Regardless of what you think about prom itself — whether it’s overhyped or a truly unforgettable night — the annual dance is a rite of passage for many high school students, marking the end of their schooling days and transition into adulthood. Yet promgoers tend to go overboard, from bedazzled dresses and high heels, matching accessories and even limos to arrive at the venue. Costs for what is at its core a school dance can add up.
For some students, the pressure to afford the “right” outfit might discourage them from going.
That’s why community efforts to provide teenagers with prom dresses are making a difference. Across North Texas, organizations like St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County and Greater Dallas are helping students find their perfect prom look without breaking the bank. These events create opportunities for more teens to participate in a milestone moment without the added financial stress.
Step inside one of these events, and it would be hard not to feel giddy at the possibility of a night spent dancing with friends. Racks of dresses in every color line the room, sequins catch the light, satin and tulle brush against shopper’s fingertips and each dress is carefully hung and organized by color and style.
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This year, the St. Andrew prom closet, which provides dresses at no cost to students from school districts across North Texas and to homeschooled students, served more than 1,400 students with 5,700 donated dresses to choose from.
The Rev. Allyson Johnson, the women’s pastor at St. Andrew, said the prom closet helps students feel more confident.
“It’s also a moment when young women can feel really empowered and feel like they get a choice to dress the way they want to dress,” she said.
Cayce Neill, who shopped at the prom closet with her three high school daughters, said the experience offered financial relief. Senior year can be expensive, she said, and with three daughters, not having to spend money on dresses helped ease the burden.
A high schooler’s worst nightmare is showing up at prom wearing the same dress as someone else. Imagine the horror! But at prom closets like these, students can find a unique dress that fits their style.
Junior Mayce Neill said she tried on some funky dresses, including one with purple feathers and a neon green fishtail dress, before settling on a red dress.
If you’re doing some spring cleaning in the next few weeks, you might stumble upon dresses worn once and then tucked away in the back of a closet. Consider donating them to one of these organizations. A homecoming gown or prom dress that was once carefully chosen could get another spin around the dance floor.
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