What's All The Fuss About Dress To Impress?
Exploring Fandoms: Dress To Impress On Roblox.
If you’re like me— a 20-something girl whose social media algorithm is set on serving you all the latest trends— then you’ve probably stumbled across the infamous Roblox game called Dress to Impress. And if you’re not, I can still bet this game, whether it’s a reference, inside joke or theme music, has crept onto your explore without you even knowing… that’s how big it is, trust me. As a matter of fact, I’m even late to the bandwagon.
So, in the spirit of this new segment in my publication where I explore different fandoms and report back to you fangirls, I had to download Roblox and dive in. And now? Well, I’m officially obsessed. So, let’s dissect why the girlies from middle schoolers to adults (and apparently their boyfriends too) are hooked on this little dress-up game.
The Gameplay: A Runway Rush
At its core, Dress to Impress is a competitive dress-up game with a bunch of brilliant twists that go a little something like this:
You and a bunch of other players are tossed into a lobby, waiting for the intermission timer to count down before the game throws a random theme at you. These themes can range from historical, to cute and casual, to downright ridiculous, as the game and the players who can set their own themes in a server please. From there, it’s a race against time as you’re transported into the virtual dressing room, where you’re faced with an array of clothing options that you can alter in colors, fit and patterns.
You start with a blank mannequin— no hair, no makeup, not even a human skin tone. So within minutes, you have to frantically go around to the different stations to piece together outfits, choose hairstyles, nails, makeup and add accessories that range from the glamorous to absurd. And if that’s not enough, there are layers of clothes and literally, layering is a strategic game in itself as the nature of game not only allows for layering clothes in fashionable ways but also in awkward ways that can ruin your entire outfit if you’re not careful. At first, I thought it was a glitch when the game didn’t automatically fix the fact that I was still actively wearing all the sunglasses I had tried on, but I later realized that’s all a part of the challenge too.
Now the best part is what happens when the timer finally counts down to zero and you’re transported to the runway for the real fun: the competition. After crafting your interpretation of the theme with your look, you strut down a virtual runway and have to scramble to click through the posing options while other players vote on your outfit with a five-star rating system.
The game really establishes itself as pop culture references galore in a lot of ways, but the runway is where you’ll really get to see it. Players often channel celebrities, memes, or iconic fashion moments with the options the games give them from Brat themed clothing to Charli XCX’s “Apple” TikTok dance and “Death Drop” poses you can do on the runway to get yourself more points.
After each runway, you earn both stars and in-game money to buy even more fashion pieces and, hopefully, make onto to the coveted winner’s podium. Rinse and repeat, and suddenly, hours have flown by.
The Appeal: Fashion, Strategy, Dopamine
Roblox has always been a treasure trove of simulation games, and Dress to Impress is no exception. But why is Dress To Impress making such a splash right now when traditional dress-up games have generally been on a bit of a decline and similar games like Fashion Famous have been around for much longer? What I’ve gathered in terms of what Dress To Impress is doing differently is all about the dopamine hits and social media savviness.
In the early 2000s, dress-up games were all the rage. But then, fashion gaming platforms like Stardoll started to fade as social media grew and even newer fashion games never quite reached these viral heights. Now, Dress to Impress cleverly combines social media mechanics (voting, ranking, competing) with the old-school nostalgia of dress-up games. In our dopamine-driven world, it taps into the instant gratification culture that other games just haven’t been delivering. Dress To Impress leverages social rewards, status, and money in a way that mimics not only social media, but the real world too. You want to see if people like your style. You want to reach higher ranks. You want to win, get that little rush of validation, and then do it all over again.
The time restriction element is genius because it makes you feel like you’re always chasing the next high. The second that theme flashes on your screen, it’s go-time. Your brain gets thinking… How do I match this theme? Can I create a five-star outfit in just a few minutes? That rush of assembling your look, hoping it’s good enough to impress and out-do the others, triggers the same kind of anticipation that social media and modern gaming are all about. It’s that instant feedback loop. Win or lose, you want to play again because maybe this time, you’ll make it to the top.
The stars you get from votes on the runway tally up to influence your ranking, which another part that keeps bringing players back for more as each rank brings status and exclusive rewards like clothing items. Just for interest’s sake, here are the ranks and the number of stars required for each:
1. New Model: 0-49 ★
2. Rising Star: 50-199 ★
3. Aspiring Model: 200-499 ★
4. Fashionista: 500-999 ★ (My current ranking after avoiding my responsibilities to play for three days straight)
5. Glamourista: 1,000-1,499 ★
6. Fashion Maven: 1,500-2,999 ★
7. Runway Queen: 3,000-5,999 ★
8. Trend Setter: 6,000-14,999 ★
9. Runway Diva: 15,000-24,999 ★
10. Top Model: 25,000+ ★
But it’s not just the thrill of the competition or the ranks that has people glued to the game; there’s a real creative aspect here and democratization of creativity. You get to flex both your fashion muscles and brain power, interpreting fun or silly themes in a way that stands out from the crowd. And honestly, that’s a big reason why adults are diving in— there’s a layer of strategy and skill that hooks people who crave more than mindless entertainment.
Sure, you’re dressing up, but it’s not just about you. You’re playing to impress other players who are judging your style, and vice versa, which means you’re not only curating outfits that fit the theme but also thinking about how others will perceive it. I think it’s a brilliant combination of creativity, self-expression, and a little bit of social psychology because the themes can be subjective— one player’s interpretation of the theme “game night” could be a cozy outfit for playing board games with their family, while another player could take a completely different route and style a cheerleading outfit for a football match. The thrill comes from not only staying true to your vision but also playing to win over the crowd. And that’s where the social aspect kicks in.
