Prom gowns for all budgets

RACHEL MOLENDA/South Charleston

By Alexandria Finney
Poca High School

While the snowflakes are flying and the winter temperatures are dropping to single digits, it hardly seems like the time to start shopping for the perfect prom dress. But really, prom season is just around the corner, and the time to start looking for the perfect dress is right now.

“We start getting our formal dresses in around January, and we are pretty well stocked by the time February comes around. So, anywhere from January to April is a perfect time for girls to shop for their formal dresses,” said Deborah, a sales representative from Caché at Charleston Town Center.

Whether you’re wondering about donning a short, flirty dress or a long, elegant one; a bright and sassy number or a more subdued, earth-toned one or a satin creation versus a flashier jeweled number, the one thing you won’t have to question is where to look for that dress.

There are several stores in the Charleston-Huntington area that cater to the wants and needs of promgoers with a vast array of styles and tastes. And since price is a concern for many shoppers - after all, the dress may only be worn once - the stores also have dresses to fit different budgets

Carla, the owner of Nandel’s in Eleanor, says that January to March is the busiest time at her store in terms of prom shopping. Dresses there come in a variety of styles and colors and range in price from $150-$500.

Other places to look are Cinderella’s Closet in Hurricane and Bridal Hut Stock Exchange in Kanawha City. Dresses at Cinderella’s Closet are an average of $200-$300, and ones at Stock Exchange, which are sold on consignment, will cost buyers $50-$300.

David’s Bridal, located in Southridge Center, specializes in formal attire year-round. The store has a large selection of dresses from classic black and white styles to looks right off the runway. David’s Bridal ensures that each and every girl can find the one dress that suits her taste by offering dresses in sizes ranging from 2 to 26, with some starting as low as $99.

And don’t forget to check the mall. Stores like DEB, JC Penny and Macy’s sell prom dresses. Plus, you can get your accessories there, too.

When shopping, don’t forget to add the cost of those accessories into your budget. While the dress is normally the priciest part of the formal attire, you will also need money for shoes, a handbag and jewelry.

Don’t wait much longer to begin shopping. Now is the best time to find that fabulous prom dress if you are interested in the best selection. The longer you wait, the less chance you have of finding that special dress that’s just perfect for you.