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SHEIN Review

Tuesday, January 21st

2025 Prom Dress Store Reviews

SHEIN Review 1 Star Rating

SHEIN

1 Star Rating
  • Priced from $11 to $307.79
  • 4,000+ prom dresses in stock
  • Full-length dresses and short dresses
  • One-stop shop for everything
  • Free returns for 1 item in each order
  • Free shipping orders $29+

SHEIN, a worldwide online fashion and lifestyle retailer, is dedicated to bringing fashion's beauty within everyone's reach. Using its "proprietary” manufacturing technology, the company connects suppliers to a flexible supply chain, minimizing inventory waste and offering affordable products. Operating from its global offices, SHEIN serves customers in over 150 countries. However, before you get excited by the low prices, read through the concerning red flags we found for this retailer.

Hard to find what you need

While there's a lot to look at on SHEIN, from home appliances to clothing to automotive products, this is a bit of a drawback when it comes to browsing. SHEIN's prom dresses aren't easy to find from the home page. After some trial and error, it was easiest for us just to type in Prom Dress in the search bar and select the most accurate result that popped up. There are so many things to scroll through on SHEIN, you could be there all day just looking for the prom section.

Dress section looks a little too familiar

Once you find the dresses though, you might think the storefront looks super familiar. If you checked out our review for Milanoo, you might even confuse SHEIN for the same site since the layout is so similar (including the coupons on the right-hand side). The filters are likewise similar including options like color, fit, style, length, and some unique filters like material, pattern, details, and more.

Insane number of dresses

There are over 4,000 different prom dresses on SHEIN. These include cuts like A-line, bodycon, and tank dresses. The sizes range from XS to XXL with tall sizing as well. You'll find nearly 2,000 products for full-length dresses and 29 options for mini dresses. This is the largest collection we've seen in our review, beating out all of our companies for the most prom dresses at one retailer.

Best Prom Dress Stores

Prices from $11 to $307.79

With so many dresses for sale, we definitely needed to get you some prices for SHEIN. Like at our other retailers, we looked at the same three dress styles at each store. We looked at A-lines, ball gowns, and mini dresses and found the most and least expensive dresses. Here's what showed up for SHEIN:

  • A-line dresses: $18.01 to $301.79
  • Ball gown dresses: There wasn't a separate category for ball gowns, but many of the A-line styles would fit ball gowns too.
  • Mini dresses: $22.75 to $55.39
  • Cheapest dress: SHEIN Belle Cut Out Front Velvet Formal Dress (Purple) for $11
  • Most expensive dress: Women's Sparkling Mesh See-Through Floor-Length Dress With High Slit Sleeves For Evening Party (Red) for $307.79

Free shipping on $29+

While there aren't any options for tailoring at SHEIN, you can enjoy free shipping on orders over $29. Standard shipping is typically estimated to take around 10 days, with SHEIN promising that most items ship in a much shorter timeframe. While this isn't the case for many who left reviews for SHEIN, the low threshold for free shipping is a bonus.

Free returns on the first item in any order

For all clothing items, including wedding dresses, suits, and other formal attire, SHEIN requires them to be returned in a new, unworn, unwashed, undamaged, and unaltered condition with the original tags attached. The company provides a free return shipping label for your first return package with any order. Make sure to use the provided return label and send the return package postmarked within 35 days after the purchase date. If you need to make other returns from the same order, you can still use the provided Return Label, but a $7.99 shipping fee will be deducted from your refund.

Best Prom Dress Stores

Reviewers warn to stay away

Now, with prices like SHEIN's, you are probably getting what you pay for. Or at least, that's what the reviews are saying. SHEIN is rated by the Better Business Bureau, but the news isn't good: the company holds an "F” rating. On third-party review sites, SHEIN also isn't popular. At Sitejabber, SHEIN has a 1.8-star average. Ouch. Customers say that there is zero support from customer service and that you should only buy from SHEIN if you're 100% sure about your purchase. Customers have also complained about lost packages, SHEIN refusing to process returns, and items coming damaged or being extremely poor quality.

Too much uncertainty

Bottom line? SHEIN has great discounts and an insane number of prom dresses, but it's not worth the potential stress of trying to get your money back if something goes wrong. Prom is supposed to be a fun and exciting time, not stressful, and from the reviews out there, buying your prom dress at SHEIN might make it one of the most stressful events of the year (if the dress even arrives). Our recommendation? Check out one of our top-rated services instead.

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!

See the Best Prom Dress Store
The Best Reviews of Prom Dress Stores