Designer Dresses in Seattle

CLIPSE dresses are delivered across Seattle and the Eastside — evening, cocktail and corset styles shipped by tracked courier from our Calgary warehouse. Of the American cities we ship to, this is the closest one to us.

Seattle dresses up rarely, which makes the occasions that do call for it count more, not less.

What Seattle does to a dress

It is damp, not wet — and that is the harder problem

Seattle rain is mostly fine drizzle rather than downpour, which is why so few people here carry an umbrella. The consequence for a dress is not a soaking; it is nine months of arriving slightly damp. Delicate lace and thin silk spot and mark under that; heavier satin, crepe and velvet shrug it off and dry without a ring. If you own one going-out dress here, this is the argument for weight.

Dressing up is conspicuous, so make it deliberate

Regional culture runs informal enough that a formal dress is genuinely noticed. That cuts both ways: half-formal reads as uncertain, while a clean, decisive silhouette in a serious fabric reads as intentional. If you are going to dress, dress — see evening dresses and black dresses.

The dark half of the year changes colour

From November to February daylight is short and the light is flat and grey. Black stops doing the work it does in a brighter city and can simply disappear; deep jewel tones, and anything with a surface that catches light, hold up better indoors under winter lighting.

Summer is short, bright and completely booked

July through September is reliably dry and beautiful, which is why almost the entire outdoor and wedding calendar is compressed into it. Order early for those weeks — and remember the evening still cools sharply once the sun goes down over the water.

What the year asks for

Wedding season, July to September

Short, dry and crowded, much of it outdoors or out towards the islands and the wine country. The guest guide covers colour etiquette; bring something for after sunset.

Benefit and symphony season, October to April

The indoor half of the year, and where a floor-length dress earns its place: evening dresses, in fabric with weight and surface.

Graduation, June

The University of Washington, Seattle University and the Eastside schools finish together, often outdoors and mild. A midi that works under a gown; see the graduation guide.

Delivery to Seattle

• Ships from our Calgary warehouse by tracked courier, with signature on delivery.
• Typically 2–5 business days after dispatch. Timeframes are estimates, not guarantees — weather, customs and carrier schedules can move them.
• Shipping cost is calculated at checkout from your address, and shown in full before you pay.
• Any import duties or taxes are set by the destination authorities and are the recipient's responsibility. Full terms are on the shipping page.
• Orders are processed Monday to Friday, so an order placed on Friday evening leaves on Monday.
• Same terms across Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Tacoma and Everett.
• Returns within 14 days of delivery.

Getting the size right the first time

Ordering across a border makes a return slower and more expensive, so it is worth ten minutes with a tape measure before you choose.

1. Measure over bare skin or thin underwear, wearing the bra you plan to wear with the dress — a padded bra moves the bust measurement by several centimetres.
2. Take four numbers: bust, underbust, waist and hips. Keep the tape level all the way round; the most common mistake is letting it ride up at the back.
3. Match them to the size chart, which maps our sizes to US, UK and EU equivalents — our sizing is cut to European proportions, so do not assume your usual US number.
4. Between two sizes, size up on anything structured. A seam can be taken in; fabric cannot be added.

For corset and bustier styles the deciding measurement is underbust, not bust — a boned bodice has almost no give and has to sit correctly vertically as well. Our corset sizing guide covers it, and the measuring guide walks through each number.

Still unsure? Send your measurements and the dress you are considering to info@the-clipse.com — we answer with an honest recommendation, including when the answer is that neither size will work.

Returns, and what happens if it doesn't fit

Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery. Items must be unworn, with tags attached and in original packaging. Email us with your order number and we reply with instructions — please don't send anything back before that, as unannounced returns can go astray.

Refunds go to the original payment method within 5–10 business days of the parcel reaching us. Return shipping is the customer's responsibility unless the item arrived faulty or incorrect, in which case we cover it. Because the parcel travels back across the border, allow longer than a domestic return — another reason to settle the size before you order.

Frequently asked