Prom Dresses 2027: When to Start and How Made-to-Measure Works
From February to early June, prom season fills our shop in Horsham, and our team works overtime almost every day, much of it on hand beading. So if you have a prom in 2027, this is a good moment to start thinking about your dress. Here is how it works with us, and what I would suggest.
Two ways to find your prom dress
Try on and take home. We keep a rail of one-off prom dresses in store, each in a single style. You can try them on and, if one is right, buy it there and then.
Made to measure. Or we make your dress from scratch, cut to your own measurements. You can start from one of our styles and change the colour, neckline or back, or bring us a photo of a dress you love: something from Instagram, Pinterest, a red carpet, or a designer gown you could never afford. We don't copy anyone's label, but we can make you a dress with the shape and feeling you fell in love with. Made-to-measure prom dresses start from £250.
One design per school
Nobody wants to walk into their prom and see someone else in the same dress. So we have a simple rule: one design per school. Tell us your school when you choose your dress, and we won't make the same design for another girl at your prom.
When should you start?
Earlier than you think, especially if you want hand beading or crystal work, which takes many hours. As a guide:
- Before February is ideal. You'll have our full attention, more time to decide, and no rush on fittings.
- February to early June is our busiest time of year. We can still make your dress, but book your first appointment as soon as you can.
- Running out of time? We have an express service for girls whose prom is close, or whose dress from somewhere else hasn't worked out. Our team works extra hours on it, so an express fee applies. Just get in touch and we'll tell you honestly what we can do.
If you come early and you're worried about your size changing, don't be. We can design your dress and take measurements now, then do the final fittings closer to the day.
Every size, every shape
Because a made-to-measure dress is cut to you, there are no size limits. Plus size, petite, tall, curvy: the dress starts from your measurements, not from a standard size that then has to be altered. That is also why the photos on our website are real girls on the day they tried on or collected their dresses, not retouched models.
Popular styles we make
- Fishtail and mermaid – fitted through the hips, flaring at the hem
- Backless and open back – with a lace-up, cross-over straps or a low cut
- Ballgowns – full skirts in satin, taffeta or tulle, often with a beaded bodice
- Floaty chiffon – soft and easy to dance in
- Sequins, velvet and lace – for something with a bit more drama
Most colours are available, from emerald green and royal blue to blush, red and cerise. You can see our fabric colours on our material swatches page.
A small tip for backless and strapless styles: a self-adhesive bra such as our Freebra keeps the line clean, with no straps showing.
What to bring to your first appointment
- Any photos or screenshots of dresses you like, even if they're only "the sleeves from this one and the skirt from that one"
- Your prom date and the name of your school
- A rough idea of your budget, so we can suggest fabrics and details that work for it
- Mum, a friend, or whoever you'd like to share the moment with
Where we are
Our boutique is at 19A Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex. Girls come to us from all over Sussex and Surrey, including Crawley, Brighton, Worthing, Haywards Heath and Guildford.
Book a prom appointment, or browse our prom dresses first.
David
8 November 2026
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