The 16 Best Places to Buy Dresses Online and In Person

If you’re looking for flirty, trendy or sophisticated items, ASOS is the place to go. This online store brings in new styles every season so you never have to worry about wearing the same dress as someone else (though if you do, you can always snap pictures and make a new friend). We love that Asos offers petite and plus sizes up to size 30, and you can sort dresses so you only see items available in your size. The returns process is straightforward, too: Send it back within 28 days of the delivery date, and once the company gets the item back, you should receive a refund in 14 days.

While Asos has inclusive sizing, most of the styles are catered to people above 5’7” who wear sizes below a large. In addition, many customers have noticed that they can find the same items Asos sells on different sites for less money.

On the surface, Macy’s might not look like a budget-friendly or trendy store, but the key is to look at the sale items and be choosy about when you shop. You can score some excellent deals if you take the time to peruse discounted items. Also, trendy items tend to appear at the beginning of each season, so make sure you shop in those first few months to find the good stuff.

While the quality of Macy’s clothing is usually excellent, some buyers complain from time to time about being sold damaged items. In addition, not every online style is available at every in-person store, and you may have a hard time finding your size in a dress you like — especially if you’re shopping at the end of a season.

If you’re hoping to find an affordable dress without having to pay for shipping, Amazon is a great choice. The company sells dresses from a wide array of brands and covers all event styles, from casual to work to cocktail. Plus, most dresses have extensive reviews so you’ll know what you’re getting into before buying.

I haven’t always had the best luck with Amazon dresses since the quality varies and the fabric is sometimes not what I’d expect. However, you should have better luck if you stick to dresses that have at least a 4.5-star average rating. Not all dresses are size inclusive, but you can filter results to see only items in your size.

If you really want to wow a crowd, go for Revolve; it has some beautiful pieces. The brand offers a blend of classic, trendy and sensual styles and allows you to sort items based on color, pattern, length, style, cut, size, neckline, and sleeve length. The best part of shopping at Revolve? You can submit a return for free within 60 days (assuming the price tag is still on) or get an exchange if it’s been 60 to 90 days. Send it via mail with a prepaid label or drop it off at a designated return center. We also like that sizing goes up to 4X, though there aren’t many plus-size options.

The brand doesn’t offer petite sizing, either, so women under 5’7” will likely have to get certain gowns tailored. A few buyers have complained that they received items that were poor quality, but the vast majority of reviewers love the quality and customer service.

Those Lulus ads on social media finally wore me down this year when I purchased several Lulus dresses for fall weddings. And I was impressed; each of the four dresses I bought felt and looked high quality in person — there were no cheap fabrics! I also loved that shipping was speedy and the return process (for a couple dresses that didn’t fit right) was simple and cost me nothing.

However, Lulus doesn’t have petite sizes or sizing beyond XL. I also discovered a strange sizing issue: I purchased the same dress in two different colors (but the same size) and found that one fit better than the other. Other customers have had sizing issues as well. Plus, some buyers have purchased dresses that seemed low quality to them, especially items that are final sale.

Everyone is going to Lulus these days for wedding guest dresses (and with good reason!), but if you want pieces that are a little more unique, try Baltic Born. The dresses are made with high-quality fabrics and have a sophisticated feel that ranges from flirty to modest. Wedding guest dresses are the focus here, so you’re sure to find a dress that fits the occasion. I myself discovered the most beautiful, floral backless gown for a black tie wedding on this website in 2021, and I’ve been a fan ever since.

A few customers wish that there were more flirty and sensual styles in Baltic Born’s selection. I also wish there were petite sizes available and that Baltic Born had different return and exchange policies. The company only allows store credit and doesn’t cover the cost of shipping the return. If you need to make an exchange (for a different size, for example), Baltic Born won’t honor sale prices if a sale has ended.

Tired of brands that claim to be inclusive then only sell clothing in sizes XS to XL? Try out Curve Girl instead. This fashion-forward brand offers sizes four to 46, and if you still can’t find the right fit, you can get a customized dress for an additional fee.

However, Curve Girl doesn’t cater to women who are petite (5’3” or shorter), so shorter women will have to get floor-length dresses hemmed. In addition, some customers have complained of slow shipping and poor customer service.

One day, Love, Bonito will have taken over my entire wardrobe — and I won’t be mad about it. The brand originated in Singapore and soon spread across Southeast Asia, and it is now shipping internationally. It features elegant, timeless and business-friendly clothing at an affordable price (work-style dresses fall between $55 and $65). I also love that the brand always provides model measurements and clothing measurements, so you can buy the best fit possible.

