How to Buy a Prom Dress Online

Guide Note: Shopping for a prom dress online might be the least painful way to do it: no salespeople harassing you, shopping in the privacy of your home, and potentially saving a considerable amount of money. Keep reading How to Buy a Prom Dress Online to learn exactly how to do it.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

(CC photo by Peter Dutton)
(CC photo by Peter Dutton)
  • Buying your prom dress online can help save time and the hassle of duking it out against fellow prom-goers at the mall. You'll be able to browse a slew of dresses from the comfort of your own home, and once you determine the style you're looking for, can narrow down your choices and maybe save some money, too.
  • Plus, if you live in an area with limited selection, you'll have much more to choose from, including rare vintage dresses that will let you stand out at prom as the stylesetter you are.

Step 1: Start Surfing

(Creative Commons photo by Jaye_Elle)
(Creative Commons photo by Jaye_Elle)
  • You can find inspiration galore on the internet when you're looking for a perfect prom dress.
  1. Browse a site like PromSpot, which will let you enter in info about the designers and price you're looking for, and then will help you find dresses that meet your specs.
  2. eDressMe also has a great selection of prom looks, along with a guide that helps you choose dresses by silhouette, color, style and price.
  3. Many sites like eDressMe have virtual dressing rooms that will help you get a better sense of how a dress might look.
  4. BestPromDresses.com shows what dresses look best by body type.
  5. It may be easier to track down a dress you've seen on a favorite celeb by going online, like with this Avril Lavigne style by Jessica McClintock.
  6. Sites like Pop Sugar and Style.com can help you find inspiration as well as info on dresses so you can track them down online.
  7. And TeenVogue has loads of prom dress info on its site, too.

Step 2: Take Measurements

(Photo by Michael Kaufmann)
(Photo by Michael Kaufmann)
  • When you order a dress online, you'll have to pay for shipping and wait for it to arrive before trying it on; knowing your exact measurements is crucial.
  1. If you see a dress you like online, you might want to see if it is also available in a store near you. That way you can see it in person and try it on before making a commitment. If the online retailer is less expensive and the dress fits, head home to order.
  2. Be sure to measure with a cloth tape measure and determine measurements (in inches) for your bust (with arms at your sides, measure the fullest part), waist (to find your waist, bend over to one side and measure from where the deepest indent occurs), and hip (measure fullest part).
  3. See eDressMe's size chart, which varies by designer to determine your size.
  4. Remember that dress sizes can often vary from sizes you wear in more casual clothes. You may need to go up a size (or even two), but don't let that worry you.
  5. And don't order a dress a size too small in hopes that you will lose weight before the prom. If you do drop a few pounds, you can easily alter the dress you ordered.

How to Buy a Prom Dress Online Ads

Step 3: Click Away!

(Photo by Steve Woods)
(Photo by Steve Woods)
  • Just make sure that before you click "Purchase," you've found the perfect dress for you. And if you aren't finding what you want online, see Mahalo's guide to How to Buy a Prom Dress to determine other options.
  1. Use a credit card or PayPal to buy your dress (as opposed to an echeck or a debit card) so you have the most security as a purchaser.
  2. And remember to leave plenty of time before prom in case the dress you order doesn't work out or requires significant alterations.
  3. Online retailers to consider:

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