Online Prom Dress Shopping

There are a lot of great reasons to buy your prom dress online. If there aren't many dress stores in your area, buying online can give you access to a lot more options. Or if you're shopping on a budget, you can find great deals online that stretch your money further. However, dress shopping on the web comes with a few major caveats. Check out the following tips to avoid being ripped off:

Sizing and Styling

One of the biggest downsides to purchasing online is that you can't try the dress on before you hand over your money, so you won't know for sure if it fits or not. Designer's sizes can vary dramatically – don't just assume that because you're a size six in stores, you'll be a size six online. Look for websites that give actual measurements for their sizes in inches and pick the size that most closely matches your body.

Another major downside to shopping on the web is that you won't know how the dress looks on you. Most prom dress websites feature stick-skinny models that represent only .01% of the population, so you can't accurately judge how the dress will look on your figure. If you have the option, visit a department store or bridal shop with friends and get their honest opinions about what styles are most flattering on you. Use this information when you go to pick out a dress online.