Count the designers first. The home page at Admiring Glances rattles off Sherri Hill, Jovani, Rachel Allan, Alyce Paris, Tiffany Designs, MacDuggal, Ellie Wilde and Ashley Lauren, then adds "and many more." That is a deep bench for a shop in a city the size of Enterprise. For a prom shopper, that means a lot of choice without leaving Enterprise.
The bridal name over the door can throw first-timers. Don't let it. Its website pitches the shop to bridal and formalwear customers across the Wiregrass, the Florida Panhandle and the surrounding area, and its home page closes with a line that puts prom right next to the wedding side: let us make your bridal or prom shopping experience an amazing one.
What hangs on the prom racks
The prom gallery runs long. Jovani shows up there alongside its younger JVN line, with Sherri Hill, Rachel Allan, MacDuggal and Alyce close behind. Mori Lee brings its Paparazzi prom styles, and Zoey Grey fills in more of the gallery. Between them you get the full spread a senior is likely to want: fitted beaded gowns, big ball skirts, sleek jersey and satin, and a wide run of colors.
Homecoming has its own page. JVN by Jovani, Jovani, Sherri Hill, Rachel Allan and La Femme cover the shorter styles, which is handy in a town where the fall dance and the spring prom tend to send the same girls back to the same shop. The About page also mentions interview dresses, a quiet nod to the pageant girls who need a stage gown and a sharp interview look in the same season.
The store's own pages settle two questions before the trip. The colors and sizes of in-stock dresses are listed with each image, so you can check whether the style you saved actually comes in your size before you make the drive. And if it doesn't, specialty gowns, different sizes and other colors are available by special order, depending on what the designer has. In prom season, the girls who start early are the ones who get the special-order color they wanted.
The guys are covered too
Admiring Glances keeps it simple on its About page: don't worry, we didn't forget the guys. Admiring Glances offers tuxedo rental and purchase through Jim's Formal Wear, which means the dress and the tux can come out of one building. For a couple trying to match a vest or tie to a gown, that saves a second trip and a lot of guessing over fabric swatches on a phone screen.
It also helps groups. A friend group headed to the same prom can sort out dresses and tuxes on one Saturday, and the shop's stylists can see the whole picture at once instead of piece by piece.
Enterprise High, Fort Novosel families and the Panhandle
The shop sits on Boll Weevil Circle, the loop road around the city, and Enterprise High School is on the same circle. With more than 2,000 students and one big spring prom, the Wildcats alone make for a busy season, and the shop is an easy stop for them. The reach goes past the city line. Daleville High School, New Brockton High School, Elba High School and Carroll High School over in Ozark all sit in the surrounding Coffee and Dale counties, and military families tied to nearby Fort Novosel turn over every year, so there is always someone new in town hunting for a first Wiregrass prom dress. The store itself names the Florida Panhandle as part of its trade area, a sign of how far some shoppers travel to reach this corner of southeast Alabama's Wiregrass.
Admiring Glances has served this area since 2001. The wedding side still fills a good share of the Enterprise racks, with lines such as Allure Bridal and Sincerity by Justin Alexander along with mothers' dresses, but the formal racks get just as much space on the site, and that is where a prom shopper should spend her time.
On appointments, the store's guidance is written mainly for brides. It says appointments are preferred, asks for about a week's notice, and notes that in certain circumstances, with staff approval, appointments can be made outside regular store hours. Prom shoppers who want a set time, or who are coming with a group, should phone the store and ask.
Whether it's for your wedding day, prom, pageant, or just a night out on the town, our stylists are here to bring your vision to life!
Admiring Glances signs off its About page on that note.
Admiring Glances answers for Wiregrass prom shoppers
Which prom designers does Admiring Glances carry?
The store's site names Sherri Hill, Jovani and JVN, Rachel Allan, Alyce Paris, Tiffany Designs, MacDuggal, Ellie Wilde, Ashley Lauren, Mori Lee and Zoey Grey across its home, About and prom pages, with La Femme on the homecoming page.
Can I get a dress in a size or color that isn't in stock?
Yes. The store says specialty gowns, different sizes and color options are available for special order, depending on availability.
Does the Enterprise shop handle the guy's side through Jim's Formal Wear?
Yes. Admiring Glances offers tuxedo rental and purchase options through Jim's Formal Wear.