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Nordstrom Review

Tuesday, January 21st

2025 Prom Dress Store Reviews

Nordstrom Review 4.5 Star Rating

Nordstrom

4.5 Star Rating
  • Priced from $49.99 to $598
  • 155 prom dresses in stock
  • Full-length dresses
  • One-stop shop for clothing and beauty
  • Unlimited free returns on most items
  • Buy in store or online
  • Free shipping on all orders
  • "A-” rating from the BBB

For over a century, Nordstrom has been a top-notch fashion retailer. With a variety of attractive clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and kids, Nordstrom is a powerhouse in the world of department stores. Since its establishment in 1901, the company has been dedicated to excellent service, and this dedication has transformed Nordstrom from a modest Seattle shoe shop into the prominent fashion retailer it is today. Nordstrom now serves customers in over 350 Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local, and Nordstrom Rack locations, as well as through online shopping.

Easy browsing and helpful filters

Finding the prom section is pretty easy. All you need to do is check under the Women's section and then under the Shop By Occasion header, there's a section specifically for prom. Once you're there, you'll see an array of modern dress styles. You can easily filter them by the speed of shipping, size, color, brand, discount, how easy the fabric is to care for, and more. The listings themselves have color details before you even click through, so you can see the different options for each dress at a glance.

Solid variety but no minis

There are 155 different prom dresses to choose from at Nordstrom. These include knee-length, midi, and floor-length styles. However, we noticed there weren't any mini-dresses included in the prom section. But you will find most of the traditional styles like A-line and ballgown dresses here. There were 136 dresses in the floor-length category, offering plenty of picks for your upcoming prom.

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Prices from $49.99 to $598

To compare Nordstrom's pricing with our other retailers, we looked at the same three dress styles at each store. We looked at A-lines, ball gowns, and mini dresses, but since Nordstrom didn't have any mini dresses in the prom section, we left that one out. We've also found the most and least expensive dress on the virtual rack. Here's what we found at Nordstrom:

  • A-line dresses: $69 to $348
  • Ball gown dresses: $49.99 to $598
  • Mini dresses: No mini dresses in Nordstrom's prom section
  • Cheapest dress: Marvelous Moment Sequin Fringe Gown (Black) for $49.99
  • Most expensive dress: Sequin & Paillette Cutout Detail Gown (Blue ombre) for $598

Tailoring starts at $50

One benefit to shopping at Nordstrom is the company's impressive tailoring initiative. You can have any item customized - whether it's from Nordstrom or your personal wardrobe. You just need to schedule an appointment for an in-person tailoring session to have your prom dress expertly fitted. With rates starting at $50, a Nordstrom specialist will visit your home to mark and measure the dress. The $50 fee will be applied to cover any alteration costs for your prom dress.

Free shipping and returns

At Nordstrom, no matter what an item costs, you can enjoy complimentary shipping and hassle-free returns with every order. Free shipping goes everywhere in the US including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The free standard shipping option is always available, and you can find the estimated delivery date on each product's page and during the checkout process. Plus, for a quicker and more convenient experience, you have the ability to buy online and pick up your order in person at a local Nordstrom store.

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Impressive open return policy

Whether you shop in-store or online with the company, returning items is a breeze with Nordstrom. A prepaid shipping label will be sent to your email for you to print at home. If you don't have a printer, no worries - just show your QR code at an eligible USPS or FedEx location, and they'll print the label for you. Returns are typically processed within 10-14 business days, with refunds following 3-5 business days after processing. There is no listed time limit, but Nordstrom states that it will accept items back even without a receipt if you're willing to take store credit for the item's current sticker value.

Mixed reviews expected for large corporations

Like other department stores in our review, Nordstrom is a popular retail location with so many customers that there are a lot more complaints about it than for some of the smaller prom dress retailers. It pretty much comes with the territory of being a massive country-wide retailer. However, the good news is Nordstrom has a solid "A-” rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 3-star average from third-party sites like Sitejabber. The reviews swing back and forth between praise like "best service ever” and complaints about shipping and refunds.

Best shipping policy

There are a lot of benefits to shopping for prom dresses at Nordstrom. While the selection is about average, the return policy is flexible and you can score free shipping on every order, which stands out among Nordstrom's competitors. While there aren't any mini dresses in the prom section, there are other areas of the site if you're set on a mini dress for prom. Given the solid "A-” rating and the competitive price range, Nordstrom earns a high rating in our review of prom dress retailers.

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.

The Best Prom Dress Stores Compare Prom Dress Stores Compare Prom Dress Store Reviews What are the best Prom Dress Stores Best Prom Dress Store Reviews

Prom Dress Store FAQ

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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Compare the Best Reviews

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!

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