Dresses buying guide

So you need to find the perfect dress; the one that just screams, “Buy me!” and that fits you like a glove. Don’t fret! There are a few simple ways to ensure that you get “your dress,” no matter whether you’re buying a casual dress for the weekend, a formal gown for a special occasion or even your wedding dress. It’s most important that you feel right in the dress you buy.

Buying a casual dress

Even when buying a casual dress there are also many things to consider. First, as always, it is important to think about your budget. Since we are buying a casual dress, there is really no need to spend an extravagant amount of money on it. Secondly, keeping with this thought, you may consider buying a used or vintage dress. There are ample amounts of thrift, consignment and secondhand shops around and you will probably be able to find a variety of dresses on most occasions. Third, you may consider buying a more simple dress and livening it up with your accessories, such asbelts or scarves. You can change the look of a simple dress with different jackets or cover ups, different shoes or even hats, thus having a seemingly bigger wardrobe. The casual dress is a good type of garment to buy online. You will, normally, not be in a time crunch and will probably be able to find better deals online. Lastly, never give up; wait for the good deals! If you see a dress that you love but it is was out of your budget, do not give up hope! Wait a few months and that dress will probably be well within your reach!

Vintage Dresses

Buying a dress for work

One of the most important things to consider when buying dresses for work is what type of work you do. If you are an elementary school teacher, you might not want to buy a dress that is knee-length. Because you probably bend a lot during the day to help your students, an ankle-length dress would probably be more appropriate. Alternately, if you are a marketing executive, it probably wouldn’t be an issue for you to wear a knee-length dress because you will, more than likely, be in meetings or at your desk for the biggest part of your day. Another thought to consider is the atmosphere of your office. You should also consider the typical dress worn by other women in the office. If they all wear more flowing ankle-length dresses and you waltz through the door in a form-fitting knee-length dress, you might immediately make some enemies.

Ankle-Length Dresses

Buying a formal dress

There are many things to consider when buying a formal dress. First, you need to know what style you are looking for. Are you looking for something sexy or something more professional? Secondly, consider your budget. There is no point in looking at dresses that start at $1,500 when your budget is only $500. Lastly, you may want to consider whether to buy online or in a store. There are good and bad sides to both. Buying in the store gives you the option to see the dress in person and also to try it on right away. When buying online, you see the dress in photo only and can only try it on when you receive it. You can usually exchange dresses if they are too big or too small, but remember, this will take a lot of extra time with shipping, so plan for that. But while it may take some planning ahead to buy online, you will usually be able to find a cheaper dress rather than in the department store.

Buying a wedding dress

First, buy early! Planning your nuptials is stressful enough without waiting until the last minute to purchase your wedding dress. But, if you are buying your dress a year or so before your big day, it might be a good idea to buy something with a more classical look rather than whatever is the trend at the moment. With fashion trends changing so quickly, your trendy dress might be “out” before you even get in it. Alterations are another thing to consider. Some shops charge a set price for the alterations, so find out exactly what that covers. This is important because you will need to have as many fittings as necessary to make sure you have the perfect fit. Also, it’s important to know your dress shop’s return policy. You never know what the future holds, so it is important to be ready. Lastly, you may want to ask if you can get a sample of the material of your dress and also take a picture of yourself in the dress. Both will assist when you are choosing accessories, shoes and your veil.

Wedding Dresses

Other tips about buying dresses

The most important thing to remember when buying a dress is that it makes you feel good. Remember to buy dresses that match your personality and style. Colors, material and cut of the dress can all speak volumes about the person wearing it. If you are an outgoing kind of a woman, go for vibrant reds and oranges. If you are more shy and “to yourself,” you might want to stick with muted browns, tans and more neutral colors. For those who have a soft, sensitive personality, you may want to consider soft pinks or subtle yellows. The most important thing to strive for is feeling good about yourself and knowing that you look your best. It’s not about trying to “keep up with the Joneses,” but more about feeling great in your own skin….and that killer dress you just bought!