Hey there, fashion lover! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for cute, affordable clothes that will earn you all the likes on Instagram. Sound familiar? Then let me introduce you to one of my favorite online shops: Red Dress Boutique.
I first stumbled upon Red Dress Boutique while scrolling through my feed a few years ago. I kept seeing these gorgeous dresses and jumpsuits on bloggers and influencers, and I needed to know where they were from. A quick tag search led me to the promised land of pretty, wallet-friendly fashion.
Since then, I‘ve ordered from Red Dress Boutique more times than I care to admit (sorry not sorry, credit card!). I‘ve spent countless hours browsing their new arrivals, leaving reviews, and hyping them up to my friends. So believe me when I say I‘m a true RDB fangirl and self-proclaimed expert.
In this super in-depth Red Dress Boutique review, I‘ll spill all the tea on what makes this brand so special, from their origin story to my analysis of the bestsellers I‘ve tried on myself. I‘ll also share real customer reviews, details on promotions and shipping, and how RDB stacks up to the competition. By the end, you‘ll know for sure if this brand deserves your hard-earned coin. Let‘s get into it!
The Lowdown on Red Dress Boutique
Before we jump into the juicy product reviews, let‘s set the scene with a little Red Dress Boutique 101.
The brand was founded way back in 2005 by girl boss Diana Harbour. Fresh out of college with an English Lit degree, Diana had a passion for fashion but not a ton of cash to blow on designer duds. She was frustrated with the lack of options for trendy, well-made pieces that didn‘t cost a month‘s rent. So she decided to do something about it.
Diana opened up the first Red Dress Boutique store in Athens, Georgia with the goal of providing attainable fashion for the everyday woman. But she didn‘t just fill the racks with whatever was hot on the runways. Nope, this savvy entrepreneur actually surveyed local ladies about what they wanted to wear, then aimed to stock exactly that. We love a brand that listens to real feedback!
Fast forward a few years, and Red Dress Boutique caught the eye of big shot investors on Shark Tank (heard of it?). Diana charmed the pants off Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec and landed a deal to help scale the biz. That‘s when the brand really blew up and became the online fashion destination it is today.
Now, Red Dress Boutique is known for their awesome selection of dresses, rompers, tops, bottoms, shoes, and accessories. They drop new styles daily and are always on top of the latest looks. But the real magic is in how easy they make it to put together a complete ‘fit.
When you add an item to your cart, RDB will show you other pieces that complement it, like the perfect shoes and statement earrings to match that floral sundress you‘ve been eyeing. It‘s like having your most stylish BFF as a personal shopper, and I am here for it.
Red Dress Boutique By the Numbers
Okay, story time is over. Let‘s get to the cold hard facts. Here are some key stats and figures that show just how popular Red Dress Boutique has become:
- 1.4M social media followers across platforms (these gals are Instagram famous!)
- 600K+ Instagram followers alone
- 75+ new arrivals added each week (so you‘ll never get bored)
- 1000s of 4 and 5 star reviews from happy customers
- A+ Better Business Bureau rating (they‘re legit, y‘all)
Sources: Red Dress Boutique Instagram, Red Dress Boutique About Us, BBB Rating for Red Dress Boutique
My Red Dress Boutique Faves
Now for the moment you‘ve all been waiting for: my personal picks from Red Dress Boutique! I‘ve tried and tested tons of their pieces over the years, so you can trust that these recommendations are 100% Jane Approved.
I Can‘t Resist White Lace Midi Dress – $58
This dreamy, vintage-inspired frock is straight out of a Taylor Swift music video. The delicate lace overlay and button-up front give off total garden party vibes. Throw on some nude heels and a side braid and you‘ll be the belle of the ball.
I wore this to my cousin‘s outdoor wedding last spring and got SO many compliments. The fit is super flattering (I‘m a 34C and the medium was perfection). And the cotton-nylon blend has some stretch to it, so you can actually breathe and eat in it. Novel idea, right ladies?
Better For It Red Lace Dress – $54
If the White Midi Dress is sweet tea on the porch, the Better For It Red Lace Dress is a spicy marg at the club. This little number is FIRE. The bold cherry red hue and peekaboo cutouts make it an instant man magnet.
I rocked this on my birthday last year and felt like a total smoke show. It definitely runs a bit small though, so size up if you‘re curvy like ya girl. The fabric has some give but you don‘t want this thing cutting off your circulation, ya know?
Matters of the Heart White Maxi Dress – $66
This one goes out to all my boho babes. The Matters of the Heart Maxi gives me total beach goddess energy. It‘s flowy, ethereal, and just begging to be Instagrammed against a tropical sunset.
I scooped this baby up for my trip to Tulum last winter and wore it every. single. night. It was comfy enough for exploring the town, but glam enough for dinner dates. The only downside is that it‘s pretty sheer, so you‘ll definitely need a nude slip to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions. Safety first, ladies!
Stepping In Sequins Champagne Dress – $62
For my girls who love a bit of razzle dazzle, this sequin mini is everything. The champagne color is like Marilyn Monroe meets Studio 54. It‘s fun, flirty, and guaranteed to turn heads.
I wore this to a New Year‘s Eve party and felt like a human disco ball in the best way. The sequins are actually super comfortable too – no scratchy material here. Just make sure you bring a portable steamer, because this thing wrinkles in a hot second. But hey, no pain no gain, right?
