What's the most you've paid for a dress?

[dr.girlfriend]

[Not counting your wedding dress].  The backstory is I have to go to a gala, and I think it's going to be pretty fancy.  I don't have anything in my closet that is fancy enough and fits.  I'm debating between trying a Rent the Runway kind of thing or just splurging on a dress.  Most of the ones I like are in the $400 - $500 range. Technically I can afford it, but something in me is just shriveling up at the thought of spending that much on one dress, which doesn't really make sense because I could probably spend $200 each on two dresses without it bothering me as much.  So, what's your upper limit on what you think you would drop for a special occasion outside of your own wedding?

[wanderingback]

I guess I wouldn’t mind spending the money, but it just seems so wasteful for a dress I’ll likely only wear once. I would definitely consider rent the runway. I’ve only used it once but had a good experience.

To answer the question I think the most I spent was around $200 for my dad’s wedding. It’s a classic black dress that I can definitely see myself wearing again.

[sadlebred]

I think it was about $150, and that included alterations. It was for a formal event.

[lemoncupcake]

I would rent - not because of the money, but because if I’m going to go to fancy fun events I’ll want to wear something new each time, so it doesn’t make sense to purchase gowns like that. I would splurge if you were thinking something simpler or more of a wardrobe staple like a great little black dress.

[chpmnk1015]

Prob about 150..and had a couple galas I had each year at that point in life..

[Susie]

I don't mind spending $100 or so on a dress for my work holiday party, but it's not gala level.  I love the idea of RTR, and I looked this past year in parallel with shopping.  In practice, I tried on at least 5-6 dresses this Nov/Dec and only found one that I felt good enough in to wear for this past year's holiday party.  And they were all styles carefully selected on the basis of petite sizing, similar styles and brands having worked for me in the past, reviews, etc.  Still had a poor success rate!  That experience killed my confidence to try RTR.  I felt like the odds of me selecting something to rent that I will feel good in, are really not in my favor.

[midwestmama]

I think it was between 150-200, for a BCBG MaxAzria dress, but that was probably almost 10 years ago now. I wore it on a few nicer dates with DH, and I think to a wedding. I still have it, even though it doesn't fit anymore (too small).

If I had to decide now, I would start with checking out some thrift shops - sometimes you can find some nice dresses there. If nothing there, maybe a ROSS or TJ Maxx/Marshalls as the next stop. Maybe see if there is anything on a clearance rack at Macy's. I would probably do RTR as a last resort, just because of not being able to try it on first and the logistics with having to ship it back.

[kadams767]

I paid about $375 for a dress in 2019. I ended up having 3 fancy weddings that year, all with different attendees, and at that point, hadn't bought a nice dress for a wedding or other event in quite some time, so I wanted something new that I felt good wearing. I was lucky that I could wear the same dress to all three weddings, so it was worth it to me to buy this one rather than rent something.

[jinkies]

If you think Rent the Runway would work, I would definitely go that route. You can even (temporarily) sign up for the monthly plan so that you can get multiple dresses, further in advance.

Anecdote: I had a good friend growing up who had a framed cocktail gown hanging in her house. Her mom had bought it on impulse, ended up not wearing it to the event that she had purchased it for, but hated having spent that much money on a single dress. So she had it framed with a little sign that says something like "Monument to Impulsiveness". LOL.

Any time there is talk about spending a lot on a single dress, I think of her.

[dr.girlfriend]

Ha, we are a frugal bunch for sure!

Part of the problem is I have a really huge bust. I'm worried the RtR won't work for me, and that close to the event I'll be out of options. Plus, I'll have paid for something I can't even wear. If I buy a dress at least hopefully I can return it for full price if it doesn't work. None of these are really available to try on in-store, I've already trolled Marshall's and Macy's etc.

Some of the RtR options are available to purchase pre-worn for about double the rental cost, so I've thought about going that route.  It would be an easier choice but they don't have my exact size (I would need a petite for the long gown) so it would be a compromise on multiple fronts.  

