Who doesn't love heading to their front door to receive an exciting package? Especially if you know that there are a bunch of cute dresses from Epic Placess waiting inside!
You've been styling them in your mind since the second you clicked "add to cart" and can't wait to see how they go with your new heels or your favorite jacket. But your excitement can soon turn to disappointment if you've made some of the most common dress shopping mistakes out there.
From sizing slip-ups to overlooking the important details, we're here to help you avoid these errors and make shopping for dresses a lot easier!
Guessing Your Measurements
A common mistake to make when buying dresses - and especially if it's online - is assuming you know your size. Even if you have a closet full of "smalls", different brands can use different measurements. This is why it's important to know your measurements, such as your chest and waist circumference.
With this information, you can consult our size chart to ensure that you select the right size, even if it's not the size you usually wear. After all, there's nothing wrong with having different dress sizes in your closet. Your main priority should be owning dresses that fit you perfectly!
Buying the Wrong Size
Whether you're trying on dresses in-store or browsing online, buying the wrong size is a common shopping mistake. It might be because the dress is in the sale and they don't have your usual size left. Or maybe it's because you're hoping to lose weight and fit into the dress in the future.
Dresses should fit your body, not the other way round. Buying dresses that are too small for you is a waste of time, money, and precious closet space.
Buying dresses that are too big for you isn't a wise move either, though. You might think you can make it work with a belt or that you'll get it taken in by a tailor. But chances are, it'll just sit in your closet until you get sick of staring at it and give it away.
Not Checking the Materials and Care Instructions
The material of a dress is important because it affects its price, durability, fit, and personal suitability. For example, a real leather dress will be more expensive but more durable than a faux leather dress. But you might prefer to choose faux leather if you're against wearing animal products or don't have the budget for real leather.
Likewise, if you're allergic to wool, you'll need to check sweater dresses for their wool content. Even if the fabric contains a few percent of wool, it will be itchy and uncomfortable for you to wear.
And then there's the care you'll need to take of the dress depending on what it's made from. Fabrics like cotton and satin are easy to wash and care for. In contrast, silk is usually dry-clean-only and linen often looks very crumpled unless you iron it. If you know that you're too lazy to iron your clothes and can't afford constant dry-cleaning, stick to washable fabrics that don't need as much care to look good.
Ignoring Features You Don't Like
You love the color but the fabric doesn't quite do it for you. The sleeves are perfect but the neckline is a little too high. The dress itself is exactly what you're looking for but it doesn't come in the color you want.
Do any of these sound familiar?
There are so many different fabrics, cuts, colors, and styles for dresses to choose from, it can be hard to find a fit that ticks all your boxes. But if there's a detail about the dress you don't like, it's unlikely you'll be able to overlook this once it's hanging in your closet. So rather than wasting money on a dress you'll never wear, it's best to wait until your perfect dress comes along.
Shopping for the Wrong Occasion
As fun as it is to shop dresses for parties, if you need a floral summer dress for your vacation or a formal dress for work, it's no use browsing the wrong section! Otherwise, you'll have a closet full of party dresses and nothing to wear during the daytime.
And, if you do have a nighttime event coming up, remember to keep the formality of the occasion in mind. For example, an understated wrap dress might be more appropriate for a casual night out with friends than a full-on party look. Likewise, you won't want to show up over or underdressed if you've got a special event such as a gala or a wedding coming up!
Blowing Your Budget
Comparing dress prices across brands is a vital part of shopping for any item of clothing. But far too many people make the mistake of blowing their budget on a dress without thinking it through.
It can be tempting to splash the cash on a dress that fits well and looks great. But how many times will you actually wear it? While it's often a good idea to spend a little more on classic items such as a winter coat, a blazer, or some great boots, dresses don't tend to offer as much cost-per-wear.
A little black dress can be an exception. But, when there are so many budget-friendly options out there, wouldn't you rather have a few different lengths and styles for dresses to choose from than just one?!
Dress Shopping Mistakes to Avoid
No doubt you've made at least one of these dress shopping mistakes before. From forgetting to check the care instructions to second-guessing your true size, most of us have a few errors hanging right there in our closets.
But, with our advice to guide you, it should be a lot easier to avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
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