I’ve shared before that I thrift every piece of clothing I can. So, when I had a formal event to attend, I knew I wanted to buy a secondhand dress.
When I’m looking for something specific, I have better luck shopping online, so I turned to my favorite thrifty clothing site: ThredUp!
However, if you’ve ever had to buy a formal dress, you know that, in many ways, they are not the same as shopping for other clothes. So I took my time, did a lot of research, and figured someone out there might benefit from it.
So, here’s what I learned (and ended up with two beautiful, well-fitting gowns)!
Start with the size (but add a grain of salt)
If you saw my guide to buying thrifted denim online, this will be admittedly similar, but the method works!
Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, it’s best to narrow down your options by size.
However, formal dress sizing can be really off. So give yourself a wider window: 2-3 sizes larger (and sometimes smaller) than what you think you’d wear.
ThredUp has so much inventory that narrowing it down by size can help with decision fatigue, but there are other things to consider.
Consider budget and style
The next step is to narrow your options by budget or style.
ThredUp has filters along the left side of the screen so you can choose your budget (dresses under $100, for example), style, and even color.
Obviously, if you’re shopping in-person, you’ll filter manually 🙂 If a dress doesn’t fit your budget, you’ll keep that sucker on the rack!
I was looking for dresses around $100 or less (less is best), but I was open to the style (as long as it was floor-length) and color.
Pay attention to the brand
If you take away anything from this guide, remember this: the dress’s brand will tell you nearly everything you need to know to get the right one.
Unfortunately, ThredUp doesn’t list specific measurements for formal dresses* like it does for other clothing. So, researching the brand will help you understand its sizing, materials, and styles.
*ThredUp does include the length of the dress, which is typically measured from the shoulder down, so you’ll know if you need to wear heels, alter, etc.
Here are a few popular brands to consider:
Sherri Hill | Glamorous, heavily embellished gowns
Known for dramatic silhouettes, structured bodices, hand-beading, rhinestones, sequins, and statement skirts. Many designs have substantial construction rather than just a decorative outer layer.
Secondhand tip: Shoppers commonly wear one to two sizes larger than their everyday clothing size (especially for fitted, corset-style gowns). Look closely for missing beads, loose embellishments, and signs of alteration.
Jovani | Bold, dramatic, red-carpet-inspired styles
Offers everything from sleek satin gowns to intricate beadwork, sequins, lace, and sculptural silhouettes.
Secondhand tip: Check the specific style’s size chart* rather than assuming all Jovani dresses fit alike. Inspect fitted hips, necklines, and slits for alterations. *I got lucky with the dresses I ordered because they still had the tags on them, so I was able to zoom in on the online photos and search the style number for sizing and reviews (it wasn’t Jovani, but it’s helpful for any brand.
Mac Duggal | Detailed, statement-making dresses for multiple occasions
Known for ornate embellishment, embroidery, sequins, ruffles, and distinctive prints. The brand spans prom, eveningwear, and more mature special-occasion styles.
Secondhand tip: Check the exact fabric, lining, and construction. A dress with elaborate embroidery or beadwork may be heavier than it looks, while a full-length gown may need hemming. Some styles also offer petite options.
Faviana | Classic prom and formal-event silhouettes
A longstanding promwear label with fitted gowns, slits, embellished bodices, and sleek styles.
Secondhand tip: Pay particular attention to the bodice, zipper, and fabric stretch. A fitted dress without stretch needs a more precise fit than a loose or flowing silhouette. Compare the original style number and photos if you can.
La Femme | Feminine, sleek, and embellished gowns
Its range includes romantic lace, rhinestone detailing, flowing fabrics, and clean, streamlined silhouettes.
Secondhand tip: Look for loose stones, snagged lace, damaged mesh, and missing hooks. Sheer panels and delicate overlays can be expensive or difficult to repair, even when the rest of the dress is in excellent condition.
Rachel Allan | High-impact prom and pageant looks
A label worth searching for if you want bold colors, fitted silhouettes, ornate embellishments, and a classic prom aesthetic.
Secondhand tip: Zoom in on photos of the embellishments and confirm the original design includes all decorative elements. Verify the dress’s measurements and look for signs that someone has altered a fitted bodice.
Adrianna Papell | Timeless wedding-guest and black-tie looks
Particularly worth searching for if you like beaded gowns, classic evening dresses, and elegant occasionwear that doesn’t necessarily look like a traditional prom dress.
Secondhand tip: Beaded designs can offer plenty of visual impact, but inspect the lining, underarms, closures, and beadwork. The brand has separate petite, standard, and plus-size charts and recommends sizing up if you’re between sizes and expect alterations.
Tadashi Shoji | Elegant lace, draping, and sophisticated silhouettes
A good label to explore for formal weddings and evening events if you prefer texture and shape over all-over sparkle.
Secondhand tip: Inspect lace for snags and holes, especially around the hips and underarms. Check whether the dress has a stretch lining, how the fabric drapes, and whether alterations have changed the original silhouette.
