Three ways to shop prom here
You can walk into Formalities on a Saturday in February with no appointment and start pulling gowns. The shop says so in capital letters on its prom page: appointments are not required for prom shopping. That alone makes it an easy first stop for families in Bellefonte, State College and the rest of Centre County. But the store has built two more ways to shop for anyone who wants a calmer visit, and knowing the difference before you go can shape the whole day.
The first option is the plain walk-in. Come during regular hours, browse the racks, and work with whichever stylist is free. Saturdays in peak season are busy. The shop acknowledges the lines.
The second is what Formalities calls Sunday Slay Sessions, booked by appointment for shoppers who would rather not battle the Saturday lines. Sunday hours run only during the heart of prom season, roughly January through early May.
The third is the big one. The After-Hours VIP Prom Appointment gives a group one hour of completely private access to the store, with the staff to themselves. The shop describes it as rolling out the red carpet for its VIPs, which it defines as Very Important Prom Shoppers. The booking is $80 for one to three shoppers, each of whom can bring two or three spectators.
In the VIP hour
- One private hour with a Formalities prom specialist, after regular hours
- Formal wear measuring for each specific designer, plus one-on-one help with sizing and ordering
- Real-time inventory, so you know what is in the building
- A free piece of jewelry with a prom purchase made at the appointment
- Access to any current promotions, and a toast for spectators over 21
Charged on top
- $20 for each shopper past three, with six shoppers the most allowed
- $25 for every 30 minutes the appointment runs past its hour
A few rules come with it. VIP slots must be requested at least a week ahead and are not guaranteed, groups of four to six shoppers get two spectators each, and the schedule is strict. Plan the group, show up on time, and the hour is yours.
The prom racks and the designers on them
Formalities sells prom gowns from $400 to $1,700, in a wide range of sizes, from petite to plus size, per the shop. Its prom page is a pep talk of its own, promising shimmering sequins, luxurious satin, dreamy tulle and every color from bold hues to soft pastels. The designer lineup backs that up. The prom page names Sherri Hill, Jovani, Johnathan Kayne, Ellie Wilde, Faviana, Ashley Lauren, Ava Presley, Portia and Scarlett and Tiffany Designs, along with Christina Wu, Panoply, Joshua McKinley and Chandalier. For homecoming, the shop adds Rachel Allan to the mix.
That is a deep lineup for a single store, and it means a little homework pays off. Browse the designers' current collections, screenshot a few styles, and bring them in. The staff can tell you what is on the floor and what would need to be ordered.
Shopping on a budget? The site keeps a Prom and Hoco Outlet section with sale gowns, so check it before you fall for a full-price dress.
With students from across the county shopping the same racks, that is a real reason to buy early. Students from Bellefonte Area High School, State College Area High School, Bald Eagle Area High School in Wingate and Penns Valley Area High School in Spring Mills all have reason to tell the staff exactly which dance they are buying for.
Tuxedos for the other half of the photo
Formalities rents prom tuxedos too, and the pitch is simple: look sharp, fit perfectly, own prom night. According to the tux page, the rental process is easy, convenient and fast.
From the tux page
Prom tuxedo rental
Appointment
None needed for a tux
Color
Bring a swatch of your date's dress, or let the team guide you to a look that coordinates
Timing
Availability gets tighter as prom approaches; order early to avoid last-minute stress or potential late fees
If the gown is chosen in February, the tux should not wait until May.
Bridal gowns have their own collection and their own after-hours appointments here, but from January through spring the energy in the store belongs to prom. The shop moved into what it calls a new and larger location on Pleasant View Boulevard, and the extra space is welcome on busy weekends, when a lot of families from across Centre County, Pennsylvania are shopping at once.
What ties the experience together is a stated philosophy that has nothing to do with sequins.
It’s not only our slogan, it is our mission. Our one and only goal is to assist you in finding your dream gown, without high-pressure sales tactics.
Formalities prints that mission on its showroom page.
Formalities prom details, from price to tuxes
What does a prom gown cost at Formalities?
Prom gowns run from $400 to $1,700, and the Prom and Hoco Outlet section of the site lists sale gowns below that.
Will someone else at my prom have the same dress?
The shop promises not to sell the same gown to the same dance twice, so tell your stylist which school and dance you are shopping for.
Can I rent a prom tuxedo here?
Yes. Formalities rents prom tuxedos, no appointment needed. Bring a swatch of your date's dress to coordinate colors.