By Cheryl Mattox Berry
Mothers and daughters everywhere are participating in an annual spring ritual – shopping for the perfect prom dress.
My niece and her mother went to the mall a few days ago, and she found a dress. Problem is, it costs $750. My mother had a laughing fit. My jaw is still on the floor after hearing the price.
I did some quick math: If you add shoes, accessories, hair and makeup, prom night could set my brother back about $1,000. Seriously, for one night? My niece has lost her mind.
It was only six years ago that I bought my daughter a prom dress. I paid about $185 for a short dress that she wore once after prom. Long dresses were going for about $250 back then.
To see what has changed since 2008, I decided to check out a few stores. Department stores had a huge selection of gowns – beaded, strapless and cutouts – ranging from $250 to $375. Gowns at boutiques sold for $279 to $600. Discount chains had a small selection and limited sizes, but the prices were great – $79 to $99 – and they looked like the same gowns in department stores. Prom dresses were low as $99 online.
Conclusion: There’s no need to spend $750 on a prom dress. Paying a higher price doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be the only one in that dress. I know from experience.
I bought a dress from an exclusive boutique for my first prom. To my horror, I saw another girl with the same dress on my way to the ballroom. I made a point of keeping my distance from her the whole night. And, yes, I wore the dress best.
Before you fall in love with an expensive gown, ask your parents how much they’re willing to spend on a dress. Peruse catalogues and online stores to get an idea of what you like and the prices. Be open to shopping at places where you and your friends might not buy clothes, a mom store, for example.
If you’re going to college, keep in mind that you’ll want some money to shop for clothes that are stylish on your campus. It doesn’t make sense to spend a whole lot now for a dress that will end up in back of the closet never to be worn again.
Luckily, my brother said he’s not plunking down $750 for a prom dress, and I don’t blame him. His limit: $300. One dress for one night shouldn’t break the bank.