We have hundreds of prom dresses in-store, and are receiving new dresses almost daily!
That line from the Fantastic Finds prom FAQ is the first thing to know about the store's formal side, which it calls Formal Finds. The second is that you do not need an appointment to shop it. Brides book ahead here; prom and homecoming shoppers walk in, register at the front desk and get to work. The racks are sorted by size and by color, prices run from $225 to $850, and the shop says it stays fully stocked for formal events all year rather than only in spring.
The business has deep roots. Founder Sue started Fantastic Finds in 1989 after years in the bridal trade, and the staff page reads like a roll call of long tenures: Kim since 1999, Donna since 2007, Catrese since 2014. The store describes itself as Michigan's largest bridal salon, and that size shows up on the prom side as volume, not as a back corner.
Shopping prom at Fantastic Finds
Fantastic Finds publishes a step-by-step for prom shoppers, and following it saves time on a busy Saturday on Wood Street.
How a prom visit runs (a guide)
First
Register at the front desk before you start browsing.
Next
Take the color ring set you are given and use a ring to mark each dress you want to try.
Then
Staff carry your picks to the fitting room area and help with zippers and ties.
If you want more
Go back to the racks and use your remaining rings.
Last
Leave a ring on the hanger of any dress you are still considering. Anything without a ring goes back on the rack.
A few house rules come with it.
Fitting rooms
Not held, so a return trip to the racks on a weekend can mean a short wait for the next open room; weekdays are calmer.
Parent or guardian
Asked to come along, since weekend staff may not be free to zip every dress right away and Fantastic Finds does not hold dresses.
Male guests
Welcome in the lobby, menswear and alterations seating areas but not the fitting room areas; a prom shopper can step out to show a date or a dad what she has on.
Food and drinks
Kept out of the fitting rooms and away from the racks.
If the dress is right but the size or color is wrong, a prom stylist can check with the designer about ordering it. Not everything shown online is available to try on in the store, so if you have a particular style in mind, call or text the shop to check before you make the trip.
Designers, exclusives and the people on the floor
Formal Finds names Ellie Wilde, Colette and Ava Presley among its prom designers, along with collections the store says are exclusive to it. The prom filter on the site sorts those three labels by silhouette, neckline, sleeve type and fabric, which is a useful way to narrow things down before arriving with a short list.
Several staff members work the prom side directly. Larissa, with the store since 2019, enjoys helping guests find a prom or evening dress that matches the picture in their heads. Grace and Christina model and film the newest prom fashion for the store's social channels, which makes Instagram a decent preview of what is hanging on the racks before you drive over.
The student traffic comes from all around Greater Lansing. Wood Street sits on the north side of the city, and families from DeWitt High School, Waverly High School, Grand Ledge High School, Holt High School and Lansing's Everett High School all make the trip in late winter. The showroom page also mentions shoppers coming in from Grand Rapids, Flint, Jackson, Brighton and Novi, which gives some idea of the store's reach across Greater Lansing and the rest of Michigan.
Tuxedos through Jim's Formalwear
Dates are handled through a partnership with Jim's Formalwear for rentals and purchases, and the program is built to run largely online. Each member of the party registers, pays Jim's directly and submits measurements. Purchased suits ship with open hems and usually need tailoring.
Jim's Formalwear
Tux rentals and purchases
Start
An in-person or virtual consultation with a Fantastic Finds stylist
Measuring
Software measures from two photos for anyone over 16 and taller than five feet; younger or shorter guests can be measured at the store
Order by
At least two weeks ahead
Delivery
Rentals ship five to ten days before the event
Return
The next business day, with a prepaid label
For a prom couple, that means the dress search and the tux plan can start the same afternoon on Wood Street, and the rental itself ships straight to the date's door.
Prom questions for Fantastic Finds in Lansing
Can Fantastic Finds set a dress aside while I think about it?
No. The store does not hold dresses, which is why it asks prom shoppers to bring a parent or guardian who can help decide on the spot.
What if I love a dress but it is the wrong size?
Ask a prom stylist to check with the designer. The store often stocks several sizes and colors, and can see what is available to order when it does not.