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Ultimate Guide to Formal Dress Shopping Online

Formal Dress Shopping

Formal Dress Shopping

It’s the best time of the year: FORMAL SEASON! That’s right! Whether you’re in a sorority or plan on getting yourself invited to a fraternity’s formal, this is your ultimate guide to finding the perfect dress online at an affordable price (tips, tricks, and favorite stores).

Here are some rules of thumb:
  • Look at the size chart every time and actually know your measurements. You won’t know how the dress will fit until you actually try it on, but this is the best way you can guestimate
  • Check the store’s return and exchange policy – many require you to pay postage. Look for stores (like the ones listed below) that offer free returns and exchanges.
  • Try to find stores with free shipping or discounts for first-time users
  • Google search coupons and promo codes for that store (RetailMeNot.com always has great ones!)
  • See if any sisters/friends want to buy with you if there’s a large shipping fee

tobi logo

Tobi is GREAT! This is my #1 recommendation by far. I ordered my semi-formal dress from here along with another dress as a backup. Not only did they ship incredibly fast (within a week!), but the dresses were such high quality. I love Tobi because they have something for everybody – from super scandalous cut-out dresses to modest work-appropriate dresses.

The main reason I ordered through them was because they offer free returns and exchanges. Also, they offer 50% off your first order AND free shipping! You just can’t get a better deal than that.

I do have to say though, their dresses do run small. I am usually a size small/medium in dresses, so I ordered a medium to be on the safe side. My dress was skin tight – which was fine, just not what I had anticipated. I would recommend ordering a size up. Worst case scenario, you can exchange it for free for the smaller size!


Nordstrom LogoI will always stand by Nordstrom. With free shipping and free returns, you know they are dependable. They are known throughout the industry to have the highest quality and customer service.

Mod Cloth

 

ModCloth is another super cute online shop with free returns and exchanges. Their dresses are unlike any you will see. If you buy a formal dress from here, I doubt anybody else at your formal will have the same one!

urban-outfitters-logoWho knew Urban Outfitters had free returns and exchanges? Not me! They have super cute dress options as well especially if you’re going for the more boho look (I’m looking at you, Little!)

Where are your favorite places to shop online?
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April 15, 2014 by
Beauty

Personal Challenge: 30 Days of Natural Hair

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I’m terrible to my hair. I heat style it almost everyday and then I complain that it never grows. So I’m taking a leap of faith and going 30 days without heat styling!

Many people might think this is not that great of a challenge. However, my natural hair is quite crazy – it is not curly, straight, or wavy. There are bits that get very straight, bits that are super tight curls, and other pieces that are simply wavy. It lacks consistency. Leaving it air dry results in disaster – a wild, poofy, frizzy, mess.

I’m challenging myself to find ways to tame the beast. Whether this is braiding it while it’s wet, trying out some new curl-enhancing gels, you name it – I’m going to try it. I’ll try to log my progress on this post as to not spam my page with a bunch of pictures of my hair.

I do want to say that there are a couple events coming up that I will need to have completely styled hair – a few sorority events and Halloween (duh). I’m going to try not to use any heat styling products as much as possible, but for these couple days (probably about four total), I will need to use them a little bit.

I will try to keep this updated every few days or so! Thank you so much for checking this out and I hope you find it helpful!

Day One

Here is my hair 100% natural. As you can see, it’s pretty short and wavy. (sorry for the terrible quality)

My natural hair

My natural hair

Day 2
Today it rained (crazy, right?). I felt right at home! I wore my hair in a messy bun with my layers braided back into it!

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Day 3
I showered last night, didn’t wash my hair (gasp! first time ever!), combed leave-in conditioner, and let it dry overnight. I woke up with a crazy wild mess of hair that I tamed with a headband and some hairspray.

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Day 10

We had our sorority initiation this weekend as well as a dinner to celebrate, so I did curl my hair for that one day. It was unfortunate that I had to use heat styling, but when I did, my hair felt way stronger and healthier and looked much shinier. I can already see a difference in the health of my hair and I couldn’t be more excited.

 

Day 28

Well, I am almost there! I heat styled my hair for Halloweekend, but besides that, I’ve been really good about keeping my hair natural. I feel like it has definitely grown, but from the heat styling this weekend, I noticed that I need to get a haircut because the ends of my hair are breaking off.
1 Comment
October 8, 2013 by