Prom dress shopping can be one of the most thrilling, yet overwhelming experiences for high school students. With the pressure to find the perfect dress, the fear of matching someone else, and the constant worry about last minute changes, it is easy to see why this process ends up being more stressful than fun.

Online or In-store Shopping?

Many stores have limited sizes, styles, or colors people may want. This makes it difficult to find the perfect dress when you want a style that is very popular.

Many express the concern about feeling pressured by the salesperson or into making a quick decision. The sales people tend to excessively praise a dress, pushing you into buying it even if you are unsure. They also hover over you, making you feel watched or rushed into making a decision.

“I don’t wanna go in person because I feel like they’re gonna pressure me to buy a dress that I don’t like,” Mia Patete ‘25 said.

Finding the right fit can be very difficult when online shopping.  Without the ability to try on the dress in person, the sizing choice can be hard to make.

”I’ve tried on like four dresses and none of them have worked,” Mia Patete ‘25 said.

The fear of ordering the wrong size and having to deal with returns or exchanges is challenging and many stores don’t allow you to return for money back, just store credit.  You may like the dress in photos and then have a huge different opinion when it’s on.

“Everything I want is sold out,” Ella Cavallaro ‘25 said.

Sizing/Alterations

When asking what would make the experience less stressful, many responses revolved around the alterations. Some students such as Ella Roselli ‘26 said that she would be a lot less stressed if she did not have to get her dress altered.

During prom season, alteration stores, and or dry cleaners, are in high demand, many are busy and won’t have many open appointments. If they do have open appointments, it could take weeks for it to be finished.  Many people strive for the perfect fit when searching for their dress, but sizing for long dresses fits everyone differently.

Advice from Seniors:

To take some stress off, plan ahead by shopping for your dress early. Make sure to give yourself enough time to get ready and take lots of photos with your friends. Most importantly, have fun!

“Find something you feel comfortable in and can dance in,” Maggie Mullaney ‘25 said.

Marin Strensurd ‘25 quotes Ms.Beren by saying to “avoid the three b’s” referring to your chest, rear, and stomach.