Prom Costs How Much?!
by Izzi F.
Prom.
Ahh…just thinking of that savory word one thinks of sparkles, gorgeous dresses, and that significant other. Prom is a big deal for students in high school because it is their one chance to spend money frivolously, feel and look stunning, and make new memories. Prom is something that we have all talked about since we were little- “What will you wear?”, “How should I do my hair?”, “Who should I bring?!”
Now, our childhood dream is finally here! We have the chance to dress up in flouncy, flowing dresses or slinky, silky dresses. We can go overboard on makeup and accessories and finally try out that hairdo that all the celebrities are wearing on the red carpet. It is a night full of laughter, smiles, and memories. It is a night that you will remember forever and tell your children, neighborhood kids, and friends about. You’ll swap stories about the best dressed or the craziest outfit.
Yet, despite all the positive attributes of prom, the amount of money spent on a single night is phenomenal! So how far do you go for a perfect night?
How much do you spend on a dress, hair, makeup, and accessories? Let’s face it- every girl at prom wants to be the belle of the ball, the shining light, and the center of attention. We don’t blink at throwing down money to look our absolute best on that one special night.
According to a survey taken by USA TODAY, 94% of the average girl spends a minimum of $195.00 dollars on a dress and 86% have their hair professionally styled at an average cost of $52.00. Also, $20.00 is a kind price to put on the cost of the perfect shoes that match the dress. One also needs eye catching accessories such as a necklace and a pair of earrings. Shimmering accessories don’t want to look cheap, so often one will throw down $15.00-$25.00 on the ideal necklace and glittering earrings. With just a dress, hair, shoes, and the minimum accessories the total amount spent is $297.00!
But of course, we cannot stop at that! Since the female population wants to outshine everybody else within a 150 mile radius and/or feel beautiful and confidant, we go tanning to achieve a nice, warm tan, get a pedicure, our brows waxed, and more! Many tanning salons in town often have a special prom package available such as Curves and the Hairpin. Curves is currently offering 200 minutes of tanning with a free bottle of lotion for $45.00. Hairpin is offering 200 minutes for $38.00 with no bottle of lotion included although you can buy a discounted bottle from last year for $10.00. A bottle of lotion is recommended as it protects your skin, prevents a painful sunburn, and achieves a better tan.
In addition, having smooth and shapely nails are often a must for girls who are attending their prom. No one wants ghastly toenails peeking out of their shoes and short, uneven fingernails. At the Hairpin, a pedicure costs $28.00 and a manicure costs $15.00.
Once you add up the previously stated $297.00, tanning at Curves, and a pedicure/manicure the total amount is an astonishing $385.00!! To be clear, this number is just an estimate as many girls may spend less or more than $385.00.
Yet, how much are you spending on prom?
Often, you’ll only wear your dress once or twice, you won’t be able to keep that fabulous hair style forever, and your fake tan will wear off. So as you go shopping with your friends for a dress, shoes, and accessories analyze the cost and ask yourself, ”Do I really want to spend this amount for one night?”
Look for sales, coupons, and discounts. Spend a couple minutes on the computer looking for coupons. If you are a freshman or sophomore ask around if you can borrow a prom dress, keep your eye out for tanning specials, and do your homework when you are deciding where to go to get your hair and nails done. One does not have to take out a loan for prom-it can be an affordable price for that one special night.
So enjoy the night of memories, fun, and dazzling dresses. Once Friday, April 30th arrives enjoy yourself and the friends you are with for this is a night to remember and cherish.
• In a recent poll taken on CL website 11.7% of readers got their dress for free/borrowed,10% got it for $50, 16.7% spend $51-$100, 20% spent $101- $200, 13.3% spend $201-300, and 28.3% spent$300 or more.
