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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Prom Dresses

60 replies

knickerthief1 · 29/12/2019 17:08

I've just seen a post on a local parenting group on facebook suggesting that the average price people are paying for a prom dress is £500! Really?? Or is it just the braggers who have commented? AIBU to think that the majority of parents can't possibly be spending anywhere near this?? We're not in an affluent area!

OP posts:
ShiningTor · 29/12/2019 17:19

My dd went to Quiz, used offer codes and paid about £55. My friend's dd wore it the following year.

There were people (at her average comp) who spent silly money too.

All the young people looked lovely on the day.

ThreeAnkleBiters · 29/12/2019 17:22

No doubt some get carried away. Those that used a second hand dress or a discount code, as you say probably cringed at the post and didn't stop to comment.

ghostyslovesheets · 29/12/2019 17:22

dd's was £145 from Monsson - beautiful dress, red floaty thing

ForalltheSaints · 29/12/2019 17:33

I doubt it.

In any case, why not get your DD to give it a miss? Single or low use clothing contributes to fast fashion, the second largest cause of climate change.

Iwasneveragoddess · 29/12/2019 17:36

I spent £100 on a Bridesmaid dress which was on sale and had it altered for about £50. Shoes from New Look and paid for her hair to be done (think she paid for her nails).

I had saved about £200 for it (which is what is cost roughly). Her dad took her in his classic vehicle.

There were people who spent ridiculous amounts of money on dresses and cars.

Iwasneveragoddess · 29/12/2019 17:37

And tbh the more expensive dresses looked really chavvy.

moomoogalicious · 29/12/2019 17:37

Dds dress was £60 plus shoes for £20. I did her hair and she doesn't wear makeup. No car.

elizabettty · 29/12/2019 17:37

Dd’s was around £30 on an eBay auction

pumpkinpie01 · 29/12/2019 17:39

Absolutely no need to spend that , my DD's was £85 from Debenhams it was beautiful

amusedbush · 29/12/2019 17:39

My mum got me a bridesmaid dress from eBay for about £50 (in 2007), I did my own hair and make up, and my friends and I all chipped in for a limo.

My own wedding dress was about £150 from ASOS (and I used a discount code Grin). £500 for a prom dress seems bonkers to me.

LizziesTwin · 29/12/2019 17:40

Dd1’s dress was £34. I can’t remember what dd2 wore or how much it cost so she might have borrowed something. It was in July so not very long ago but very unimportant in her eyes. No hair, nails or makeup or fancy car, they went by public transport.

dontyouwishyour · 29/12/2019 17:42

Bought daughters prom dress from TK Maxx it was stunning and didn't look any different from the others. Some parents paid upward of £1,500. Ridiculous in my mind and puts undue pressure on parents and children. Quiz is another reasonable shop

malylis · 29/12/2019 17:43

Prom in a lot of schools is essentially my big fat gypsy wedding for 16 year olds.

Some parents appear to have taken a second mortgage.

I've now done 3, with 3 girls and if I never hear about a prom again I'll be really happy. 6 months of talking about it, the fact it distracts from the exams, the dealing with fall outs that occur in the 90 girl group chat that is designed to ensure no one gets the same dress, but really turns into an adolescent bitch fest. The money spent on hair, dresses, nails and make up. I did turn down requests for professional make up artists and "trial runs" of hair etc.

They all looked fab on the day though.

Iwasneveragoddess · 29/12/2019 17:46

Prom in a lot of schools is essentially my big fat gypsy wedding for 16 year olds

This - if you allow it.

A lot of bridal/prom dress shops here keep a list of schools and dresses so the same dress doesn’t attend the same prom.

Original poster
knickerthief1 · 29/12/2019 18:56

I think (hope) you're right that those who spent less didn't comment. I thought £200 was a lot to spend so was a bit shocked with most saying around £500 😅. My daughter isn't doing prom as such - she's ASD and had to leave school due to mental health issues. But we're doing a 16th birthday prom type evening with family instead (her last exams fall on her 16th birthday) which was why I was looking. On the plus side this means I've got no peer pressure to worry about!! She's very into vintage and recycled clothes but we're struggling to find much at the moment ForalltheSaints Smile

OP posts:
Iwasneveragoddess · 29/12/2019 18:57

Gumtree is full of them.

Original poster
knickerthief1 · 29/12/2019 19:02

Iwasneveragoddess - would you believe there is not a single one for sale in the right size on gumtree right now in our county! Maybe everyone will start listing them after Xmas as it's a bit early

OP posts:
JaceLancs · 29/12/2019 19:02

Paid £60 for DD
I would have paid up to £150
Just meant there was more to go towards shoes, bag etc

NameNumber5 · 29/12/2019 19:05

It's an absolute con! The dresses resale value will be about £25!

Dd had a dress her dad bought for her year 11 prom, it was £250 Shock she got changed at the after party (at a friend's farm where they all camped) and left the dress there! Never saw it again Grin

I purchased the year 13 prom dress and it was £30 online.

A bit like wedding dresses, a lot of places sell the 'experience' of chossing the dress and keep a prom list so no one else can buy the same for that prom, but what a gross waste of money and taking advantage of young girls who feel they must join in the madness

malylis · 29/12/2019 19:05

Vintage is great, gives a real sense of style. Also top tip from having 3 go through.

Say they can have something that's slightly more expensive but they have to choose it with year 13 prom in mind too and other events. DD 2 wore hers to both and with different accessories no one noticed (she wore it to other things too).

Sadly didn't work with DD3 who couldn't fit her top half into the y 11 dress by y13.

aibutohavethisusername · 29/12/2019 19:11

My DD bought her own in John Lewis in the January sales. Was about £60 I believe. That was a couple of years ago.

Berrylove · 29/12/2019 19:11

My dress cost £80 second hand and looked absolutely stunning and not to brag but far better than the £400 dress my then friend was wearing. IMO It’s ridiculous to spend that much for prom

AlwaysCheddar · 29/12/2019 19:37

Some kids will have a £350 dress and matching bag, shoes and have a spray tan, manicure, pedicure, make up and hair done.... but you can get sharing dresses else where. Look in the sales now at house of Fraser, Debenhams, John lewis etc. . Work out preferred colour and shape first - we went to a bridal/prom shop and got great ideas... ended up paying under £100 fir everything.

summershine2204 · 29/12/2019 19:45

I got my dress from eBay (China), sent my measurements and fitted perfectly. I loved it & it was only £60 and took three weeks to come. My best friend in the otherhand spent £350 in Coast and tbh it looked like a corpse bride wedding dress (neither grey or white and had flowers randomly amongst the netting skirt) - this was 6 yeArs ago and I still but stuff from that same Chinese store.

Iwasneveragoddess · 29/12/2019 19:48

I tried to sell DDs dress but couldn’t.

If anyone is genuinely struggling and needs one for a size 6, 5”3 girl I would happily send it in time for prom. PM me if so, can send photos.