Where to buy a nice evening dress?
Posted by Just_A_some1@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 56 comments
(Was told this fit better here)
I’m looking for a nice but not completely formal dress for a date (hopefully in pink or purple). I want it to be a little sexy, but not low cut down to my stomach or huge slit up the leg.
Ideally in the £40-£50 range max, but I understand that good quality rarely comes that low. I’m a size 8-10, but have a bit of a tummy so nothing *too* clingy or tight at the top
I search terms but it just comes up with dodgy looking or poorly reviewed sites. What brands/shops do you buy from? Are there ones I should avoid?
Thanks in advance!!
BumblebeeFlaky2170@reddit
Avoid anything from sites you have never heard of that appear at the top of Google ads for evening dresses. If the product photos look too polished and there are no real customer images in the reviews, that is usually a red flag. Stick to places like Next, Roman Originals, or even the M&S occasion section. They might not sound exciting but the fit is consistent, sizing is reliable, and returns are straightforward. Roman actually does lovely purple options that are not too clingy.
Murky-Dependent8154@reddit
One tip that helped me find better evening dresses was changing my search terms completely. Instead of searching "evening dress" try searching "midi occasion dress," "fit and flare going out dress," or "satin date night dress." You get completely different results and far fewer dodgy sites. Also try searching directly on ASOS, Next, or Boohoo rather than through Google. Boohoo gets a bad reputation but their tall and curve ranges actually have some really flattering cuts if you read reviews carefully.
Spiritual_Weather656@reddit
Depending how old you are, John Lewis, phase 8, ASOS, quiz
lizardqueen4458@reddit
The quiz suggestion was great I just found 2 great dresses for graduation then they went into administration 10 minutes later- so sad! If only I had used Reddit sooner!
Spiritual_Weather656@reddit
LOL that's so funny but also I'm so sorry!!
ASOS is still going for now
Sea-Ganache-4330@reddit
Love lace and beads!
lifetypo10@reddit
I was pleasantly surprised by Quiz when I saw some of their dresses recently, when I was a teen they were seen as quite "chavvy" clothes but their evening wear/bridesmaid dresses are lovely of late.
atomic_mermaid@reddit
Came here to suggest Quiz, I got my graduation dress from there and it was hands down better than any of the other dresses I tried.
Wise-Independence487@reddit
I had a beautiful one from quiz that hide everything
One-Comedian2560@reddit
Club London, they also sell on Depop. A lot of it brand new but a fraction of the price.
sockhead99@reddit
My wife is selling this purple number on vinted if you fancy a bit of a vintage look
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/5756714794-lady-vintage-evening-cocktail-dress-uk-10
Just_A_some1@reddit (OP)
Not quite the style I’m going for, but very funky! Hope she sells it soon
Key-Cardiologist5882@reddit
Shein, TikTok Shop, Temu, AliExpress, DHGate etc
Just_A_some1@reddit (OP)
I’d rather not sweatshop items 😅
Least_Temperature_23@reddit
Unless you make something yourself, pretty much everything mass produced is made in a sweatshop.
chez2202@reddit
I would suggest Vinted or even a local charity shop. My daughter loves charity shops and she got me to go with her once. I have found things from Next, Oasis, M&S, Debenhams, Monsoon, Zara and PLT (this was for her, not me).
cat_socks_228@reddit
Second vinted! I got a really nice Quiz dress BNWT (rrp £80, I paid £20) on vinted and this year's xmas dress, a red Oh Polly one for about £15
Can sometimes get sale dresses in Quiz. I got a £40 dress for £10 earlier this year off the sale rack
Just_A_some1@reddit (OP)
I do love charity shops, got both my prom dresses there for £10 and £15. Will definitely look in some before ordering anything!
chez2202@reddit
Check if your local charity shops have a relationship with a brand too. We have one which gets consignments from PLT after every fashion shoot but the consignments are usually smaller sizes for tall people. Which is perfect for my daughter but I’m too old and too short for them. Another gets consignments from Zara which are sold at half the store price or less.
