Prom season is almost here, and students are starting the search for the perfect dress. Dream Dress, a local dress shop located at the Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids, makes the process easier with a wide selection of dresses and an ambassador program.
Jill Webb (she/her), owner of Dream Dress, founded the business after her daughter attended three proms and struggled to find the right dress. That experience sparked Webb’s passion and inspired her to create Dream Dress.
With prom season approaching, the shop is entering its busiest time of the year. During these months, the store sees an increase in foot traffic as students begin shopping early to secure their dream dress.
“During prom dress season, we spend a lot of time at the store,” Webb said. “We get new shipments in every day, so a lot of times we are unboxing new shipments. We’re helping girls try on dresses. We do a lot of special orders, so what that means is, if a girl finds a dress she likes but maybe she wants it in a different color or needs a different size, we do a lot of ordering for girls. And then, of course, just helping girls find dresses that they want to try on for prom.”
Because of the high demand, Webb encourages students to start shopping as early as possible to ensure the best selection and avoid duplicate dresses at the same school.
“The earlier the better. January is typically our busiest month, and the reason shopping early is best because we register each dress to the school,” Webb said.
Early shoppers benefit from better inventory and can register their dress to their school, preventing duplicate dresses at prom.
Along with shopping early, Webb encourages students to explore a variety of options while dress shopping.
“Have an open mind and just try on a bunch of different styles and different colors because a lot of the dresses look really different on the hanger than they do once you get them on your body,” Webb said. “You may walk into the store and have one style in mind, and then you leave with something completely different.”
Beyond in-store shopping, Dream Dress also relies on student ambassadors to help promote the business throughout the community.
“Ambassadors really help the business by promoting it on social media and letting the word get out to their friends,” Webb said.
Jessica Steburg (she/her), 12, is an ambassador at Dream Dress. Ambassadors help in the store, promote the business on social media and guide other students through finding a dress. It’s a way to gain experience, meet new people and be part of a prom-focused community.
Dream Dress reached out to Steburg through Instagram.
“It looked like a really good way to meet people through the ambassador program.”
Shopping for a prom dress can feel overwhelming. Having a sense of your own style and knowing what you’re looking for is beneficial before trying on dresses.
“Maybe knowing what you’re looking for, maybe color and style. I feel like that’s a good thing that you should want to know,” Steburg said.
Trying on dresses is different for everyone. Steburg picked the first dress she tried on but others like to try on a few before making a choice.
For many, comfort is just as important as appearance. A dress that fits well and feels good can make the night more enjoyable.
“It’s very important to be comfortable in your dress. If you’re comfortable, you feel more confident,” Steburg said.
Budgeting is another factor to consider when purchasing a prom dress. While Dream Dress offers a range of options, there are also affordable dresses available online or in-store elsewhere.
With prom right around the corner, Dream Dress and their ambassadors are helping students navigate the dress-shopping process with confidence. They make it easier to find a dress that feels right and enjoy the excitement leading up to one of the most memorable nights of high school.
