Prom dress FAQs — everything you need to know

When should I start looking for a prom dress?

For a June or July prom, we recommend starting from October. New collections arrive in autumn, giving you the widest choice of styles and colours. The most popular dresses in the most popular colours typically get registered (or sold) between November and February. Starting early also gives you the best chance of securing the school exclusivity guarantee.

If it's already February or March and you haven't started, don't panic — we still have plenty of options. Just book as soon as you can.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. Both of our boutiques operate by appointment only. This means you'll have a private space, a dedicated stylist, and as much time as you need without feeling rushed or crowded.

What should I bring to my prom appointment?

Nude or seamless underwear, and any shoes you're planning to wear if you already have them (heel height affects how the hem falls). Bring one or two people whose opinion you trust. Most importantly, bring an open mind — the dress you love on a hanger isn't always the one you love on your body.

How long does a prom appointment take?

Typically 60 to 90 minutes. Enough to try on multiple styles, make a decision, and register your chosen dress to your school.

What's the difference between hiring and buying at Dream Dresses?

Both options are available for most of our prom collection. Buying means the dress is yours to keep. Hiring means you pay a hire fee, wear the dress to your prom, and return it afterwards. Both options include the one-dress-per-school guarantee.

Is it cheaper to hire or buy?

Hire is almost always the lower upfront cost. Many of our hire dresses are £50–£100 for the evening. The equivalent dress to buy might be £200–£400. If you're unlikely to wear the dress again, hire usually offers better value.

Buying makes sense if: you want to keep the dress, you'd like to wear it again, you want to make significant alterations, or you find a clearance or last-chance style at a price that makes buying the obvious choice.

Can I try on a dress before deciding whether to hire or buy?

Yes — always. Every appointment, whether you're planning to hire or buy, begins with trying on. You'll never commit to either option without seeing the dress on your body first.

How does the school exclusivity policy work?

Once you have chosen a specific dress in a specific colour and registered it (through purchasing or paying a hire deposit), we will not sell or hire the same dress in the same colour to any other student attending the same school event.

Does this apply to both hire and purchase?

Yes. The registration applies regardless of whether you are hiring or buying.

What if I change my mind after registering a dress?

If you have paid a hire deposit and change your mind, the registration will be released for that dress. Your deposit may be non-refundable in this case — please discuss this at your appointment.

What if the dress I want is already registered to someone from my school?

We'll tell you immediately — before you fall in love with it. We'll then help you find a dress that is equally stunning and still available for your school.

How much does it cost to hire a prom dress from Dream Dresses?

Hire prices start from £50. The majority of our hire collection is priced between £50 and £150. Many popular styles are available to hire for under £100.

What does the hire price include?

Professional dry-cleaning before and after your hire. Secure registration of your dress to your school. An in-store appointment with a dedicated stylist. One minor temporary alteration where possible.

When do I collect and return the dress?

You typically collect your dress two to three days before your prom and return it one to two days after. We'll agree a specific timeframe at your appointment.

What happens if I damage the dress?

General prom-night wear — minor marks, small stains, the normal effects of a night of dancing — is expected and not charged. Significant damage (tears, large stains, missing embellishment) may incur a cleaning or repair charge. We'll discuss this policy clearly before you complete your hire.

Can I alter a hire dress?

Permanent alterations aren't possible on hire dresses. Temporary adjustments (such as pinning a hem) may be possible — your stylist will advise at your appointment.

What sizes do you stock for prom?

Our prom collection runs from UK 4 to UK 28. We carry sample dresses in a genuine range of sizes so every customer can see how a dress fits on their body — not just imagine it.

I'm between sizes — what should I do?

Come in and try on. Many of our dresses have lace-up backs or adjustable panels that accommodate in-between sizes beautifully. Your stylist will find the best fit.

What if my daughter is very petite or very tall?

We carry a range of lengths and our stylists are experienced with both petite and tall customers. Hem alterations are generally straightforward and recommended before your prom — bring your shoes to your fitting.

What underwear should I wear under a strapless or backless dress?

Adhesive bras (sometimes called sticky bras), clear-strap bras, or dresses with built-in structure are the most popular options. Our stylists will advise specific solutions for your chosen dress when you try it on.