For many, the process of trying on dozens of dresses just to find one that might finally fit and look perfect can make shopping the most dreadful part of homecoming. But, as our TikToks fill with ads of online shopping recommendations, our Instagrams with stories of our peers turned boutique influencers and our minds with overwhelming confusion, one question emerges — where do we even start?
Boutique
//photo courtesy of Ava Laborada
If looking at racks upon racks of glitzy and gleaming dresses overwhelms you, a place that provides a personalized shopping assistant might be worth the extra expense. For many, this has meant driving 45 minutes to the rapidly rising boutique “Mimi’s Prom.” Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the deluxe storefront spares no expense in helping dance goers achieve their dreams. From the second they greet customers at the door to the moment they leave holding a signature pink dress bag, they help every second of the way.
Junior Ava Laborada is a Mimi’s brand ambassador who located her dream dress there this fall.
“They helped me find the perfect dress and made me feel like royalty,” Laborada said.
However, this luxury shopping journey does have its less glamorous downsides. For many, the rushed 45 minutes to 1 hour time limit combined with a crowded dressing room can make the experience feel overwhelming and stressful. Additionally, the somewhat limited selection of designer dresses come at a steep cost, making the options highly inaccessible or simply undesirable for many.
“Mimi’s was just not for me; they didn’t have any of the kind of dresses I was dreaming of,” senior Olivia Kimball said.
Online
On the other hand, the opportunity of shopping online from the comfort of your home has enticed many. Dresses from popular websites like Lulus, Lucy in the Sky, and Windsor boutique have grown in prominence on the dance floor. However, the results can be hit-or-miss.
“While I ended up liking my dress, I hated that it was completely different from how it looked online,” sophomore Hadley Byler said. This can become a problem for those who order close to the deadline, leaving students with a dress they did not want and not enough time to find a new one.
While the ease of the internet can be rewarding, the strong lack of reliability has rendered many simply too afraid to trust a website for the biggest photo event of the year.
Department Store
As a middle-of-the-road option, many women opt for in-person shopping at self-led boutiques or department stores. Ranging widely, stores anywhere from Giselle’s in Overland Park, Kansas, to the tried-and-true Dillard’s have brought together the benefits of both Mimi’s level and online shopping. They provide the dependability of being able to try on a dress online as well as the independence of being able to freely pick from a larger variety of options.
Kimball finally found her ideal pink dress from Giselle’s.
“I feel like the options and experience fit me better,” Kimball said.
Yet, the long lines to try on selections and lack of shopping support can still be significant enough drawbacks to leave high schoolers dreading homecoming purchasing.
Senior Abigail Bures shopped for her dress at Dillard’s.
“There’s always a ton of people there, so it’s not super comfortable,” Bures said.
Clearly, the perfect shopping solution is far from possible. However, despite the struggles and challenges of any path, it always becomes worthwhile for the perfect look to dance the night away.
