Party Dress Store Comparisons

If you're going to buy any party dresses this season, it's important to know where to shop, and how to save money by shopping. There are quite a few different places to buy dresses; department stores, boutiques, wedding shops and, of course, online stores; it's finding the perfect place to buy which may be more difficult. There are pros and cons of each place to shop. In this article I will examine the pros and cons of each place to buy dresses for a party.

The pros of shopping at a department store are that you have a wider selection of sizes, lots of sales (usually), and semi-varied selection of dresses. Department stores usually carry at least one of the major sizes of each dress they carry, so it's a good chance that you will get your size. Often, if one store doesn't have your size, you can have the dress delivered to your nearby store in your size with a simple phone call. Last season's dresses are your best bargain finds, department stores usually have unsold dresses on sale at incredible prices (sometimes 75% off).

While there are a few different styles of dress at department stores, there are also a limited number. Department stores carry many styles and types of dresses and other clothing, leaving little room for many different styles. Additionally, they usually begin their prices at retail.

Boutiques and wedding shops both have high overhead with staff and rent, this makes them unable to sell at lower than retail costs. They also don't usually carry many of the styles in stock. Dresses are usually ordered through catalogs. Although some of the best selling dresses are available on the racks, if you're looking for something unusual, it will most likely have to be ordered.

Wedding and boutique style shops have very knowledgeable sales staff. The staff is also available for fittings and personalized help. Often, other stores have little knowledge in specific brands, however, a boutique shop sales clerk will usually have extensive knowledge of their products.

Online stores are usually much cheaper than department, boutique or wedding stores. There are many reasons for that; competition, rental space and limited staff. An online shop doesn't have a retail sales shop's monthly rent. Considering that shops pay premium prices for being more accessible, the price of their clothing reflects this extra cost. While you're shopping at a local shop it isn't as easy to check the price of the competition, unlike online shops where the simple typing in a search engine can find a cheaper shop. Lastly, an online shop does not have to pay sales staff, as many stock staff, cleaners etc.

There are a few cons to shopping online; returning, fit, shipping fee. By shopping online you give up the comfort of knowing a dress will be flattering and fit perfectly. Also returning a dress can be bothersome, as it has to be shipped back to the store. Lastly, an online shop may charge a shipping fee, although some shops offer shipping online.

Whichever type of dress you choose to buy, knowing the pros and cons to shop knowledgeably, will be a considerable help.