Homecoming 2012 Dress Shopping Guide

Image via House of Wu

Looking for a Homecoming dress? Choose your style below and plan your Santee Alley shopping trip!

Party Dresses: 
Where to go: Mertella & Co. and AP Design
What you'll find: At Mertella & Co. you'll find vintage inspired designs in chiffon, silk, and lace fabrics as well as sequined party dresses. AP Design is the place for body-con party dresses. It's also a great place for sequined dresses and animal prints. Price range: $

Plus-Size Party Dresses
Where to go: AP Design and Sweeties Plus
What you'll find: The best selection in plus-size party dresses. Sequins, prints, short, long, high-low, you name it, they have it. Price range: $

Cocktail & Special Occasion Dresses:
Where to go: Black Cat
What you'll find: A wide selection of cocktail dresses in all price ranges, including designs popular brands Paparazzi by Mori Lee, Jovani, Faviana, and Mac Duggal. Price range: $$

Designer Dresses:
Where to go: Noell
What you'll find: The latest styles from some of the most coveted special occasion and pageant gown designers. These dresses are steeply discounted (often sold at wholesale price) but still carry a heavier price tag. Price range: $$$

Store Spotlight: Black Cat Dulcci Vetan

Santee is constantly changing. New stores emerge, sometimes they close, but one store has remained in business for the past 22 years. Black Cat Dulcci Vetan is a veteran on Santee, formerly at the Santee Fashion Alley, it moved to its location at 1336 Santee Street four years ago.

Black Cat specializes in prom and evening dress and carries some of the most sought after brands including, Jovanni, Paparazzi by Mori Lee, Mac Duggal, Faviana, and their signature Dulcci Vetan.

“We have already begun selling for prom,” said Valla Fahimian, owner of Black Cat. “Beaded dresses, both long and short, are very popular this year.”

Also popular according to the Black Cat staff, is the “trumpet” silhouette (pictured above in pink), which is the second most requested after style after the “fully-beaded”. Another big request from shoppers is detail, whether embroidery, beading, lace or appliqué.

Black Cat aims to make the shopping experience as easy and enjoyable as possible for the shopper. Friendly staff is on hand to help with fitting rooms and finding sizes. They also offer special ordering for sizes or styles they don’t have in stock, as well as on-site tailoring.

Black Cat is open 7 days a week.
Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m

1336 South Santee St.
213-748-0878
blackcatfashion@att.net