The 17 Best Places to Buy Dresses, Tested and Reviewed

Buying dresses online can be a nerve-wracking endeavor, especially when you're typically scrolling for a dress with a particular event in mind. Luckily, it's never been easier to get lots of options to your door super quickly. We turned to our editors for their favorite places to shop for dresses. These are brands and retailers that we shop at in our free time, and we’ve analyzed the checkout experience, customer service, and shipping and return processes. At a magazine where shopping is our job, you can imagine the critical eyes we used to analyze these destinations. We then spoke with stylists Calvy Click, Jamie Grimstad, and Elisabeth Kassab for their takes.

While some of the following options may come as no surprise to anyone, we hope you’ll find a few you haven’t explored yet, ultimately leading you to your dream dress. Don't worry, we also have tips for ordering the correct size, washing delicate pieces, and even a couple of tips for choosing styles. Whether you’re shopping for a specific event or looking to hop on a trend, these are the best places to buy dresses online.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch

The once-popular mall brand has come back into favor again: this time as a (surprisingly) inclusive spot for trendy items at a relatively affordable price. We’ve tested a number of its clothing items and been very pleased with the trendy selection that didn’t skimp out on comfort or quality. As it happens, it’s now many of our editors’ favorite places to shop for dresses. It’s become somewhat of a saving grace thanks to its great selections and good pricing — just look at this pleated midi dress for $150. Not to mention, the brand frequently offers sales throughout the year (though that also means it sells out of styles quickly). The dresses work for daytime formal occasions. And while navigating through its online portal is a breeze, the app is equally enjoyable.

Shipping Policy: $7 with an estimated delivery of 4–5 days | Return Policy: 30 days from shipment confirmation email for full refund with a $7 return shipping fee | Size Range: XXS–XXL

The nice thing about shopping at Amazon is that the major retailer doesn’t ascribe to one style genre. We have editors here who love a free and flowy look and others who more often lean sleek and sophisticated, and they shop for dresses at Amazon all the same. Since it’s a retailer we use often for many solutions, the familiarity of the system is comforting. We know how fast our orders will arrive and how easy it is to return them, namely with a Prime membership. We also love the plethora of reviews to help guide our decisions and take into consideration everything from size and fit to material, durability, and versatility.

Shipping Policy: Free one- or two-day shipping through Amazon Prime | Return Policy: Free return shipping 30 days from delivery for a full refund | Size Range: Various

Anthropologie

There are so many things to love about Anthropologie, from the versatility of its lineup to its reliability factor that promises a unique point of view. There’s always a nice print, tasteful cut, or distinctive frill that sets the retailer's selection apart from the plain and simple, and the curation always matches the season we’re in (this floral dress just landed in our shopping carts).

Collectively, we haven’t found a loose button or thread. And while we adore visiting the meticulously kept brick-and-mortar stores, the online shopping experience is easy and well-aligned with its branding while maintaining an at-home convenience. Many of the preview photos tell us whether further sizing, like plus or petite, is available as well, saving us time as we scroll.

Shipping Policy: Free shipping on orders over $50 | Return Policy: 30 days from purchase for full refund with a $5.95 shipping fee | Size Range: XXS–XXL and 00–18 with additional petite sizing; 1X–4X and 16W–30W

One thing British online retailer Asos has is variety — in styles, sizes, colors, occasions, and trends — and for an affordable price no less. There are even maternity dresses and homecoming dresses for well under $100. With such a wide selection, we never fail to find exactly what we’re looking for, especially with the help of the advanced filter system. We can scale our search down by color, size, length, price, brand, and even discount percentage. Although the platform has been adding more and more brands at higher price points recently (it even offers a luxury line), the majority of its offerings remain affordable.

We also love the easy shipping and return processes. When the dresses arrive, they come in a resealable pouch which we can use to send back the dress. All it takes is a quick USPS scan and the refund is on its way back to us. 