I do think if I found something I really like and is versatile I could wear it at multiple events. I'm still in the bat/bar mitzvah zone for our friends' kids. This is my top contender so far, but if I was looking for people to urge me to splurge I was barking up the wrong tree. :-D

[mpm]

This is the saddest fashion thread I’ve ever read. No photos? Max $100 on a dress?

ETA: Finally a photo! 😂

[ellipses84]

I spent $200 plus alterations a couple years ago on a dress that was more expensive originally but I bought it on sale. I think $4-500 would be my max budget but I’d have a hard time spending that. I’d probably resell it after if I wasn’t going to wear it again. Ideally I’d do rent the runway if I needed a fancy dress, but I’m short so it can be hard to get a perfect fit without alterations. I usually order a bunch of dresses online from Nordstrom and The Rack, try on at home, return what I don’t like, and get alterations there (I have a Nordstrom credit card that has free alteration credits.

[maudefindlay]

$400, it was a pretty classic style, so I wore it for years to weddings etc. Well worth it. I mixed it up with shoes, jewelry, and hair. I think it's nice to have something quality in the closet so you aren't always needing a dress for something and no last minute shopping for something you only kind of like.
Eta Probably time for me to get a new one. Love the green dress!

[ellipses84]

I always consider $ per use for clothes. So if you are going to buy an $800 dress and wear it 4 times in the next year, that’s like $200 each which is reasonable.

[dr.girlfriend]

Mar 24, 2023 13:50:42 GMT -5 mpm said:

This is the saddest fashion thread I’ve ever read. No photos? Max $100 on a dress?

ETA: Finally a photo! 😂

Ha, if you are interested here's the RtR one I'm considering.  It's $80 to rent or $200 to buy pre-worn, but I am only five feet tall so I think the regular length would be difficult even in big heels.

[mpm]

I vote order and see if you love it enough to keep. Nordstrom has a really good return policy if you don’t love it. I may have bought and returned enough dress options leading up to our family pictures last year to get influencer access to sales. 🫢

[simpsongal]

Go for it - anything under $500. YOLO, look fabulous, get some pics - plus you can afford it. I wish I had more pics of myself looking gussied up at weddings and whatnot.

Can you try on RTRW? It might be worth it to go somewhere in person. I have sizing limits too (tall, broader shoulders/hips), and ordering online can be more hassle than it's worth.

[sometimesrunner]

The green dress you posted is super cute. I'm not opposed to spending money on clothes, but I rarely wear dresses, so it's a waste for me. If you're going to wear it more than once, I think you should go for it! The most I've ever spent on a piece of clothing was $400 for a shirt. I was in the dressing room at Anthro and fell in love with a lacy top. Since I was at Anthro I knew it would be pricy, but I was thinking $150-200. I handed it to my H to check out while I got dressed since we were in a hurry and met him at the cash register in time to hear the clerk say $440. Ooops. I love the shirt, though and have worn it multiple times.

[mokes]

Go for it!

I feel like I don't have very many occasions to dress up period, never mind in a really fancy dress. But in theory, I would. 

If you want to try and save (assuming you've tried on the dress you mentioned and love it), maybe look it on Poshmark or similar sites?

For what it's worth, the times I did RTR, I felt like I could really get a good sense of how the dress would look on me through the user photos. You also get a free backup size. And the customer service seems very good. One time I rented, the strap on the nude slip lining the dress (it was a nude slip with a black lace overlay) broke and they would have overnighted me a new one but I went out and purchased a replacement instead and they reimbursed me for it.

[dr.girlfriend]

Mar 25, 2023 11:27:40 GMT -5 sometimesrunner said:

The green dress you posted is super cute. I'm not opposed to spending money on clothes, but I rarely wear dresses, so it's a waste for me. If you're going to wear it more than once, I think you should go for it! The most I've ever spent on a piece of clothing was $400 for a shirt. I was in the dressing room at Anthro and fell in love with a lacy top. Since I was at Anthro I knew it would be pricy, but I was thinking $150-200. I handed it to my H to check out while I got dressed since we were in a hurry and met him at the cash register in time to hear the clerk say $440. Ooops. I love the shirt, though and have worn it multiple times.

