Picking out a dress

Call before you make a trip. Because of the nature of our business, Ronica's Closet does not keep regular hours of operation. Feel free to drop buy, but to ensure you'll be able to shop, call for an appointment first.

Give yourself some time. Don't wait till the last minute to shop for a dress, as formal gowns often need alterations, and minor, temporary alterations are done on-site.

Formal gowns are not sized like ready-to-wear and tend to run small. If you normally wear a size 6, you may be able to wear a 4, 6, 8 or even 10 in a prom gown, so don't get too upset if you have to size up.

If possible, bring the shoes you intend to wear to determine the proper length for your dress.

Holding a dress

Dresses will be held with a deposit equal to 20% of the rental price. Full price plus refundable deposit must be paid at or before pick-up.

Prices and deposits

Prices range from $69.95 to $99.95 for formal gowns and $29.95 to $49.95 for short dresses.

A $10 cleaning fee is added to the cost. Under no circumstances will the client be permitted to have a gown cleaned herself.

A refundable deposit equal to 50% of the retail price of the gown is also charged at or before pick-up to cover damage or failure to return.

Payment may be made by cash, credit card, or debit card. No checks, please. Deposits will not be charged to credit or debit cards unless a garment is damaged or not returned.

Alterations and Repairs

Temporary alterations will be done when possible for a nominal fee.These include shortening or lengthening straps and hems. All alterations are done on-site. Under no circumstances is the client to have alterations done by themselves or an outside seamstress. See the Alterations section for prices and details.

Many of our dresses can be shortened without any visible evidence that an alteration has occurred. Others can be shortened without damaging the dress, but the new hem may be visible at the bottom of the dress. In these cases it is up to the client if she wants this done. A few of the dresses cannot be shortened without damaging the dress.

Upon return, the garment will be carefully inspected in the presence of the client and damage noted. Cost to repair damage above and beyond normal wear and tear will be withheld from the deposit and the remainder returned to the client.

Garments that are returned in an exceptionally dirty condition will lead to additional cleaning charges being withheld from the deposit.

Garments that are damaged beyond repair will result in the full retail price being charged to the client.

Pick-up and Return

Garments will be available for pick-up the day before an event, and are to be returned the first business day after the event, unless other arrangements are made with Ronica's Closet. Gowns that are being taken on cruises or to out-of-town events are not expected to be returned until the client returns to town, and this should be arranged at the time of rental.

Client's Responsibility

It is the client's responsibility to carefully examine a dress for damage, loose beads, spots, etc., upon pick-up.

Special care should be taken when wearing a dress. Many of these garments are made from delicate fabric and are easily damaged. Bracelets, watches, and wrist corsages should be worn with extreme care, if at all, to avoid snagging the fabric of a dress.

You must wear shoes! Make sure you have comfortable shoes that you can wear the entire time you have the dress on. A lot of damage occurs when dresses are permitted to drag on the ground and are stepped on by the wearer or other people. If heels are uncomfortable to wear, consider finding a dress that is short enough, or can be altered, to permit the wearing of flats.

Be very careful when eating. Stains from grease, wine, chocolate, and grass can ruin a dress, and the client will be charged the full retail price for a dress that cannot be cleaned. Try to avoid stains from make-up and self-tanning products.

Our responsibility

It is the responsiblity of Ronica's Closet to ensure that garments are cleaned prior to rental. All dresses will be carefully inspected prior to rental and repaired where necessary (loose beads, etc.). Dresses will be steamed and wrapped in plastic no more than one day prior to pick-up to ensure a fresh garment for the client.

Ronica's Closet will be responsible for repairing damage which results from normal wear and tear.