Shipping Policy: Free shipping with USPS | Return Policy: Free return shipping 14 days from receipt and $3.99 thereafter, up to 28 days from receipt | Size Range: Various, depending on the brand

Boden

Generally, Boden offers a more modest and mature selection. It’s been our go-to when we want something classic with a touch of playfulness thanks to some zingy prints. Most of the dresses feature long sleeves and decently cover the neckline, making them more appropriate for semi-formal environments like an office party or Sunday church. It’s also a great place to shop for fall and winter dresses — just look at the sweet simplicity of this knitted long-sleeve dress.

Many of the dresses are also offered in petite, regular, and long lengths, so we feel confident there’s something for a myriad of people here. We only wish there was a larger range of plus sizes.

Shipping Policy: Free shipping on orders over $49 | Return Policy: Free return shipping with a full refund up to 45 days from dispatch | Size Range: 2–22 petite, regular, and long

Christy Dawn

Christy Dawn

Think cottage-core and farmer-core, Christy Dawn offers dresses for the free-spirited lady. Many of the silhouettes are comfortable and relaxed, while never missing a beat on style, clean cuts, and good tailoring. They often feature fun patterns (take the Brooklyn dress as an example) that give each piece a little flare.

The earthy styles are a reflection of Christy Dawn’s sustainable business practices, which use regenerative farming practices to respect the planet. The dresses we’ve tried have been breezy and beautiful, leaning heavily into the cottagecore aesthetic, and the cotton quality feels supreme. The brand also offers extended sizing and models showcasing how the styles would look on various body types, including petite and plus-sized — something that’s often missed by brands. 

Shipping Policy: Free shipping on orders over $400; $12 standard shipping | Return Policy: Free return shipping 14 days from delivery | Size Range: XS–3XL petite, standard, and plus

Doen

Dôen has recently risen as an editor-favorite here at InStyle. But it’s not just us — stylist Elisabeth Kassab considers it her favorite place to shop for dresses as well. “[The brand has] such a wide variety for every type of aesthetic, and everything is so comfortable which is a must for me,” she says. Scroll through the catalog of effortlessly feminine silhouettes — our favorite is the Ischia dress.

Dôen proudly operates with a woman-first model, meaning that they seek out manufacturing partners run by female-identifying individuals and with female artisans and workers at every step of the supply chain. To minimize their carbon footprint, they have programs such as the Hand Me Dôen, where shoppers can sell their purchases back to Dôen to give them another chance at life.

Shipping Policy: Free shipping on orders over $500 | Return Policy: Free return shipping up to 30 days from purchase | Size Range: XXS–XXL

Madewell

If you’re a frequent InStyle reader, then you’re probably well aware that we adore Madewell. The brand never misses on style, quality, and inclusivity, which make it a great destination for practically all of our needs, including dresses. We love its offering of laid-back-cute everyday clothes, like this denim dress, but not in a way that solely gears to a super young generation. One InStyle writer bought a dress here that she and her mother share despite their 4-inch height difference. We also find the online catalog easier (and more pleasant) to navigate than the store, as there are always more options and styles available on the web.

Shipping Policy: Free shipping for Madewell Insider members | Return Policy: Free return shipping up to 30 days from purchase | Size Range: Petite, standard, plus, 00–24

Modern Citizen

Modern Citizen

Minimalists can have a field day when shopping on the online-exclusive retailer, Modern Citizen. The brand caters to a simply elegant woman with a penchant for sleek cuts. Can’t you envision her in this ribbed wrap dress? Scrolling through the catalog always feels incredibly satisfying, as the simple silhouettes manage to look very alluring without needing to show a ton of skin, flashy patterns, or daring cuts. We’ve also had a very pleasant experience talking to customer service representatives — they’re always more than happy to answer our questions and help us feel confident with our purchase. 

Shipping Policy: Free shipping | Return Policy: 30 days from delivery for a $5 fee | Size Range: XS–2XL

Neverfully Dressed

Neverfully Dressed

If you’re someone who likes to try out a lot of styles, Neverfully Dressed is constantly rotating in new styles. Shopping on the e-commerce site has been inspiring, with the dresses styled in various ways on different body types (such is the case with this classic black sequin dress). We even have editors here who are so loyal to their dresses that they’ve signed up for the points system. Sometimes, there are even promotions announced during the brand’s Instagram Live videos. This is all to say, there’s always a way to save with this brand, and there’s never a moment we tire of the styles. 

