Dress Barn

This location is closed as of December 20, 2013.

Large selection!

As with most things in life, don’t knock it till you try it.
Cons:
— TERRIBLE name;
— mediocre sales; and
— Clothes are often hit or miss.
Pros:
— Super cute dresses. I’m 28 and buy dresses there all the time – and get many, many compliments on them; and
— Amazing staff. I’m an attorney in the State of Illinois building, and on more than one occassion, their staff has helped me find affordable emergency suits.
Thanks for your help, Dress Barn!

That dress that I was wearing last night at the Unilocal holiday party? The one that everyone and their brother/​mother/​sista complimented me on? It came from Dress Barn.
I was walking past the DB one day and saw a cute red dress in the window. I went inside for a looksie and viola! I found that awesome little grey number. And it was cheap!
So they earned an extra star for that dress and now, with one check-​in, I am the Duchess of Dress Barn. Moo.

I walk by the shop at the Thompson Center everyday and in the last few months have actually seen some really cute dresses in the window. They have this vintage look that I really like but when I went into the store and asked for a size 2… well, I was looked at like I was Julia Roberts character in the store in Pretty Woman.
Ok, so now I know that Dress Barn doesn’t carry size 2, that’s their right. However, maybe they shouldn’t show the dresses on size 2 mannequins and models.

I really like Dress Barn for work attire. Now, this place is a little pricer than I normally like to go but the clothes are well made and look professional. I have bought several pairs of work pants here, shirts and a winter coat. All have held up to my less than gentle washing habits (basically throw it all in a jumbo washer and hope for the best). They always have a nice selection and the store employees are helpful. The dressing rooms are clean and well lit and the return policy is generous. Definately a good spot for a professional outfit or a cocktail dress /​pant suit.

Usually on my walk to work, I try to add an extra half block by walking around the Thompson Center. I pass this store time and time again never venturing in. The dresses on the store displays look nice and actually inspired me to a get a dress similar from somewhere else. I shop off of store displays best. Otherwise, I generally avoid it because the clothes tend to be frumpy or extremely matronly.
Today, I started my clothing shopping mission to locate something for a christening and a wedding shower. When I got here at lunchtime, the place began hopping full of women searching out clothes. Some of the dresses are pretty nice. I found a few that I liked, but they didn’t like me in the dressing room. It’s hard to tell if they vanity size or not because some things fit right while others were sized too huge or small. I got some great help from a perky saleswoman. Their staff is very nice and helpful, so big stars there. Anyway, I managed to locate a cute, baby pink twinset that fit perfectly. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a lot of matching items to bounce off of it. There was a cute skirt, but the bubble pleating made me look huge. I was a little surprised that they didn’t have enough matching items for that particular shade of pink as well as the item. So, I looked around and encountered plenty of matronly wear as well as cheesy formalwear. I went with the twinset and will find something to match or just add it to my summer wardrobe because it’s really nice. Dress Barn wasn’t half bad. It struck me a step up from Rainbow and Forever 21 with their printed dresses and everyday wear, while still being a little on the frump side of things. I’d go back to see if they had anymore cute twinsets.

This isn’t your old ladies store anymore…
I used to avoid The Dress Barn like the herp. I was taking a walk during my lunch hour and the styles they had in the window caught my eye.
Wait…are those non-​soccer mom jeans paired with a stylish, sexy shirt? Hook, line, sinker.
So, I venture in to check out what they have. Sure, they still have the «I heart the 90’s» style of business wear. With some patience and perseverance, you will find those sassy styles portrayed in the window display.
Always on the prowl for a dark pair of jeans that makes my ass look like you could bounce a quarter off of it, I found a pair here. Who wuld of thunk it! Oh, and they were under 40 bucks.
What’s that to my right? Its a sassy, boob friendly, sleeveless top to pair perfectly with my new ass lovin’ jeans.
Top = 25 bucks.
I will be back, oh yes, I will be back.

Dress Barn is not nearly as frumpy as it used to be. I am a dress freak, and I have gotten some really great knit dresses and sundresses here. Some of the dresses I bought there look like Maxx Studio or Anthropologie designs. Now they do still have the scary 90’s suit dresses and broomstick dresses, but mixed in are some really cute designs. The prices are excellent ($ 40 – 60), and there is usually a good clearance rack or special going on. I don’t care for the sportswear as much. That gets too Chico’s for me, but the dresses are really worth checking out. I have also gotten good deals on sale shoes here. I don’t think this place is only for the mature woman anymore!

It’s not designer but for the older women it’s a goodplace to get clothing for work especially if you wear plus sizes past 16. It’s sexy, comfortable and not expensive.

Good quality clothing here. kind of frumpy clothing but sometimes you can find good basics here