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.

Customer Service

When you buy a dress in the real world, you know you can always take it back if there's a problem. However, things are a little different online. Anyone can put up a professional-looking website, so you could be shopping from a legitimate retailer or a fly-by-night operation that could fold before you get your dress. That's why it's so important to do your homework before you buy online.

Ideally, you want to shop with a site that has good customer service. Try to find an “About Us” or “Contact Us” page that gives you information about how to get in touch with them. Look for a toll-free phone number, not just an email address or contact form. Next, try calling the number. Can you talk to a real person or do you get voicemail or a recorded message? If there's any trouble with your dress, you'll want to be able to speak to someone right away.

Next, find out everything you can about the site's return policies. If you purchase the incorrect size, will they exchange it for no charge? Or if the product they send is defective, will they ship a new one at no expense? When shopping online, it's buyer beware – so take the time to learn these policies before you purchase.

Damage Control

So what if the dress you ordered arrives and it's the wrong size? First – don't panic. If it's not a huge difference, take it to a tailor to see if it can be altered. Having a garment altered isn't that expensive and can save you a lot of stress over shipping the gown back and waiting for a new one to arrive. If there's no way to make it work, contact the website and calmly explain your concerns. If you're shopping with a legitimate store, they should offer you options for an exchange or refund.

Shopping online for your prom dress is a great way to save money and find a wider range of styles than may be available in your area. However, it’s important to know the facts before you hand over your credit card numbers. Look into the company’s policies before you spend and you’re sure to find the dress that’s perfect for you.