Unfortunately, Love, Bonito business dresses only go up to a size XL or XXL. The international shipping may also cause shipping mishaps, delays and a long refund process. Fortunately, the customer service department is excellent.

For classic, well-known business styles that you know and love, opt for Ann Taylor. The brand uses high-quality and comfortable fabrics, and specializes in classic sheath and pegged silhouettes (think straight, clean lines). We also like that Ann Taylor accepts returns via mail or in person within 30 days of purchase.

The downsides: Not all dresses sold by Ann Taylor are size inclusive. Some go up to XXL (about size 18) and some go up to size 20.22. Petite sizing only goes up to XLP (the equivalent of 16P). In addition, some buyers have reported that the brand sometimes uses poor-quality fabrics and has poor customer service.

You don’t have to pay more than $200 for a prom dress if you don’t want to — Windsor offers youthful, prom-friendly styles at affordable prices. We love that sequins and party styles are celebrated here, and so are classics. You’ll find everything from body-con mini dresses to formal ball gowns.

What we don’t like: Sizing only goes up to XL and petite lengths are nonexistent. In addition, reviewers note that the quality isn’t as great as other brands, but still believe items are worth the price. The return window is also slim: Special occasion and formal dresses must be returned within 14 days of the original shipment date, and if the product arrived damaged or missing, you must make a report within seven days of receiving the package.

On the hunt for dresses you can wear to the office and then out to drinks? Quince exudes casual elegance with simple, classy and sophisticated styles. We like that they offer a blend of seasonal picks and year-round goodies. Plus, the brand prides itself on the ethical production of clothing made with sustainable materials. Quince has the most liberal return policy of all our recommendations: You can return an item for a full refund or exchange within 365 days of the purchase date, assuming the tags are still attached and the item is unworn.

Note that these dresses are pricey for what you get — prices range from $80 to $150, which is usually the amount most people are comfortable spending on formal dresses, not casual ones. However, we think the environmentally-friendly and fair labor manufacturing makes up for it. Quince also doesn’t offer sizing beyond XL.

There’s no such thing as dresses for mature women; women of any age can wear any dress they like! Still, it’s important to recognize that women over 50 often opt for elegant, sophisticated styles. (Not everyone wants to wear a gen-Z tube top dress to a wedding.) JCPenney caters to this shopper with classic and refined dresses that flatter the figure and never cause discomfort.

Keep in mind that the styles you see on the JCPenney website are not always available in store. In addition, JCPenney’s sizing only goes up to size 18, which is equivalent to XL. It’s not easy to find petite dresses, either.

Abercrombie & Fitch hasn’t always been the most inclusive brand (and it’s still got work to do in the sizing department), but we love that every dress on the site is offered in petite, regular and tall lengths. The styles range from sweet and feminine to business-like and classy. Plus, the return policy is good: Return your item in person or via mail for free within 30 days of your shipping confirmation, and you should receive a full refund.

As we mentioned, A&F still isn’t as size inclusive as we’d like — sizes cap out at XXL. And though we like the return policy, it isn’t ideal in practice. Some customers have had their returns and exchanges denied even though they claimed they sent back items in unworn condition. A few buyers have complained of poor customer service.

While Reformation isn’t the most sustainable brand out there, it’s making great strides in reducing its energy footprint. It also offers its employees safe and fair working conditions and living wages, which is why its dresses are expensive. We love that you can find classic, modern, elegant and romantic styles here — there’s something for everyone. Sizing goes up to 3X and petite sizing goes up to XLP.

What we don’t like: Not all dresses are made in every size, though we do like the selection of plus-size dresses. The return policy is only okay: Return shipping is free but only if you keep at least one item from your order. Returns must be submitted within 30 days of the delivery date. In addition, many customers have reported receiving poor-quality items.

If you always want to stay on trend, shop at ASTR the Label. The brand offers classy, romantic and fashion-forward styles without pushing the envelope too much. It also cycles through styles every season, so you’re bound to find something unique.

Unfortunately, sizing only goes up to XXL and no dresses are offered in petite lengths. The return policy could be better, too: You’ll receive a refund if you return your item within 14 days of the original ship date, but you must pay a $5 fee. If you ship the item back between 15 and 30 days, you’ll receive a store credit instead.

Looking for a fun, flirty number for a bachelorette party or night out? ASTR the Label has a party vibe and always features the latest trends and buzz-worthy dresses. Mini dresses are the brand’s specialty, but they also offer laid-back, full-length styles.

However, the return window is slim; you must return your purchase within 14 days (10 business days) of your delivery date in order to receive a refund, and the cost of return shipping is not included. In addition, sizes only go up to XXL.