Prom Retailers Ready for Final Crush

For retailers who specialize in formalwear, and other items or services required by prom couples, the last few weeks have been the prom version of tax season for accountants.

Prom season started in mid-March, with the Milford High junior prom, and will continue through the weekend.  night, in Worcester. Because Milford is a business center in the area, many other high school students have traveled here for their needs.

Dress codes are enforced at all proms in the region, requiring tuxedos for the young men, which has given local tuxedo retailers a jump on the summer wedding business. 

In prom-wear, for young men, black is the new black.

The young men of Milford are favoring masculine colors this year in prom wear, said James Chirchigno, store manager of .

"The trend this year has been black jackets and neckties over bow ties, and going with more masculine colors as opposed to colors that match date's dresses," Chirchigno said.

The Main Street business carries designer labels, such as Calvin Klein, Joseph Abboud, and Perry Ellis. 

At Bonardi's, customers get a custom house fitting. "Bonardi’s owns all their tuxes, and you are fitted to the exact tux you wear," Chirchigno said. “Bring the body through the door and we’ll fit them."

And what, exactly, do young women want? They want to look red-carpet ready.

Salons across Milford are filled with bookings Friday for hair styling appointments. Most girls are coming in the afternoon, to preserve the look, but a little hairspray works magic for those with earlier appointments.

For some, the hairstyle trend this year is inspired by Katherine Middleton, half of the royal couple. Many girls are requesting a "half up-half down" style for prom.

At , on Cedar Street, eight young women are getting their hair done Friday, just before the Milford prom. The salon started seeing an increase in prom-related business at the end of March.

At  on Central Street, owner Donna Calarese has scheduled two "up-dos" Friday afternoon for Milford girls heading to prom. "It's my favorite thing to do," she said.