From February until late July, schools across Australia will celebrate their formals with Year 10, 11 and 12 getting glammed up like never before (and possibly more than they ever will again).
Students the length and breadth of the nation, from Melbourne to Sydney by way of Brisbane, dance the night away in impossibly elegant ensembles.
But while formal season is undoubtedly a time of great excitement, finding the perfect formal dress can be like searching for a needle in a hay stack.
New Idea did the hard work by creating a list of the best boutiques to shop for formal gowns in Australia.
10. David Jones
Old reliable luxury department store David Jones offers a good range of high quality evening dresses of all shapes and sizes.
Just be warned: this is not the place to go looking for cheap formal dresses, unless you get exceptionally lucky during peak sale season.
Shop online or in store for brands like Phase Eight, Shona Joy and Self Portrait.
David Jones stock long formal dresses and short, funky cocktail gowns.
Prices range anywhere from $160 AUD up to $1,000 AUD.
9. Zimmermann
Not for the faint of heart (read: not for the tight on budget), Australian brand Zimmermann offer a stunning range of prom style dresses in ethereal, flowing fabric and statement prints.
Be sure to stand out from the formal crowd in a Zimmermann number – but the privilege won’t come cheap.
Prices range from $1,100 AUD to as much as $2,250 AUD for long formal dresses.
If you’re willing to try something a little quirkier, the label stock on trend short ensembles for as little as $360 AUD (if you’re lucky enough to catch an online sale).
8. Sabo Skirt
Those looking for cheap formal wear rejoice!
And look no further than online retailer Sabo Skirt.
This fast fashion brand stocks a range of dresses, short and long, at a very reasonable price point which are all potential candidates for a fun and flirty formal dress.
Pieces start at around $70 AUD and go up to roughly $100 AUD , but no more.
7. Bec and Bridge
Perhaps the unofficial supplier of formal dresses for Australia, Aussie label Bec + Bridge has built a massive cult following in recent years thanks to major influencers like Kendall Jenner stepping out in evening cocktail dresses designed by the brand.
Bec + Bridge have a dedicated “Midi Dress” tab on their website, and we challenge you NOT to find the perfect prom dress in this selection.
Dresses start at around $200 AUD and reach up to $680 AUD for extra special formal wear like the Under the Moon dress (pictured below – swoon!).
The brand primarily stock block coloured gowns in bold shades of red, pink, yellow and monochrome.
6. Shona Joy
Shona Joy stock a plethora of perfectly elegant dresses, on-trend jumpsuits and quirky two piece co-ords making it one of the best formal dress stores in Australia for Year 6, 10 or 12’s in search of the ideal prom look.
Dress prices range from around $220 AUD to $380 AUD, but the quality of fabric and variation of structure and colours make the cost well worth it.
You’ll find everything from full length, 70s inspired denim jumpsuits to timeless silk slip dresses in jade green and deep ruby red.
5. Asos
Good, old faithful Asos – where would we be without you?!
The online store is a veritable Aladdin’s cave of formal wear options, and great news for all shapes because they have an excellent plus size range too.
Asos stock cheap and cheerful gowns as well as high end ensembles, meaning there truly is something for everyone.
Why not go completely off the wall and wear a matching trouser suit to your formal, like the one below?
Pair the look with black barely there stilettos or a sleek pair of perspex heels for the ultimate fashion forward look.
4. Fame and Partners
Okay, we are literally swooning over the romantic hem lines and ethereal fabrics from Fame and Partners – and we think you will be too!
It may not be the most traditional formal dress shop, but this Australian-based online boutique is fast becoming a cult favourite for prom shopping.
The brand offers a varied range of dress shapes, including halterneck, asymmetrical, puffed sleeves and high neck, low back options in myriad colour shades.
They also stock uber-cool jumpsuits and two piece looks.
Formal dress prices seem to centre around the $320 AUD mark.
3. The Iconic
Australia’s favourite instant online store The Iconic never fails for last minute formal wear (or any wear, for that matter).
With same day delivery, it should be the first port of call for anyone tight on time in need of a stunning prom gown.
The site offers a mix of Aussie and international labels which sit across a widely varied price range, meaning there is something for everyone and every budget.
They even have a dedicated Formal and Evening dress tab!
Cheap and cheerful options start around $89 AUD and run up to as much as $525 AUD.
The Iconic also stock plus size formal dresses.
2. White Runway
Nestled in Sydney’s up and coming neighbourhood of Alexandria, White Runway offers formal dresses at affordable prices.
The prom dress boutique also has outlets in Melbourne and even New York City, as well as an online site.
White Runway stocks big name designers including Australian household names Keepsake and C/MEO Collective.
Price points are generally mid range, with sale items starting around $200 AUD and full price gowns reaching as much as $380 AUD.
1. Alice McCall
Australian favourite Alice McCall has to be our number one pick for the best formal dress shop in the country.
The perfect party dress is waiting behind the doors of Alice McCall’s Sydney CBD, Bondi, Paddington, Macquarie, Warringah Mall and Miranda boutiques.
The brand specialises in fun, flirty mini dresses and structured midi’s featuring intricate detailing and stunning embroidery.
McCall’s kooky patterns are sure to thrill and excite Year 6, Year 10 and Year 12 formal goers alike.
Prices range from $295 AUD for short mini dresses up to $500 AUD for longer gowns.
