The ultimate guide to buying a new dress
Shopping for a wedding, formal, work, casual or party dress online? Here's how to make the perfect purchase.
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Finding a dress to suit your personal style, body shape and size could almost be considered a science.
We've done the hard work for you and created a comprehensive list of the best online retailers for dresses. We've also outlined all the different body shapes and how to find a well-fitted dress that actually hugs your assets.
So whether you're looking for a wedding, formal, work, casual or party dress, these are the stores that are going to help you make the perfect purchase.
Where to buy dresses online
From Milly With Love
From Milly With Love offers handmade women's clothing made only from high-quality materials for long durability, as we believe in slow fashion. Explore an exclusive collection of unique designs.
- Handmade quality
- Free express shipping in Australia
- Easy returns
- Afterpay available
Harrolds
Australia's Luxury Department Store, home to over 100 local and international designer labels including Tom Ford, Amina Muaddi, Thom Browne and more. Harrolds now ships internationally.
- 10% off your first order
- Free express delivery over $300
- Free returns for all Australian orders
- Same-day delivery available in Melbourne & Sydney Metro before noon
THE ICONIC
THE ICONIC is Australia’s go-to retailer for all things fashion. No matter what kind of dress you need, you’ll be able to find it here.
- Free and easy returns
- Free shipping on orders over $50
- Afterpay is available
ASOS
British retailer ASOS can provide you with all your clothing needs - from casual to workwear to party-ready.
- Student discounts available
- Free shipping on orders over $100
- Afterpay is available
boohoo
If you need a dress but don’t want to break the bank, head straight on over to boohoo.
- Afterpay, Zip and LayBuy is available
- Frequent sales and discounts
- Express shipping options available
NastyGal
NastyGal is a go-to shopping destination for the trend-savvy gals. If you need a dress, you can get it here.
- Express shipping options available
- Student discounts
- Frequent sales and discounts on offer
White Fox Boutique
White Fox Boutique is a bold, fashion-forward brand that stocks any kind of dress, no matter the occasion.
- Free shipping on orders over $50
- Afterpay is available
- Student discounts available
Princess Polly
Princess Polly is your one-stop shop for cool girl fashion. Find your next party dress here.
- Afterpay is available
- Free express shipping on orders over $50
- Free and easy 30-day returns
Beginning Boutique
If you’re looking for a dress that you’ve seen on Instagram, there’s a good chance you’ll find it at Beginning Boutique.
- Student discounts available
- Afterpay and Zip is available
- Free shipping on orders over $50
Showpo
Wedding dress, bridesmaid dress or work dress - you’ll be able to find it at Showpo.
- Free express shipping on orders over $100
- Student discounts available
- 30-day returns
Cotton On
Cotton On is where you can find all types of casual, work-ready and party dresses.
- Free delivery on orders over $60
- Free returns
- Student discounts available
PrettyLittleThing
If you need an affordable dress, head on over to online retailer PrettyLittleThing.
- Express shipping is available
- Afterpay is available
- Frequent sales and discounts on offers
Forever New
Forever New is a go-to shopping destination for modest Australian fashion. You’ll love the dresses available here.
- Afterpay and Zip is available
- Free delivery on orders over $75
- Student discounts available
General Pants
General Pants is home to fashion labels like Neon Hart, Insight, Subtitled, Neuw and more.
- Free delivery on orders over $50
- 30-day returns
- Afterpay, Klarna and Zip is available
Glue Store
Glue Store stocks fashion brands like Beyond Her, First Muse, Nude Lucy and more.
- Free delivery on orders over $50
- Click and collect is available
- Afterpay, Zip, LayBuy and Openpay is available
SurfStitch
Surfstich is your local online surf store, supplying you with all your casual fashion needs.
- Free delivery on orders over $60
- Free returns
- Student discounts available
City Beach
No matter what the occasion is, you’ll be able to find a gorgeous dress at City Beach.
- Afterpay and Zip is available
- Free shipping on orders over $75
- Student discounts available
David Jones
David Jones is Australia’s fashion destination for home-grown and international brands.
- Free express delivery on orders over $50
- Free returns
- Free click and collect
Myer
Myer stocks all of Australia’s favourite fashion brands, including Cue, Tokito, Miss Shop and more.
- Afterpay and Humm is available
- Easy returns policy
- Free shipping on orders over $49
FARFETCH
Farfetch is a global destination for designer fashion, stocking all your favourite luxury brands.
- Free returns
- Fast shipping
- International click and collect
NET-A-PORTER
NET-A-PORTER stocks over 800 international designer brands, from Chloe to Balenciaga to Saint Laurent.
- Easy returns policy
- 24/7 live chat service
- Express shipping options
THE OUTNET
If you need to get your designer fix, THEOUTNET is the place to shop.
