Hello Molly vs. Lulus: Which brand should you buy?

Hello Molly specializes in bold, youthful, and trend-focused party dresses, offering statement pieces that capture the latest styles. In contrast, Lulus focuses on more versatile, feminine, and timeless designs, with an emphasis on higher-quality materials and a more consistent fit for a broader range of occasions.

Let's compare everything you need to know to find the right online fashion destination for your wardrobe.

Hello Molly: The Go-To for Party-Ready Trends

Hello Molly is an Australian-based online fashion brand that has carved out a niche by offering vibrant, on-trend clothing for a young, fashion-forward audience. The brand is known for its fast-fashion model, meaning it quickly brings runway-inspired looks to market. It's the ideal spot for shoppers looking for a standout, eye-catching outfit for a party, festival, or club night without spending a lot.

• Product mix: Primarily focuses on dresses for social events, along with two-piece sets, bodysuits, rompers, and accessories geared toward a night out.
• Price point: Most dresses fall in the $70 to $130 range, with other items typically priced between $50 and $150. Frequent sales and promotions make their trendy styles accessible.
• Quality: Uses fabrics like polyester, chiffon, and satin to achieve its bold designs at an affordable price. The quality is suitable for the price, but the focus is clearly on style over long-term durability.
• Style & Aesthetic: Bold, energetic, and unapologetically trendy. Expect bright colors, playful prints, bodycon silhouettes, and details like cut-outs and sequins.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to run true to size, but its fitted and body-hugging styles can run small. You'll want to check the specific measurements on the size guide for each item.
• Return policy: Offers returns within 30 days, but only for store credit. This is a considerable drawback if you aren't sure about a purchase and prefer a cash refund.

Hello Molly is the perfect choice for shoppers who want the latest, head-turning looks for an event and prioritize of-the-moment style over versatile, long-lasting pieces.

Shop Hello Molly: hellomolly.com

Lulus: Affordable Elegance & Versatility

Lulus began as a brick-and-mortar vintage store and has evolved into a major online retailer known for its affordable yet chic women's fashion. It targets young women who want stylish, well-made clothing that strikes a balance between modern trends and timeless class. The brand has become a go-to for wedding guest dresses, bridesmaid gowns, and other special occasion outfits that look more expensive than they are.

• Product mix: Extensive selection of dresses for all occasions, from casual day dresses to formal gowns. Also carries a wide range of jumpsuits, tops, shoes, and accessories.
• Price point: Highly competitive, with most dresses priced between $60 and $100. It's possible to find quality special occasion wear for under $130.
• Quality: Known for using better-than-average fabrics for its price point, such as crepe, silk blends, and high-quality cotton knits. Reviewers often praise the construction and durability.
• Style & Aesthetic: Feminine, romantic, and versatile with hints of boho-chic style. The aesthetic feels more refined and polished, making pieces suitable for everything from a first date to a wedding.
• Sizing/Fit: Widely praised for its consistent sizing and flattering fits. Most items run true to size, and the website's detailed reviews on fit are very helpful for shoppers.
• Return policy: Offers a customer-friendly 30-day return policy for a full refund. For U.S. customers, return shipping is free if postmarked within the first 10 days.

Lulus is focused on providing fashionable, well-made pieces that are versatile enough to wear for multiple events, offering superior quality and fit for the price.

Shop Lulus: lulus.com

Hello Molly vs. Lulus Comparison

Price Comparison

Hello Molly's dresses generally hover in the $70 to $130 range. While competitively priced, the focus is on capturing a specific trend. Lulus often feels like a better value, with many high-quality dresses available for $60 to $100. Lulus' consistent promotions and sales, combined with the longevity of their styles, often give it a slight edge in overall bang for your buck.

Both brands are affordable, but Lulus' pricing provides better value when you factor in the quality and versatility of the garments you receive.

Quality & Materials

There is a noticeable difference in quality between the two brands. A Lulus dress often feels more substantial due to the choice of fabrics like crepe, satin, and thicker knit blends. The brand emphasizes construction that is meant to last beyond one or two wears, resulting in a more polished final look.