The Lore: Secret Codes, Lana’s Story and Sidequests
Oh, but wait, there’s more. Dress to Impress has layers (pun intended). I don’t just mean the secret codes that unlock hidden clothing items, accessories and full-on mannequin transformations like mermaid tails and special makeup… I mean, there’s a whole spooky mystery side of the game with convoluted lore too.
The codes are really cool on their own though; a lot of them are seasonal and they expire, meaning not everyone has access to these items, which adds an extra layer of exclusivity and causes some major FOMO for people who don’t keep up with the game.
But the game’s lore is where things get really weird. The YouTube and TikTok community have pieced together some eerie stories, like the infamous “Lana” who haunts the game’s runway by unearthing all the hidden objects and clues the developers have buried in the game and following the spooky sidequests that lead to a whole different game. From a secret diary with a list of players’ names and doppelgangers, to hidden rooms in the walls, this game’s lore adds a whole other level of intrigue to the fandom and makes you want to stay in the loop.
The Downsides: Pay-to-Win, Unfair Voting, and… Bullying?
Of course, it can’t all be sunshine and rainbows on the runway when so much social interaction and status is involved in the game. Some players argue that the game’s VIP system gives paying players an unfair advantage. VIPs get access to exclusive clothing and accessories that regular players can’t, leading to accusations of pay-to-win dynamics. And while you can totally win the game by skill without VIP access and while you can also earn VIP status by being gifted it from another player, that has also sparked a weird social hierarchy where non-VIPs beg for gifts or downvote VIP players so they can win. And as you can imagine, that’s to… well, bullying and weird behavior essentially.
I’ve seen players begging for VIP as well as bullying firsthand on multiple servers as I played the game and in my exploration of the fandom online, I’ve seen way too many videos (by kids, I pray) that make fun of non-VIP players for being “broke” or for complaining too much. You know, that kind of thing…
As I said, this seems to be mostly child-like behavior, as I imagine is the case with a lot of problems older players encounter on servers. Particularly when it comes to theme comprehension and voting fairness. Many players, possibly children, often misunderstand or disregard the theme, and dress entirely off-theme and in ways that lack creativity or finesse, yet still win because of the votes they receive based solely on appearance. While it can be frustrating to those aiming for thematic accuracy or to showcase their skill level, it’s obviously essential to recognize the learning curve for younger players who might not fully grasp the nuances of fashion interpretation.
Many players have suggested the introduction of more 16+ servers, which would create a space for more mature, theme-aware participants to enjoy a more competitive and accurate experience. But even if we fix the age difference, some players can still form voting cliques with friends, voting only for each other and disregarding other players’ effort, which can make the game feel unfair at times. Even custom servers seem to be a problem as people can sometimes be excluded from the private chats where the other players plan new themes, adding to the feeling of being sidelined in a very social game.
And that’s another thing that people find flaws in: the voting system. Since players vote on each other’s outfits, naturally, some players will downvote competitors just to boost their own chances of winning. This is what leads people to join “farming servers,” where everyone votes each other five stars no matter the outfit, in order to rack up stars and unlock higher ranks and more perks faster.
Another factor that can dramatically affect gameplay and voting is the quality of the device being used. Playing on mobile offers a less immersive experience compared to playing on a PC or tablet, where the larger screen, higher resolution, and faster processing power not only bring the game to life, but also influence how well you play and what the outfits look like to you and others. On mobile, the graphics can appear less detailed, making outfits look bland or unfinished, while on a PC or high-performance tablet, the intricacies of fashion choices, layering, and textures are much clearer. A strong Wi-Fi connection is also essential, as the lag can seriously hinder your ability to dress efficiently within the time constraints or fully enjoy the game’s details.
The Verdict
Despite its flaws, I’m hooked alright. For a girl in her twenties like me, Dress to Impress is a game that scratches my itch for nostalgia while keeping things fresh with all its competitive twists and so much social engagement. It’s a little chaotic, a little unfair at times, but it’s also highly addictive.
The fandom is very active and open, the lore is weirdly fascinating, and there’s always new updates. If you’re looking to get into it, the game is really easy to pick up but takes some time to truly master, thanks to the creative gameplay, social dynamics, and the pressure. The online community, especially on TikTok are really dedicated to the skill of the game so if you need some inspiration or tutorials, you’ll find tons of outfit ideas, hacks, secret codes, theme breakdowns, and gameplay tips. Don’t let the VIP discourse or players missing the point of the game put you off.
To get the most out of the game, I recommend playing with friends or playing in servers that match your ranking and skill level, if you’re set on avoiding issues like unfair voting or dealing with younger players who might not understand themes or fashion as well. Avoid custom servers if they feel exclusive, and for the best gaming experience, switch to a PC with a strong internet connection to fully appreciate the game’s visual elements and compete at your best.
I’d say, if you’re craving a game that blends creativity, strategy, and a dash of mysterious lore, Dress to Impress is worth a try. Just beware: you might lose track of time and find yourself dressing up for a runway show at 3 a.m. then resisting the urge to crash out on a bunch of fourteen-year-olds after an off-theme outfit wins instead of yours… And trust me, once you start, it’s hard to stop.
Waiter! Waiter! More Imãn game reviews and reflections please