Sparkly dresses, hairspray and makeup, tuxedos, and corsages; Ring Dances and Proms are quickly approaching. With these upcoming events come new styles, as well as new places to go dress shopping.

While most high schoolers do fulfill their shopping needs in person, shopping online at onlineformals.com has become one of the latest shopping trends.

Online Formals co-owners Stephen Winston and Michelle Jefferson follow the major fashion designers, the newest cuts, and the newest fits in order to keep their store up to date.

And, due to Winston’s background in e-commerce, he was able to turn their 10-year-old website into an appointment only shopping showroom. It seems to have worked.

It’s certainly worth taking the time out of a busy schedule because walking into the store itself, there are racks of sparkling dresses.  The staff focuses on the individual, instead of spreading themselves thin with too many customers at once. One must first make an appointment online before visiting the showroom.

“Our goal is to give the customer a unique and personal shopping experience,” Winston said

In order to get their name out, Online Formals approaches high school Fashion teachers, appoints ambassadors, and uses social media to advertise. Thus, many high schoolers find out about Online Formals through places like Instagram and Twitter.

“I had no idea what Online Formals was until I saw a picture of my friend’s dress on Instagram and I decided to check it out myself,” junior Darby Cole said.

The company also allows high school field trips to their showroom. So, the store not only shows potential customers the upcoming trends of the season, but gives them an education as well.

Although there is competition with other “formals” shops such as All the Rage and aneveningout.com, Online Formal’s appointment only domain gives a more private and intimate encounter.

“We want your shopping experience to be as special as your event,” Winston said.