Prom Shopping in Chicago? Peaches Boutique Is Basically a Right of Passage

I’ve lived on the South Side my whole life, and there are some things everyone just knows: you don’t mess with deep dish, the lake always looks better in spring, and if you’re going prom dress shopping — like serious prom dress shopping — you go to Peaches Boutique.

It’s not even a question. You don’t ask, “Where should I look first?” You just gather your girls, block off an afternoon, and head to Peaches. I still remember the moment we pulled up. It’s on South Archer Avenue and looks like a full-on fashion warehouse — huge windows, dresses in every color imaginable hanging in view. I swear I could hear “Formation” playing in my head as we walked in.

Inside, it’s organized chaos — in the best possible way. There are literally thousands of gowns lining the racks, grouped by color and vibe. You’ve got the dramatic reds, the icy silvers, the soft pastels, the bold jewel tones. We went in thinking we’d “just browse” and walked out two hours later having tried on more dresses than I could count — and laughed through most of them. It felt more like an event than an errand.

I brought two of my best friends (one from Curie, the other from Whitney Young), and we all had different styles. One of us wanted full glam with glitter and feathers, one was all about sleek and classy, and I was somewhere in the middle — trying to channel old-Hollywood red carpet. And somehow? We all found something. That’s kind of Peaches’ thing. No matter what you’re looking for, they somehow have your dress.

What surprised me was how much help we got, even with the place being packed. The stylists are everywhere — super friendly, low-pressure, and really good at suggesting stuff that fits your body and your energy. One of them brought me a deep navy velvet gown that I’d totally skipped on the rack. I rolled my eyes at it. Then I tried it on. And, okay. She was right. That dress was a whole mood. The neckline? Flattering. The fit? Snatched. I didn’t even need shapewear (a miracle).

They also do something really smart — they ask what school you go to, and they log your dress so nobody else from your prom shows up in the same thing. And thank goodness for that, because I am not built for a matching dress showdown.

I ended up buying that velvet gown and a rhinestone clutch to go with it, and my friends found their dresses, too. By the end, we had a little photo shoot in the mirror corner by the entrance. We weren’t the only ones — people were full-on posing in their picks like it was prom night already.

Here’s the thing: Peaches isn’t cheap, but it’s not outrageous either. There are options in every price range, and it actually feels worth it because you’re not just buying a dress. You’re buying that “I found it” feeling. That moment when you look in the mirror and you stop nitpicking and just smile. You don’t get that everywhere.

So if you’re in Chicago and you want your prom dress shopping day to feel like an experience — one with real choices, real stylists, and real fun — just go to Peaches. Go early. Go with friends. And go ready to fall in love with something unexpected.