Finding a gown for under $60

So here's what happened. My husband told me that he had a formal event coming up...and I thought I would do a little experiment!

I hopped onto Amazon, searched for "formal gowns" and set my filter to under $100. Then I set it for under $50. Would I be able to find an attractive dress that would arrive using Prime 2-day shipping, fit me using only a measurement chart for guidance, and keep my wallet happy? Read below to see how my experiment went. 

Dress #1: Green and Lacey

Score: 4/10
Get this dress here. 
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This was my least favorite of all of the dresses I ordered. The fabric was incredibly thin and didn't really flatter my body. The lace which was meant to stand up along the neckline flopped down every time I moved at all. I thought the belt was a thicker fabric based on the picture, but it was actually just a part of the dress in that same flimsy material. Overall, this just felt inexpensive, and given that it was one of the more expensive dresses I ordered, it was disappointing. (Also, it felt slightly matronly? But I have a feeling that on a different body type, that wouldn't be the case.) 

​Dress #2: Pink and Shiny

Score: 5/10
Get this dress here.

This dress was the cheapest of all of my choices and looked so promising online! It wasn't terrible, but it definitely felt like it was about $25. Honestly, I would wear this if I had no other options, and I wouldn't be embarrassed to, either. I think it would have made a difference to buy this dress in the silver, because then the fabric wouldn't look so flimsy, at least from afar. For me, though, the slit went way too high and the fabric was cheap. But it did fit me well, and because the material is so stretchy, I think it would probably fit most body types. 

Dress #3: Navy and Embellished

Score: 7/10
​Get this dress here.

​This dress definitely has its pros and cons - it's a bit of a conundrum. It was the most expensive dress I ordered, and you can see why. The fabric is thick, the embellishment is really beautiful, and the sheer top was very well made. I've never worn a dress with a sheer top like this, but I think it's a great way to have the look of a strapless gown without having to adjust your dress all night. But here's the issue: the dress just didn't fit right. It was big in the waist, and small in the hips, and it was weirdly unflattering. I definitely thought it would be perfect on, and that was a letdown. But at least I get to return the dress that was the most expensive! 

Dress #4: Red and Swooshy

Score: 8/10
​Get this dress here.

I. Loved. This. Dress. The back has a corset so you can adjust it, the fabric is beautiful, the dress is well made, and it is so much fun to swoosh around in! Unfortunately, it was a little bit off in the size that I ordered. I think for someone with a smaller chest it would work slightly better because the waist is a bit high, but I seriously enjoyed wearing this. Even if it isn't the most flattering gown, it's one that I didn't want to take off. This is the kind of dress you just have to spin and dance in! 

Dress #5: White and Modern

Score: 10/10
Get this dress here.

The price. The fit. The fabric. The uniqueness. This dress has everything and it blew me away. This was the last one to arrive in the mail, and I didn't have high hopes, but after putting this on, I felt AWESOME. It's classic, modern, and incredibly statuesque. The fabric is thick so it conceals any lumps and bumps you may have. The only thing to warn you about is that the bottom is a bit long, but with the right pair of heels, it will be just fine (at least for me - I'm pretty tall). I can't recommend this dress highly enough, and I can't wait to wear it! 

Which of these dresses was your favorite? Have you ordered and worn any of them yourself? Let me know in the comments! 

​*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something.