Spring is almost here, which means it’s formal time!
Whether you’re in a Greek organization, athletics, or student government, chances are that there’s a chance for you to attend a formal. Being a college student, at least in my case, I’m always looking for a great deal and this means spending less for the perfect dress. And the best place to find this is the internet! Buying formal dresses online can either be a hit or miss. So here are some helpful do’s and don’ts to keep in mind next time you shop online.
Do’s
- Look at reviews when you are on the website. Make sure to see if there are any reviews about the dress you are looking at. The more reviews, the more reliable the information is, since this way you’ll know how many people have either loved or hated the dress you’re looking at
- Look at how the dress looks like on multiple models. Try to find how the dress looks on multiple people. Everyone has different body shapes and this dress maybe catered only to one shape or just the model. Or the photo itself could be photoshopped to make it look like it appeals to different body types.
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Look at the quality. The quality of the dress material can be a big factor to help you decide if you should buy the dress or not. Even the quality of the website and the photos should help you decide whether or not you want to put your information on the website, you are not only risking getting a dress that is nothing like what the photo is but also someone hacking your information.
I sadly did not use this helpful tip when I ordered my formal dress for Spring Fling, the formal for the athletic teams. I started browsing on SHEIN, and found a dress in my price range that I fell in love with. Instead of looking at the reviews or seeing if this dress was on any other body type, I jumped the gun and bought this dress. Once it arrived 3 weeks later, i was so excited I ripped the bag open and then to my surprise the dress was NOTHING like the photos. This dress was completely see-through, made of itchy, cheap material and the leg slits went all the way to my hips. Not to even mention this dress did not fit at all when I even made sure the measurements were correct.
Dont’s
- Don’t guess on what size you are. Most online shops have conversion size charts to help you figure out what size you are based on their sizing. Each store has their own sizes, especially if the store is based out of a different country, so it is important to use actual measurements instead of guessing. Using the sizing chart in most cases elevates the worry of ordering the wrong size and having to return the dress after you waited for it to get to you in the first place.
Source(s): The Smart Local, Google Images, Giphy, Tenor