“I hope this isn’t too cheesy, but will you go to prom with me?” You have to say yes to my prom-posal, because I just brought a pizza to your front door. As prom-posals get more extravagant and outlandish, so do the prices of all the elements that go into planning your special night.
Prices can add up quickly during the weeks leading up to the dance. Some purchases include attire, footwear, jewelry, flowers, hair, nails, make-up, transportation, elements to a prom-posal, etc. Although not every person splurges on these items, they can still cost a pretty penny on their own.
This is unfortunate for the large number of juniors and seniors who are planning for the future, in which they often need to set aside money for their future expenses. However, you can still have your perfect night while saving for your perfect future after high school. There are many ways to be a “baddie on a budget.”
For girls, prices in dress have skyrocketed. The average price for a prom dress in the early 2000s ranged from $65-$80, and a prom dress now can range anywhere from $100-$700. Why have tastes in dresses become increasingly more pricey?
According to Dress Me Up New York, a prom dress shop in the Big Apple, many aspects drive the costs of dresses: “Material quality: Silk, intricate beadwork, and high-end fabrics drive up costs. Design complexity: Handcrafted details, unique cuts, and elaborate embellishments increase pricing.” As the demand for new designs and complexity thrives, the prices also increase.
Although these dresses are on trend and fit the client’s needs, there are more ways to save rather than spending a car payment’s worth of money for a dress that will be worn for a single night. As the dresses become tighter, so should your budget for the prom season.
Isabelle Karwal, a senior, said, “I borrowed a dress this year because last year I spent over $800 on my prom dresses for two proms, so I am planning on borrowing and saving more this year.” Karwal also said, “ I bought a pair of black heels for Winter Formal. I am planning on wearing those again in the spring. And as far as dinner goes, I hope my date will be paying.”
It seems that Karwal has a great plan for financially saving this prom season, repurposing and borrowing items for the night. She is maintaining a good balance, from last year’s prom to this year, being mindful of her own spending.
However, for tux wearers, tuxes have also gotten more expensive. Renting a tux can cost anywhere from $100-$250, and buying off the rack can become increasingly more expensive, ranging from $200-$800. Even dress pants and shirts can also cost a large sum of money.
Jacob Hoben, senior, said, “ I usually just repurpose the clothes for each event. It makes it a lot simpler for me not have to find new stuff, and also is a lot cheaper than buying new for every dance that you will wear very few times. It’s good to go for basics so that you can wear them for everything.”
Prom is definitely something that is very costly; however, it makes for an unforgettable night. Students need to remember it’s all about the memories, don’t get caught up in the preparation, just enjoy the night and make the most of it. Prom should be a prom-otional event for future memories and laughs, not future debt.
