Dresses

How to buy a dress for the right occasion: new, second-hand or rented

Updated 21 October 2026

Start with the occasion, not the picture

A dress for a farewell party, for a friend's wedding and for the office are three different purchases, even if the style looks similar. The occasion decides the fabric, the length and even the colour: at a wedding white and very pale shades are usually avoided, while in the office a matte fabric and a length not above the knee work better.

So in your request, first write where you will wear the dress. This weeds out half the unnecessary offers before they are even sent.

How BlaBlaPrice saves your time

Instead of scrolling through dozens of shops and private sellers' pages, you describe what you are looking for once. You write in your own words, and you can add one photo as a guide. Before it is shown to sellers, the request is checked: no ads or contacts in the text, and you are told which details are still missing.

Then sellers answer in the chat: what is in stock, the price, photos, trial and delivery terms. They see which place their offer takes and improve their terms to win your request. BlaBlaPrice shows the one that gives the best value first, with reviews of the seller next to it. Your phone number is hidden until you decide whom to give it to. More details are on the “How it works” page.

What to put in your request

• Occasion – farewell party, wedding, office, celebration, everyday.
• Style – shirt dress, A-line, sheath, wrap, corset, slip.
• Length – mini, midi, maxi or in centimetres from the shoulder.
• Size – S/M/L or UK size. It is better to add bust, waist and hip measurements, because brands' size charts differ.
• Fabric – satin, chiffon, jersey, linen, cotton, sequins.
• Colour or print – with the name of the shade: emerald, powder pink, charcoal.
• Brand, if you have a favourite.
• Condition – new with tags, second-hand, or rental only.
• Budget and city, so a trial or delivery can be arranged.

Example: “I'm looking for a new midi dress for a farewell party, satin, emerald green, UK size 8 (XS), with straps or bare shoulders. Calgary, a trial or return is needed. Budget up to CA$98.”

Buy, take second-hand or rent

If you will wear it once, think about renting or second-hand: evening dresses are often sold after a single outing, sometimes with the tags still on. In your request say right away that you are considering both options, and compare the offers together. For second-hand, ask for photos in daylight, close-ups of the seams and lining, and ask about dry cleaning and smells.

What to look at in the offers

• Whether the size matches your measurements, not just the letter on the label.
• Whether there is a trial, an exchange or a return if the dress doesn't fit.
• Fabric: in photos satin and cheap synthetics look similar, so ask for the content from the label.
• Whether there is a lining, whether the fabric is see-through, and whether the hem needs shortening.
• Timing, especially if the event is soon: tailoring or delivery can take a week.

With a dress you may need outerwear or skirts if you build the look in parts. And the whole section is women's clothing.