A Queen’s Closet

03/25/2026

Six years ago, I had a wild idea to open my own prom dress “shop” where girls could find new or gently used dresses completely free. I had just stepped into the Miss America Opportunity and quickly realized how expensive dresses are for something you wear once. I wanted to combine my love of fashion with my heart for service, and that’s how “A Queen’s Closet” began.

At first, it was simple. A few Facebook posts asking for dresses people no longer needed. Before long, my parents’ basement was filled with gowns, shoes, and jewelry. With the help of my cousin’s boutique space, I hosted a weekend event where girls could come shop the collection and find something for prom. My goal was never huge. I just wanted to help even one girl feel confident and beautiful.

Somewhere along the way, it became so much more. I used to keep track of every dress and every girl who came through, but after 300, I stopped counting. Over the years, I estimate we’ve reached more than 800 girls and given away over 600 dresses. What started as a “silly idea” turned into something far bigger than I ever imagined.

I’ve shared that this would be my last year running the event, and that part is still true. Many people have asked what would happen to the remaining dresses, which is a fair question. My original plan was to eventually pass them along to organizations doing similar work.

But yesterday, as we closed out the storage unit that held everything after it outgrew my parents’ basement, something unexpected happened. The dresses are gone. Not because they were all taken during the event, but because something truly special came together behind the scenes.

Details are still being finalized, but I can promise you this - “A Queen’s Closet” isn’t over.

Stay tuned.

- Claire Tillotson 👑👗

03/22/2026

A huge THANK YOU to some incredible local businesses for supporting A Queen’s Closet! 💛✨

We are so grateful to:
🍝 La Tavola for their generous gift certificate to a delicious Italian dining experience
💅 Star Nails for helping someone enjoy a little self-care and pampering
🌸 Burlington in Bloom for adding a beautiful local touch to our giveaways

Because of their generosity, YOU have the chance to win these amazing prizes! 🎉

Come out to A Queen’s Closet, “shop” amazing locally sourced items, and be sure to sign up for our giveaway while you’re here. You won’t want to miss it!

Supporting local has never felt so good, see you there! 💕

03/21/2026

Tomorrow is the day! Since this is our final year, EVERYTHING MUST GO! First come, first serve. There will be no holds.

👑 Reminder! Everything is free even if there are price tags on items 👑

03/01/2026

Prom season is around the corner and we want every student to feel confident and celebrated. 💙

Join us at “A Queen’s Closet”, where students can browse free prom dresses, shoes, and accessories. We will have new and gently used gowns from designers like Sherri Hill, Rachel Allan, Jovani, Mac Duggal and more.

🗓 March 21 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🗓 March 22 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

📍 1000 Roosevelt Avenue, Suite 11
Burlington, IA 52601

If you or someone you know is preparing for prom, come shop and find the perfect look at no cost. Everyone deserves to feel amazing on their special night.

Questions? Contact Claire at [email protected] or find us on Facebook.

02/14/2026

It’s that time again! Start digging out your old prom dresses and donate them to “A Queen’s Closet”! All dresses will be given away free of cost to high school aged girls. We are specifically looking for dresses that are from 2012 or later, as well as plus size gowns and shoes. Dresses must be floor length and damage free.

Drop-off will be located at the Burlington YMCA whenever they are open!

02/01/2026

The donation tub is at the Burlington Area YMCA and ready for donations! It is located near the front desk. Donations are accepted whenever the Y is open.

M-Th: 5 am - 9 pm
F: 5 am - 7 pm
Sat: 7 am - 5 pm
Sun: 12 pm - 5 pm

01/29/2026

A Queen’s Closet is back for its final year!

We’re so excited to announce that A Queen’s Closet will return March 21st & 22nd, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM. This will be our last year serving local students 💗

This event provides FREE dresses, shoes, and accessories for prom, featuring new and gently used gowns from designers like Sherri Hill, Rachel Allan, Jovani, Mac Duggal, and more.

👑 We need your help! Donations of formal dresses, shoes, and jewelry can be dropped off at the Burlington YMCA whenever they’re open. A donation tub will be located near the front desk starting this Saturday (1/31).

Every donation helps a student feel confident, beautiful, and celebrated on prom night. Thank you for helping us make this final year truly special 💫

01/25/2026

We have heard the community and are excited to say we will be returning to Burlington on March 21st and 22nd this year! Donations will be accepted starting soon - stay tuned for updates and mark your calendars, it’ll be a great time!

03/30/2025

Hello!

We will start cleaning up and putting items away around 6 pm! We will still be open, but starting to pack up the items (as it takes roughly 6 hours to pack everything back up). Hope to see you soon!

02/02/2025

✨ Donate Your Gently Used Prom Dresses to A Queen’s Closet! ✨

For years, I’ve had the privilege of running A Queen’s Closet, a free prom dress giveaway that has helped so many young women feel beautiful and confident on their special night. This has truly been a labor of love, and I am so grateful for the support of this community in making it happen.

This will be my final year organizing A Queen’s Closet, and I want to make it the best one yet! I am in huge need of:
👗 Plus-size gowns
👠 Formal shoes

If you have gently used prom dresses, shoes, or accessories to donate, please drop them off at the Burlington YMCA during their open hours.

Everything we collect will go directly to girls in need—free of charge.

If you’re passionate about this cause and interested in carrying on this tradition or starting your own prom dress giveaway, please message me! I’d love to share what I’ve learned and help ensure this continues in some way.

Thank you to everyone who has supported A Queen’s Closet over the years—you’ve made a real difference! 💜

01/28/2025

The 5th Annual Queen’s Closet is Here! 👑✨

I’m thrilled to announce the return of A Queen’s Closet for its fifth year! This event is all about making sure every young woman has the opportunity to feel confident and beautiful at her formal event—whether it’s prom, a school dance, or another special occasion—without worrying about the cost.

We’ll have a variety of gorgeous donated dresses in all styles and sizes, available completely free to those who need them!

If you have gently used formal dresses you’d like to donate, or if you’d like to volunteer, please reach out—I’d love your help in making this year’s event the best one yet!

11/08/2024

‼️👗SALE👗‼️

So many times I’m asked if I have more plus size gowns, but unfortunately I have a limited amount of them. I try to supply all sizes at my pop up “shop”, but usually the larger sizes are gone after the first day.

I often tell people to check out Sydney’s Closet, an online prom/homecoming/wedding dress store that specializes in plus sizes! Right now they are having a HUGE sale with some dresses as low as $50! It’s never too early to start looking for prom dresses, and I absolutely recommend checking them out! I’ve purchased dresses from them in the past for the “shop” and been impressed with how high quality they are (and visually stunning 🤩). Check it out if you are thinking about going to prom this year!

At Sydney's Closet, we specialize in trendy designer special occasion dresses in plus sizes 14-40. Browse our collections of wedding, prom, evening dresses.