What Other Babes Are Saying
Don‘t just take it from me though. Let‘s peep what other RDB shoppers have to say about their experience. I scoured the web for the most helpful feedback to give you the full picture.
On Sitejabber, Red Dress Boutique has 3/5 stars from 18 reviews. The breakdown shakes out to:
- Quality: 3.5/5
- Service: 2.5/5
- Shipping: 3/5
- Returns: 2.5/5
- Value: 3/5
So while the quality and value are generally solid, it seems customer service and returns can be a bit hit or miss. A few shoppers reported issues with slow responses and trouble getting refunds. Womp womp.
On the flip side, I found tons of glowing reviews on RDB‘s website. The I Can‘t Resist White Lace Midi Dress alone has over 60 perfect 5-star ratings! Here‘s what one smitten kitten had to say:
"I ordered this dress for a bridal shower and it was absolutely perfect! I got compliments all day! The material is soft and stretchy, super comfy. For reference I am 5‘7", 150 lbs, and I ordered a size Medium. Cannot recommend enough, I want this dress in every color!"
And another happy camper gushed about the Matters of the Heart Maxi:
"I struggle to find maxi dresses long enough for my 5‘11" frame but this dress is PERFECT!!! I was worried it might be see through but the lining is great quality and not at all! The top has great support with elastic around the top and the straps tie for added lift! I LOVE THIS DRESS!!"
Look, no brand is perfect and there will always be a few Negative Nancys. But overall, I‘ve personally had great experiences with Red Dress Boutique and I‘m clearly not alone. As long as you go in with realistic expectations and aren‘t expecting Gucci-level luxury, you‘ll probably have a good time too.
How Red Dress Boutique Compares to Other Brands
Okay, so we‘ve established that RDB is pretty darn great. But how does it stack up to other Insta-famous fashion brands? Let‘s take a peek at some of the top competitors.
Lulus
Lulus is another go-to spot for flirty, affordable dresses and two-piece sets. They have a very similar vibe to Red Dress Boutique, with lots of florals, ruffles, and lace. The main difference is that Lulus has a slightly bigger selection and goes up to a 3X in some styles.
Price-wise, Lulus is a smidge more expensive on average. For example, most of their cocktail dresses are around $80-$100, while RDB‘s hover in the $50-$70 range. Lulus does have amazing sales though, so you can definitely score some deals if you keep an eye out.
Quality-wise, I‘d say Lulus and Red Dress Boutique are pretty comparable. I‘ve owned pieces from both that have held up well over time. It really just comes down to which specific styles catch your eye.
Hello Molly
Hello Molly is an Australian brand that‘s blown up in recent years thanks to their dreamy dresses and sets. They have a more laid-back, beachy aesthetic compared to RDB‘s girly glam vibes.
Hello Molly‘s prices are a bit higher, with most dresses in the $80-$120 range. But I have to say, the quality is definitely a step up. The fabrics feel more substantial and luxe. If you‘re willing to splurge, Hello Molly is a great choice for special occasions or investment pieces.
One downside is that since they‘re based in Australia, shipping can take a while (up to 10 biz days). Returns are also a bit of a hassle since you have to mail things back internationally. Meanwhile, Red Dress Boutique offers free shipping on US orders over $75 and easy domestic returns. Just sayin‘.
ASTR the Label
ASTR is a trendier, edgier option that‘s popular with fashion risk-takers. Think cut-out bodysuits, faux leather pants, and plunging necklines. It‘s giving Kardashian-Jenner vibes.
ASTR‘s prices are pretty similar to Red Dress Boutique, if not a little cheaper. Most pieces are under $100. The quality can be a bit all over the place though. I‘ve gotten some gems from ASTR but also some duds that fell apart after one wash.
Overall, I‘d recommend ASTR if you‘re looking for sexy going-out looks that are more trendy than timeless. But for everyday wear, Red Dress Boutique has a wider range of options that are consistently well made.
Final Thoughts
Phew, that was a lot of info. If you‘re still reading this, you‘re a real one.
Here‘s the bottom line: Red Dress Boutique is a solid choice for affordable, on-trend fashion. They have a fantastic selection of dresses for every occasion, from casual brunch to black tie weddings. And their rompers, skirts, and tops are equally cute.
I‘ve personally had great luck with the quality and fit of RDB pieces, especially for the price point. And I love how easy they make it to style complete outfits with their suggestions. It saves me so much time and mental energy.
No online retailer is without flaws though. The biggest complaint about Red Dress Boutique seems to be inconsistent customer service and a strict return policy. There‘s also some valid criticism about their lack of size inclusivity and transparency around sustainability. I‘d love to see them expand their sizing and share more about where and how their clothes are made.
At the end of the day though, I keep coming back to Red Dress Boutique because their clothes make me feel confident, stylish, and ready for anything. And that‘s what fashion is all about, right?
So if you‘re tempted to treat yourself to a new ‘fit from Red Dress Boutique, I say go for it. Life‘s too short not to wear the damn dress. Just make sure to read the reviews, size charts, and return policy before you smash that checkout button.
I hope this extra juicy review helped you decide if Red Dress Boutique is right for you. Still have questions? Drop ‘em in the comments below. And if you end up snagging something cute, you better tag me in your Insta pics. I‘m always down to hype up my hot girls.
Until next time, stay fabulous!
xoxo,
Your Trusty RDB Reviewer
