Getting ready for tomorrow night
by Abigail Kippins
THE Christmas shopping craze was last weekend. Though not on the same scale, there's a rush on this weekend for the right wear to greet the New Year in style tomorrow night.
"There is no better way to go into the new year than through a night of sporting," a young woman said yesterday, eyes alight.
She plans to go to a ball rather than staying at home or going to church as is the tradition.
However, she was still seeking the right gown for the "big night", unable to make a decision though she has been visiting several boutiques around the city.
"The gowns are so many and all of them are nice. This makes it even more difficult to choose", she said.
Many others have joined the shopping frenzy for evening gowns, making the final effort to get the perfect outfit, some of which cost as much as $30,000.
The men too, have been flocking the stores trying to get the outfit to complement their date's dress. Prices for their outfits may be as much as $40,000.
However, while boutiques stocked with men's clothing are limited, some have ensured that the men's clothing needs are met.
Clairan's on Church Street, Georgetown is one such store which is fully geared to meet the needs of male customers. The store's entire second floor has been equipped with men's clothes.
"We have something for everybody...women of different sizes and who desire different styles, and even for the men...we cater for everyone!", declared owner of the store, Ms Claire Peres.
She said most of her gowns are two-pieces.
These, she said have been selling rapidly since they were offered to the public mid-month.
Her store offers the men "shirts for suits or shirts that do not require a tie...and everything to complement your outfit; socks, briefs, ties, shoes."
Like many other boutiques around the city, Clairan's has "good offers" for customers at this time of the year, including discounts on evening gowns which will be offered today and tomorrow.
At Alicia's Boutique on Regent Street, with the purchase of one evening gown, the customer will be entitled to "a free dress length".
Gowns at this boutique range from $4,000 to $10,000.
"The price reasonable. I can afford to buy a gown from this store...", one customer said.
She was also pleased at the various styles and colours offered.
"I have evening gowns in my wardrobe, but Old Year's Night always calls for something new...", another customer said.
She, however, noted that now that Christmas has passed, she has spent almost all her money but "must look good for the evening."
"My husband is taking me somewhere for dinner. I don't know where but he said I must get a nice dress for the night", the woman said, laughing.
Approaching Boyo's store on Regent Street she added, "this store has nice gowns. I might buy one from here..."
Boyo's offers gowns from as low as $8,500 to $30,000.
This boutique too, only provides for the ladies and is fully stocked with a wide range of gowns specially designed to meet the demands of the customers at this time of the year.
Like other boutiques, depending on how much is spent to purchase a gown at this store, the customer is entitled to a discount.
Similarly, at Lifestyles, on Barrack Street, Kingston, customers can look forward to "Old Year's Day discounts" on the evening gowns.
Currently, prices for these range from $7,500 to $24,000.
While some customers complained of high prices, others have been disregarding the prices of some of the gowns and many were seen leaving the boutiques with bags yesterday.
"I ain't really mind the price", one customer said. "I just want to know I look good Old Year's Night...after all I cannot wear the money, got to spend it".
Like some other customers, she believes that with the right gown, she will not only feel confident but be better able to "strut" her "stuff" at an Old Year's Night Ball around the city.
Prices for Old year's Night balls in and around Georgetown range from $3,000 a person to $25,000 each.
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