CONTRIBUTED BY JEANINE CZUBIK
You probably know this story: your spouse comes home and informs you there’s a dinner. Tomorrow. And you must have a tea length dress. Your mind starts racing. Do you have the appropriate length dress? Ahem, one in your current size? And one that you can accessorize and tailor to fit the current season? When your answer is no, no, and no, Demure is the place to go.
Nestled between bars and tailors on Gate Two street, Demure is a trendy women’s boutique that offers gorgeous formal gowns in sizes 6-20 in short, tea and floor lengths. There is a vast selection of shoes in sizes 5-10, plus shawls, purses and jewelry to accessorize your gown.
Demure also has a selection of more casual clothing in varying sizes.
Demure’s owner shops in Tokyo, Hong Kong, the U.S. and Europe and brings in new selections regularly. Prices seemed average for new formal dresses starting at $100.
Note: This Thursday, January 28 through Tuesday, February 2, 2010, they are having a clearance sale with items 30-50% off!
Directions: Route 20 between Kadena and Route 330. From Kadena Gate 2, Demure is just after the third light on the left side of the street, approximately 0.3km. Giorgio’s tailor is located on the left and an empty building is to the right. Riga’s and Shanti Shanti shops are across the street. There are parking meters along the street.
Hours: Open daily 10:30a – 9p
Telephone: 098-938-1991
Website: http://www.demure.co.jp/index.html
Jeanine,
Thank you for highlighting a good place to get semi-formal and formal dresses. Although my husband has never come home and announced that we had a dinner party to go to the following evening, I wish I would have known about this place before my husband’s Christmas party. I’m new to the island and didn’t know I had more options on where to buy my dress.
I think you have the part about husbands all mixed-up though. Most husband’s don’t even know what “tea length” means, let alone give guidance about what to wear to a function. It’s usually the spouses phoning each other to see what they are all planning to wear. I’d be very surprised to meet a man who can define “tea-length”… lol.
HAHA! Alisha – I was headed here to comment exactly the same; I don’t think I could name one military man who knows what “tea length” is…haha…not trying to be mean. That was funny. Great minds think alike. Great post, Jeanine
You are both correct, ladies. My husband had no idea what tea length was until I told him, but it was the only piece of information he could remember from the invitation, apart from what kind of meat was being served at dinner that is!
I think this store is an ideal place to find a dress for a military ball or holiday party, especially on short notice.
Oh and I hope you don’t think I was being mean either! I’m just recalling the conversation I had with my hubby regarding attire for his Christmas party. It went something like this:
Husband: “Honey, do you still want to go to the squadron Christmas Party? I have to let them know by Thursday.”
Me: “Of course. Do you have any idea on how I should dress?”
Husband: “I don’t know… Wear something nice I guess…”
Me: “Really helpful, thanks!”
Husband: “I don’t know these things. I’ll ask Sgt. So-and-So what his wife is wearing.”
Next Day…
Me: “Did you ask the other guys what their wives are wearing to the Christmas party?”
Husband: “Yes, they said they’re all wearing something nice, like a skirt or a dress or dress pants or something like that.”
Me: *Deep Sigh* “Nevermind”.
No offense taken in any form! Your conversation makes me laugh – it’s so familiar, although I think you managed to get more information from your hubby than I usually do!
I really loved how he narrowed it down to ‘a dress or a skirt or dress pants’ for me… At that point, I knew I was on my own. At least your husband can procure an invitation with the dress code on it!
Thank you so much again for writing about this dress shop. I never would have known this existed as I am still trying to learn the area!
Does anyone know if this store has nice/dressy tops? I’m looking for something nice to go with dark wash jeans for the hubby’s homecoming. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Michelle – They do have tops. Check out the racks on the left side of the store and also the tables.
You know I hadn’t really bothered even looking at that store but I will have to make a trip now. I am a larger gal and it is RARE to find a store around here (off base) that has anything larger than medium.
Billie Jo- Not to mention that a medium off base is not exactly the medium American women are used to. At least not in any of the stores I’ve been in. I was surprised to have to buy XL shoes off base when I wear a 7.
I would love to visit this store to see the shoes first hand. To say I love shoes is an understatement!
I just recently went into this store. While I really liked their selection, I wondered about the authenticity of the brands. I saw shoes with designer labels at oddly cheap (under $100) prices.