Susanne Dura knew early what she wanted to do, and the store's team page traces it back to a junior high classroom.
"In junior high school home economics class, I did four garments while other people did two. My mother knew right then it was what I wanted to do."
She is a graduate of FIT, and she spent 22 years in custom tailoring before this store opened.
1975
Starts working in fashion
1980
Opens Susanne's Stitchery, later Couturiere Designs Inc., custom-tailoring for celebrities and politicians
2002
Opens Fancy Schmancy
Every piece of merchandise in the store is hand-selected by Susanne, and she runs the shop with Ashley, its co-owner and manager.
That couture background shows up in the buying. The prom racks are the heart of the store, and the site's own headline is about finding your dream prom dress.
Walk in, try it on, take it home
On its site, Fancy Schmancy is the Capital Region's most considerable dress shop and prom boutique, and the area's number one choice for all dresses. The pitch leans hardest on how you shop there, because the store is walk-ins only. No booking, no deposit, no waiting for a consultant to free up. Students from Shaker High School, close by in Latham, can stop in after classes, and families from Shenendehowa in Clifton Park or Troy High School across the Hudson can make it a weekend trip to the shop on New Loudon Road, the stretch of Route 9 that runs through Latham.
There is one rule to know before you go. During prom season, the store requires everyone shopping for prom to be accompanied by an adult 21 or older. It is posted right on the prom page. Plan the trip around a parent, an aunt or an older sibling who qualifies.
The quick version, from the store's own pages:
Plus-size styles
A variety of styles all the way to size 22.
Final sale
Prom, evening and cocktail dresses are final sale, and there are no cash refunds.
Buying from the site
Part of the collection can be bought through the website.
Because prom dresses are final sale, the fitting room is where you decide. Bring the person whose opinion you trust, take your time, and shop early in the season when the racks are at their fullest.
Beyond prom night
The same floor dresses a lot of other occasions. The site lists evening dresses, cocktail dresses, mother of the bride, destination bridal, pageant, casual wear, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Its designer page shows Aidan Mattox and Joseph Ribkoff among the labels it carries.
Then there is summer. Fancy Schmancy keeps a full track wear category, with derby-inspired looks it pitches for race day in Saratoga, brunches and corporate summer parties, plus a separate selection of track hats. A family that buys a prom gown here in the spring could easily be back in July for an entirely different reason. That year-round rhythm is part of why the shop is such a fixture for anyone in New York's Capital Region.
Fancy Schmancy FAQ
Can I buy from Fancy Schmancy online?
Part of the collection is sold through the website. Prom, evening and cocktail dresses are final sale, and there are no cash refunds.
Does the store carry plus sizes?
Yes. The store offers a variety of plus size styles up to size 22.