Buying an Occasion Dress Online

FASHION · GLOBAL

Buying an Occasion Dress Online

Measurements over sizes, fabric and structure, alterations and returns

Occasion dresses are bought for a fixed date, which makes a return going wrong more costly than usual. Most of that risk is removed before ordering.

Work from measurements

Measure bust at the fullest point, waist at the narrowest part of the torso rather than where a waistband sits, and hips at the fullest point. Keep the tape level and snug without pulling.

Compare against the brand's own size chart rather than your usual size, since occasion wear frequently runs small and varies enormously between labels.

Order to the largest measurement

Order to whichever of your measurements is largest relative to the chart, then have the rest taken in. Letting a garment out is limited by the seam allowance; taking it in is straightforward.

Budget around ten percent of the price for alterations and find a tailor before you need one.

Fabric behaviour

Crepe skims and forgives. Satin shows every line and is unforgiving. Structured fabrics hold a shape. Chiffon and georgette float and need a lining.

Check the composition field rather than the description, and check the care label, since dry-clean-only carries an ongoing cost.

Lining and opacity

Check whether the dress is lined and hold a pale fabric to the light before removing the tags. Transparency is the most common reason occasion dresses are returned.

Order early and order two

Ordering two sizes of one dress is reasonable and is far better than one arriving wrong a week before the event. Check the returns window covers the time you need.

Allow time for alterations on top of delivery, since tailors book up around wedding season.

Renting as an alternative

For a single event, renting gives access to pieces at a fraction of the price and removes storage and cleaning. Book well ahead for popular dates and check the damage policy.

Resale platforms are worth checking too, since occasion wear is frequently worn only once before being sold.

Care

Hang on a padded hanger with space around it in a breathable cover rather than plastic. Air rather than cleaning after every wear, since dry cleaning is hard on fabric.

Buying for a wedding party

Order everything in one batch so the dye lot matches across the group, and allow time for individual alterations. Colour varies noticeably between production runs, which is obvious when two dresses stand side by side.

Let people choose a style within an agreed colour, since bodies differ and a single cut rarely suits everyone in a group.

Practical

Try it with the shoes and underwear you will wear, and sit down, raise your arms and walk in it.

WHERE TO BUY

Ready to shop Gini London? Use the link below to visit the official store.

→ Shop Gini London — official site

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