Will I EVER WEAR MY PROM OUTFIT AGAIN

It’s a highly charged time for GCSE AND A-LEVELS, and it may feel like a roller coaster of emotions. You find yourself in the throws of exams and even more intense revision, snacking more than usual and trying to get to bed early or not at all. Scrolling through relatable Tiktok revisions on how cooked you are for the next exams, and the ‘how good or bad’s’ after an exam popping up on your FUP; and just when you think the ride is about to end, a new wave of emotion flows through in anticipation of freedom, graduation, school prom, after parties, and perhaps final sleep overs…….

She’s scrolling through relatable Tiktok revisions on how cooked she is for the next exam, and the ‘how good or bad’s’ after an exam that keeps popping up on her #ForYouPost; and just when she thinks the ride is about —–, it gathers a different pace in anticipation of freedom, graduation, school prom, after parties, farewells to some of her friendship group moving abroad, final sleepovers, that is swiftly around the corner.

There’s no getting away from the fact that Prom night has become one of the biggest calendar event of Year! I’ve watched her put in the hard work and she deserves to let her hair down and reap the rewards. This is a moment in her life to make memories, and Prom can be the crowning point ‘to date’. I stress ’to date’, because in hot pursuit comes not six, but ten whole weeks of summer to look forward to and make equally memorable moments!

Prom ticket’s been purchased and in between revision, she’s on snap with friends, discussing looks, searching up prom transitions, rating, getting inspired, changing her mind over and over again. …..Her friendship group already have their fits sorted, and I have to keep reassuring her not to stress too much or get pressured into doing a transition because her peers are doing one. ‘It’s your prom, and you get to decide how you make these memories’.

With just 2 weeks to prom and the first choice of outfit returned due to misrepresentation), I am urging her to breathe…, as there is still time to find an outfit and an amazing opportunity to add a very important memory to her prom experience, by making a slow fashion choice, see it as an investment in your future planet.

HAVE A SUSTAINABLE PROM DRIP/FLEX

I carried out a survey with over 500 A-LEVEL students who attended their G.C.S.E school prom,  and as an A’ level student said to me  “it feels good to buy brand new things for a big event” – but here the big question – 

WOULD YOU EVER WEAR IT AGAIN?

75% said they haven’t re-worn their outfits, and it’s still sitting in their wardrobes. Some others throw the outfits away due to the quality, others passed it on to family members, and a few sold their outfits post prom.

HAVE A SUSTAINABLE PROM DRIP/FLEX

I carried out a survey with over 500 A-LEVEL students who attended their G.C.S.E school prom,  and as an A’ level student said to me  “it feels good to buy brand new things for a big event” – but here the big question – 

WOULD YOU EVER WEAR IT AGAIN?

75% said they haven’t re-worn their outfits, and it’s still sitting in their wardrobes. Some others throw the outfits away due to the quality, others passed it on to family members, and a few sold their outfits post prom.

She will be one of over 10,000 other students around the UK attending a school prom or school ball this summer.

Regardless of price, she wants something that looks snatched, is of fairly good material and won’t fall apart before the night ends. Perhaps, can be re-worn or at least passed on to someone in the family.

to someone else or sell to get the get some money, (especially if you’ve had to work and save up to buy it yourself).

You, are part going to be part of over 10,000 other students around the country attending a school prom or ball, and that is a lot of outfits might end up in landfills  which is not great for the environment.

We  all know the landfills—————

My gentle suggestions to my teenager of

HER WARDROBE

Yes! Start from your own wardrobe and you may be surprised to find what you can recreate for an amazing prom fit! Consider picking one item that you love and build your look around it. Think groomsmen and bridesmaids, wedding guest outfits, other formal occasions you have attended, and get creative by using different accessories, new hairstyles.

MY WARDROBE

Yes! Jaws may have hit the floor right now, but actually the generational gap has dramatically shrunk. With the reinvent of old trends resurfacing and blended styles constantly evolving; there might be items in parents wardrobe that can be alter, or accessories to add to prom outfit. Especially if you are looking to create a more individual look; she already borrows from my wardrobe and me from hers. It’s circular in the family

ONLINE SHOPPING

If you are planning to buy online, search for an outfit you love, then jump on the second-hand websites to see if the same outfit is listed in your size, and buy for a fraction of the price. 
You save money, and it encourages a circular economy. You become path of the — whiteout even realising it. Reduces throwaway culture. Some of her friendship group have landed themselves a bargain on their prom fits.

Depop, vented, Ebay, also consider buying your formal , shoes, trainers, and heels from the apps – WEAR SAME SHOES (they MIGHT JUST NEED A GOOD POLISHING, cleaning, re-heel of might be in perfect condition)

SOCIAL MEDIA – INSPIRATIONS/CONNECTIONS

With so many school prom transitions and prom inspirations on Tiktok, I suggested she reached can actually use this as a way to search for your own outfit. If you come across an outfit that you absolutely love, from a previous school prom. Consider, sliding into their DM. Compliment the fit, ask where they got it from?, ask about size, do they plan to wear it again? If no, would they consider selling it on a secondhand platform so you can buy it?   – This was, both parties are protected’
Most prom outfits on secondhand Apps, have only ever been worn once. The seller is obligated to show pictures of the outfit and any damages, so she’s know what to expect.
we will end up paying less than if she bought a brand new one, and it will be rescued from just sitting in someone else wardrobe for years to come.
All that left is perhaps a dry clean , or if she’s lucky, the buyer may have already cleaned it. 
Depop, vinted

REACH OUT TO BRANDS

If she’s dead set on wearing a particular brand, I suggested she reach out to them and ask if they offer a pre- loved range that she can choose from. Also ask if they have an archive on stock, that is not already online. She may have to ask for a manager, or slide into their DM, explaining that she loves the brand and would like to wear a piece to her your prom if possible. Pre-loved means we save money, it’s less likely that someone else will be wearing the same outfit, and you are part of the solutions to landfill waste. Remember, You, are part of  over 10,000 other students around the country attending a school prom or ball, and that is a lot of outfits

HIRE COMPANIES/RENTALS  

There has been talk of a suit amongst friendship group, so I suggested hiring for less or the same price as a new suit. There are so many options on offer, ranging from a boxy 2 piece to a fitted three piece drip (including Jacket, trousers, shirt, waistcoat, tie & pocket square); which start from about £99.00. 

The plan is to Browse online to save time, and once you have made you decision, its crucial to pop down to the brands shop for a fitting/needed alterations to achieve the prefect prom flex. – (this service is usually free and part of a rental package)

Best part – it comes fully dry-cleaned, the brand dry cleans on returns, and someone else gets to wear. Even better, if she likes the outfit so much and would like to re-wear – some rental places have an option to buy! It’s a win- win. Money saved ? New addition to wardrobe, and I will certainly slide into the suit as I favour an androgynous look.

Ps: if you are worried about damaging the suit in all the excitement of the night, relax,  you can pay an optional £9.99 to cover any damage.CIRCULARS

CIRCULAR FASHION

Be individual go against the grain and be more individual.

All that’s left to say if you are not wearing trainers, you need to start practising how to walk in the heels or platforms now! OH WHICH JUST ARRIVED ABOUT N HR AGO FROM POSTING THIS

Be individual go against the grain and be more individual.

All that’s left to say if you are not wearing trainers, you need to start practising how to walk in the heels or platforms now! OH WHICH JUST ARRIVED ABOUT N HR AGO FROM POSTING THIS