Frequently Asked Questions

 

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General Questions

Important Order & Shipping Information

- All orders require 24-48 hours for processing.  TJ Formal does not process orders during weekends or after normal business hours.  Therefore, TJ Formal does not guarantee same day shipping.

- Approximate shipping time via UPS (in stock items):
        Ground: 1-5 business days plus processing time,
        2nd day air: 2 business days plus processing time,
        Next Day Air: 1 business day plus processing time,
        International: 3 days-2 weeks.  
Special orders have additional delivery time.  Additional charges & shipping time apply to AK & HI & International packages.

- Approximate shipping time via USPS (in stock items):
        Priority Mail: 1-5 business days & 1-2 weeks for APO/FPO plus processing time,
        Express Mail: 1-2 business days plus processing time,
        Global Express Mail: 3 days-2 weeks plus processing time.
Special orders have additional delivery time.  Additional charges apply to AK, HI, & International packages.

    - All special orders may have additional production, delivery, or shipping time (from manufacturer).  You will be notified of this via email after your order is processed.

    - The items you order are subject to availability.  Most items are special order & you will be notified of your item's availability & delivery date, via email, when your order is processed.

    - As stated throughout TJ Formal.com, there are NO returns, exchanges, or cancellations on orders.

    - Please notify TJ Formal immediately of any problems with your order or change requests by calling 1-877-769-1336.
 
    - All sales are subject to TJ Formal's Terms and Conditions of Sale.  TJ Formal reserves the right to refuse any order.   
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Are you an established company?

Yes! And we're happy that you've come here to learn a little more about us.  We take great pride in our company which strives to provide excellent formalwear service everyday, as we have for over 35 years.  Our store opened in 1969 as a men's custom-tailoring shop that eventually evolved into a tuxedo rental business.  In 1995 we began carrying prom, bridesmaid and wedding gowns along with veils, shoes, jewelry, gloves and other accessories.

In 1997, TJ Formal debuted on the internet, just in time for prom season '98.  Our goal is to give our internet customers the same excellent service that our brick & mortar shop offers.  We have the experience of working with customers in our store for many years and we now bring that same service to people all over the world through the internet.
 
Please feel free to call us at 1-877-769-1336, or use our Contact Us page, with any questions or concerns you may have about your purchase.  We're always happy to help you with a tough decision or ease the worries of ordering on-line.  We know how important your special occasion is and treat every customer's order with the utmost care! [top]

Can I visit your retail store?

Absolutely!  Our store is located in Joplin, Missouri at 1609 E 20th St.  We are centrally located within the United States in Southwest Missouri.  We are approximately 170 miles straight South of Kansas City KS/MO, 190 miles Southeast of Wichita KS, 70 miles West of Springfield MO, 100 miles East of Tulsa OK, and 90 miles North of Fayetteville AR.


Hours
Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Central/Standard Time (7:00 p.m. from March to mid-May)

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Central/Standard Time (5:00 p.m. from March to mid-May)

Closed Sunday (open 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.Central/Standard Time March to mid-May).

Closed major holidays
 
We are a full service bridal, prom, and tuxedo store. In our store you will find over 1000 prom dresses from dozens of manufacturers as well as a full selection of bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, flower girl dresses, pageant gowns, prom and wedding shoes, veils and headpieces, and a large selection of jewelry and accessories!  We also sell swim wear, vintage clothes, tuxedos and men's accessories. No appointments necessary.
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Do you have a store in my area?

We have one store location in Joplin, Missouri, USA, but we ship worldwide!

The manufacturers we carry may have stores in your area, however, we are not affiliated with any of those stores and would be unable to provide you with those locations.  We recommend visiting manufacturer websites for store location information. [top]

Are you an authorized retailer?

Yes, we are an authorized retailer for every brand we sell here on TJ Formal! We only sell new, authentic items that come straight from the manufacturer, so you can rest assured that you are receiving genuine merchandise.

All Maggie Sottero wedding dresses will come with a "Certificate of Authenticity" and are shipped directly from Maggie Sottero to our store, then on to you.

Look for our store to be listed on our designer's websites!
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What is a "Wear Date"?

