Prom business ‘little better’ after COVID days

Sister’s Bridal and Tux owners Kelly Murphy and Sandra Portner-Quiring said there is no busier time of year than prom season. While they handle wedding requests year-round, especially at this time, prom only comes once a year. The combination of both results in their biggest spike of the season.

Portner-Quiring said they are still feeling the impacts of COVID-19, but they were still able to have a relatively good turnout.

“I don’t think we’ve quite gotten back to pre-COVID days,” she said. “It was better than last year, each year I think it’s a little better.”

Murphy said the trending, hip dress styles of the day are bright colors, sparkles, and sequins. Portner-Quiring said promgoers have gone away from the more simple dresses and flocked to more detailed designs. Of these designs, 3D flowers that stick out from the fabric have been the most popular.

Isaac Jelekov (left) and Ethan Stark (right) stand in their completed outfits for prom at Sisters Bridal and Tux. Prom season is the peak season for Sisters, as it gives them a boost in addition to the regular wedding season.

Purple, pink, blue, and red have been the most popular colors for prom dresses. While purple and blue are pretty typical due to being school colors, Portner-Quiring said the Barbie movie has caused a huge resurgence in pink being a popular dress color.

As for fashions not in favor, Portner-Quiring said wild prints and large cutouts are some major ones she’s seen go away.

“For some of the schools right now, [cutouts] are probably not as appropriate,” she said. “We’ve got a Catholic school in town, we’ve got MVL. I feel some of those are probably not as appropriate for those schools.”

For the last few years, Portner-Quiring said gray, navy, and other blues had taken over as the predominant colors over black. For 2024, black is back.

“Black is definitely making a comeback with the classic looks,” she said. “We still have a lot of them going with the white and paisley jackets for sure.”

These colorful dresses sit in the window of Sisters Tux and Bridal, reflecting the current popularity of bright and eye-catching colored dresses. Co-owner Sandra Portner-Quiring said blue, purple, red, and pink were the most popular choices.

Colors that have fallen out of favor include chocolate and real light sandy colors. Where the surprises have come from for popular choices are in the ties.

“Floral ties are fun,” Portner-Quiring said. “Guys and flowery ties, you think ‘Oh wow, are they really gonna like this?’ They really like it.”

Neckties are no longer the automatic tie of choice either. Murphy said this year she has seen a 50-50 split between neckties and bowties.

Murphy said she enjoys the prom season, as it brings something unique into the store.

“It’s usually so much fun to help young people,” she said. “They bring a different energy to the business. It’s a lot of fun helping them. They’re happy and they’re excited because this is a happy, exciting time for them.”