Prom, Prom Party, Prom Parties, After Prom Party

• Home
• Buy Tickets
• Group Rates
• Prom Prep
• Prom Fashion
• After Prom
• Prom Planning
• Buzz
• Prom Memories
• Prom Photos
• Prom Videos
• Prom Shop
• Prom Transportation
• My-PromTime
• Message Boards
• Prom Tickets
• Links
• Employment
• Newsletters
• Advertising Solutions
• Press
• About us
• Contact Us

Prom Prep

Lost Weight, Strength

By: Lori Kremen

The temptation of a prom gown is certainly alluring. Some girls fantasize about their prom dress from the day they enter high school and maybe even before. But a prom gown isn't for everyone. Gowns are expensive, generally uncomfortable, and may show far more then you are willing to let the world see. To the feminist, gowns can represent the antithesis of woman's liberation. There is no reason why one night should set back the effort of millions of women to further the cause of equality.

If you chose to wear an outfit alternative to a gown on your prom night, you may make a strong political statement. Your statement could be that gowns are old fashioned. Your statement could be that the exploitation of labor in foreign countries to mass produce inexpensive couture items in the United States is wrong. Or your political statement could be as simple as: "Gowns are uncomfortable."

Should you choose to take the alternative style route to the prom, there are a few precautions you should keep in mind. The first thing you should be aware of is your school's dress code. If the style you choose to wear to prom is sexually provocative, or has the potential to significantly disrupt the event, you can be thrown out of your prom, maybe with out a refund. Make sure that the decency of your outfit is in compliance with your schools normal dress code.

The right to free speech implies the right to free expression. While you do have the right to voice your opinions in public, please bear in mind that the prom is a very important night for everyone involved, including you. If you choose not to wear a gown to this formal event, it might be a good idea to consider wearing an outfit that, while not a gown, still is respectful of the tone the prom is meant to set. Again, your school could have a dress code that requires formal wear to this event. Let us not forget that you are paying for the privilege to attend. If you are bringing a date, make sure you have told them in advance of your plan, so they can plan accordingly.

If you are a gown hating diva, you have a few alternatives to the traditional prom dress. The first alternative is a formal pant suit. Yes, formal pant suits exist. As a matter of fact, many prom gown manufacturers produce these suits in addition to their gown lines. While less popular, these gown alternatives may be the option for you, especially since they also allow you to do the rest of the prom rituals (hair, make up, shoes), and still generally blend in with the rest of your peer group. Another option is a shorter or more comfortable dress. The problem for you may not be the idea of wearing a gown in itself, but simply the constricting form these gowns assume. If you like, you can make your own dress from materials at home or bought in an arts and crafts store. If you're handy with a sewing machine or have the creative edge to create an original dress, this might not only be a fun alternative for you, but could start a prosperous designing career.

Never forget that you also have the option of wearing a tuxedo just like the boys. Any school that has a rule against a girl dressing like a boy is violating the first amendment and can (and should) be challenged. However, if saving money is your motivation for wearing a tuxedo, you should know that a tuxedo rental isn't that much cheaper than a low-end gown.

The key to having a fun prom is being comfortable. If you can't be comfortable in a gown, then no one should force you to wear one. While a prom is a formal event, it is first and foremost about having a good time. Never let convention or social traditions prevent you from being who you are.