Rhubarb-Eater@reddit
Karen Millen, ASOS (I am 30 and still like ASOS Design!), M&S, Coast
Zs93@reddit
Pretty lavish ! John Lewis. ASOS. Mango. Also you could rent from by rotation
ghexplorer@reddit
I had two black tie events recently and was most pleasantly surprised by the offerings from QUIZ. The evening dress range is actually pretty well made and affordable. I am short at 5ft 1 so ordered from the petite range and was rather impressed.
PrestigiousTest6700@reddit
You can also rent dresses on things like By Rotation. I’d also try second hand like Vinted, search house of cb for example or screenshot one you like and use the search bar.
sezzy3@reddit
Dorothy Perkins has upped its game recently
Sopzeh@reddit
Dorothy perkins was a nightmare for me recently as the orders are fulfilled by different places making returns very complex.
Pinkunicorn_dreamer@reddit
Torrid
Sea-Ganache-4330@reddit
Vinted! lol I find oh Polly dresses really flattering around the stomach as they suck you in. A nice dress would be maybe a long sleeve but shorter length house of cb dress (off Vinted) and then tights underneath xx
Future-Lunch-8296@reddit
Consider hiring a gown from By Rotation or Hurr.
Just_A_some1@reddit (OP)
It’s for a first date, I feel like hiring a gown is a bit much 😅 plus I always love a new dress for the collection
nonsequitur__@reddit
I would try asos, they have lots of search criteria and loads of options
CreativeMusic3228@reddit
Gina Bacconi and Monsoon on Vinted
b135702@reddit
I was recently hunting for an evening dress, scoured every shop in the city centre and couldn't find a single thing I liked in person. Ended up just ordering a bunch of stuff on ASOS in different sizes with clearpay then returning everything I didn't want and getting a refund before the second payment came out!
No-Supermarket-8747@reddit
I have bought some really nice dresses from Shein. Got loads of compliments at a wedding i attended.
babynamehelpneeded@reddit
Nobody's child is my current number one favourite dress place
Andika421@reddit
I got this from Amazon for £30, it’s a nice fit, was successful at a recent Christmas party
melancholyy-scorpio@reddit
I've just bought a dress from M&S. Black velvet, just above the knee, square neck with diamonte embellishments, and it flares out just under the bust so very flattering. I'm using it for a night out a posh hotel! I'll go and see if I can find a link.
Wavesmith@reddit
Okay M&S have some really nice things!
lifetypo10@reddit
Worth checking the ASOS sample sale for discounted items. I got a lovely fringe dress for £20 discounted from £130 last year.
blackcurrantcat@reddit
Don’t discount TK Maxx.
ComprehensiveFee8404@reddit
Roman Originals? They're pretty good quality
gibberishnope@reddit
I quite like monsoon, outlet
LollieMaybe@reddit
Zara
gfxcghhbvvb@reddit
Asos? You can set price range to see what is out there
RagingFuckNuggets@reddit
Club L London, AX Paris or look somewhere like TKMaxx or Brandalley
jazzyerudite@reddit
Second TKMaxx
nordicthundercock@reddit
Quiz has been more hit than miss for me, but only in a physical shop. Some things might look a bit shit on the hanger look amazing on me and it genuinely shocked me
FreakaZoid101@reddit
I’ve had great dresses from Godiva online, and Quiz Has some great ones. I’m in my mid 30s. It takes some searching but they’re out there
Dash3017@reddit
Tesco are pretty decent for clothes
Pighillian@reddit
Vinted
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
Have you tried Debenhams
Spiritual_Weather656@reddit
Scam marketplace now, don't bother
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
No it's not. Not if you shop with the brands they have
kitty_kat999@reddit
Try Coast
TSC-99@reddit
Try Lipsy - Next have it online
SignatureFull5096@reddit
ohpolly xx
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