Hello Molly prioritizes achieving a specific, trendy look at a low cost. This means using materials like standard polyester and chiffon that are visually appealing but may not hold up as well over time. For a one-time event outfit, this is perfectly fine, but for wardrobe-building, Lulus has the upper hand.

Style & Aesthetic

Your choice will likely come down to personal style. Hello Molly is bold, loud, and confident. It's for the person who wants to be noticed and isn't afraid of vibrant colors, busy prints, and daring cutouts. Their collection is tailor-made for vacations, music festivals, and nights out with friends.

Lulus takes a more restrained and romantic approach. The aesthetic is feminine, chic, and often sophisticated. The styles are classic with modern updates, making them appropriate for a wider array of events, including weddings, graduations, and date nights. For anyone looking for a wedding guest dress, Lulus is almost always the more suitable option.

Fit & Sizing

Both companies provide detailed size charts, but customer feedback suggests Lulus is more reliable in this area. Lulus has a strong reputation for consistent, true-to-size fits that flatter a variety of body types. Their extensive customer review section on each product page offers invaluable insight into how an item fits in the real world.

Hello Molly is generally true to size, but due to their preference for form-fitting and snug styles, some shoppers find certain dresses run small. We recommend reading product details carefully and sizing up if you are between sizes on their more structured pieces.

Shopping Experience & Return Policies

Lulus offers a superior shopping experience, particularly when it comes to returns. Offering a full cash refund (with free return shipping in the first 10 days for U.S. shoppers) gives customers the confidence to shop and try items risk-free. Hello Molly's store-credit-only return policy is a significant downside and can be frustrating if an item doesn't work out.

Furthermore, because Lulus is based in the U.S., American customers can expect faster shipping times compared to Hello Molly, which ships from Australia.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both retailers are great at what they do, but they serve different shopping needs.

Choose Hello Molly if:

• You need a trendy, standout outfit for a party, festival, or a night out.
• Your personal style is bold, daring, and you love eye-catching prints and silhouettes.
• You're shopping for a fun, single-event piece and are less focused on longevity.
• You're comfortable with a return policy that only offers store credit.

Choose Lulus if:

• You're looking for versatile dresses for weddings, graduation, date nights, or even work.
• You value fabric quality, construction, and a reliable, flattering fit.
• Your style is more feminine, romantic, and balances timeless elegance with popular trends.
• A flexible return policy with full cash refunds is very important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hello Molly or Lulus cheaper?

Their price points are very similar, but Lulus arguably offers better overall value. Many of its dresses are priced slightly lower ($60-$100) than Hello Molly's typical range ($70-$130), and the higher quality materials mean you are getting more for your money.

Which brand has better quality?

Lulus has a clear advantage in quality. They prioritize better fabrics and solid construction, leading to pieces that look more refined and last longer. Hello Molly's quality is fair for its price but is secondary to its trend-driven designs.

Does Hello Molly or Lulus have a better return policy?

Lulus has a significantly better return policy. They offer full refunds to your original payment method, with free returns in the U.S. if sent back within 10 days. Hello Molly only offers store credit for returns.

How does sizing run for Hello Molly and Lulus?

Lulus is known for its consistent and reliable "true to size" fit. Hello Molly is also generally true to size, but their bodycon and tight-fitting dresses can sometimes run small, so it's wise to double-check the size guide.

Which brand is better for wedding guest dresses?

Lulus is the clear winner for wedding guest dresses. Their aesthetic is more sophisticated and romantic, the quality is higher, and they offer a massive selection of styles appropriate for nuptials and other formal events.

Which brand ships faster?

For customers in the United States, Lulus will ship much faster as it is a U.S.-based company. Hello Molly ships from Australia, which naturally leads to longer international transit times.

Is Hello Molly considered a fast fashion brand?

Yes, Hello Molly is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on rapidly producing trendy styles inspired by runway looks at an affordable price point.

Are Lulus' dresses good enough for formal events?

Absolutely. Lulus has an extensive selection of formal and black-tie dresses that are very popular for events like prom, galas, and weddings. Many of their gowns have excellent reviews for their quality and elegant appearance.