To say the price of prom dresses is absolutely ridiculous?!!

[BLUEcups]

So DD is in year 11 and the school prom is coming up and so the pressure is on to buy a dress….. so I start having a look on line and the price of them is astronomical! WTF!

I see all over SM photos posted by bridal shops saying “She said yes to the dress” and giving you options to book your time slot to find it 😳

Then there is the links to hairdressers, make up artists and limousines! 😭 I mean it’s clearly a money making scheme but Jesus wept, in the current climate, it must be so difficult for some parents to be able to afford it.

The dress’s I seen either didn’t have prices on and the ones that did, were between £220-£500 and I was gobsmacked.

What a joke, especially considering the dress is unlikely to ever be worn again.

So my question is, what are your tips for finding a cheaper one? I can’t afford £250 plus the rest and I can’t be the only one.

I was going to mention this charity too. They have style advisers and have it set up like a posh shop. Also have stuff for guys.

Apologies I didn’t read the post correctly as I thought this was about 11 year old.I realised after. Okay the word prom was originally Irish and that was taken over to America with emigration but films have consolidated the idea. Still recommend tone it all down so it becomes a pleasure and not a worry.

You don't have to fall for the hype just work out between you what you will get

I don't believe in this 'I can't manage it so it shouldn't exist' thing

One of our local secondary schools has a dress (and suit) hire system (for a donation) that they have opened up to other nearby schools. I think this is an excellent idea. We're in north Essex. Perhaps there is a similar system in other areas. Would be worth asking.

ASOS bridesmaid dresses? Lots there under £100. Plus I see a dress rental section that might be worth a look.

FB marketplace often has people reselling.

FYI, ASOS has a sale on and there are dresses for £10-£50 on there so possible bargains to be had

I took DD for her appointment at a prom dress boutique yesterday. She said Yes to the Dress and I am now £650 lighter. Most of her friends have been to, or have upcoming appointments at the same place. Worth it to see how happy she was. But yes, eye-wateringly expensive.

DD dress was £480. It’s been ordered, we did the whole appointment and the shop made it fun and she had a great time. It wasn’t the most expensive, but she had liked dresses for £570 and £650 until she saw the price!

She can do her own hair and make-up and her choice of “limo” will be free. She also works and will be putting to it.

She’s missing out on family holiday at Easter bc of revision lessons at school too so I pretty much just swallowed it and it is what it is.

Grateful I’m in a position to pay it. I’ll probably donate it to a family who can’t, for next year. Of we’d had prom, I’d not have been able to go so that has always meant DD has had chance to do lots of things I never did.

I don’t know where your based, or if anyone else has mentioned it, but if local to London Fonthill Rd (Finsbury pk) is definitely worth a trip. It is a huge expense & if they stay on it’s a new dress in yr13. They have a range of prices & the whole street is dedicated to occasional wear.

Check with school as some do a sale or even hire option from donated dresses / prom wear. Otherwise buy used from ads, charity shops,vinted.