Trudys has dressed South Bay shoppers since 1974. That year Trudy and Roger Blechman opened a small clothing store at The Pruneyard in Campbell, and it grew into the bridal and special occasion salon the Bay Area knows today. The shop stayed at The Pruneyard for five decades, then moved to a larger, remodeled building on Meridian Avenue in Willow Glen. Prom has its own buying team and an easy way in. You simply walk in, with no prom appointment to book.
The Blechman family, and a prom buyer who was once a prom customer
The business has stayed with one family the whole way. Steven Blechman, the second generation, has worked in the company for more than 30 years. He started as an ordering specialist, moved up to marketing manager, and now runs the store as owner and buyer alongside Rebekah Blechman.
Buying is what the store is proudest of. The store describes Trudy as known throughout the bridal and prom industry as one of the leading buyers in the country, and adds that Trudys is always the first to bring in the newest styles each season.
Lindsey, the operations manager, has been with Trudys for ten years, and she sits on the team that chooses the prom collections each year. Her own history with the store started on the other side of the counter, when she was shopping for prom.
I found my prom dress here with the help of Trudy herself.
The prom floor has three special occasion stylists, Sienna, Sherri and Nikki.
How the walk-in line works on Meridian Avenue
Prom, mothers and formal shopping is all walk-in, so you can come by whenever it suits you, though wait times vary. When the floor is busy you join a waitlist and a stylist comes to you when one is free. The Willow Glen store opened with an expanded inventory, and the best dresses go fast. The store's advice is to visit early, join the waitlist, and shop during the week if you can.
The store's advice
- Visit early, because the best dresses go fast
- Join the waitlist when the floor is busy
- Shop during the week if you can
The store is open seven days a week.
Prom designers, from petite to plus
The store's prom designers include Sherri Hill, Faviana, Jessica Angel, Jovani and its sister line JVN, La Femme, Primavera Couture, Colors Dress, Amarra and A&L Couture, along with Ava Presley, Cinderella Divine, Christina Wu Prom, Colette for Mon Cheri, Ellie Wilde, Jasz Couture, Panoply, Portia & Scarlett, Scala, Studio 17, Terani and Nicoletta. Trudys says it has the largest selection of prom, pageant and evening dresses, from designers around the world.
- A&L Couture
- Amarra
- Ava Presley
- Christina Wu Prom
- Cinderella Divine
- Colette for Mon Cheri
- Colors Dress
- Ellie Wilde
- Faviana
- Jasz Couture
- Jessica Angel
- Jovani
- JVN
- La Femme
- Nicoletta
- Panoply
- Portia & Scarlett
- Primavera Couture
- Scala
- Sherri Hill
- Studio 17
- Terani
The shop handpicks what it carries to try on, chosen for variety in style, size and value. Trudys carries dresses for every size customer, from petite to plus.
Trudys goes past the long gown. Short dresses for homecoming and spring formals come from Colors Dress, Faviana and Primavera Couture. There are Sweet 16 and quinceañera collections too, the latter with Elizabeth K, Vizcaya by Morilee and Princesa by Ariana Vara.
Short dresses
Homecoming and spring formals by Colors Dress, Faviana and Primavera Couture
Sweet 16
A collection of its own
Quinceañera
Elizabeth K, Vizcaya by Morilee and Princesa by Ariana Vara
Final sale, and seven outside seamstresses
Good to know before you pay: all prom sales are final, with no returns, exchanges, store credit or refunds of any kind.
For alterations, Trudys points you to seven independent shops, and most of them give Trudys customers a discount. Bella Custom Tailor in San Jose takes appointments only and offers 10 percent, as do Thuy's in Milpitas, Fidelina's and Marie La Beau in Gilroy, and Fancy Alterations in Redwood City. Monika's California Apparel in Pleasanton offers 15 percent. Tailor Maid in San Francisco is on the list without a discount. These are independent businesses.
The Willow Glen store sits on Meridian Avenue just inside San Jose, a few minutes from the old Pruneyard address. Willow Glen High and Lincoln High are the nearest public high schools, and Westmont High in Campbell is a few miles west. For more shops around the South Bay and beyond, see our guide to California prom stores.
Enzoani, Disney Fairy Tale Weddings and Montage on the bridal side
The bridal salon calls itself Northern California’s #1 Bridal Salon. Its bridal designers include Allure Bridals, Eddy K, Élysée, Enzoani, Hayley Paige, Madi Lane, Maggie Sottero, Mon Cheri, Morilee, Pen Liv and Veni Infantino, along with Disney Fairy Tale Weddings and a Beautifully Plus collection. Brides book private appointments, and appointments are required for bridal fittings.
The mother of the bride collection carries Cameron Blake, Ivonne D, La Femme, Montage, Marsoni by Colors, Primavera Couture, MLNY, Rina di Montella and Terani. The bridesmaids collection carries Jessica Angel, Morilee and Ladivine by Cinderella Divine. Not every bridesmaid sample hangs in the store, but color swatches can be seen in person and every style can be special ordered.
Before you head to Trudys Prom
How does prom shopping work at Trudys?
Just walk in. Prom, mothers and formal shopping are walk-in only. On a busy day you add your name to the waitlist, and the store suggests weekdays for shorter waits.
Does Trudys carry plus sizes for prom?
Yes. Trudys carries dresses for every size customer, from petite to plus.
What is the return policy on a prom dress from Trudys?
Every prom sale is final, with no refunds, exchanges or store credit.
Does Trudys sell quinceañera and Sweet 16 dresses?
Yes. Both have collections of their own, alongside short dresses for homecoming.