My 20-something daughter wears dresses like the one pictured all the time. She shops online a lot and likes jcrew factory outlet, some Lily dresses, She also buys a lot of her dresses from poshmark.

Our granddaughters (17 and 20) find a lot of their dresses at Nordstrom Rack. There also is a Dillard’s clearance store where they find many things.

eta: They also sell (consignment) many nice things at Plato’s Closet. And list on Poshmark. They love the money, ”who knew grandma?”

Modcloth is an online store that is popular.

Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack, local clothing boutiques, Anthro

JCrew, Anthropologie, Mango, H&M

Freepeople inaddition to above.

I know my girls like ASOS -- huge selection and really good search engine. Fast fashion, cheap.

I did a search for a short dress, short sleeves, skater style (what we used to call baby doll pretty much). Here's one example of I think 150 that met that criteria.

https://www.asos.com/us/asos-design/asos-design-square-neck-shirred-raw-edge-mini-skater-dress-in-white-based-floral-print/prd/24016759?colourwayid=60532067&cid=8799

My youngest just ordered two dresses from Amazon. $20 each.

My daughter likes ASOS and also Lulu's -excellent prices and the quality has been surprisingly good. Lulu's

18 yo dd likes Lulus (quality isnt terrible) and Shein (dicier quality, but wow, really inexpensive!) Lulus is probably better for dresses, I find some of the Shein dresses a little, well, you’ll see. But there are aome decent ones! and they are GREAT for cheap bathing suits! These brands are great for disposable fashion. 😂

Shein, oh my gosh. I just emerged from a 60-minute shopping trance. Their search engine is great and I managed to find lots of things (besides the prominently displayed "stripper on her day off" dresses).

Yeah, that was why I didn't mention them given your OP. But it seems a lot of fashion sites have ridiculous get-ups like that sprinkled in with normal stuff. Can be off-putting tho.

My almost teen daughter loves Shein and for me it works as she is growing so fast right now. We've learned from experience how to shop there. Take the measurements and measure them out on her body and length is important there, read the reviews based on same size and look at the measurements to make sure they look similar. Sizes can vary a lot. I also study where the length of skirts/dresses hits on the model and compare to the models measurements to avoid too short dresses/skirts as my daughter is tall as compared to others her age. Also read the reviews for info on how sheer something may be as well as look at reviewers pictures. I've only had to return some things and those were ordered for me as I decided to try it. The return process so far has been great. I bought 6 things and returned 2 which I was on the fence about when I ordered anyways. Just got an email today that they've received my return and will credit me. Said I would receive another email when that happens.

I totally hear you on the stripper dresses - avoid looking for shorts as you will see the oddly overblown butt cheeks.

The things we have gotten have held up surprisingly well and sometimes better than things bought at some of the stores mentioned here. We'll see how the latest order holds up.

lyfia, thanks for the tips. I agree that the review photos are a big help as well as the comments. Especially the ones that mention sheer fabric. I have a rule about no see-through dress while having lunch with Grandma :)

My dd is 25. It's Madewell, Urban, Free People for her. She has some kind of rental thing as well that she uses a lot. It's like $90/m and she gets 6 pieces for 30 days to incorporate into her wardrobe. If you love a piece, you buy it for about 50% off. If not, back they go and you get another round. My brother is getting married this weekend and she rented two different great options. It's really helping her find a style that is no longer "grad student."

I was also going to suggest Modcloth. They seem to have a good selection of babydoll dresses.

My DD, aged 34’ is still clinging to Ann Taylor with a death grip. i will mention some of these stores and brands to her, glad i opened this. 👍

Thank you Dee for your ”stripper on her day off” comment. Too funny.

Here is what I ordered from Shein - $45(!) total, free shipping and free returns. Fingers crossed, thank you so much for all the advice.

Here is what I found on Amazon, not as cheap, $75 total. Mtn's skater dress description advice was a big help and cued the algorithms to show me similar-looking dresses.

Cute choices. And nothing ... ecdysiastical 🤣