The mother-daughter duo of Dina and Brooke Haugstatter couldn’t be happier owning and managing The Perfect Dress boutique as a team. Their shared goal is to help every customer feel beautiful and confident, and to know they’ve played a part in helping them find the perfect outfit for something special.
“It’s important for me that every girl, no matter her size or shape, feels beautiful in her dress,” says Dina. “I take pride in treating everyone equally and making sure every girl knows she matters!”
Dina found her niche here in Lake Norman in 2019 while taking her teenage girls shopping for prom dresses. But before that, she gained experience opening her first bridal store in New Jersey in 1991 at the age of 24, working for Liz Claiborne in Manhattan, and then venturing out on her own. Her daughter, Brooke, has always had a strong interest in fashion as well, and even as a young girl, was constantly looking for new ways to style her clothes. At age 18, Brooke began Unfazed Clothing Co, a boutique focused on helping girls feel confident in their fashion choices, and “unfazed” by the opinions of others.
When Dina realized the need in the area for a prom dress boutique, she remembered her own time spent shopping with her daughters. “My experience at several different places was not pleasant, and I thought it should be! This is a milestone in our child’s life, and it should be a memorable time for both mother and daughter,” she adds.
Dina and Brooke started their first pop-up prom boutique in January 2020 – not the best timing due to the pandemic – and reopened again in 2021 to assist girls who needed prom dresses that year. While operating their second pop-up in 2021, the duo began hearing requests for special occasion dresses, and their expansion soon included bridal, cocktail dresses, homecoming dresses, and evening wear. By September 2021, the two opened their dream store in a permanent – and perfect – location.
You’ll find The Perfect Dress boutique in the historic Merino Mill, a building that exudes the romantic charm that suits their inventory and clientele.
“When I was in my last location I was chatting with a customer about finding a location, and she told me about The Merino Mill,” explains Dina. “I took one look and fell in love with the location, especially the building’s history and character. Since the majority of our business is prom – and prom girls will travel hours to find their perfect dress – I felt it was important to have an incredible atmosphere.”
When you’re shopping at The Perfect Dress, your stylist knows the merchandise well, along with what styles work best on certain body types and skin tones. While the boutique is no longer going to focus on bridal, they do carry stylish options for mothers of the bride and groom, in styles and colors that can be specially ordered.
“I suggest to moms that they, too, need to give themselves time – ideally five or six months – so they can order something they love and have time for alterations,” says Dina. Do she and Brooke have any advice for mothers and daughters shopping together? Be open-minded and enjoy every moment!
From proms and homecomings, to special occasions and quinceañeras, the boutique is stocked with the latest styles from well-known designers. Plan a visit to The Perfect Dress at 500 S. Main Street, Suite #116, in Mooresville, 704-978-9928, or visit them online at Theperfectdressnc.com. Boutique hours are Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m.
