Cinderella would look out of place at this year’s high school prom dances. The big ball gown, princess look has been replaced with the sleek, glamorized, styles of an old Hollywood movie set. The colors are dark, the prints are bold and the prom floor has never looked so good.
Catherine’s Bridal Boutique in Valparaiso is bustling with prom fever. As soon as the question is asked, high school girls are heading to find their perfect dress, choosing the special one that will make them stand out on the dance floor.
This year, similar to the previous few, the prom trends have swayed around the two-piece, form fitting dresses. It is either these slim designs or a combination of the floral-printed popular design, decorating the girl inside in an array of spring flowers. Colors are navy, burgundy, red, and black and many boast high neck lines and stunning, ornate backs.
Catherine Brown, store owner, said the store has already sold out in the floral printed gowns, with the exception of one polka-dot decorated dress, which probably won’t last long.
“All the florals went out right away,” she said, and that was before Spring Break started, which is one of the busiest weeks the staff at the bridal shop has each year.
Depending on how the vacation week goes, she added, will determine whether or not more floral prints will be ordered. Prom season is difficult because it is so short and fast. Within about two months, the dresses are ordered, tried on in front of the three-sided floor-length mirror, and happily brought home. This doesn’t include the accessories, the tailoring, and the matching of colors with the boy’s tux….
At Catherine’s Bridal, the staff strives to make the entire process as simple and quick as possible. Brown offers discounts to those who find the perfect dress right off the rack, without any special orders. However, Brown and the staff are more than happy to special order colors and sizes. Once the dress is chosen, all tailoring can be done in-house.
One thing Brown does for her customers is registering the dress per girl, guaranteeing that dress is not sold from her store to another girl in the same high school.
“I will not sell a dress to the same school, not even in the same color,” she said. “Once it is going, then it is gone. There are too many dresses to choose from for kids to match!”
So, if you’re in the prom dress market stop into Catherine’s Bridal for the latest prom looks, where you can try it on with the right shoes and accessories, without risking getting the wrong size when ordering online. At Catherine’s, the staff understand the importance of prom. They know the perfect night starts with the perfect dress. So, let the fashion experts help in making your night, not a “dream come true” like Disney, but rather like you’re walking down the red carpet, black-tie required.
Stop in the store located at 68 Lincolnway in Valpo this week! Store hours are Mondays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. On Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays, 12 to 4 p.m. The store is closed on Wednesdays. Call ahead or go online to schedule an appointment at www.bridalboutiqueonthenet.com and 219-462-7433.