Ha, the green dress is from Anthro too so compared to a shirt it seems like a bargain at $498!

[sometimesrunner]

Mar 25, 2023 16:14:12 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

Mar 25, 2023 11:27:40 GMT -5 sometimesrunner said:

The green dress you posted is super cute. I'm not opposed to spending money on clothes, but I rarely wear dresses, so it's a waste for me. If you're going to wear it more than once, I think you should go for it! The most I've ever spent on a piece of clothing was $400 for a shirt. I was in the dressing room at Anthro and fell in love with a lacy top. Since I was at Anthro I knew it would be pricy, but I was thinking $150-200. I handed it to my H to check out while I got dressed since we were in a hurry and met him at the cash register in time to hear the clerk say $440. Ooops. I love the shirt, though and have worn it multiple times.

Ha, the green dress is from Anthro too so compared to a shirt it seems like a bargain at $498!

It's a sign!! Buy it!

[dr.girlfriend]

Mar 25, 2023 16:29:11 GMT -5 sometimesrunner said:

Mar 25, 2023 16:14:12 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

Ha, the green dress is from Anthro too so compared to a shirt it seems like a bargain at $498!

It's a sign!! Buy it!

I am weak.  I ordered it.  The smaller size I was considering sold out already, so here's hoping the larger size fits.

ETA:  I tried again an hour or so later and the smaller size was back to "only 1 left in stock" so hopefully it is on its way to me as well.  We'll see!

[sadlebred]

Mar 25, 2023 20:39:09 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

Mar 25, 2023 16:29:11 GMT -5 sometimesrunner said:

It's a sign!! Buy it!

I am weak.  I ordered it.  The smaller size I was considering sold out already, so here's hoping the larger size fits.

Good, you deserve it! The dress is gorgeous!!

[aprilsails]

I’m glad you ordered it. That’s a pretty dress.

I’ve spent up to $400(CAD) on about three dresses. @@@ One was a gorgeous maternity gown (limited options) and I had 4 weddings and a 60th anniversary party the last two months before I was due and I wanted to feel hella gorgeous. It’s been worn by many of my friends and my sister when they were also pregnant in the summer. One was a bridesmaid gown that I had to alter to make it maternity. Talk about a waste of money. Another is a DVF silk jersey wrap dress which is utterly gorgeous and has fit me for 12 years. It’s a little too open in the bust now to wear it for work events, but it can fly for a fancy night out.

[VillainV]

On one hand I wish I had a reason to wear a fancy dress! But on the other hand, I’m an introvert and actually kind of prefer to spend the evening at home in my sweats.

I did recently spend about $400 on a dress uniform and alterations to wear to fancy military events about 1-2 times per year, and it’s the ugliest thing…

[Deleted]

$278 - I just bought this dress for our summer cruise. It was totally spur of the moment but it's so flattering and the skirt detail is fun and a little sexy with how it falls. 

[lindyanne]

I would spend that much if I thought I could wear it multiple times. The only issue is I would likely be with the same people when I would have occasion to wear such a dress so I would probably try to rent one for that reason.

[audry80]

That green dress is beautiful! I am so glad you bought it. I don't spend a lot of money on clothes but I have many shoes in that price range so I am team spurge!

[k3am]

Mar 27, 2023 9:27:44 GMT -5 lindyanne said:

I would spend that much if I thought I could wear it multiple times. The only issue is I would likely be with the same people when I would have occasion to wear such a dress so I would probably try to rent one for that reason.

This is the main reason I rent. Even if I love a dress, if I'm really dressing up, I don't like wearing the same dress. Back when I was doing 2-3 formal events a year, at least 2 of them also tended to be themed, and it was always unlikely that one dress would fit the theme multiple times. I much prefer renting and being able to go all in on something and not worry about if it's something I can rewear or if it will ended up just gathering dust.

[jwright]

Question about Rent the Runway - I'm short and often have to hem dresses and pants; can you return items that don't fit without charge? Do they have short/petite sizes?

Thanks in advance!