Dress Lounge is the kind of shop you find on the second pass. The shop's own FAQ admits its "little gray house can be a little tricky to find," and it's right. The boutique sits in a small ranch-style building on Northampton Street in Kingston, directly across from the Gateway Shopping Center. Park in the plaza lot, cross the street, and look for the awning.
Inside, the shop is best known for wedding gowns. That side of the business fills most of its website. But its site lists a full-service lineup covering prom, semi-formal and evening wear as well, and its prom racks hold two labels that reward the visit for anyone in the Wyoming Valley who wants a gown with real presence. Owner Jennifer Rushton is active in the Northeastern Pennsylvania community and brings an event planner's eye to the place. You notice it in how the visit is organized.
What's on the prom side
The two names to know are Portia and Scarlett and La Femme. The store pitches Portia and Scarlett as the line to "slay prom night" with, and it delivers the statement end of the market: heavy sequins, sharp cutouts and couture-level beading. La Femme covers more ground, from flowing chiffon to fitted satin, and the shop carries its evening line too. Colors Dress is also in the mix. The formal collection adds Elliatt gowns and midi dresses that suit semi-formals, spring dances and anyone who wants something less sparkly.
Sizing is broad. The shop's La Femme listings run from 00 up through 24W. Stock moves through the year, so ask what's hanging in your size when you book.
A detail tucked into the store's policy page carries real weight for prom shoppers. Dress Lounge keeps track of which dress is going to which school, and the policy states the promise in a single sentence.
we will document the school and dress to help avoid this situation; we understand and value the importance of no one else showing up in YOUR dress!
For students from Wyoming Valley West, Wyoming Seminary, Dallas or Wilkes-Barre Area, that's the difference between a fun photo line and an awkward one. The same policy page also mentions layaway, so ask about payment options if you're spreading the cost out over the winter.
Yes please, and meet Vanna White
Appointments are the way in. The FAQ answers "Do I need an appointment?" with a cheerful "Yes please!"
How a Dress Lounge appointment runs (a guide)
First
Book a slot; weekday daytimes are quieter than evenings and Saturdays, according to the shop
Then
Settle into the fitting room the booking holds for you
Last
A DL Assistant pulls gowns, handles the zippers and keeps the group on track
You'll also meet Vanna White, the golden retriever listed on the About page as an official team member. Bring the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear on prom night; every try-on gets closer to the real night that way. Then let the staff do the rest.
Prom questions for Dress Lounge
Does Dress Lounge carry prom dresses, or only bridal?
Prom is on the racks alongside bridal. Its policy page lists prom, semi-formal and evening wear alongside bridal, and the prom labels are Portia and Scarlett and La Femme, with Colors Dress and Elliatt for formal and semi-formal looks. It's one of the more style-forward stops in northeastern Pennsylvania for prom.
Does the shop do alterations?
No, the work is sent out. Dress Lounge works with a list of local seamstresses it recommends and will share that list when you shop. If you live more than half an hour away, the shop suggests choosing a seamstress closer to home.