Prom Dress Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions - Your Journey to Finding the Perfect Prom Dress

At Occasions By Design, we understand that finding the ideal prom dress is a journey filled with excitement and anticipation. To make your prom dress shopping experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible, we've answered some common questions you may have along the way.

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When Should I Start Looking for a Prom Dress?

Your prom night is a special occasion, and preparation is key. We recommend starting your prom dress search as soon as you're ready, as we always have the latest dresses in store. Whether it's September or July, there's no need to rush – we offer a year-round selection of beautiful prom dresses.

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Is an Appointment Needed to Browse and Try on Dresses?

Yes, we highly recommend scheduling an appointment. This ensures that you have an exclusive experience at our boutique, with a dedicated stylist to assist you throughout your visit. Your dedicated stylist will help you find the perfect dress that suits your style and body shape.

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How Long is the Appointment?

Your prom dress appointment will typically last between 1 hour  to 1 hour 30 minutes, allowing you ample time for you to explore our selection of dresses, try on dresses, and receive expert guidance from our staff. 

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Who Can Come to My Appointment with Me?

We kindly request that a parent or guardian per prom girl is present during the appointment. However, we do have room for additional guests, so please inform us if more than four people will be attending your appointment.

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Do You Charge for Appointments?

No, our appointments are absolutely free. We only ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you wish to change or cancel your appointment so that we can accommodate other prom girls.

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What Are Your Prices?

Our range of prom dresses offers options for various budgets. New dresses are available from £215 to £650, whilst sale dresses can be found at prices ranging from £50 to £250.

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What Sizes Do You Offer?

We are proud to offer sizes from UK 0 to UK 24, ensuring that we cater to a diverse range of body shapes and sizes.  

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How Do I Choose My Colour and Style?

Our experienced staff will provide expert guidance and honest recommendations as you explore our collection. Ultimately, it's essential that you feel special and confident in your chosen dress.

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When Should I Commit to My Dress?

As soon as you know you've found the right dress, we recommend committing to it. Waiting too long may result in the dress being sold to another prom girl at your school, or the dress not being available to reorder, so act promptly to secure your choice.

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Can I Purchase on the Day?

Yes, we have some dresses in stock for immediate purchase, and we also offer over 150 sale dresses. Most dresses, however, are ordered new and may take up to four months to arrive.

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How Do I Pay?

To secure your dress, we require a deposit. For new styles, this deposit may cover the ordering process, which can take up to four months.

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Can I Spread the Cost?

Absolutely, we offer interest-free payment plans, allowing you to spread the cost over several months. This can be done conveniently via bank transfer, eliminating the need for in-person visits to make payments.

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Will Someone Else Have the Same Dress at My School?

We offer area exclusivity for our designers and guarantee that we will not sell the same dress to the same school, even in a different colour. While we cannot guarantee that no other prom girl from your school will have the same dress (as designers may supply other boutiques further away), we do our best to ensure exclusivity.

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Can Prom Dresses Be Altered to Fit?

Certainly, most dresses require some alterations, such as adjusting the length. Our team of skilled seamstresses can tailor your dress to fit beautifully. While you're welcome to use our seamstress, you are under no obligation to do so – you may use your own seamstress if you prefer.

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When Should I Have My Dress Altered?

Typically, fittings for alterations take place from April to June, ensuring that your dress fits you perfectly on your special night.

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Where Are the Fitting Appointments?

Fittings are held in our boutique for your convenience. Our experienced seamstress takes measurements, takes your dress to her workshop, and then returns it to the boutique for your second fitting.

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How Much Are Alterations?

You will receive a quote during your first appointment after discussing the required alterations. In most cases, only two fittings are needed, unless more complex alterations are necessary, in which case we may require up to three appointments.

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When Do I Take My Dress Home?

You may take your dress home once it is fully paid for. Alternatively, we are happy to store your dress safely until any required alterations are complete.

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Will My Dress Be Pressed?

Rest assured, your dress will be carefully pressed to perfection, ensuring you look radiant on your special night.