Destress Your Prom Dress Shopping
It is prom season again, and for many students finding a prom dress is a daunting task. This is a guide for all of you who don’t want to spend hours going to different stores searching for the perfect dress, I know I don’t.
Shopping online can be tricky sometimes and it’s hard to find a dress that will fit just right. When you shop online, make sure it is from a website you trust. Websites for actual physical stores that you shop at, like Macy’s, Forever 21, and Nordstrom Rack are pretty trustworthy. Also, make sure to check the return policy; you don’t want to order a dress and receive something that’s been made poorly or that just doesn’t fit, and have to keep it. Additionally, check the sizing charts for the dress before you order it to make sure you are ordering the right size for you.
Reviews can be a good indication if you should trust a dress or website. But, if a website has only good reviews you may need to be cautious because many websites will fake reviews. If there are no reviews, unless it’s a store you trust to be good quality, you should be cautious. Reviews are also a good way to judge how accurate the sizing is and how the dress actually looks. It is always good to do some research before you order anything online, especially something like a prom dress.
If you would rather shop in store, Macy’s is a bit more expensive but has good options. Many times, even thrift stores have prom dresses available around prom season if you are willing to dig for a good price. Bridal stores do as well, but are also very expensive. However, they have a wide variety of options available.
Below is a list of some good websites/stores to find dresses from cheapest to most expensive because saving money is always great.
Forever 21 ($20 – $75)
Lulus ($25 on sale – $252)
Keep On Dancing Black Mock Neck Cutout Maxi Dress from Lulus for $82
Windsor ($25 – $270)
Dillard’s ($35 on sale – $600)
B. Darlin Off-The-Shoulder Top with Floral Trumpet Skirt Two-Piece Dress from Dillards for $149
Nordstrom Rack ($40 on sale – $370)
Macy’s ($110 on sale – $190)
Lastly, make sure you order your dress with enough time for it to be shipped, as well as allowing for time to find a different dress if something is wrong with the first one. Prom dress shopping doesn’t have to be stressful and with just a bit of searching you can find the perfect dress for you, but it’s a good idea to start now because prom is on April 13.
Karina is a senior at Rocky Mountain High School. She is on the art team for Rocky's literary arts magazine The Looking Glass and is planning on going...
