Teen Travels 6 Hours To Boutique & Receives $700 Dream Prom Dress For Free

Aug 10, 2023 by apost team

Prom is perhaps one of the most highly anticipated events for most teenagers. Whether it be to get noticed by a crush or to simply have fun with friends, there’s no doubt that a lot of people look forward to prom. After all, it’s also one of the few moments in a person’s life that they can no longer go back to. That’s probably why a lot of people make sure to look their best during prom and just seize the moment. Not everyone loves attending events like prom – such as teens who dread socializing with other people. Not to mention the amount of money or time a person will spend looking for the perfect outfit.

For plus-size individuals, it can be more dreadful because looking for that perfect outfit isn’t always easy. Of course, it’s an entirely different story for prom nights, where people hunt for the perfect suit or dress to match the occasion.

In March 2023, an 18-year-old high school student named Elyse Monroe drove six hours from her home in Manteo, North Carolina, to a clothing boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina, that offered up to size 6x. The boutique, which is called Juicy Body Goddess, can be found in the Northlake Mall. Monroe discovered the boutique on TikTok. Thankfully, the long ride was worth it.

The owner of the shop, Summer Lucille, could be heard cheering Monroe on while she tried on a shining, shimmering purple dress. “I love that on you! It is so beautiful,” Lucille said.

In the video, several people commented, saying they agreed that the purple dress looked beautiful on her.

“That purple is GORGEOUS on her. Her smile just made the whole look,” one person said.

“The way she moved in the purple. Y’all made me cry,” another person said.

When Monroe and her family finally went to the cashier, they were told that the dress was worth $700, but Lucille quickly said that she was giving it to Monroe for free.

“So this dress is $700 … but it’s free,” Lucille said. "We’re giving it to you,” Lucille said, prompting Monroe to turn emotional.

In an interview on TODAY, Lucille admitted that she dreaded shopping growing up. She even ended up wearing a prom dress that made her look like she was a church lady because there were not enough dresses available for women her size.

“If you weren’t skinny, there weren’t many options, and it was devastating for me because I’ve always loved fashion,” Lucille said. “I went to my prom looking like a church lady in a suit dress with a jacket because it was the only thing that fit.

That’s the reason why Lucille decided to put up her shop, which has been operating for a decade now.

"I know what it's like to be a fat girl in a fatphobic world," Lucille said. On why she decided to give the dress to Monroe, Lucille stated, “It’s just a feeling.”

Meanwhile, Monroe admitted that the dress made her feel good about herself more than anything else.

“Not only does it fit — but it makes me feel good about myself,” she told TODAY. “Shopping is usually pretty stressful for me, which is why I mostly shop online — but we were laughing the whole time. It was actually fun,” she added.

Monroe added that the dress couldn’t be more perfect for the event, which she described as a time when women want to feel beautiful.

“Prom is a night where you want to feel beautiful,” she remarked. “And I feel beautiful in that dress.”

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What do you think about Summer Lucille’s decision to give Elyse Monroe the dress? What can you say about Lucille putting up a shop for plus-size women? Let us know what you think, and pass this on to people who would love to read this story!