Aphratti is a US-based direct-to-consumer fashion brand specializing in casual women's dresses and tops. We design versatile pieces for real-life occasions — brunch, office, date night, and vacation — and ship from our US warehouse to US customers.

What sizes do you offer?

Our dresses and tops are designed for American sizing, with most styles available in S through XXL. Specific size availability is listed on each product page.

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes. We offer free US shipping on orders over $150. Standard shipping rates apply for orders under $150.

What is your return policy?

We accept returns within 30 days of delivery for unworn items in original condition.

How long does shipping take?

Standard US shipping typically takes 3-7 business days. We ship from our US warehouse, so there are no customs delays.

Are your dresses true to size?

Most of our dresses are true to American sizing. Bodycon styles may run small — consider sizing up. Tunic tops are intentionally relaxed and run true to size.

Do you ship internationally?

Currently we ship within the United States. International shipping is not yet available.

I priced my $32 wedding guest dress against an $89 Ann Taylor sheath. Here's what I cut out.

August 5, 2026

I'm not a fashion editor. I'm a 1-person apparel store. Last spring I sat down with my factory rep and asked him to break down what I actually pay to make a dress. Then I compared to three department store brands I used to shop at: Ann Taylor, J.Crew, Nordstrom.

Here are the numbers.

The numbers

Ann Taylor's "work sheath" was $99 retail. J.Crew's "knit sheath" was $89. Nordstrom's "midi dress" was $119. My aph rattti.com "Work Sheath Midi" is $32.39.

The gap is real. So I asked the factory why.

What $99 actually buys at Ann Taylor

~$8 fabric
~$12 factory labor
~$15 wholesale margin to Ann Taylor
~$22 retail store rent and staff (5th Ave stores are not free)
~$22 marketing (catalog, paid ads, markdowns)
~$20 brand premium

That's the rough math. The fabric isn't better. The sewing isn't better. You're paying for the lease, the catalog, the brand.

What $32 buys from aph rattti

~$7 fabric (same supplier pool)
~$9 factory labor
~$7 my Shopify margin
~$5 shipping from China to US warehouse
~$3 Stripe fees plus Shopify fee
~$1 marketing (this blog)

I'm cutting the lease, the catalog, the brand. I am one person. The factory is the same factory. The fabric is the same fabric. The dress on the hanger is the same dress.

Where I lost

I'm not going to pretend aph rattti is a perfect substitute. Three ways it's not:

1. Returns are stickier at Ann Taylor. Walk into a store, no receipt, return it. My return policy is 30-day free returns. Ann Taylor is "whenever you feel like it." Department stores win on this.

2. You can't try it on first. Ann Taylor has fitting rooms. Aph rattti requires you to spend $32 first and ship back if it doesn't work. Online-only brands all do this. Department stores win.

3. The fabrics Ann Taylor picks are sometimes nicer. The 95% polyester / 5% spandex I use is fine. The 70% rayon / 25% nylon / 5% spandex Ann Taylor uses in some sheaths is nicer. If $89 means nicer fabric to you, pay it. I don't blame you.

Where I win: Under $40 dress for a wedding where you wear it once or twice. Or as a "test dress silhouette" first purchase. Or 4 dresses for $130 total instead of 1 for $99.

4 picks that are actually real (not SEO filler)

Flowy Shift Dress ($26.99)

Cheapest thing in the store. Reads as "nice enough" but not try-hard. Best for casual summer.
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Faux Wrap Sundress ($29.99)

The empire waist works on most bodies. Beach and summer garden weddings this is the one.
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Work Sheath Midi ($32.39)

The dress my neighbor bought. Church + office + wedding. Day or evening.
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Velvet Wrap Bodycon ($39.99)

Evening weddings. Velvet-feel polyester reads as "cocktail" not "casual."
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I run aphratti.com from a Guangzhou factory. 11 years in apparel retail, 1.5 years on Shopify. The math above is the math. The dress on the hanger is the dress.

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