With many fraternity and sorority formals coming up in these last few weeks of school, the hunt for the perfect look is on. Let Her Campus be your guide to finding the perfect dress!
If you’re looking in St. Louis…
Pitaya
Photo courtesy of Pitaya
This shop on The Loop was definitely created with college girls in mind. Though the store is pretty small, it is packed with a lot of great formal dresses. Be sure to check out the sale rack in the back, they often sell discounted dresses if there are any makeup stains or tears (which can be easily fixed if you’re on a budget).
Paper Dolls
Photos courtesy of Paperdolls
Paperdolls is located on Delmar in University City. They have had a longstanding relationship with Wash U’s sororities, and are aware of the formal dress shopping rush. Be warned: Their dresses tend to run a bit on the pricier side. They also have a lot of cute casual clothes for you to check out in case you don’t find the perfect dress.
Avalon Exchange
Photo courtesy of Avalon Exchange
Avalon is a buy-sell-trade re-sale clothing boutique. Though you’re probably used to shopping at this Loop favorite to find clothes for a mixer theme or a halloween costume, they also have hidden gems. Also, if you have any formal dresses from years past that you want to get rid of, you can sell it at Avalon to get money for a new dress!
You can always check out the Galleria where Nordstrom, Macy’s, Forever 21, and Urban Outfitters offer you a greater chance of finding a great dress if you’re on a time crunch.
If you’re buying online…
Tobi
Photos courtesy of Tobi
Tobi is a classic option when it comes to online dress shopping. It offers hundreds of dresses that work well for occasions like formal. They often have huge sales, and offer dozens of dresses for under twenty dollars so you don’t have to worry about blowing your budget. In addition, shipping is free for orders over $50.
Nastygal
Photos courtesy of Nastygal
Nastygal offers fashion-forward dresses for those looking to pay between $25 and $100. Watch out for their (frequent) sales because they often offer huge deals on dresses that are still very much on trend. They offer a wide range of styles, from scandalous to sweet!
Missguided
Photos courtesy of Missguided
This online superstore offers one of the widest selections of dresses that I have found. You can find something at just about any price point. They also offer a lot of high-end designer dresses if you are looking for something along those lines.
Amazon
Photos courtesy of Amazon
Believe it or not, Amazon has started offering a huge selection of dresses! You may think that you wouldn’t find anything that would be appropriate, but head on over to Amazon and scroll through a page; you’ll be surprised. If you are a prime member, you can get the dresses shipped to you for free and easily return the ones you don’t like! Just be careful to read the reviews before buying because sometimes the dresses may not look like the photo they are presented with. This is by far the most convenient way to shop online for a dress.
If none of these options are speaking to you, go hunt through your friend’s closets! Nothing beats a free dress. Happy formal season, ladies!