Prom is coming up on May 10th, and RAHS students are preparing for the formal, “dreamy” night.
Attire for prom can be expensive, with most brand-new dresses and suits costing anywhere from $200-$800. Many students are utilizing cheaper alternatives like borrowing and thrifting their dresses and suits.
Here are some RAHS-recommended ways to shop for prom on a budget.
Depop & thrift stores
Depop, a thrifting app, is popular among teens and has proven a successful place to hunt for prom attire. Mirabel Pestel (11) is looking forward to prom and has two dress options lined up, one from Depop that cost her around $50, and one borrowed from a friend. “One thing I like about being able to thrift a dress is that it’s going to be different from other people’s,” Pestel said. So not only is thrifting affordable, it is also unique.
Pestel also recommended Opitz Outlet, a consignment store in Minneapolis with a wide selection of formal clothing, with prices ranging from around $40-$200.
RAHS prom closet
There’s an affordable dress and suit spot right here at RAHS. The prom closet, run by the prom committee, has been operating for two years and allows any juniors and seniors to try on outfits and keep them even after prom night. Chetta Smith, advisor of the prom committee said, “students can come before school, during D lunch, or after school to try on a dress or a suit and it’s yours to keep.” Smith also encouraged students to donate any gently-used prom attire, and to stop in before May 8th to find an outfit.
Borrowing
Mara Oyen (12) borrowed a friend’s prom dress last year and said it was a good option for her. She said, “I really liked her dress, I thought it was really pretty. And when I was asking people about dresses, she offered to lend hers,”
Borrowing is a way to give a pretty dress another life, as well as a way to save money on an otherwise expensive occasion. Plus, it’s likely that many students, especially seniors, have past prom outfits to share.
Whether from the prom closet, thrifted, or borrowed, there are many affordable options for last-minute shopping. Happy prom Raiders!