Shipping Policy: Free delivery | Return Policy: 28 days from delivery for a $9.99 fee (in your local currency) | Size Range: 2–24

We think it’s safe to say that nearly the entire InStyle staff has shopped at Nordstrom before. The major retailer is a destination spot for big and small brands from Topshop and Skims to Cara Cara, Miaou, and Sir, showcasing a variety of styles to which most people can relate. But it’s not just the sheer options that make them so appealing. It’s the incredible organization of the website — we can filter by just about any feature, be it color, length, material, occasion, or price point.

We also often find our favorite brands sold at discounted prices, saving us money without sacrificing style. And every time we’ve received an order, it arrived at rapid speed for free (three days). It’s also been just as easy to return items — all we had to do was print a shipping label and drop it off at the nearest post office. Lastly, we once saw a competing retailer sell an item we just bought for cheaper, and the customer service representative at Nordstrom swiftly refunded the difference to us. We couldn’t recommend the experience more. 

Shipping Policy: Free shipping | Return Policy: Free and not restricted to a time frame | Size Range: Various

Reformation

Reformation has quickly amassed fame thanks to its signature feminine silhouettes and sustainable business practices. When we tested some pieces, we understood just why everyone loves them so much. Somehow, all of Reformation’s designs expertly balance between flirty, feminine, and sophisticated, never leaning too far in one direction and never feeling too trendy.

The ever-popular Frankie Silk Dress is a perfect example of just that. It’s why it’s Kassab’s go-to for all special occasion dresses. Since some of us have found the sizing structure to be inconsistent, it doesn’t hurt to order multiple sizes and return the ones that don’t fit as the brand offers free shipping and returns. 

Shipping Policy: Free shipping for delivery within 3–8 days | Return Policy: Free returns if you keep at least one item from your order within 30 days of delivery | Size Range: 0–12

Revolve

Whatever the occasion, whatever the style, Revolve likely has a dress for it. Catering to a slightly younger audience (but not exclusively so), Revolve is home to many trend-forward brands. We love to come here to discover new fashion and upcoming designers, as the results page feels as though it goes on for an infinity. And thanks to the superior filtering capabilities, it’s easy to find exactly what we want among the many dresses offered. It’s also a favorite of Grimstad, who considers this her go-to for wardrobe staples and day-to-night finds. (This Autumn Cashmere turtleneck dress is already on our wishlist.) However, we think the site could benefit from some model diversity to show shoppers how the clothes look on different body types.

Shipping Policy: Free shipping for delivery within two days | Return Policy: Free returns up to 60 days from order | Size Range: XXS–XXL

Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks doesn’t need much of an introduction, so we’re going to skip straight to our personal experiences shopping at this major retailer. This is where we go when we’re looking for more special occasion dresses (file this Zimmerman dress under “need”). Most of the designers showcased are high-end and what many people would consider an investment. When ordering from the website, items arrive in the blink of an eye (about three days). We only wish the app was this fast, but somehow it always takes ages to load. Still, thanks to the many filtering options, it never takes too long to find exactly what we need. As a trusted site that only offers the best of the best, we never have to worry about ill-fitted items or bad-quality materials.

Shipping Policy: $9.95 on orders under $100 for delivery in 3–6 business days | Return Policy: Free returns within 30 days of delivery| Size Range: Various

We could rave about Shopbop’s great selection of designers and brands, but it’s really the retailer’s partnership with Amazon Prime that gives it its gold star. We get free shipping and free returns in the same way we would at Amazon, but with a much more stylish selection of clothing from long-beloved designers such as Rag & Bone, Tibi, and Enza Costa. It’s like shopping designer labels but with a seamless Amazon-esque experience. Shopbop also frequently offers discounts and promotions, further making it a pleasurable experience to shop at. Beyond dress categories like “floral dresses” and “tank dresses,” we can further filter our search by size, color, and designer. 

