Shopping for the perfect prom dress can be stressful and expensive. Jenny Needham gets advice from Leah Hobson at her shop

Picking an outfit for the prom must be one of the highlights of school life. But it can also be a worrying time if cash is tight and the temptation is to overspend.

If that is the case, a new fashion outlet in Barnard Castle might a good place to start looking for your dream dress. The Dress Agency, Occasion Wear is so new it doesn’t even have a sign yet, but owner Leah Hobson has been selling second-hand prom dresses for some years now, first in pop-up shops and then in her vintage shop at the top of The Bank.

“The first prom dress pop-up shop came from a conversation I had with a young girl during a workshop in school,” says the 39-year-old. “She told me she wasn't going to prom because her mum couldn't afford to get her a dress. I quickly found an empty shop in town and put the word out for local women to become 'fairy godmothers'. We had 100 dresses donated to help make every girl feel like a princess.”

At the new outlet, those wishing to sell their dresses after the prom – or ball gowns and wedding dresses – can hand them over to Leah. If they sell, the proceeds are split 50/50. If, after a season, they remain unsold, they can be taken back or the owner can choose to donate the dress to charity.

This will be Leah’s sixth season selling prom dresses and she says girls are looking earlier and earlier each year. “I’ve had mums and daughters in looking from autumn time. Others wait until after Christmas or exams,” she says. “Most customers want something gorgeous, but either don't want to spend too much or can't afford full price. Some come to us to find something a little alternative or vintage/retro styles, others because they have ordered something on the internet and received a badly-made dress in a weird colour.”

Whatever their reasons for visiting the Barnard Castle shop, Leah prides herself on its relaxed atmosphere and fun atmosphere. A trained image consultant, she loves helping the teenagers find the styles and colours that suit them best.

“Some have body confidence issues, others are struggling financially. Last year we helped kit out teenagers from a local 'additional needs' school and loved helping them,” she says.

As well as prom dresses, there are rails of black cocktail dresses, long ball/evening dresses and dresses suitable for wedding guests and those going to the races and other dressy events.

“Most of our dresses have only been worn the once. Many still have the tags on,” says Leah. “They all have a different story, but are all waiting to help make someone happy and feel extra beautiful.”

Because Leah only stocks vintage and pre-loved items dresses, she is unable to offer more than one size in each style; each dress really is unique to the shop, but Leah is very handy with a needle and thread and alterations can be made. “I’m six feet tall so out of necessity, I've always made my own trousers, skirts and dresses,” she laughs.

The occasion wear shop used to be called The Trouser Agency and stocked menswear but that has been moved up the street to a vaulted “man cave” in Leah’s original shop next to the town’s octagonal Market Cross. Tardis-like, The Dress Agency opens out to reveal six rooms in total, selling vintage, menswear, ladies daywear and accessories.

“All our stock comes from people who live within about an hour’s drive of Barnard Castle,” says Leah. “They bring in their dresses and accessories, we have a look and decide what we can take in, discuss a price and display it for a season.”

The rails are pretty jammed at the moment, but Leah still wants size 14, 16 and 18 wedding dresses, good quality prom dresses of all styles, men's tweed waistcoats, silk cravats and scarves, and high-end designer items such as Mulberry and Chanel bags.

Leah Hobson Image Consultancy: simplyleah.co.uk

The Dress Agency: designer daywear, accessories & retro

The Trouser Agency: designer & retro menswear.

Shop T: 01833-695634; W: teesdaledressagencycic.org; E: info@teesdaledressagencycic.org

8 Market Place, Barnard Castle DL12 8NS

Occasion wear, bridal and prom

Shop T: 01833-908632

3 The Bank, Barnard Castle DL12 8PH