Dress for a Wedding

Where to Find a Fab Dress (for Less!)

1. Ann Taylor

With special occasion dresses, as well as a bridesmaid section (complete with shoes!), Ann Taylor is a fantastic resource for tailored and dressy wedding guest attire. Choose from a wide variety of cocktail dresses, skirts and blouses, in a number of colors and materials. The bridesmaid dress section is worth checking out (even if you are not a bridesmaid) for cute party dresses.
Shopping Info:

• Select cocktail dresses are available in stores, but the bridesmaid collection is exclusively online.
• Returns are free for items ordered from the Wedding Collection - a return label is included with every order.
• Dresses are generally in the $119-$200 range, but signing up for email alerts can help you snag a dress on sale.

2. Ann Taylor LOFT

More casual that Ann Taylor, LOFT is a good place to look for affordable dresses for less formal weddings. You can generally find lots of floral, wrap and sheath dresses in daytime fabrics.
Shopping Info:

• Shop online and in stores for styles.
• Shipping is $6, no matter how large or small your order, and returns can be made via mail or in stores.
• You can find lots of dresses for well under $100, especially if you keep an eye on their sales.

3. Banana Republic

Find modern, well-tailored dresses for day and evening at this mall staple. From silky floral and geometric dresses that can work for day and night to more formal dresses, the store offers a wide selection of great quality dresses at reasonable prices.
Shopping Info:

• Shop online or in stores (except for the more expensive BR Monogram collection, only available online and in NYC flagship store).
• Unless otherwise indicated, returns can be made via mail or in stores, regardless of where purchase was made.
• Dresses are generally more than $100, with most ranging from $120-$175.
• Don't overlook the shoes - styles from Piperlime can be added to your online order, making shipping free!

4. White House Black Market

Michelle Obama shops here (which makes it good enough for us), so it's a bonus that the store actually has lots of fab cocktail dresses - that we can actually afford.
Shopping Info:

• Find lots of floral and solid dress in, you guessed it, mostly black and white.
• Lots of cocktail, but not ultra-formal looks to choose from, as well as daytime florals.
• Returns for online orders are free (shipments include prepaid return shipping labels) whether via mail or in stores.
• Dresses range from $70-$170.

5. Nordstrom

Get boutique and designer looks for much less at this higher-end department store. This is where to shop for formal gowns, as well as for a huge selection of cocktail dresses.
Shopping Info:

• You can shop in stores, but will find the greatest selection of dresses online, pre-sorted into helpful categories like "cocktail," Mother of the Bride," and "Little Black Dress."
• User-friendly website also has dresses sorted by price, as well as body shape and dress style.
• Select styles can be purchased online and picked up in stores
• Dresses available at every price point from $50 to over $500
• Exchanges are free via mail; returns are charged a $6 fee (deducted from refund). In store returns are free.

6. J. Crew

You don't have to belong to a country club to love the dress selection at J.Crew, where you can find everything from little cotton dresses (beach wedding, anyone?) to little black dresses and colorful silk numbers.
Shopping Info:

• Shop in stores or online, though a number of styles (namely the wedding dresses and the J.Crew Collection styles) are available through catalog and online, only.
• Wide range of styles and materials can help you outfit yourself for all but the most formal wedding.
• Returns are free in stores, but $5.95 will be deducted from by-mail returns (prepaid postage included).
• Dresses range from approximately $70 to well over $200.