An in-stock prom shop for the South Bay
Christina's Fashion opened its doors in May 1985, and its strength is a huge in-stock inventory. The store says it carries the largest selection of in-stock designer gowns for prom, quinceañera and special occasions in all of San Diego County. Its buyers hand select every gown for style, fit, quality, price and value.
The prom list is long, and two of its labels also cover the competition side.
Prom list
- Amarra
- Clarisse
- Colors Dress
- Dave and Johnny
- Ellie Wilde
- Jessica Angel
- Jovani prom and JVN by Jovani
- La Femme
- Morilee prom
- Portia and Scarlett and its couture line
- Primavera couture and short styles
- Scala
- Sherri Hill
- Terani Couture
- Tiffany Designs
Pageant
- Jovani's Signature pageant line
- Terani's pageant gowns
In-stock sizes
000 to 32
- 000
- 00
- 0
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
- 10
- 12
- 14
- 16
- 18
- 20
- 22
- 24
- 26
- 28
- 30
- 32
In-stock styles run from 000 up through 32, and women's sizes to 32W.
Primavera's short and cocktail styles have been priced from $349 to $395, a good fit for junior prom, homecoming, or a senior ball danced without a train to manage. The store stocks homecoming dresses for fall as well.
Not every dress has to be on the rack.
In stock
Find it, try it, buy it
- Find a dress, try it on and buy it right off the rack
When it is not on the rack
Ordered from the designer
- Arrival guaranteed by the delivery date the store gives you
- Some styles available as a rush for an extra charge
- Two weeks to six months, depending on the designer's production cycle
Generations of the same families
Christina's has been at this since 1985, and it credits that staying power to full service and repeat customers.
The store has at least 3 different generations of women and families that return to shop for their special occasion dresses.
The store also describes the feel of the place as friendly, comfortable, clean, well-organized and professional, with professional stylists on staff, and it makes a point that every prom shopper's parent will appreciate: with a special occasion, you do not get a second chance to get it right. Trust is the product as much as the gowns are.
That long relationship shows up in what the store sells beyond prom.
Quinceañera
A major department
Military balls and anniversaries
Among the occasions the store names
Mothers of the bride and groom
Their own racks
Bridal
A smaller part of the floor
The store also gives back to prom specifically. Each year Christina's donates dresses and accessories to the Princess Project, a nonprofit that provides free prom dresses and accessories to high school teens who could not otherwise afford them.
Its customers come from across the Sweetwater Union High School District. Castle Park, Hilltop and Chula Vista High are the closest campuses, with Otay Ranch, Olympian, Eastlake and Bonita Vista out east, Southwest and Mar Vista to the south and west, and Sweetwater High to the north. For families anywhere in the South Bay of San Diego County, California, the shop sits just off Interstate 5 at Palomar Street.
Planning a prom visit
Every department at Christina's works by appointment with one of its professional stylists, and booking is done by phone. Book first, then browse. A simple plan:
- Call the store to book an appointment with one of its professional stylists.
- Find the purple awning. The shop is in the Palomar Commerce Center, a few lights from I-5 off Palomar Street, at the turn onto Transit Center Place.
- If the right gown is not in stock, ask about a special order and whether a rush is possible for your date.
For their own safety, younger children who come along should stay supervised the whole time.
Princesa by Ariana Vara, Ursula and Rebecca Ingram
For quinceañera, Christina's lists Princesa by Ariana Vara, Quinceañera Collection, Fiesta Quinceañera and Vizcaya.
The store's lines for mothers of the bride and groom include Alexander by Daymor, Cameron Blake, Capri and Ivonne D by Mon Cheri, Lara Designs, Marsoni, MGNY by Morilee, Montage, Rina di Montella, Soulmates and Ursula. Evening lines from Jovani, La Femme and Primavera Couture are on the mothers' list too, along with Terani Evening and Terani Mother of the Bride.
The bridal lines Christina's lists are Rebecca Ingram, Maggie Sottero, Morilee Bridal, Voyage, Blu, AF Couture and Christina Wu Bridal.
Booking and special orders at Christina's
How do I book a visit to Christina's?
Call the shop. All departments work by appointment, so book before you come in.
What if my size is not in stock?
Christina's places special orders, which take from two weeks to six months depending on the designer's production cycle. Some styles can be rushed for an extra charge.