formal rental ware

[bravemom]

on our last cruise we had a company provide my husband's tux-it worked out great! anyone had any experience/can suggest a company for ladies/teen girl formal ware? i feel it would be easier in the long run as well as less expensive with regards to my daughter (at that tween age where i cant guarantee a dress that fits her the month before will fit the next).

suggestions, comments appreciated.

[Happy ks]

Sorry to disagree with you, but I think renting formal wear for your daughter will cost far more than if you purchased. Right now there are fabulous sales going on for all the leftover prom gowns, there is one I would love for my daughter, it has gone down to $65 from $140. I also purchased her a prom type gown on ebay for $20, plus shipping. We aren't sure of the fit on that one, we may have to take it in a bit.

Check the local stores in your area, I'll bet you can dress her for half the amount of renting.

Kathy

[seagulls]

Hi Bravemom, the only thing that I have seen the cruiseline rent for women are white blouses or tops and black long skirt. Really pretty tacky. As the above poster mentioned you will do it much cheaper at the sales.
Have a great cruise!

[melissa76]

Hi there,

I have an idea! I've been to Dillards a few times in January and just last week. I always thought of them as a more expensive store, but their Junior's formal section seems to always be like 50% off. I got a really formal prom type dress (black satin/strapless/long with train/embroidery) for $85 instead of $170, and a sparkly, one shoulder, long gown for $45. They had tons of stuff in pastels too if you don't want her looking too old [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

It might be a good place to try. Renting is DEFINITELY more money. I know renting a tux is like $100 so I can only imagine renting a formal dress (and they're probably hideous and don't fit well) would be around the same.

Also, I LOVE ebay, and places like Ross and TJ Maxx have good prices too!
Good Luck,
Melissa [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[kitty9]

There's not much choice in women's formalwear rental. It's usually a woman's tux or a skirt and blouse, and those are really quite bad looking. As the others have said, there are some amazing sales right now at all the major department stores. That would be a much better choice.

Darcie

[natalunia]

I definitely think you can find a cheap gown in the juniors department. I got a dress on clearance in the juniors department at Dillard's in February 2003 for $13.25 including tax. And it was a stretch material so it can grow with someone. Since this is Prom season, there should be plenty of formal dresses on sale right now.

Natalie

Superstar Leo to Alaska 5/22/04
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[bravemom]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] thanks for all of the suggestions. i'm going to trying hitting a couple of bridal stores (they tend to clear out the spring/summer samples at this point in the year) as well as hit my neighborhood goodwill store-i've seen so many bridesmaids dresses in there that have only been worn once i figure the cost of alterations would be less than a new dress for my daughter. i notice that "dillards" seems to be a popular choice for shoppers out there-we don't have any in northern california (hmmmmm...maybe i should plan a vacation for myself that involves dillards and bring empty suitcases:>). well, i do have the option of going to the jessica mcclintock outlet, but i think i'm going to encounter the same issues i have when trying to find simple. MODEST school/church dresses for my daughter-THE MANUFACTURERS THANK ALL YOUNG GIRLS WANT TO DRESS ALA BRITTANY SPEARS:<. i have no problem finding nice [not to mention inexpensive) dress outfits for my son but the stores [at least out here) only offer spagetti strapped, cut down to there, cut up to there garbage for young girls and teens. enuf of my venting. thanks again for all of the suggestion!

happy cruising!

[Happy ks]

bravemom - I think Dillard is the same store as either Macy's or Robinson-May. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

Another choice would be JC Penney, either the store or .com. They have many size choices, quite a bit on sale and I have gotten dressy clothing for my daughter there. I understand very well about trying to find modest clothing for a pre-teen, I have a very modest daughter. It's so hard to find clothing that isn't too low, too tight, or too cheap looking for the young girls that don't want to look like that, but also don't want to look like their mothers!

Kathy