Best online source for cocktail dress in the $150-250 range?

[Anonymous]

Going to a wedding in Southern CA. Will be surrounded by rich plastic people and seeing a lot of old friends. Don't want to look frumpy, but don't have a ton of money in the budget for a killer dress right now. I don't have time to go try on dresses, either ... would prefer to just order online. Any suggestions? (I'm 5'7", 125 lbs. Size 2-4.)

[Anonymous]

(P.S. I'm in my early 30s if that matters.)

[Anonymous]

Nordstrom always has a good variety. They have free shipping and returns, which makes it easier. You may also want to look at Rent the Runway. It's always a good option for special events. Although they are rentals, you could spend less than your budget and have a nicer dress to wear than if you'd purchased something.

[Anonymous]

maybe check out shopbop?

[Anonymous]

snag something at Nordstrom's semi-annual sale. Free shipping and free returns, so you can order several and return what doesn't suit you.

Helps if you know what brands, cuts and colors look best on you. Of course, at your height and weight, just about any old sack of cloth will look great. (yes, I'm envious.)

If you have anything at all in your closet that fits well and is appropriate, I'd spend the money and time on great accessories (shoes, bag, jewelry, wrap). Those items can take a basic dress up several notches to fabulous.

[Anonymous]

Renttherunway.com

[Anonymous]

White House Black Market usually has some good ones.

[Anonymous]

Nordstrom.

[Anonymous]

This is super random but I had a really good experience buying a dress for a wedding at an online boutique called Lilly & violet. (Off topic, I'm a bit jealous of your figure: I am 5'7" and 140 and can't imagine losing those last 15 lbs.)

[Anonymous]

+1 for Rent the Runway!!
I'm 5'7" too, and used to weigh 125-- how I miss being able to wear anything; being basically a perfect size 4. Fifteen pounds heavier is a whole different story now. What I'm saying is don't worry about looking frumpy-- you'll look great. Get a blowout the day of the event if you can-- it makes a huge difference!

[Anonymous]

Agreed, rent the runway. Works well when you see a lot of the same people at events so there is no repeating outfits

[Anonymous]

Norsdstrom.com. Order a bunch n try them in in the comfort of home. Free shipping. You can haul the rest back and no one will bat an eye. Or, mail them back with free front door ups service.

[Anonymous]

Revive Mia Farrow's Sally Buchanan:

[Anonymous]

Don't laugh...but you should try Zappos. They will ship free - quickly - and you can order a handful of dresses to try on and then (again for free) return the ones you don't like. I found 2 cute cocktail dresses this way, both Calvin Kleins

[Anonymous]

Just go to Bloomingdales and kindly ask a clerk in the big ass dress side of the floor to bring you some dresses to try on. It's so easy to find something there in your budget.