INFOGRAPHIC/ Claire Denne & Abby Pan
By Claire Denne,
Staff Writer
To find the perfect attire to accessorize your prom night, checking local boutiques can lead you to hidden dresses or suits you might not find elsewhere. If all else fails, well-known stores in a mall or online provide an easy search for all types of styles, and you can discover the one that will make your night memorable.
Most local dress shops are advertised as bridal boutiques, but also offer formal or bridesmaids’ dresses, which can work as prom dresses.
One store like this is the Love Boat Bridal Boutique, which offers dresses from a few brands such as Bill Levkoff or Jasmine Bridal. This store offers a range of prices and styles such as A-line dresses with lace, tulle or se-quins. Most dresses from these brands are in the middle $100 range.
For those looking for a suit or tuxedo, Friar Tux, in Arcadia, is the closest store that also offers a more affordable option, renting. However, the average price of a bought suit at Friar Tux is $200, and only decreases in price by about $50 if you choose to rent.
Everything one would need, like button-down shirts, dress pants or vests are available at Friar Tux, and items can also be bought or rented online. Still, it might be more worthwhile to rent if you know you will wear the suit for prom night only. J&A Formal Wear, found in La Puente, also offers suits for rental with an average price of $200.
Another positive of bridal or formal specific boutiques is that they offer tailoring or customization. Joli Bride, located in Sierra Madre, has in-person fittings, as well as customizing and accessories. Custom dresses are more expensive and needs to be bought earlier than general sizing dresses.