With the number of University events coming up on the calendar as well as the various date functions and formals for sororities and fraternities, students often need a place to look for formal dresses and suits. While some students just use old dresses or suits from high school, others take the initiative to go out and search for the perfect formal attire.
Second-year Education student Charissa Perry said she usually uses formal dresses from her high school events but sometimes will go out shopping in Charlottesville as well.
"I usually just go to the mall," Perry said.
Guys tend to have a similar mentality of not obsessing about where their outfits come from. Second-year College student John Byrnes said he still uses his tuxedo from his high school prom.
"My parents bought me a tux for senior prom, and I still have it," Byrnes said.
There are places students go in Charlottesville for those who do not want to simply bring old suits and dresses from home. Besides taking a trip to the mall, students can find what they are looking for at the Barracks Road Shopping Center.
Second-year College student Samantha Norton suggested Levy's of Charlottesville, located across from Barracks, which offers women's formal wear.
"I bought a dress there last year and I recommend it," Norton said. "The store is really nice, although the selection was not huge."
Otherwise, Norton agreed that malls are a good place to search for formal dresses.
"I've also bought a lot of dresses at home when I go to Potomac Mills or something," Norton said.
In addition to stores in the Barracks area, students also can shop near the Corner.
Second-year College student Ilan Pick said while he does not go out shopping himself, his friends have sent him in the general direction of a store that provides formal wear.
"Apparently there's a place near the Corner, like on Wertland, across from the parking garage," Pick said. "I'm not sure how nice it is, but my friend did find something there."
While some students found that the hunt for the perfect dress or tuxedo required some intense investigation, others realized that looking in their closets provided just what they needed.
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