Proms. What's all that about ?

cashewnut

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

What exactly is the point of such an item? I may be being dense here (I'm male, so you'll have to forgive me asking apparently stupid questions when it comes to bras ) but I always understood them to be for support. If it's stuck on it's not going to be supporting anything :eek:

I would assume to stop her nipples showing through the dress?

engineer_amy

our school had a "formal" before it became Americanised and turned into "prom", but essentially the same thing - an excuse to get dressed up, have your photos taken, have a nice meal, then get so drunk that you remember very little. and this was only 13/14 years ago.


my dress was on sale from Debenhams approx. £80, (and turns out I got a lot of use out of it over the next few years, going to charity functions with work), already had a pair of shoes to match, my sister did my hair and makeup. the only extravagance was that we hired a limo between 8 of us, probably cost around £45-£50 each.


But from what I gather now, it has turned into a real show case event at some schools, who can spend more, who can get the best dress etc. My boss's daughter had 3 - her own 5th year formal, and 6th year formal and her boyfriends 6th year formal (different school). Each one had to have a different dress, with matching shoes, bag and jewellery. I would hate to add up the costs

FBaby

I find it incredible that what seems to be considered the norm is way above what I spent on my wedding day! Planning it all showed me that you can look beautiful spending very little.

Thankfully DD thought so too and intends on starting to look for deals much in advance. She is making it a challenge spending less than £100 everything included and yet not standing out from her friends who will spend much more.

I can't believe that at an age we expect our kids to become more responsible and independent parents are giving them the message that it is ok to spend that sort of money for one event.

bluenoseam

Back in my day only 13 years ago we had one prom - 6th year! That being said I recall spending somewhere around the £50 mark for my kilt hire & that was discounted if I remember right. Still had to pay for the ticket & all things being considered it was a waste of cash, the meal was crap, the entertainment worse & well, the only enjoyable part was the party after prom.

I'm also reliably informed that I paid for my sister's prom dress for hers back in the day, I don't remember that but it's not exactly outwith the realm of possibility.

BarryBlue

Reggie_Rebel wrote: »

When I left school we tipped all the bins over and did a runner. Happy days.

For us it was tipping a bottle of Fairy Liquid into the town fountain. Plus a bottle of food colouring.:o

Jagraf

Throwing flour on each other around school. Then I think we went to the chippy.

jackieblack

When my DD had her prom (3 years ago) we found a lovely dress in TKMaxx for £40, bought shoes & bra at nearest outlet village (about 1/2 the price of high street) a friend did her hair and make up and she looked lovely. Travelled to prom with a friend in a brand new Bentley (novelty transport is a big part of Prom here and, luckily, friend's Mum had a friend who runs the local dealership)

About an hour after they arrived and had their photos taken we got a phone call to say she wanted to come home because it was 'boring' (teachers as chaperones, no alcohol allowed, 'lame' DJ) and as it was a very warm evening the school hall was stifling hot.

When we went to pick her up it seemed like there were more students gathered outside than were inside and one of her classmates (whose custom made ball gown, covered in Swarovski crystals had cost several hundred £) was sitting down on the pavement!


A total waste of time - I was very pleased that we hadn't spent any more than we had!

ineed

I had a prom about 12 years ago, they were just starting to be a thing then I think. My Dad paid for everything but it was a total waste tbh, never have worn the dress again nor the heels which cost more than the dress :eek:.

So glad I've decided not to have kids, really don't like the idea of paying out for these things .

Jagraf

One of my DDs mates went to his prom in a shopping trolley :eek::) he will go far. How many points are there in that statement he made! (Or maybe it was his parents statement!).

InsideInsurance

We had an end of year "ball" which is one and the same thing as a prom and that was 20 years ago.

Our year really didnt go in for it though and the tickets started at £50/ person and ended up £25/couple and still only half or so of the tickets sold. An alternative party was set up at the local nightclub which was something like £8 on the door and certainly had more attendees.

The guys it was simple, wear/ buy/ hire a dinner jacket and jobs a good'un. Obviously for the girls its a whole lot more complex and the sky's the limit as to what the prices were and there certainly was more than one pair of red soled shoes there.