How to Buy a Dress for a Woman

Co-authored by Sarah McDonald

Last Updated: September 13, 2021 References

Buying a dress for a woman can be a great way to show her you care. If you feel overwhelmed by the prospect, try not to worry. By assessing her personal style, making sure to get the right size, and choosing a type of dress that suits her tastes, you can give her something she will love and be excited to wear.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Assessing Her Personal Tastes

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Observe what types of dresses she wears.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.} To help you figure out what type of dress to buy, pay attention to the types of dresses she likes to wear. Consider the colors, patterns, and cuts of the dresses she wears, including the shapes, lengths, and necklines.
- This will help you assess what types of dresses she wears to various occasions, as well as what types of dresses she feels comfortable in.
2
Listen closely when she talks about clothes. When you are with the woman you are buying a dress for, listen closely as she talks about her clothing, shopping, or when she makes comments about things she likes. Chances are, she will reveal some very useful information that will help you pick out a dress she will love.
- Pay close attention if she mentions particular stores or brands that she likes. This can give you an idea of where you should go shopping for the dress.
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3
Take notice of the types of dresses she looks at. When you are shopping together, pay close attention when she seems interested in a dress, holds up a dress to look at, or tries on a dress. Take note of the colors, patterns, and silhouettes that she seems drawn to. This can give you an idea of the types of dresses to look for, or may even indicate a particular dress you can buy for her.
- You can also try taking her for a walk past some retail stores to see if she makes comments about any of the dresses in the windows.
4
Check her closet for style and brand information. While there may be items in her closet that she doesn’t like or wear often, this can be a good place to start to get some of the information you will need when you go shopping.^{[2]
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Research source} If there are any brands or stores she owns multiple dresses from, write down the names. This will help give you some ideas about where to go look for a dress when you are shopping.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.}
- You might also want to check the fabrics on the tags of her dresses. Some women prefer to wear dresses in a specific fabric. She might also have a fabric allergy or sensitivity.
5
Ask her friends and family for style advice. Before you go shopping for a dress, seek advice from people who have gone shopping with her before or who are likely aware of what kind of dress she might like. Ask her friends and family about any particular cuts, patterns, and/or brands that suit her personal style.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting the Right Size

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Look at the tags in her clothes to see what size to buy. The best way to determine her size is to check the tags on some of the dresses that she already owns. It can also be helpful for you to write down the sizes that she wears in different brands and fabric types. Women’s dress sizes can differ greatly from one brand to the next, as well as one fabric type to the next, so this can help give you an idea of what size you will need to buy at different retailers or in various styles.^{[5]
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- For example, if she has a dress in a size 6 from one brand that is made from a stretchy fabric, such as a spandex blend, and a size 8 in a dress from another brand made of a less stretchy fabric, such as 100% cotton, opt for a size 8 if the dress you are buying is less stretchy and/or made by the same brand as the size 8 dress.
2
Ask the sales associate at the store if you need help. Sales associates generally have expert knowledge about the dresses in their shops, so they will likely be able to help you choose what size to buy. Try to give them an idea of what size dresses she usually wears so they can help you pick out the best size in the brands and styles they have available.
- If the woman you are buying a dress for has shopped at the retailer you are visiting, you may be able to ask a sales associate to look up her order history. This can help you figure out what size you should buy, based on the sizes she has purchased before.
3
Opt to buy a larger size if you're unsure if a dress will fit. Because dress sizes vary between retailers and even between different fabrics and styles of dresses, it is entirely possible that her usual size won’t fit in the particular dress you are buying. Rather than buying a dress that is too small, going up 1 size is usually a safer bet.
4
Buy multiple sizes if you are unsure what to get. If you can’t figure out exactly what size to get, you may want to consider buying the dress in more than one size. Keep the receipts so that you can return the one that doesn’t fit at a later date.
5
Make sure that you can return the dress. Before buying a dress, check the retailer’s return policy. That way, if she doesn’t like the dress or it doesn’t fit, she will be able to return or exchange it for another size or style. If you bought the dress in multiple sizes, you will also want to make sure that you can return the one that doesn’t fit.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Selecting a Style

1
Choose a wrap dress for a universally flattering style. If you are unsure what style of dress to choose, a wrap dress is usually a safe bet. Wrap dresses generally have a lower but still modest neckline, and a fitted but forgiving waistline, making them flattering for almost every figure.
- When selecting a wrap dress, make sure that the length of the dress is similar to what she usually wears.
2
Go for a sundress if you are buying something for a vacation. If you are buying her a dress to wear in warmer weather, a sundress is a great option. Sundresses tend to come in light fabrics, such as a breezy cotton or lightweight linen, that are perfect for a pool or beach setting.^{[6]
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- If she is going somewhere tropical, focus on finding a sundress with a fun pattern and/or that comes in bright, vibrant colors.
- If her style tends to be pretty simple and sleek, aim for a summery but neutral tone, such as a class white linen sundress.
3
Find a simple cocktail dress for an option that is more versatile. If you want to buy a nicer dress but don’t have a particular occasion in mind, a simple cocktail dress might be the way to go. A chic white lace midi dress, for example, can easily be dressed up or down. For an even safer bet, choose a black dress that she can wear over and over again to almost any occasion.
4
Choose a ball gown if you are buying the dress for a formal occasion. If you have plans to attend a black-tie wedding, charity ball, or pageant reception, you will likely want to choose a formal ball gown. A ball gown is generally fitted at the top through the waist with a full, long skirt at the bottom.
- Ball gowns come with a variety of necklines, such as sweetheart, v-neck, and strapless, so keep in mind what type of neckline she would like that would flatter her figure.^{[7]
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Buy a slip dress for a date-night option. A slip dress is a great option for a night out if the woman you are buying a dress for has a simple, sexy personal style. Slip dresses tend to have a lower, more revealing neckline, as well as a loosely body-skimming mid-length fit. As a result, many women are always not comfortable in or drawn to slip dresses, so make sure that this style is in-line with her personal taste before choosing to buy a slip dress.
- If you want to buy her a slip dress but are unsure if she likes this style, you may want to consider getting something she can layer on top, such as a denim jacket or an elegant wrap.^{[8]
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6
Go for a shirt dress if you are buying her something for work. Shirt dresses are versatile, work-appropriate staples that many women have at least one or more of in their closets. Shirt dresses can also usually be worn year-round, making it a great gift if you want to buy her something she can wear over and over.
- To transition a shirt dress into fall or winter, all she needs to do is add tights, boots, and a sweater.^{[9]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I know if a design matches?

Community Answer

It's more about whether or not you think they match. If you like the style, then go for it. If you're concerned about making sure you look well-matched, ask a friend to come shopping with you so you can get their opinion on whether or not a particular design or style matches.