Be Unique with a Vintage Prom Dress!

If your style is more funky than frilly, or if you think of yourself as more rebel than ritzy, consider a vintage prom dress that will truly express your individuality. Vintage dresses are all the rage right now – not only are older styles making a comeback, you'll also get a whole lot more bang for your prom dress buck. If you haven't yet found your perfect gown in the department stores, consider crossing over into the fun and fabulous world of vintage shopping.

Where to Look

For a general idea of where to find vintage prom dresses, search online or in your phone book for Vintage Clothing or Thrift Stores. You will generally turn up a number of different options, so before you start running through the streets, willy-nilly, check in with vintage clothing forums to get a better idea of which shops offer the best choice. Two great places to start are the Fashion Era forums (http://www.fashion-era.com/forums/) and the Vintage Fashion Guild (http://www.vintagefashionguild.org).

Choosing a Gown

When you arrive in your first vintage fashion store, one of the first things you'll notice is that, unlike traditional retail stores, the available gowns aren't sorted by style or size. In fact, they probably aren't sorted by any criteria! Consequently, you'll need to spend a little extra time sifting through the racks. Don't just give the gowns a quick once-over before deciding that there's nothing that'll work for you – dig in, because your dream dress may be hiding at the back behind two 80's bridesmaid monstrosities.

Once you've identified some possible contenders, there are two things you'll want to look for – the cut and the condition. Thrift store dresses can be much cheaper than what you'll find in the department stores, so you may be tempted to buy something that isn't flattering on you because the price is so attractive. To combat this effect, take a trusted friend with you for an honest appraisal of how you look in each dress. Of course, if you find a dress you love that doesn't quite work for you, buy it anyways – a good seamstress should be able to make small adjustments to improve the fit of the gown.

Quality is another important factor in making a vintage prom dress purchase – go over any potential prom dress with a fine-toothed comb before approaching the register. Some things, like a ripped seam, frayed trim or loose beading, can be easily replaced using inexpensive materials from your local fabric store. Other issues, like stains or tears in areas other than the seams, aren't as easily repaired. Remember, a vintage dress isn't a good deal if you have to spend an extra hundred dollars on professional repairs.

Cleaning the Dress

If you've purchased a vintage prom dress, you'll want to have it professionally cleaned before the big night. After all, you don't know where the gown has been or who's been wearing it! However, don't just drop it off at any old dry cleaners. If your vintage gown has any kind of detailed beading, trim or lace, call up cleaners in your area to be sure they'll guarantee the results on vintage formal wear. If you aren't able to find someone who specializes in cleaning vintage clothing, call the costume shop at a local college or university – they've got plenty of experience in this matter and may be able to give you recommendations on where to go.