Whether you’re getting ready for a party, dance, or any other special event, there will come a time when a girl needs to buy a formal dress. Although dressing for a formal event can be extremely fun, finding the right dress to wear, however, can be difficult.

If you have an upcoming occasion or special event and you don’t have an attire yet, keep reading to learn about the five things to consider when shopping for formal wear online.

1. Budget

Even if your budget is limited, it doesn’t mean that you can no longer buy formal dresses. You just have to make sure that you set a clear budget and stick to it. This can help narrow down choices and smoothen out your search. The cost of the dress will likely be affected by different factors such as fabric, level of detail, collection, and others.

To ensure that the dress you pick is always within your budget, think about how much use you’re going to get out of it. If you want to buy a neutral dress and use it as your go-to attire for formal events or occasions, then consider increasing your budget a little bit more. But if you’re just going to wear it one time, then you should think carefully so you don’t go overboard. It’s even better if you just rent a dress if it’s for a one-time event only.

2. Reviews

The majority of online clothing stores have a dedicated portion below each item where past buyers can leave their feedback or reviews. This section gives you valuable insight into the seller or online shop since they give you a real customer’s perspective on the pieces of clothing that they’re selling.

The review section can provide information about an article of clothing. It can tell you about its size, quality, and most importantly, if people were happy with their purchase. With the help of this information, you’ll be able to decide what size to order and whether or not it’s worth purchasing. 

3. Size

You might already be familiar with your size, but what’s even more important to consider are the sizes offered by online clothing stores. Checking the size online is different from going to a physical store where you can easily find your fit by going to the fitting room. When you shop online, you need to get the right size if you don’t want to go through the hassle of returning the product to a different size and waiting for it to be delivered again.

The good news is that you can always rely on the size chart or guide given by online clothing shops. So, before you add a piece of clothing to your cart or click the ‘Buy Now’ button, ensure that you message or contact the store’s customer support to send you a size chart. This way, you can guarantee that you’ll be able to pick the right measurements.

4. Clothing Materials

The feel of the material is another important thing to consider when shopping for formal dresses. You don’t want to receive a gown that you’ve been yearning to buy for months, only to find out that its fabric feels like sandpaper. Since it’s impossible to feel the fabric and you can’t distinguish its texture just by looking at the photos, it’s a good idea to research different types of fabric and familiarize yourself with them.

Check your closet and find the clothes that you love or often wear, as well as anything that feels comfortable, itchy, or stuffy. Take note of their fabrics and use them as references when you shop for a dress online. If you hate polyester and the dress you’re eyeing is made from it, then you’ll know it’s a good idea to find another one.

5. Return And Shipping Policy

Reputable online clothing stores offer a return policy for things that don’t meet expectations. There are even some that go beyond allowing their customers to return items that fail to meet certain quality criteria. You should also educate yourself about the shipping costs incurred for delivering your purchased items to your desired location.

Final Thoughts

Finding the perfect dress online can be challenging for a lot of women, especially if it's their first time. It’s hard because you can’t try them on and you can’t feel the fabric. But as long as you take into account the things discussed above, you’ll be able to find a dress that looks great on you.