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Massive Prom Closet returns to Plano with thousands of free dresses and a new rule

After holiday season comes prom season, and now's the time to shop for the perfect dress. Prom Closet, one of the largest prom dress drives in Dallas-Fort Worth, is back to help thousands of high school girls' prom dress dreams come true.

A service of the St. Andrew United Methodist Church United Methodist Women group, Prom Closet allows teens the chance to "shop for" dresses, shoes, and accessories at no cost.

The 2022 edition will take place at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano over a two-week period: February 15-17, 19, and 21-26, in the church's Smith Worship Center. More than 3,000 dresses have been amassed, and donations are still being taken.

But teens can't just show up and shop; for the first time in the event's 13-year history, advance registration is required.

“We are overjoyed to announce we will host Prom Closet this year and are excited to try advance registration, eliminating long lines and providing plenty of space for each shopper to select her perfect dress and accessories,” says organizer Devra Helffrich in a release. “Obviously, we could not do this without the support and donations from the community and our wonderful volunteers. We collect dresses, shoes, jewelry, wraps, handbags, and other accessories year ‘round, and we can’t thank the community enough for helping so many girls’ prom dreams come true."

To register for a 1.5-hour time slot, visit www.standrewumc.org/promcloset. Each shopper must be present to select her own dress and accessories and may have one guest, age 16 or older, with them, organizers say. A volunteer will help each shopper personally throughout the process.

There will be 20 shopping slots per each 1.5-hour time frame, they say.

The Prom Closet also is still accepting donations of dresses (sizes 0-30), shoes, jewelry, handbags, and wraps.

All donations may be dropped off at St. Andrew's Room 121, through February 25, on the following days and times:

Mondays-Thursdays, 8:30 am-8 pm
Fridays, 8:30 am-1 pm
Saturdays, 8:30 am-12 pm
Sundays, 9:30 am-12 pm

Use the North entry door located off north parking lot, 1401 Mira Vista.

A link on Amazon is available here for anyone who would like to help by purchasing items, which will be shipped directly to the church.

"The Prom Closet was created to provide a unique shopping experience for young ladies who, because of finances, would be unable to attend prom," says the release. "Prom Closet organizers and volunteers confirm that not only is the need great, but the impact the dress makes on the girl and her family is immeasurable."

Visit the event's website, email promcloset@standrewumc.org, or call 469-385-1810 for more information.

Registration is required to shop the Prom Closet.

Photo courtesy of St. Andrew

Registration is required to shop the Prom Closet.

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RETAIL WATCH

Texas AG Ken Paxton opens investigation into fast-fashion giant Shein

Photo courtesy of SHEIN

Shein is now under investigation from the Texas Attorney General.

Critics of fast fashion have found a strange bedfellow in Ken Paxton. The Texas Attorney General announced December 1 he would investigate online retailer Shein for alleged unethical labor practices and unsafe consumer products.

According to a release from Paxton’s office, the inquiry aims to find out if Shein’s “supply chain and manufacturing practices violate Texas law by using toxic or hazardous materials, misleading consumers about product safety, and misleading consumers about ethical sourcing.” The probe will also look into the corporation’s data collection and privacy practices.

In a statement, Paxton put a partisan spin on the investigation.

“Safe, non-toxic material and products are another key ingredient to [Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s] Make America Healthy Again movement,” said Paxton in the release. “Any company that cuts corners on labor standards or product safety, especially those operating in foreign nations like China, will be held accountable.”

Paxton’s move unexpectedly aligns the AG with environmental watchdogs. Nonprofit Yale Climate Connections has long sounded the alarm about the Singapore-based e-tailer, calling it one of the world’s biggest polluters. Paxton has long railed against climate change regulations and sued the Biden administration several times to block emissions rules.

The investigation is part of a larger Republican crackdown on Chinese consumer products. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are debating new restrictions on Shenzhen-based aerial drone maker DJI, and Senator Tom Cotton has called for investigations of “Communist Chinese” companies Shein and Temu. The September Texas vape ban specifically banned disposable e-cigarettes manufactured in the country.

In a statement emailed to multiple media outlets, Shein said it would comply with Paxton’s investigation.

“Shein takes these concerns seriously and is fully committed to cooperating,” a spokesperson said. “Our mission — to provide affordable, fashionable products to customers around the world — is underpinned by a dedication to safety, compliance, and respect for human rights.”

The controversy will likely have little effect on Shein’s popularity with Zoomers. The company snagged an estimated $38 billion in sales in 2024 and has an average of 24.7 million active app users each month.

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