skinny model and you are really skinny then that might be the style of dress for you. If they show a model with an hourglass figure and that's your body type then that's the dress that will look good on you. If you forget that then you might look frumpy.

Your height is also important. Check out the size charts and they usually mention how tall you should be to have their clothes fit perfectly on you without having them hemmed. And speaking of hemming, you might have to do some altering on your own when you get the dress so if you think that is something you might do then you have to see if your dress is lined, the fabric, etc. There are types of dresses that look flattering on almost every body type. Keep in mind that A-line skirts are more flattering than pencil type skirts, a lower neck is usually more flattering than a higher neck and be sure to stay away from long sleeve dresses online, buy them sleeveless, short sleeve, or 3/4 sleeve because sometimes the sleeves are too long and then you have to hem those too.

Another thing is the color. you'll look older in dark colors and younger with lighter colors. If you're on a limited budget the key is to buy a simple sexy dress (no embroidery, no big (expensive) designers, not a lot of details, etc.) and punch it up with great shoes, a great clutch handbag, and great accesories. Last but not least, be sure to check out return policies. Most online stores have them, but you always have to make sure. Good luck.
 
Great advice Rose. I also second the A-line, and lower neckline. If you have a really tiny bust a higher neckline will be flattering. There's nothing worse than a bony chest with a big scoop or V-neck. But, if you have nice skin and some boobs than a lower neckline is definitely more flattering. Also I think color is a huge factor. I am so sick of seeing black. Choose a color that is flattering for your coloring. Good luck, and please share what you are leaning towards. :)

Lori
 
Hi Marie,
I noticed you are from are from Clarks Summit ( the neck of the woods where I grew up). Take a trip to the King of Prussia Mall or go into NYC...you are not that far from either one and there are bus trips if you don't want to drive. Shopping on line can be frustrating as you can never know how it will look or fit until you try it on. Go to some real stores (you will never find anything at the Viewmont LOL)...like the ones in NYC or in King of Prussia. Good luck!
 
Hi, Lori:

I am about 5'7, 125 and wear a size 4 (usually). I have red hair and am very, very fair (lol). A dermatologist once told me I shouldn't leave the house until after dark!

I am looking for something knee-length, I think, and slim, not too fussy. I was hoping for either a light pink (but everything this season is fuschia), mint green, or light blue... those are really good colors on me. In a pinch, I will go with the basic black...

If you see anything, let me know!!

Cheers,
Marie
 
Rose,

This is awesome advice. Are you affiliated with "What Not to Wear"?? LOL

I particularly like your advice about checking out the model's body type. I am thin but do have an hourglass shape (my waist is really small and while that SOUNDS good, it does make dress shopping difficult because nothing fits correctly without alteration). That makes it tricky...

Thanks so much! I will post what I am looking at later, I am at work...

Cheers,
Marie
 
Hi, Cathy:

What a small world!! And I looked in the Viewmont Mall last week and was not surprised to find NOTHING! lol I actually work in North Jersey and am going to hit a much larger mall (Bridgewater Mall) tonight. This mall has a Lord & Taylor's, Macy's, Ann Taylor, Bebe, and Cacique... I am sure I will at least find something I like, even if it is out of my price range (but then maybe I can figure out how to get something similar online).

Thanks again to everyone for their feedback!

Marie
 
Marie-
I'm going through something similar. I have to buy a mother-of-the-groom dress for my stepson's wedding. I don't have much time to shop during the week, so I am spending a lot of time seeing what's out there online. When I finally get to a store, I should have a pretty good idea of what's available. In other words, I'm pre-shopping online. As far as actually buying something though, I think I'd rather try stuff on at a store because I don't like packing things up to be returned. If you do that though, Nordstrom's will take back ANYTHING. Even if it's been worn. They have great customer service.
 
I bought my wedding dress from www.bridesave.com. The customer service was great and I saved a ton.

They sell bridesmaid dresses too and they have a great search option. It might be worth checking out. :)
 
Great site Dani! Thanks. I'm going to check it out carefully. A bridesmaid gown will do fine for what I need. Although it's a daytime wedding, my stepson wants me to wear a full-length dress, which seem to be plentiful. :D
 
>Rose,
>
>This is awesome advice. Are you affiliated with "What Not to
>Wear"?? LOL
>
haha! Let's just say past mistakes have made me a pseudo fashion expert. Whatever you decide to buy post it here and we'll give you honest opinions.
 
Heck, I bought my wedding gown online! If I can do that, then you can buy an evening gown online. :) Like others have said, take good measurements and compare with the dress manufacturer's size charts. Not Nordstrom's size charts because they don't actually make the dresses. There is a huge disparity in size charts among different dress makers. So get the size chart for the dress manufacturer you are interested in.

When I bought my wedding gown online, I ordered it knowing for sure I would need to have it altered. I'm short and have a small waist so I knew the straps would have to be shortened and the waist taken in, as well as the bottom hemmed. If you are close enough in measurements to the size charts, you may not require any alterations, but I think most everyone who buys a formal gown needs to have some minor alterations. Find a good seamstress and that dress will fit you like a glove - your ex will be EXTREMELY jealous. ;)
 
I'm not proud of admitting this, but I sure would like to make my stepson's mom envious. }( I better get started shopping.

I know what looks best on me. A lower neckline is an imperative. A wrap style would be perfect to make me look like I have a waist and to hide my tummy. Cap sleeves are a big NO-NO because they draw attention to the worst part of my arms. I need a simple style, with not a lot of fabric to overwhelm my small frame. I think I'd like to go sleeveless with a jacket.

What will you get Marie?
 
unless i know the size i wear from that particular store.. i wouldn't buy it online! sizes vary way to much from store to store to know what size i wear.. even with sizing charts!


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cute work out clothes are good for AT LEAST an additional 10-15 calories burned!
 
The sizing charts worked perfect for me online at bridesave.com. Don't measure yourself, have someone else measure you. Find a good independent seamstress and they can make alterations for you.
 
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