Where can I find affordable cocktail dresses for a formal event?

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I visited a clothing store to buy a cocktail dress two days ago. I wanted something affordable and suitable for a formal event. I also wanted something stylish. But when I checked the dresses I felt disappointed. Some were too expensive. Some looked outdated. Some did not feel comfortable. I could not trust them. I could not decide confidently.

Then I visited another shop in the same area. Some dresses looked better but price range was still unclear. Some were affordable but not very elegant. Some looked perfect at first but fabric felt weak. I remembered a dress I bought before that looked nice but felt uncomfortable during an event. That made me hesitate even more.

To check more variety and options while scrolling many online marketplaces including alibaba I found many cocktail dresses. Some were budget friendly. Some had modern designs. Some showed better balance of style and comfort. There were many options available. This made me excited but also confused again.

Now I am thinking should I trust online affordability or go with local stores for better checking? What would you do in my place?