OT - Prom dress shopping help

[HunterBoo]

Hello ... we are looking for a prom dress for my daughter. She needs a plus size (18- 20), so that limits some of our options. I just wondered if anyone had good suggestions for where to go. We are in southern Ontario (about an hour a half north of the GTA). We've checked Laura Plus (or she has) ($$$!!). I'm not looking to go cheap, but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg either! Any good spots or recommendations? She has searched the internet and has found random dresses all over, but I'm not chasing all over the place lol ... just need some good options we could go and look at (because you know EVERYONE else has theirs!).
Thanks in advance ...
Kerrie

 

[Pumpkin1172]

Has she checked amazon? Sounds weird I know, but they have lots of those " cheaper foreign companies " that will whip it together in less than 3 weeks...also...there are quite a few online sites as well that sell them for a decent price. We did use one of those when the DD was graduating and escort the same year. I was just NOT spending the amount of money local stores wanted for a dress that was equal to a mortgage payment. They were both great dresses. She has recently ordered her bridesmaid dresses online as well. They seem to be well made and fit well. She had used Jj's house, TB dress, and for her bridesmaid dresses, she used Tulle and Chantilly. JJ's house was my second pick for a dress for myself. The reviews are pretty positive.

Also...has she checked Le chateau? I did look there when I was looking for dresses for myself, and I did find some that fit me there ( I'm round like Mrs Claus ) and have trouble fitting my chest. I did find some there...although the price and return policy is not great. I do know what you mean about Laura...I ended up getting my mother of the bride dress there, and one other one because they actually fit people who are average and not stick people. Their prices are higher...but for a Canadian company, I was able to suck it up a little easier knowing that.

I hope this rambling helps lol I have spent toooooooo much time the last 4 months trying to find and deciding on a dress for me...So I feel your pain

 

[Silvermist999]

Hello ... we are looking for a prom dress for my daughter. She needs a plus size (18- 20), so that limits some of our options. I just wondered if anyone had good suggestions for where to go. We are in southern Ontario (about an hour a half north of the GTA). We've checked Laura Plus (or she has) ($$$!!). I'm not looking to go cheap, but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg either! Any good spots or recommendations? She has searched the internet and has found random dresses all over, but I'm not chasing all over the place lol ... just need some good options we could go and look at (because you know EVERYONE else has theirs!).
Thanks in advance ...
Kerrie

When we were shopping for my daughter’s grade 8 grad dress last spring, we looked online first but definitely shopped at several of the largest malls - grade 8 grad is almost like a prom these days. At most malls we visited, there were the well known stores such as Laura, Hudson’s Bay, Nordstrom, Melanie Lyne, Honey, etc. but there were also independent stores specializing in special occasion dresses. So you might want to make a trip into the GTA to check these out. David’s Bridal is another place we checked out online first and they have a number of locations in Ontario.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Don't buy online from an unknown retailer. A friend of ours did that and what she got was NOT what the picture said it was. (I'm looking at you, Amazon.) Or if you do, use your credit card, so you can charge it back if you get ripped off.

 

[damo]

There is a prom dress store called Kindred Spirit in Waterloo that we used. I'm not sure what sizes they carry but they specialize in prom dresses.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kindred-Spirit/523005431070933

 

[bankr63]

My DD is also a plus size. We made a road trip to the US when she found nothing reasonable in Ottawa - Salmon Run Mall Watertown in our case, but there is probably something within striking distance of you. They have a formalwear store there that goes all out on prom dresses in this season - all sizes, she had a fair bit of choice. Prices were about half of what they are in Canada (although exchange was better 5 years ago). Was trying to find the transaction in Quicken, but failed, if I recall it was about $200 for the dress.

ETA: Found it! Comes up as "Deb Shops" on my CC and dress was only C$120.00 (which I guess means I'm cheaper than I thought. Although it was probably $50 in gas for the trip too...)

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

Nordstrom’s website is excellent for searching and I believe they have a lot of options for plus sizes.

Congrats to your daughter, prom is so exciting!!!

 

[amw]

JC Penney in the states has tonnes of fancy dresses in all sizes. And there’s always a sale.

Sizes are more generous in the states. Outside of dresses ... In the girls dept, they go up to girls size 20. Then they also have a teen plus dept where you get the same fashionable clothes in plus.

I’m just north of GTA - and we drive to Buffalo twice a year. My DD17 is a size 14 and there’s so much more age-appropriate styles there.


Just wanted to add — I know it’s close to prom time and a trip may not be possible. When my older DD graduated, she had a couple plus-size friends who both got their dresses at Laura’s. If there’s something she likes, maybe asked the manager if she has any insight into upcoming sales. Or if she likes black/sparkle, they may have leftover holiday dresses at a discount.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Isn't there a Laura's outlet up in Heartland? There are probably others around and about, too. Dixie Value Mall may have one. It's worth a try if you're anywhere near the GTA.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I just left between Vaughan mills and the stores were packed to the gills with prom dresses of all sizes, colours and prices! Seriously, if she can't find one there I be highly surprised!!!

 

[SaraMc]

Try consign your curves in Guelph too they might have some stuff, also David’s bridal.

 

[star72232]

I found DD's Grade 8 grad dress at Suzi Shier. They are hit and miss, but worth a shot. It was very similar to a Le Chateau dress that was $225, and it was $20 (marked down from $50). We are going to add a wide ribbon to it as a final touch, since I'm not spending over $200 on a dress she'll only wear once (she's not quite 14 and definitely not done growing yet).

 

[starvenger]

My wife has bought some nice cruise formal dresses from David's Bridal before. There is a good variety for all shapes and sizes.

There is a location at Eglinton E of the DVP. I think there are one or two other locations on the west side as well.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

This when I miss Sears. You could always go find a dress for yourself or daughter for a reasonable price.

I hope you can find something. I remember those days of trying to find those dresses.

 

[dancin Disney style]

At this point you are VERY late in the game. You should have been looking/buying before mid February. A lot of the stores only have in store sample dresses and you order in the one you want. It can take up to 8 weeks to get the dress and then you need 2-4 weeks to allow for alterations.

I would suggest a place like David's Bridal to see if they have anything in store. Second, they offer an expedited order option, for a fee, on some dresses. They also do the alterations in house so it is a little faster but be prepared to pay...just a hem can cost up to $100 depending on the layers and the fabric.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I'd say Melanie Lynn, David's or Le Chateau are probably your best bets for size though the first will probably be similar in price to Laura's unless you can find one on sale. (My prom dress was from Laura back in the day I think and I know my cruise formal dress is ML but I found it on sale for less than $100 - I looked at TONS from Le Chateau online at the time but I was kinda between sizes so I elected to shop in store)

 

[momof2gr8kids]

A co-worker suggested Boutique 1861 after I was pulling out my hair trying to find a dress for my daughter. We have 2 bridal shops and that's it here to choose from.

It's in Montreal, but you can order online. They go up to sizes 22 I believe and have free returns. My daughter's dress arrives Tuesday and I'm crossing my fingers it fits and she likes it!

 

[tookie1000]

Have you considered Torrid? You can look online, but also there are some stores here in Canada now. They have some options for prom this time of year. They are trendy and sizes from 10-30/

 

[marcyleecorgan]

the thrift store!

 

[Days In the Sun]

the thrift store!

So agree with this but I don't know your daughter so this might not be what she is comfortable wearing. My youngest is completely into "vintage" as I know some others are.