Two things every girl wants are a dress that looks incredible and one that she can afford. Unfortunately, these two priorities don’t always go hand in hand. So how do you find cheap yet more expensive-looking dresses? If you’re bargain hunting but still want to look great, here are some shopping tips from AMI Clubwear (thanks for guest posting today!) for choosing a dress on a budget:

1. Make sure it fits – Whether a dress costs $40 or $400, if it doesn’t fit well, it’s not going to look good on you. The secret of women who can rock cheap dresses is that they’re willing to hold out till they find one that really does seem to be made just for them. Finding the right fit doesn’t just mean choosing the right size, it also means knowing that even within a single size there are dresses that are too loose, too tight, or both. Particular trouble spots to watch out for are dresses that are too tight in the stomach, which can make even the most slender woman look like she’s eating for two, or too baggy in terms of how they hang from the shoulders down, which can make you look like you’re bigger than you are. Remember also that a dress that is too tight will be difficult to move in, making you feel (and look) uncomfortable. Take the extra time to try on dresses and send back or take in those that don’t quite fit.

2. Choose quality materials – A cheap dress can have a low price tag for many reasons. Finding a bargain is important, but not as important as choosing quality materials. Remember that the material a dress is made of matters on many levels: it determines not only how long the dress is likely to last, but also how comfortable you are wearing it; it affects how the dress feels; and most of all, it affects how the dress looks on you. A good material will wear well and make you stand out, while cheap materials can look bad even with a great fit. The best cheap dresses are affordable because they don’t have a major label on them, but are still made with quality fabric and craftsmanship.

3. Shop for your body type – If you want a dress to look good, the best thing is to choose one that flatters your particular body shape. There are many ways to do this, from choosing a nice A-line to using a sheath dress or throwing a belt around the middle if you are very thin. There is a dress for every body type – it just takes finding the right one for you.

4. Shop online – Online shopping really does make life easier. The Internet offers you more selection and lower prices, with easy return policies in case something doesn’t fit the way you expected. Cheap is a lot easier to find when you have the entire worldwide web at your disposal.

What do you look for in cheaper dresses?

Keep up with SF on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest!

Disclosure: This was a guest post sponsored by AMI Clubwear