Prom is one of the most anticipated and unforgettable events of high school, the last dance for seniors. An exciting—yet sometimes stressful— part of prom is finding the perfect dress. From costs to style to uniqueness, there are many factors that go into picking out the perfect prom dress.
Starting with costs, prom dress budgets can range anywhere from one hundred dollars to one thousand dollars. I believe $300 is a good middle ground for a prom dress. Prom is a once-in-a-lifetime event that is worth going all out for, but the cost shouldn’t be too excessive as the dress will most likely only be worn once. It is also important to keep in mind budget with the hair, makeup, shoes, nails and $100 prom tickets.
One of the most popular destinations for prom dress shopping is Gipper Prom, a boutique located in Crystal Lake . Upon arrival, I received a checklist and browsed through an extensive collection of dresses, marking my favorites. I then turned it in, waited two whole hours, then entered the dressing room with all my marked favorites hung up. On busier days, the wait can stretch to five hours or more. However, the experience of being able to explore a variety of dresses makes it worthwhile.
At Gipper Prom, the process felt organized, and there were personal helpers assisting each girl with tasks like zipping up dresses or offering advice. My favorite part was standing on a podium surrounded by mirrors after trying on a dress as it made the experience feel very special.
To promote uniqueness, a dedicated Facebook group lets students post pictures of their chosen dresses to help others avoid duplicates. Many prom stores have policies similar to this: once a dress is purchased, it becomes unavailable to anyone else attending the same school. I believe this is a great way to make each student feel special because each girl can have their own unique look.
However, with this policy, many students begin shopping as early as December or January to secure their perfect prom dress before options are limited. This early start can feel stressful, especially knowing that some dresses I like may be taken before I’m ready to commit to it.
Ultimately, prom is about more than just the dress so it’s not worth stressing over. It is the last dance for the seniors, celebrating the friendships and memories created over the years.