Best places to shop for New Year's Eve dresses

Just skip down Michigan Avenue or any mall thoroughfare and you’ll discover an abundance of retail establishments, boutiques and upscale shops featuring women’s apparel. But where can you specifically find a variety of options to smartly strut into a New Year’s Eve celebration? Where can you discover the perfect party dress?

Concentrating on the following five categories, Chicago Shopping, looked through several Chicagoland shops to find the best possible retailers for outfitting you for a New Year’s shindig. 

Re-wearability: This category is looking for frocks that can be styled for many occasions and/or dressed down for work.

A Variety of Price Points: If you are in the market to splurge or require an ensemble that is more budget-friendly, these stores fit the bill. Literally.

Variety of Styles/Sizes: An assortment of sizes and trends available to fit your taste in trends and personal physique.

One Stop Shop: Beyond the dress, these shops can adorn you from head to toe with accessories, shoes and the occasional cape.

Return Policy: Flexible or Final Sale? Every retailer has their preference.

Nordstrom at The Shops at North Bridge, 520 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago

(Other locations in the Chicago area include Oakbrook, Woodfield and Old Orchard.)

Variety of Styles/Sizes and Price Point: With an array of styles from edgy and avant-garde to classic and conservative, Nordstrom hits the variety mark by offering price points to fit any budget and sizes range from petites to plus sizes. From $49 and up in the BP department to featured designers such as French Connection, starting at $178 to Sue Wong, starting at $488. Whether you are hunting for a cost savvy dress or a long-term investment piece, this global retailer offers the customer a plate full of options.

Re-wearability: With the number of choices at Nordstrom, it is easy to find a dress that can clearly transition to any special event or day-to-day (business or casual) meeting.

One Stop Shop: Exclusive departments at Nordstrom service each fashion category with their eclectic medley of jewelry, handbags, hats, scarves and unmentionables.

Return Policy: Ask a Nordstrom.com Live Chat online customer service representative about returns and they will quickly tell you the, “primary goal is to make sure that you are completely satisfied with your purchase.” They will also go on to explain that if you have a return to make, Nordstrom will usually take the return. The receipt is helpful during the transaction and the refund will go back on to the original credit card. If the receipt is not available, the funds will be issued to a Nordstrom gift card.

Jobella Vintage and Consignment Boutique, 310 Campbell St. (upstairs), Geneva

Variety of Sizes/Styles: A West Suburban vintage consignment shop, Jobella acquaints customers with some contemporary styles but is mainly known for their vintage collection. Sizes vary as the boutique stocks what is handed over by willing consignees. 1930/40’s gowns, tailored 1950’s a-lines and modern styles.

Rewearability: Clothing selected to be sold at Jobella is one of quality and longevity. If a vintage dress is well-kept and cared for, the stitch and seam are in it for the long haul.

One Stop Shop: Shoppers will also discover vintage hats, handbags, clutches and jewelry, floor length capes from the 1940’s. Past inventory at the store has included classic Hermes silk scarves, a vintage Halston couture dress and an Oscar de La Renta couture gown.

Price Point: $30 and up.

Return Policy: All sales are final.

Claudia’s Closet LUX Boutique and Consignment, 217 W. Main St., Saint Charles