Your wear date is the date that you will be wearing your item. If we can't get your item to you before this date, we will cancel your order and notify you via email. We realize that most people need to receive their item well before their event for alterations, accessory shopping, etc. so we always keep this in mind when processing your order.

If you have a scheduled alterations appointment, will be leaving town to travel to your event, or simply require your dress earlier than your wear date, please feel free to list this date as your wear date. [top]

How do I get wrinkles out of my dress?

It is likely that your dress will have some wrinkles when you receive it, due to packing and shipping. Before you wear it, you can use these tips to get out the wrinkles so your dress lays smoothly.

-Steaming is the quickest and easiest option for satin, silk, chiffon, organza, tulle, most taffetas, stretch knits, beaded gowns, etc. This can be done with a steaming machine, iron set to steam (held upright), or by a professional cleaner. Be advised that some taffetas and fine silk fabrics may spot with water. Hang the gown for easy access and steam the outer and inner layers as needed with smooth strokes.

-Ironing is a good option for most fabrics and can be done on a regular ironing board, using a clean cloth between the gown and the iron (to prevent scorching/melting delicate fabrics). Set the iron to steam for faster wrinkle removal. Move the iron in smooth strokes with constant movement to avoid scorching.

-Hanging some fabrics will cause the wrinkles to fall out naturally. This is the first thing you should do when you receive your dress. It is especially helpful to fluff and separate layered, ball gown, and crinoline skirts.

When in doubt, you can always take your gown to a trusted professional cleaner or alteration shop. Feel free to call us if you have more specific questions about dress care.
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How should I store my dress?

Before or after you wear your dress, it is important to carefully store it. Hanging is generally the best method to keep out wrinkles. Be sure to use the hanger straps to help hold the gown in place. To protect your gown from dust, snags, etc. you will want to cover it with a plastic or vinyl garment bag. For heavy, beaded or sequined gowns, folding them may prevent stretching.

See: How do I get the wrinkles out of my dress?
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Can you send me a Catalog?

We do not have catalogs to mail out. We created our online website that displays nearly every dress we have available!

Also, many manufacturers and designers no longer have consumer catalogs or brochures. When catalogs are available--they don't have size, colors, prices, etc., this is where our website can offer you much more information. If you really want to see more pictures of the dresses, we recommend purchasing magazines such as Your Prom, Teen Prom, Seventeen, Bride's, Modern Bride, Elegant Bridal, Bridal Guide, etc. Then you can look on our site or contact us for prices, sizes, and colors. [top]

Do you rent dresses?

No, TJ Formal does not rent dresses. In fact, we don't rent anything on our site. We only sell new merchandise from quality manufacturers.

Renting dresses for your special occasion is a risky option considering wear-and-tear on the dresses, late returns from previous weekends, fitting/alteration problems, and possible damage by the previous wearer. These are all things that we don't want to risk for your special day! Rental dresses generally have limited style and fabric options and don't fit as well do to repeated alterations. TJ Formal offers an extensive selection of new, high quality dresses in many styles and fabrications! [top]

Prom Hair Styles

A great prom hair style is so important for your prom look! To make sure you look your absolute best on your big night be sure to plan ahead. It's a good idea to practice your prom hair updo several weeks before your prom to see how long it will take, what items you will need, and if it's really the style for you and your dress. If you're having your hair done at a salon, make an appointment well in advance and take along a picture to show your stylist exactly what you want. Your prom pics will be great and you'll have more fun as you dance the night away.

Dressing Your Maids

The first step to choosing a bridesmaid gown is to determine the formality, style and fabric of the wedding gown so that the maids gowns do not overpower the bride. Choose the color first to narrow choices. You might want to begin choosing a gown style with the larger maids in mind. In recent years, prices have declined making the average maid's dress only $140. With careful selection, your bridesmaids will be happy with the final results and spend the wedding day celebrating with the bride and her groom.

How to Shop for Your Dress

Start shopping early. Try on lots of different styles to narrow your choices. Formal dresses run about one size smaller than your regular clothes. Take the salesperson's suggestions about what styles and colors look good on you. Let them help you try on the dresses to save you time. Alterations are important for a perfect fit. Allow plenty of time for alterations and fittings. Bring the shoes you will be wearing to your appt. Buy your jewelry, shoes and other accessories at the time of the dress purchase. Have a great time at your formal event!