Prom delight!

Dear Graham

I wanted to write to you to tell you of my fabulous shopping experience in search of a Prom dress.

I had been looking for some time for a Prom dress, on shopping trips locally, Bluewater, Brighton and Bournemouth. Here in Eastbourne at ********** they said that there is not much stock left, it is towards the end of the season, most had chosen last November. In Brighton I looked through and tried dress after dress, nothing was right, it was just exhausting and disheartening. As a last resort, my mother said she thought she had passed a Prom dress shop in Tunbridge Wells. Before we left we checked on the internet for other Prom dress shops, and rang one, The Italian Wardrobe. On answering the phone the lady was very helpful and although did not have exactly what I was looking for, did say they have over 1,000 dresses in the shop and felt sure there was something there for me. I thought it was definitely worth a look.

We drove to the shop mum had passed previously first, and on entering was asked when Prom was and was told not enough time, they need at least 12 weeks notice. They had a few we could look at, old stock, some not so popular ones, none of which I liked, and a designer dress upstairs (£800) so we promptly left.

I did not think we would have any luck, until we stepped into The Italian Wardrobe, owned and run by mother and daughter for the last 17 years. We were greeted with a smile and "oh my what a slip of a girl, so slim" (which made me smile). They could tell just by looking at me my size and I was excitedly showed what they had. The owner's mother took my mother over to a chair sat her down and made her a cup of coffee, while I could look and choose what I wanted, but also the shop owner suggested some dresses she would like me to try. She thought I should show off my figure and get somthing that would hug me more. She chose a dress and colour I would never have chosen, but she said she knew her stock and knew what would look amazing on me. She helped me in and out of each dress, and once each one was on, I was to walk over and show my mother (who would be paying the bill), and when I tried on the dress that the owner chose it was absolutely stunning and I loved it and so did everyone else who walked in the shop off the street who saw it. I felt amazing in it and I was so grateful for the shop owner's help.

They helped me choose accessories for the dress which we brought and then said if I chose some shoes and came back, they would pin it up ready for alterations, which I did and said the dress would be ready in a couple of weeks or so, when they would ring. All this without an appointment, I could just walk off the street and get all this help and attention. Other girls came in also, tried dresses on and asked to hold it for them without even a deposit, and they did. They were really busy but still found time for everyone.

The Italian Wardrobe is a wonderful family business and I cannot recommend them enough for the fantastic service that they provide.

Ed: This is a genuine, unsolicited letter sent in to me by a real young lady. It's a fabulous example of a warm, friendly business that went out of their way to exceed expectations. They looked after the client brilliantly, increased the value of the sale in a helpful way that delighted the customer and signposted their after-sales service! This customer is already doing The Italian Wardrobe's marketing and PR for them! Wonderful!