Local non-dept stores for black tie gowns?

[Anonymous]

Any good recommendations? The best looking one I found online starts at $2000k for a dress (according to their homepage) and I’m aiming for $500 and below. Nothing crazy but would like to try on in person and break away from the same options at all the department stores which seem to mostly carry same few brands.

[Anonymous]

I need a new one once a year for a business event in Cleveland. I typically buy one at a thrift store. I’ve gotten better business appropriate long dresses at the thrift store.

[Anonymous]

Some consignment stores specialize in higher end clothing. You never know what they will have, but cocktail and black tie gowns would be available.

Many years ago, I would get mine at Chic to Chic in Gaithersburg, but they have closed that location and moved to one of the Delaware beaches.

Google consignment store formal gown with your town/county and see what comes up.

[Anonymous]

I had good luck finding a gown at secondi for a last minute black tie event

[Anonymous]

David’s bridal.

[Anonymous]

Try Mae’s Dress Boutique in McLean. The styles lean more conservative but they have variety and the sales ladies are helpful.

[Anonymous]

Upstairs at The Lucky Knot in Alexandria https://www.theluckyknot.com/pages/formal-dress

[Anonymous]

I saw some gowns at the consignment store across from Eastern Market. For the younger crowd (cocktail attire) I had had good luck at Current Boutique. My strategy for these is to buy something well made with good fabric, secondhand designer looks better than what I would feel comfortable buying retail.

[Anonymous]

Camille La Vie in Potomac Mills. They have a large selection at moderate price points. It's not just a prom dress store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had good luck finding a gown at secondi for a last minute black tie event

Second Secondi, or maybe Ella Rue (although IMO that has gone downhill in recent years).

[Anonymous]

Anthropology.

[Anonymous]

In DC, I would go to Secondi on Conn Ave, NW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had good luck finding a gown at secondi for a last minute black tie event

Second Secondi, or maybe Ella Rue (although IMO that has gone downhill in recent years).

It has been a long time since I've been there, but when I was in teh stage of life where I was going to weddings all the time, Secondi was my go-to for dresses, including for black-tie weddings.