All this prom dressing - is it a bit frumpy?

[NonnoMum]

This isn't a general 'prom' rant - yes, we might have had an end of year school disco, or a barbq and a quick snog, and I don't mind all the associated transport, spa day, photos etc etc, but I can't help thinking that loads of the photos I see of gorgeous young things in stroppy, frou frou dresses with elaborate Catherine Zeta Jones up-dos, makes quite a few of them look, well, er... frumpy...

I was 17 at my leaving party & got a long (quite sexy backless) black dress for only £29 from miss selfridge which I wore again twice aged 19 & 23 to work Xmas parties. I've still got it in my wardrobe. You don't have to pay a fortune to get a decent dress that can be re-worn. I think proms are a nice idea for leavers.

We used to have a 'dinner dance' in 6th form back in the 90's, I can't see that this is hugely different. (And I still have and can still fit in my dress!)

I agree OP.

One of the nicest looking girls I saw in a photo had a Greek style pale dress, no fake tan, touch of make up, very natural hair, very natural all round. She looked like she would be the wall flower to some of the other girls but I thought she looked like she had stepped out of the elf world in Lord of the Rings. I couldn't see, but I imagine she didn't have false nails either.

But, if they're having a good time....

Some of the primary schools near me are doing "prom" when 11 year olds leave to go to high school.
I'm so glad our head teacher has jokingly banned the word 'prom' and gives the P7s a disco instead.

Oh balls!

Proms are lovely. The girls look beautiful, the boys look handsome. Few people pair up, you mostly just get cars of boys and cars of girls. Everyone gets a cheer when they arrive. The whole thing is full of good wishes and good humour. It doesn't need to cost a fortune. It's tear-jerkingly lovely to see kids you have known since tiny all dressed up the nines, relieved about exams being over and excited and ready to start the next phase in their lives.

Who cares if it's an American idea?

The two girls that DS went to prom with looked lovely - both wore alternative style dresses (both goth masterpieces in black velvet, lace and ribbon) - I offered to spring for a limo but they decided to go in one of the girls' dad's camper van. DS looked good in his suit, got it in Matalan and he wears it for sixth form.