Shipping Policy: Free | Return Policy: Free within 30 days of delivery | Size Range: Various

Torrid is one of our favorite destinations for curvy and plus-size dresses, catering to sizes 10–30. Its styles are always fun, chic, and feminine, so it’s nearly impossible to just choose one without getting swayed by all of the options. And perhaps you don’t have to, considering that pricing is very reasonable, even outside of one of the many promotions offered throughout the year. There are tons of filtering options, too, which made it easy to find this keyhole dress for work and this easy cami dress to wear on our next beachy vacation. While there isn’t free shipping, the returns can be initiated up to 60 days after receiving your order — one of the most generous return policies on this list.

Shipping Policy: $6 for standard shipping | Return Policy: Up to 60 days from delivery for a $6 fee | Size Range: 10–30

Zara is always putting out new styles, following along with the most current trends. While this does mean items sell out fast, we always find stylish and affordable pieces on the website that don’t require too much though — after all, you can’t go wrong with this slip dress for under $50. The online selection is also more extensive than what’s available in stores, and if you live in an urban area, then you already know how hectic the in-person experience can get at a Zara.

When it comes to quality, we’re always pleasantly surprised at how well the clothes hold up. While materials such as polyester or viscose might not have the best rep, they worked well for everyday items that we wore repeatedly. We have items in our closets from Zara that we bought five years ago and still haven’t shown any signs of wear and tear. 

Shipping Policy: Free for delivery in 3–5 days | Return Policy: Free within 30 days of shipment date | Size Range: XS–XXL

Our Testing Process

We sent a company-wide survey to learn about all the best online destinations our writers and editors visit for dresses. We asked questions about their shopping experience, any interactions with the customer service team, and the shipping and returns processes. The best and most commonly submitted answers were used to compile this list. We also interviewed three stylists.

What to Keep in Mind

• Shipping Policy: This is an especially important aspect to consider if you're working under a strict deadline. Most places offer rush or express options if you're willing to pay the price. However, if you have a few days, many of the above options offer free standard shipping and guaranteed delivery within five days. We’ve experienced some of the fastest deliveries from retailers like Shopbop, Revolve, and Nordstrom.
• Return Policy: It was shocking how much this varied for different stores. We found that the larger stores are much more likely to take returns or offer up store credit if you miss the return deadline. Smaller brands were more likely to charge for the return label itself. Of course, if you're in a pinch, this may not even be a huge consideration.

Your Questions, Answered

How can you find the right size dress online?

You know the phrase "measure twice, cut once?” In a sense, that applies here. Grimstad has a couple of (almost) fool-proof ways to ensure you get the right size the first time around. First, “look at which size the model is wearing and see how it fits. Especially if you have multiple models showcasing the dress, this can be very helpful,” she says. Next, look up the measurements on the size guide and measure yourself to compare. Lastly, “read the reviews!” emphasizes Grimstad. “While not all retailers have them, reviews can be super helpful when trying to figure out how a garment actually fits.” If you're shopping at a retailer that carries lots of different brands, Click says it's best to head over to the actual designer's site to make sure the measurements are exact.

Which fabrics are easiest to machine wash?

Click admits to hand-washing everything after too close of calls with her washing machine, which she says "likes to devour anything less precious than a beach towel.” However, there are some fabrics to look out for if you want something washing machine-friendly. Namely, cotton and polyester blends, but if you want the items to maintain their shape, make sure you're skipping the dryer. If you have something linen, it's probably best to hand wash and dry or opt for spot-cleaning when possible. For silks, it's dry clean-only, baby!

Why Shop With Us

Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer at InStyle with three years of experience covering fashion and beauty. In order to write this article, she dove deep into the insights provided by our internal team, dissecting where each writer and editor goes to shop for dresses. Brittany Loggins is a freelance writer and InStyle contributor. Together, they interviewed stylists Calvy Click, Jamie Grimstad, and Elisabeth Kassab for further insight on how to shop for dresses online.

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