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Now that summer is in full swing (and the fact that we can actually go out this year), that means there are an endless amount of opportunities to refresh your dress collection. Sure, dresses are a wardrobe staple suitable for any season, but after a year where most of us were exclusively wearing sweatsuits and yoga pants, the thought of getting a bit more dressed up after being starved of fashion is extra appealing. If you’re like me, you may have found yourself recently browsing the web in search of the best places to buy dresses online—shopping IRL is cool and all, but who has the time and/or patience these days?
Plus, with in-person events back on track (I’m talking weddings, outdoor concerts, socially distanced birthday parties, you name it), there’s a laundry list of dress-appropriate occasions that make investing in a few new frocks completely justifiable. Naturally, buying dresses (or any apparel, for that matter) means you can’t try the garments on before buying them — but let’s face it — the return policies these days are pretty generous.
With all of that being said, with so many e-tailers on the market these days, it can be tough to find the right place to find the dress you’re looking for, based on sizing options available, the special occasion in question, or just one that aligns with your personal aesthetic. Because there’s really no one-size-fits-all dress shop, we’ve gone ahead and outlined the best places to buy dresses online, whether you’re looking for a retro frock or a classic LBD.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Francesca’s is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
If you’re looking for a dress to wear to a bachelorette party, to the office, or to whatever wedding you have coming up on your schedule, Francesca’s is your one-stop shop. It has everything from short flirty frocks to long lush numbers fit for the most dreamy of picnics.
Courtesy of Francesca’s.
Raleigh Floral Off The Shoulder Maxi Dress
There’s nothing more comfortable than a maxi dress, but unfortunately, they often fall flat in terms of style. That’s not the case for this gorgeous number, which has an off-the-shoulder top and ruffled bottom. The vibrant red color is transitional from season to season, too.
We know, we know—Amazon probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you’re thinking about shopping for trendy clothes, but we’ve done some digging, and trust us, there are some serious gems to be found. In fact, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly nap dress or a designer dress dupe, you’ll be happy you stopped by (virtually, that is).
Courtesy of R.Vivimos.
R. Vivimos Vintage-Inspired Floral Nap Dress
This gorgeous summer dress
features a vintage-inspired floral print and smock detailing. There’s a reason it’s an Amazon best-seller!
Lulu’s has long been known for being the destination of choice for finding high-quality, yet affordable bridesmaids and wedding guest dresses, but while that still rings true, they have so much more to offer. From bohemian midi dresses to sexy going-out dresses, there are tons of options to choose from—and plenty of under $100 styles to boot.
Courtesy of Lulu’s.
Lulu’s French Countryside High-Low Midi Dress
Wear this to your cousin’s wedding, a boozy Sunday brunch with your besties, or an outdoor dinner date—this floral midi is perfect for almost any occasion, so you’ll definitely wear it more than just a handful of times.
Zara is basically our tried-and-true chic but budget-friendly apparel destination that never lets us down, and finding stellar dresses whether, for a wedding or a first date with a promising Hinge match, they’re bound to have something that’s going to look amazing without leaving a dent in your wallet.
Courtesy of Zara.
Linen Blend Floral Print Dress
This stunning floral frock looks like it belongs in Vogue, yet it’s somehow under $50. This is precisely why we love Zara.
As the unofficial (but low-key quintessential) “cool girl” label, it comes as no surprise that LA-based Ref makes the list. Not only are their sustainable apparel equal parts sexy and timeless, but they’re also good for the earth, which means you don’t have to feel guilty for investing a dress or two or three.
Courtesy of Reformation.
This sexy black dress proves that solids are definitely not boring. You could wear this number basically anywhere and it’d work beautifully.
We’re obsessed with basically everything that Revolve carries, from their selection of influencer-approved contemporary denim to their huge assortment of apparel by up-and-coming labels like Selkie, ASTR The Label, Cult Gaia and LPA. But with that being said, we’ve always been ~extra~ impressed by their sizable dress offerings. You’re not going to find uber-cheap dresses at Revolve, but there are plenty of reasonably priced contemporary styles to choose from if you’re down to make a slight splurge.
Courtesy of Revolve.
Milie Dress
When it comes to dresses, it’s best not to overthink the style. This Millie dress is everything you could want: it’s sleek, sexy and has a subtle yellow color that’s to die for. Wear it to weddings, brunches and everything in between.
If you want something that’s adorable and affordable, the only place you need to check out is Target. The store’s selection is vast in styles and sizes and never seems to fail us whether we’re planning ahead or making a last-second purchase on the way to the event.
Courtesy of Target.
Short Ruffle Sleeve A-Line Dress
There’s never a bad time to wear a nap dress, especially when it’s as cute as this ruffle one. The best part about this number is how lightweight it is—you can wear it on even the hottest of summer days and feel cool as a cucumber.
If you’re a fan of Free People, Reformation, Lulus or Asos, then save yourself some time from going from site to site and simply check out Nordies. It carries all of these beloved brands and then some. You’ll no doubt find what you’re looking for here (and it’ll probably be on sale at that).
Courtesy of Nordstrom.
Ultimate Tea Maxi Shirtdress
If you think maxi dresses can’t be sporty, let me introduce you to this yellow Asos ensemble. The collar adds a layer of depth and personality to the patterned number that will surely take the top spot in your summer wardrobe.
We couldn’t do a dress roundup without including Hill House Home, the brand responsible for popularizing the nap dress. Here, you’ll find an entire storefront devoted to these dresses, plus even more styles you’ll want to try out.
Courtesy of Hill House.
The Ellie Nap Dress
The classic nap dress just got a psychedelic makeover. This funky fresh dress is flowy, vibrant style is everything you could possibly want: trendy but at the same time, unique.
