Lulus vs Milanoo for October 2024 | Best Prom Dress Stores

Item: Lulus vs Milanoo
Rating: 3.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Tuesday, October 8th

2024 Prom Dress Store Reviews

Lulus

Priced from $19 to $166
890 prom dresses in stock
Full-length and short dresses
One-stop shop for dresses (bridal, prom, and more)
10-day free returns
"A” rating from the BBB

Lulu's, founded in 2005, offers a vast selection of 890 prom dresses. The website is easy to navigate, featuring filters for size, color, price, and more. The 2-day shipping for ready-to-wear dresses sets Lulu's apart, but it doesn't offer tailoring, and mixed reviews raise concerns about dress quality. While Lulu's is good for discounts, the absence of ball gowns and some customer service issues contribute to a good overall rating in our review.

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Milanoo

Priced from $47.99 to $297.99
169 prom dresses in stock
Full-length and 1 short dresses
One-stop shop for men and women
14-day returns
Option for custom dress

Milanoo, an online clothing retailer from China, offers 169 prom dresses with a variety of styles. However, the site hides the prom section, making it difficult to find from the main page. On top of that, there are numerous customer complaints about shipping, returns, and dress quality, making Milanoo a less favorable option for prom dress shopping.

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The 10 Best Prom Dress Stores

Macy's

Nordstrom

Ever Pretty

Lulus

David's Bridal

ChicSew

Windsor

ASOS

Milanoo

SHEIN

Where Can You Find the Best Prom Dresses?

The quintessential high school experience, prom, is one of the most exciting moments for teenagers across the US. This event is so well-known, it's become a pop-culture icon in TV shows and movies: international students even know about the US prom as something key to American high school life. It's a time when students can dress up, feel like royalty, and dance with their friends and, of course, their date.

One of the biggest parts of prom (and one of the most exciting) is the quest for the perfect dress. Prom dresses hold a special place in the hearts of many teens. You can use them to make a striking fashion statement and enjoy the black-tie feeling you've seen on the red carpet. Whether you're looking for a glitzy number that feels like something from a James Bond film, or a princess-style ball gown that makes you feel like a heroine in your favorite fantasy novel, the variety of prom dresses out there is extensive.

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Prom Dress Store FAQ

What is the difference between prom dresses and other dresses?

For teenagers, prom is usually the most formal dance put on by a school or other organization. This means that the dresses worn are fancier than you might wear to other special occasions. Prom dresses are usually long, fitted, and might have glitter or other details to make it elegant. Typically, a prom dress stands out much more than a dress you might wear to another dance or day-to-day.

How do I choose a prom dress?

To choose a prom dress, first identify what style you want. It might help to browse photos on different websites to get an idea of what's out there. Do you want it to have a high or low neck? Should it be strapless? What about the shape of the dress? There are so many unique styles out there, so if you narrow down some basic features you want in a prom dress, it will be much easier to find! Also, keep your budget in mind to help filter through your options.

What are the different styles of prom dresses?

The sky's the limit when it comes to prom dress designs. You'll find strapless dresses, short sleeves, long sleeves, high necklines, low cut, long, or short prom dresses. Some of them have slits in the skirt and some are bedazzled with rhinestones. Prom dresses come in all colors, so you can be sure that there are many options out there that you'll love. The hardest part will be deciding which one!

How much do prom dresses cost?

Prom dresses usually range from $100 - $800. Although that is a big price range, it is not hard to find prom dresses on the lower end of that scale between $100 and $300. Sometimes dresses need alterations, so if you choose to either have the prom dress retailer or a seamstress make adjustments to the dress, this will be an added cost to bear in mind.

Do I need to buy my prom dress, or can I rent one instead?

Some retailers give options for prom dress rentals, but it is becoming rarer. A long, fancy, formal gown worn for an entire night can easily be damaged and might only last a few wears. Buying a new prom dress ensures that it is in perfect condition and fitted exactly to your body type. If you're renting a dress, you won't be able to get any alterations done and it might be harder to find your ideal fit.

Can I wear a prom dress for other occasions?

Of course! You do you! There are other formal occasions in one's lifetime that merit wearing a fancy, beautiful dress. This might be a wedding, formal dinner, other dances, or let's be real - just for fun! If you find a prom dress you love, you can also find other occasions where you'll be able to show it off.

How do you clean a prom dress?

To clean your prom dress, pay close attention to the label and/or instructions that come with your order. Most of the time, prom dresses will need to be dry cleaned. You'll almost never be able to put a fancy dress in the washing machine. Depending on the material, you might be instructed not to dry clean, but just to do spot washes on areas that need some touching up. When it comes to prom dresses, handle with care!

What if my prom dress doesn't fit?

You have a couple of options when it comes to getting the perfect fit for your prom dress. Of course, you'll want to order a size that you'll feel comfortable in. If your prom dress arrives much too big or too small, hopefully the retailer you purchased through allows for refunds or exchanges. Because prom dresses can't always be made to fit every possible length, bust, or width, it is not uncommon to get alterations after you've bought your prom dress. You might be able to get alterations done through the retailer or find a seamstress near you to make some tweaks. Small alterations can ensure that you get the perfect fit that is both comfortable and flattering.

Continued from above...

While in the old days, you'd wait to grab a bunch of friends and navigate crowded local dress stores (or get kicked out of them if you don't have an adult over 18 with you!), you can find your dress in a much quieter (and low-stress) environment these days. Online shopping introduces a world of possibilities.

Today, you can explore unique options from the comfort of your home. Most companies allow returns so you can still try on the dress and get your "wow” moment with your friends before you commit to your favorite gown. You can find long, short, tight, fluffy, long lace sleeves, or strapless. If you can picture it, there's a dress out there somewhere with your name on it.

Whether you're shopping at a bridal store, discount store, or department store, there are tons of retailers that offer prom dresses. Some sites even offer tailoring or custom services that allow you to get that like-a-glove fit. But with so many options out there it can be hard to decide where to spend your time browsing.

To help you out, we put together some criteria that can narrow the field:

Quality. Quality is extremely important when it comes to prom dresses. There are plenty of discount sites, but are they using high-quality fabric? Can you expect the fit to be true to size? Check and see if the site offers original designs versus copycat gowns from other designers, and browse customer reviews to see if the quality in real life matches the pictures online.
Selection. No matter what your personal style is, having a wide selection at your chosen prom retailer is essential. Having a wide range of options helps you make sure that you can find your dream dress. So make sure your favorite cuts are in stock and ready to ship in time for your perfect night.
Return policy. Since dresses are so personal, you'll want to be able to return your prom dress if it doesn't fit the way you want. The uncertainties of online shopping require a flexible return policy, especially with something as important as your prom dress. Keep an eye out for free return shipping and flexible return windows to know you're going to be supported by the retailer.

To make sure your prom is extra special, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best online prom dress stores out there today. We hope this helps you find the perfect dress that fits flawlessly, lets you feel confident and beautiful, and makes your memorable night out one you look back on fondly for years to come. Happy shopping!