Prom is a worldwide high school tradition that’s a prominent rite of passage for many students. Getting the perfect prom dress is important for many senior girls as it’s a very memorable dance. It can be hard to find the right dress as students want this night to be perfect. However, many students can get caught up and overlook the fact that dress shopping shouldn’t be overly stressful or difficult.
Many might find themselves picking out a dress for an exorbitant cost on top of spending for the activities preceding prom. That’s why it’s important to explore the numerous options available that would give everyone the chance to find what they’re looking for at an affordable cost. One idea that might be new to some is donating or second-hand dresses.
“I think it’s a good thing,” says Arnella Magic, a sophomore at Alta, “because some girls either can’t pick out a dress that suits them or they can’t afford it. So getting it donated to them is probably better than stressing out about finding their ‘perfect’ dress.”
The Salt Lake County Library holds a teen dress swap for girls to donate their prom dresses or for new ones to be picked up. Many thrift stores, including Plato’s Closet, also offer opportunities for people to give away their dresses and exchange money for them. Given that they’re in good shape, these establishments will happily take clothing you no longer need so that others can take them in anew. Donating your dresses is a great way to give back to the community, even if it seems like a small gesture.
Students don’t necessarily have to buy a prom dress, they’re able to rent one at a much cheaper rate without the stress of not knowing what to do with it afterward. Look online for rental places in Utah as well as go into their stores for a try on. Stores such as Nuuly rent any 6 styles of dresses for less than $100–allowing for a much less costly and straightforward situation.
The Hawkeye interviewed 10 girls about what they do to their dresses once prom is over. 4 said they sold them, 3 said they haven’t done anything with them, 2 said they donated them, and 1 said she used her dress for different events. Others even become sentimental about their prom dresses and decide to keep it for memories. With prom coming up next month on March 29th at the Utah State Capitol, it’s good to discover your options that’ll prepare you for a notable event.
