The Wolsfelt name has been part of Aurora's formalwear story since 1973, when Don and Donna Wolsfelt turned a floral business into a full-service salon. Their daughters, sisters Vicki and Dawn Wolsfelt, now own the family business, and Wolsfelt's Prom on Ashland Avenue is the branch built entirely around school dances. Prom, homecoming, pageants and special occasions are the whole point here. Nothing on the floor is an afterthought.
The store's About page frames a visit as more than a transaction.
At Wolsfelt's Prom, finding your dream dress is more than shopping. It's an experience.
What that looks like in practice is a modern showroom, a stylist assigned to each shopper, and a selection the store describes as hundreds of designer dresses. Wolsfelt's also describes itself as the only Top10 accredited prom and homecoming store in the Chicagoland area, and it carries a large selection of exclusive dresses that can only be found at Wolsfelt's Prom in the region.
Designers, sizes and the house label
The designer lineup is current and specific. The store names Jovani, Primavera Couture, Ashley Lauren and Alyce Paris, along with Kate Parker, Sydney's Closet and The W Collection. That last one is Wolsfelt's own private label, exclusive to the store, with a lot of short homecoming styles in satin, sequins and corset bodices. Kate Parker leans into the newest homecoming trends, while the store describes Ashley Lauren as known for dresses designed to highlight a woman's curves.
Size inclusivity is a real strength. The store carries dresses in sizes 000 to 26 on the floor and invites shoppers to talk with a stylist about extended sizes. Sydney's Closet is its main designer for plus-size gowns, a line made exclusively for sizes 14 to 40, and the site has a dedicated Curvy Collection page. Plus-size shoppers get the same stylist attention and a real selection to choose from.
Events add to the draw. In summer 2026 the store hosted a Primavera homecoming showcase, a one-week expanded collection of gowns not usually in the shop, and it runs promotions such as a buy-more, save-more offer. Following the store's social accounts is the easiest way to catch the next one.
The Wolsfelt's Guest Guide, step by step
Wolsfelt's runs a structured, stylist-led process, and the Guest Guide on the site explains it clearly. The steps run in this order.
- Reserve a time if you can. Appointments are not required, but they are strongly encouraged, and each shopper is limited to one appointment per day. Walk-ins are always welcome, though in peak prom and homecoming season the wait for a stylist can run 15 to 45 minutes, and the store offers a heated patio to wait on.
- Bring up to two guests. Seating is limited, so the store asks each shopper to bring just her best decision-makers.
- Start with a consultation. Your stylist talks through what you like, takes your measurements, then pulls dresses and helps with zipping, lacing and sizes. Every shopper is assisted by a stylist to protect the delicate gowns, and appointments typically last around 45 minutes.
- Try on in a private fitting room, then step out to view yourself in the main showroom.
- Decide on alterations. Wolsfelt's does alterations in-house, from hems to strap adjustments and bra cups. They cost extra, take four to six weeks, and payment is due at the first fitting, so build that into your timeline.
- Choose how to pay. The store takes major credit cards, checks and cash, and it offers layaway with 50 percent down and 60 days to pay the balance, for a small service fee on in-store merchandise.
Special orders are possible on select styles for a service fee, every sale is final, and the store does not hold unpaid dresses, though your stylist will record the styles you loved for a return visit.
The store does not register dresses by school, so it is possible someone at your dance will wear the same style. The site's take is that the wearer makes every dress unique with her own styling.
The guys are covered too. Wolsfelt's carries tuxedos from Kenneth Cole, Ike Behar, David Major and others, with vest and tie colors on hand for matching, shoe rental or purchase, and in-house adjustments. Tuxedos are handled in the Wolsfelt's Bridal building, the family's original salon. For girls planning a quinceañera, the family also runs Quince Couture by Wolsfelt's in Aurora.
Aurora, Oswego and the Plainfield schools
The store lists Aurora, Naperville, Plainfield, Oswego and beyond as its service area, and that tracks with the schools nearby. East Aurora High School and West Aurora High School are the city's own. Waubonsie Valley High School and Metea Valley High School in Indian Prairie School District 204 cover the DuPage County side of Aurora, Oswego High School and Oswego East High School sit just south in Kendall County, and the four Plainfield high schools, including Plainfield North and Plainfield Central, send shoppers from Will County. For families across this stretch of northeast Illinois, a prom shop run by a family that has been dressing Aurora since 1973 is an easy choice.
Curvy Collection, in-house alterations and layaway
How far does the Wolsfelt's Curvy Collection run?
Up to size 40, through Sydney's Closet, the store's main plus-size designer, which makes its line exclusively for sizes 14 to 40. Floor sizes run 000 to 26.
Does Wolsfelt's Prom do alterations?
Yes. Alterations are done in-house for an additional cost. Plan on four to six weeks.
Is there a layaway plan?
Yes. Layaway requires 50 percent down, with 60 days to pay the rest, on in-store merchandise.