Alex Evenings | Classic formalwear, including gowns with sleeves
Worth searching for if you want a traditional evening dress, a more covered-up silhouette, or a gown with a matching jacket or wrap.
Secondhand tip: If the listing shows a two-piece set, confirm that both pieces are included. Look for discoloration at the neckline and underarms, and research dress measurements rather than relying on the labeled size.
Betsy & Adam | Event-ready gowns and classic occasionwear
A useful name to search when you’re looking for a wedding-guest dress, gala gown, or a formal silhouette without necessarily shopping designer prom labels.
Secondhand tip: Check the fabric content and stretch. Pay particular attention to draping, gathers, and seams, since these can affect how a dress hangs after wear or alterations.
Lulus | Affordable wedding-guest dresses and modern formal looks
A practical starting point for satin maxi dresses, sleek minimalist gowns, and contemporary occasionwear.
Secondhand tip: Check the actual fabric composition and lining. Satin can look luxurious in a photograph but vary considerably in weight and finish. Ask whether the dress is lined, whether it stretches, and whether the fabric has pulls or snags.
ASOS DESIGN | Trend-driven styles at accessible prices
A broad range of contemporary occasionwear, from simple slip dresses to dramatic maxi dresses.
Secondhand tip: Because the label covers many styles and fabric types, judge the individual dress rather than the brand name alone. If you can find it, check the original product description, especially for lining, stretch, and fabric composition.
David’s Bridal | Bridesmaid dresses that can double as formalwear
Especially useful if you want a long chiffon, satin, or crepe dress for a formal wedding or event. Resale shoppers may also find dresses in colors no longer in the current collection.
Secondhand tip: Search by the style number when possible. Bridesmaid dresses may have been shortened, taken in, or altered to fit a specific wedding party. Confirm the actual length and measurements before buying.
Eliza J | Wedding guests, cocktail parties, and polished occasionwear
Eliza J is a great label to search if you want a dress that feels dressy without necessarily being a floor-length evening gown. Look for fit-and-flare silhouettes, lace, floral prints, cocktail dresses, and formal gowns.
Secondhand tip: With fit-and-flare styles, check the waist measurement and skirt volume. For lace or embellished dresses, inspect the fabric for snags and missing details. For a structured sheath dress, research bust, waist, and hip measurements rather than relying on the tagged size alone.
The two dresses I got were Betsy & Adam and Eliza J, and researching those brands to understand how they handle sizing was a huge help.
Use the ‘heart’ method
Instead of overthinking each item right away, I started “liking” (clicking the heart) any dress that looked interesting.
This moved everything into a separate saved section so I could come back later and evaluate them more carefully.
I’ll be honest — I did this for hours. But it let me compare multiple options side by side once I was ready to get serious about narrowing things down.
Give yourself plenty of time
This is the biggest lesson for me, because my dresses didn’t actually arrive in time for my event. I ordered them 10 days before I would have worn them, which… wouldn’t have been an issue if I’d known for certain either would’ve fit me!
This was totally my fault because it gave an estimated shipping window, and the dresses DID arrive within that window. I could’ve purchased rushed shipping, but I didn’t. Live and learn!
I kept the two dresses because they fit beautifully and are gorgeous. So I shouldn’t need to buy formalwear anytime soon, but next time I do, I’ll give myself an extra week or two to make sure the dress fits, and I have the right accessories.
Look at the dress’s condition
This point is clear in many secondhand tips under specific brands, but it deserves a second mention. You can filter on ThredUp by condition, so you can choose “new with tags” or something in any condition (for a costume, for example).
You can also check other details. ThredUp may not have all the specifics about fabric, embellishments, structure, etc., so doing research and zooming in on any available photos can give you additional perspective.
A few things I was looking for: sequins vs. glitter. I wanted a sparkly dress and noticed a big difference in pricing between sequins (individual sparklies sewn on) and glitter (glued on), one isn’t necessarily better than the other; it depends on what you’re looking for.
Of course, a brand’s reputation and the dress’s actual construction are two different things. ThredUp prices items consistently, so although an established brand’s item may cost more, it will be less expensive if it isn’t new or needs work.
Consider alterations
If you find a dress that fits in all the right places, but still isn’t perfect, you might consider alterations (if time allows). Buying a dress secondhand and paying for alterations (or doing them yourself), is still much more affordable and eco-friendly than purchasing something new.
Common alterations include hemming, taking in (at the bust, hips, or waist), shortening straps, replacing a zipper, and improving bust support.
However, you can choose more unique alterations for a more dramatic change. These options include adding, removing, or changing sleeves; adding an overskirt or train; adding a modesty panel or illusion mesh; changing the neckline; drastically shortening the length; and adding waist detail.
***
Whew! I know this is a lot of information, but I truly think it’s worth it! I ended up buying two secondhand dresses, both still with tags, for just $150 total.
I haven’t purchased anything new in a long time, but when I saw the prices for new gowns? Yikes! Most of what I saw was at least $300, even for very simple dresses.
If you have additional tips for buying secondhand formalwear, I’d like to hear them!
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