The strawberry dress, also known as the pink gingham dress, has become a viral fashion sensation in 2022. This midi length dress features a frilly neckline and a striking strawberry print. It first gained popularity on TikTok when influencers started posting videos wearing the dress. Since then, the strawberry dress has completely sold out at retailers and is being resold at inflated prices online.
What is the strawberry dress?
The strawberry dress was designed by Lirika Matoshi, an Albanian fashion brand started in 2017. The dress is made from a cotton fabric and features a square neckline with short flutter sleeves. It has a cinched waistline and a tiered midi length skirt. The standout feature is the unique strawberry print in shades of pink, green, and white.
The dress first gained attention when it was worn by influencer Daria Radionova in TikTok videos. As more influencers started posting themselves wearing the dress, it quickly went viral as a coveted summer fashion item. The #StrawberryDress hashtag has over 250 million views on TikTok so far.
Why did the strawberry dress go viral?
There are several factors that contributed to the strawberry dress becoming so popular online:
- Unique and eye-catching print – The colorful strawberry print is very photogenic and grabs people’s attention.
- Influencer endorsements – Influencers like Addison Rae brought major awareness to the dress.
- Nostalgic appeal – The midi length and retro print tap into Y2K nostalgia, which is a huge fashion trend right now.
- Romantic and feminine aesthetic – The tiered skirt and flutter sleeves have a delicate, feminine look perfect for summer.
- Sold out factor – As it started selling out, it created hype around getting the dress before it was gone.
The combination of these factors created the perfect viral storm, causing the strawberry dress to blow up online and quickly sell out despite its high price tag.
What makes the strawberry dress so expensive?
The strawberry dress has a price tag of $490 direct from Lirika Matoshi. On resale sites like Poshmark, the dress is listed for $600-$1,000. Here are some reasons why the strawberry dress comes with such a high price:
- Design by Lirika Matoshi – As a recognized high-end brand, any design by Lirika Matoshi commands a premium price.
- Limited supply – Only one production run was made of the dress, driving up demand.
- Custom fabric – The textured cotton gingham fabric was custom developed for this dress.
- High demand – The viral popularity has led to inflated resale prices online.
- Detailed design – The tiered skirt and flutter sleeves require more fabric and sewing work.
- Production in Europe – Higher manufacturing costs than mass production in Asia.
Even before it went viral, the craftsmanship and design details of the Lirika Matoshi dress justified its nearly $500 price tag. But the surge in demand combined with the limited availability has led resellers to markup the price even higher for this must-have item.
Is the quality worth the price?
For a viral fashion item like this, part of the high price comes from the temporary demand and prestige of owning a rare, sold out item. However, reviews indicate that the strawberry dress is made very well and could warrant its original $490 retail cost based on craftsmanship alone.
According to lovers of the dress, it has high quality construction with sturdy seams and a structured waistband. The fabric is described as substantial and woven with texture, not overly thin or flimsy. The tiered skirt uses six layers of fabric sewn together for a dramatic silhouette. Some reviews did complain that the lightweight cotton wrinkles easily though.
Overall, the dress appears to be well-made with attention to construction and design details. The brand Lirika Matoshi is known for using high quality fabrics and materials, even though their production quantities are limited. While the current inflated resale prices are hard to justify, paying around $500 for detailed design and tailoring from this brand is reasonable based on reviews of the dress quality.
Should you pay the inflated price?
It’s a personal decision whether paying the huge markup for the dress is worth it. Here are some pros and cons to consider if you’re thinking about buying it at the current inflated resale prices:
Pros
- Owning a rare viral fashion item
- Great for Instagram and TikTok photos
- High quality designer dress
- Retains value for resale
Cons
- Very expensive, priced at 3-5 times retail cost
- No guarantee you’ll like how it looks on you
- May go out of style quickly
- Is it worth over $500 for one dress?
It comes down to your budget and how much you value staying on trend with viral pieces. For wealthy fashionistas, the inflated price may be worth paying. For more budget-conscious shoppers, it’s harder to justify what is realistically a $100-200 dress priced at $600 or more.
Where to buy the strawberry dress
Right now, the only way to buy the iconic strawberry dress is through resellers. Here are some options:
Poshmark
This peer-to-peer resale site has many listings for the dress between $500-$1,000. Make sure to review the seller’s ratings and product photos carefully.
Ebay
Listings can be found on Ebay as well, also priced from $500 and up. Pay attention to seller feedback and return policies.
Online boutiques
Some online clothing boutiques purchased the dress wholesale and are reselling at a markup. Shop brands like Lisa Says Gah and Olive.
Direct seller outreach
Search Poshmark and Ebay for recent listings of the dress, then message those sellers directly to ask if they have more available for sale.
How to save money on the dress
If you’re in love with the strawberry print but can’t afford current resale prices, here are some ways to save:
- Wait it out – Prices may drop eventually once demand dies down.
- Find similar dressed – Shop sites like Shein for more affordable dupes.
- DIY a version – Make your own skirt or top with a strawberry print fabric.
- Rent it – Some clothing rental services offer the dress for around $50/week.
With creativity and patience, you may be able to create the look for less. But for now, expect to pay a premium if you want to own the exact viral strawberry dress.
The bottom line
The strawberry dress is expensive due to its sold out status, detailed design, and manufacture by a high-end brand. While inflated resell prices are difficult to rationalize, the dress does appear to be of reasonable quality for the original $490 MSRP. For fashion lovers chasing the latest viral trend, owning the iconic strawberry dress may be worth paying a premium. But more budget-friendly shoppers can wait for prices to hopefully decrease or find creative dupes of the look for less.