Q1: Grad season is right around the corner so all those girls are scouring the stores for the perfect dress, can you help them?

I was talking to Rochelle Wang at Profile in Le Cathedrale and she was mentioning that following Hollywood trends, feather dresses are hot right now. And it’s definitely short dresses these days – in pastel colours, nude/beige/champagne or in the brights there’s an orangy red color and dresses with a mixture of  red and purple. No more black!

She sells sample designer dresses (DKNY, Rebecca Taylor, Diane von Furstenburg, Karen Millen, Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade New York, Catherine Malandrino, Temperley London, Laundry) from connections with manufacturers in Hong Kong. At most 4 frocks ($129-$289) of each style are purchased (sizes 00-12) and you are paying about 30% of what it would be elsewhere. Custom orders and personal shopping are available.

Location: 625 Ste-Catherine o., La Cathedrale
Phone: 514-842-7974
Hours: Regular plus Sun 11-5

Q2:  What about girls who need a bigger size range?

Sheinarts who always have great prices and service, specialize in dresses, from day to evening for grads and bridesmaids and their size range would go from 0 to 30. They have both fun and fancy short dresses to sophisticated long ones in lots of color choices.

For 91 years the Sheinart family has handed down, from generation to generation, one simple concept: buy brand name fashions (Joseph Ribkoff, Animale, Utex, Conrad C, Frank Lyman, Lana Lee) and sell them for the right price along with sincere customer service. In the winter they have a large collection of coats and jackets, and there is a bargain basement.

Location: 3001 St-Antoine ouest
Phone: 514-932-6504
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5

Q3: Are their any other interesting options?

If you really want to be unique and “green” head for a shop that sells vintage dresses. You will be  buying a really well made garment that you can wear many times after this night.

Boutique Leora is owned by a former costume designer who knows quality garments, so she concentrates on high end vintage dresses and gowns, necklaces, hats and dinner purses, mostly from the 50’s 60’s and 70’s. You might see some clothing from as far back as the 30’s and even dressy shoes sizes 5-10.

Location: 859 Rachel est
Phone: 514-678-6777
Hours: Thurs & Fri 12-6, Sat & Sun 12-5
www.boutiqueleora.com

Women who love real vintage dresses and gowns from the 20’s to the 80’s know to head to E.R.A. Boutique. You will adore the gently used and refurbished creations in sizes 0-14. Finish off your look with lots of accessories: handbags, belts, hats and shoes.

Location: 1800 Notre-Dame ouest
Phone: 514-543-8750
Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 11-5, Thurs 11-9
www.eravintagewear.com

At Boutique Maskarad you’ll have to poke around to find the 20% of this shop that is the vintage clothing but the other 80% that is new has a vintage look. The accessories are 50/50 old and new: scarves, evening purses, wraps, costume jewelry, handbags.

Location: 103 Mont Royal ouest
Phone: 514 844-7676
Hours: Mon-Wed 11-6, Thurs & Fri 11-9, Sat & Sun 11-5

Q4: What about grad outfits for elementary school kids?

Girls (and boys!) can find dressy things at Les Textiles Goldtex,  You have to go out of your way to find this superb outlet hidden amongst the factories, but it’s worth it. Elementary school girls in sizes 7-20 will find fancy party dresses here. Boys can pick up tuxedos if they so desire!

The multitude of brands found are: Gusti, Krickets, Cora, Deux par Deux and Perry Ellis in sizes from newborn to 18. You can pick up hooded bath towels for only $3 and sleepers 4/$12. The upper mezzanine has outfits for communion and baptism and a school color (navy) code section. There’s Perlimpinpin and Bananafish bedding and lots of bottles, hats and shoes at the front. Baby accessories are by Safety First, Graco, Avent, Dr. Brown and Medela and cribs and strollers by Graco, Safety First, Baby Cam and Perego. Have a look at their dance wear, which includes ballet and tap and jazz shoes, all by Mondor and Leo’s Dancewear.

Location: 8875  Salley, Lasalle at boul. Dollard
Phone: 514-365-9699.
Hours:  Mon-Wed 10-5, Thurs & Fri 10-6, Sat 9-5