let me clarify...the whole hanging from the rearview mirror thing is what was done with the garter back when I was in HS...not what I see done this decade. My DD's BF did not hang her garter from there..he wore it on his arm the night of the dance after she and her friends took them off in the bathroom and then as a group handed them to their dates~and I couldn't tell where it is now.I can tell you her BF is still here 5 years later, tho. So for 4 years I have been out of the Prom loop so that's why I was wondering if girls wear them which led to wonder if it still ends up in the same place as when I was in high school. I was giving DS a heads up on Prom traditions etc., garters came up...which got me to thinking, hmmmm, not so much buzz about it this year, but since I am down to 1 teen boy in the house, they could be still *in* but I woudl have no clue. My usual MO is to hit the boards and ask, so I did. It wasn't meant to erupt into a moral and ethical judging of Prom etiquette..just trying to help DS so he doesn't look like a doofus if she IS wearing one. I am guessing no, since they are not going steady, they are in a mixed group of friends not an uber-tight one who would all plan to do exactly the same stuff~so thanks for your responses, they are enlightening(especially about some of the ticket prices!) and helpful for the most part Sounds like the bling corsages are even less common or maybe that question got skipped over by most due to the garter issue...anyway, DS Prom is Friday, just saw the weather report of cold and rainy
Hopefully they can go to a museum or something in the City to dodge the weather the next day.
ETA: Came across this article-
By Kylie Keeler, eHow Contributor
What Are Prom Garters?
Like prom dresses and flower corsages, prom garters have recently become a staple of the U.S. prom tradition. Worn around the leg of most girls attending prom, these garters can be specially made to match a girl's dress or school colors.
Purpose (ok, to me it has a purpose these days of being able to hold the girls cell phone if she really wanted!)
Much like a bride's garter, a prom garter is worn around the leg of a girl attending prom. The garter is traditionally worn on the right leg just above the knee. The girl may choose to give her garter to her date, removing it herself, as a souvenir of the night. Some schools hold a "garter dance" in which a girl removes her garter, throws it to an awaiting group of guys and dances with the one who catches the garter.
Types
Generally, a prom garter is made to match the color of the girl's dress. However, some girls choose to have the garter made in their favorite color, their date's favorite color or their school colors.
Function
Although it's a relatively newer tradition, girls usually show off their garter when taking the traditional prom photo. The girl raises her skirt just above her knee to reveal the garter for the camera. Later, if a girl chooses to give her garter to her date, he might wear the garter around his arm. However, this tradition is left to the discretion of the girl. Some girls choose to keep the garter as a token of their prom night.
Features
The most popular choice for a prom garter's material is lace with a matching silk center. However, the garter can also be made entirely of silk or from the same fabric as the girl's dress. Charms are sometimes added to the center of the garter.
Misconceptions
Unlike a bride's garter, the prom garter is meant to be removed by the girl herself. Typically, the first time a girl's prom date should come in contact with the prom garter is when she gives it to him to wear on his arm.
Criticisms
The relatively new tradition of prom garters has come under fire by those who speculate that the symbolism of the garter is inherently sexual. In 1997, the Cass City, Michigan school board called for the end of the "garter dance" ceremony that had "gotten out of hand" the previous year. Although students attempted to repeal the decision, the ban stood in effect.
I guess the only thing that threw mw was teh "relatively new" part...unless 30+ years ago is considered relatively new, lol
Each one had a "year" charm on it... other than that they meant nothing.
I had short dresses 3 out of the 4 times I went too... the charm is just so you know what year its from... kinda like the tassel on your graduation cap...
with Prom ribbons/charms.