- Free shipping on orders over $250
- 24/7 customer care
- Easy returns policy
MATCHESFASHION
If you’re hunting down a designer dress, there’s a good chance you’ll find it at MATCHESFASHION.
- Free delivery on orders over $300
- Free returns
- Sign up to the newsletter for exclusive content
Which retailers offer free delivery?
- From Milly With Love: Free shipping on all orders
- Harrolds: Free express delivery over $300AUD
- THE ICONIC: Free shipping on orders over $50
- ASOS: Free shipping on orders over $80
- White Fox Boutique: Free shipping on orders over $50
- Princess Polly: Free shipping on orders over $50
- Beginning Boutique: Free shipping on orders over $50
- Showpo: Free shipping on orders over $50
- Cotton On: Free shipping on orders over $60
- Forever New: Free shipping on orders over $75
- General Pants: Free shipping on orders over $50
- Glue Store: Free shipping on orders over $50
- SurfStitch: Free shipping on orders over $100
- City Beach: Free shipping on orders over $75
- David Jones: Free shipping on orders over $50
- Myer: Free shipping on orders over $49
- FARFETCH: Free shipping on orders over $300
- NET-A-PORTER: The site is known to run free shipping promotions
- THE OUTNET: Free shipping on orders over $250
- MATCHESFASHION: Free shipping on orders over $600
- H&M: Free shipping on orders over $60
Different types of dresses:
How to determine your dress size:
Let’s start from the beginning, get to know your size.
For the perfect measurements, reach for your tape measure and pen and paper. Jot down your bust, hips and waist and see where you fit on the table below. Keep in mind that size varies brand to brand and also internationally. When it comes to retailers that offer free returns, sometimes it’s best to shop a few different sizes and return what doesn’t work.
Size | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bust | 78cm | 83cm | 88cm | 93cm | 98cm | 103cm |
Waist | 63cm | 68cm | 73cm | 78cm | 83cm | 88cm |
Hips | 86cm | 91cm | 96cm | 101cm | 106cm | 111cm |
Determine the shape of your body
Generally, women's body shapes are grouped into one of five categories: pear, wedge, rectangle, apple and hour glass. Each one of these categories have a corresponding dress design that fits perfectly. If you find a dress that looks good on a model or mannequin, don't rush to buy it until you identify your body shape.
- Pear-shaped bodies mean that the woman has a wider lower body compared to her upper body, the hips are wider than the shoulders. Dresses that fit this shape should emphasise the women's shoulders, torso and stomach.
- Strawberry-shaped is the flipside to a pear-shaped body. The woman generally has a broader chest, wide shoulders and narrow waist. Look to dresses that emphasise the lower part of the body.
- Rectangle-shaped bodies are when the hips and shoulders are approximately the same width. Dresses should focus on the arms and legs to match this shape.
- Apple-shaped bodies means that the back, ribs and shoulders are broader. Dresses should emphasise the midsection of the body to match this shape.
- Hourglass-shaped bodies mean that the waist is tinier, while the shoulders and hips have similar proportions. Dresses should focus on the curves.
.
More fashion inspo
Main image: Getty Images
More guides on Finder
-
Where to buy Crocs online in Australia 2022
Compare styles, prices and shipping options at these top retailers and secure a pair of Crocs more affordably.
-
8 best trending designer handbags of 2022
The top 8 trending handbag and purse styles from Dior, Balenciaga and Prada and where to shop them online in 2022.
-
Lizzo is launching her very own size-inclusive shapewear brand, Yitty
We're afraid Yitty won't have you looking like a snack at all, but in fact, a whole damn meal.
-
How Bonds’ genderless underwear will work
The clothing giant has taken a huge step towards inclusivity, with a genderless underwear experience to be rolled out across every Bonds store by 2023.
-
Where to buy Encanto costumes in Australia: Dolores, Mirabel, Isabela
Here are all the places you can buy kids costumes for Disney's hit movie Encanto, including Dolores, Isabela, Bruno and Mirabel.
-
The wardrobe essentials you need to achieve the European summer look
Looking to switch up your look this season? We're taking major inspo from our European summer Pinterest boards, and of course, Matilda Djerf.
-
2022 fashion trends: The good, the bad and the sequins
2022 is all about stepping out of your fashion comfort zone and into something bright, bold and daring.
-
Influencers to follow to educate yo’self in 2022
From bodi posi influencers to political activists, make your daily scrolls more meaningful with these inspiring icons on your feed.
-
How to make money flipping sneakers
Quick tips and tricks to help you make some serious cash in the lucrative world of selling sneakers online.
-
Two Broke Chicks x eBay Sneaker Giveaway
Two Broke Chicks is giving away the chance to win 3 sneakers of the winner's choice from eBay.
Ask an Expert
