How early to buy a prom dress?

[scrapquitler]

I just have to laugh at all the ridiculousness associated with prom. Since when was wearing a similar dress such a crisis?

I think my parents are happy that I am saving $500+ by not going to mine.

The list to prevent two girls from wearing the same dress at the same prom isn't anything new...It was something that was done back when I had my senior prom in 1985.

 

[Allison]

I think it's crazy that a shop would not sell a dress to someone just because another girl would be there with the same dress??? Who cares! In 50 years does it really matter?? NOT.

Of course it won't matter in 50 years. Prom is an at the moment kind of thing. Many girls don't want to be wearing the same dress as someone else and it probably helps the store with their sales if they do make that rule. Win-Win.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

OP here- Thank you all for making me feel better b/c we did buy a prom gown yesterday! It felt a little early, but everyone at the store was walking out with a dress and we did have a really big selection. DD17 wears a small size (0) so we were worried they would be picked over in a month or two. The dress she bought is beautiful but will still need to be altered. We'll wait on that.

So now that we have a dress she just needs a date! This is a junior/senior prom. Not too many kids at this school go just in a group with friends. A small group of seniors sometimes do.
So next question is how many girls buy a dress and get a date later?

 

[NewmanFamily6]

Funny, the ads for this page are for prom gowns!

My DD and her friends are shopping and buying now. We got two for my DD on clearance at JC Penny last month, full length. One was $24 and one was $37. She is wearing one and lending the other to a friend. She may or may not want to wear that one herself next year, but for that price, I was glad to get both.

I would never have thought to look in a department store for a prom gown. Around here it is a virtual Miss America pageant with all of the sequins. What kind of dresses were you able to find for that price range? This is not a facetious post either. I am truly interested because I spent quite a bit for the dress and there is still hair, nails, and shoes.

 

[Help Please!]

When I was in high school, we all went to department stores to get our gowns. Didn't spend crazy prices like this (though I'm sure some of the girls did)...

Dillards is where most of us bought our dresses

 

[okeydokey]

I would never have thought to look in a department store for a prom gown. Around here it is a virtual Miss America pageant with all of the sequins. What kind of dresses were you able to find for that price range? This is not a facetious post either. I am truly interested because I spent quite a bit for the dress and there is still hair, nails, and shoes.

One was eggplant, with a leg split and sheer layer over it. It was ruched through the middle. Simple and beautiful.

The other is navy and Grecian in style with crystal beaded straps. Also gorgeous. I Am sure that were last years but my daughter didn't care.

Around here a lot of girls shop Dillard's for prom and homecoming.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

There is never a guarantee that two of the same dresses won't be at the same prom. Girls from our area shop for dresses in our local town, in a town about 50 miles to the north, in the Milwaukee, Madison, Rockford and Chicago areas.

One of DD's friends had someone show up in the same dress. They actually had a lot of fun with the situation. They looked at it as a "double the trouble, double the fun" situation. And no, they weren't friends beforehand.

They do that here too, but most girls shop out of the area so you just never know who will have what gown on. You're right, there is no guarantee.

When I was in high school, we all went to department stores to get our gowns. Didn't spend crazy prices like this (though I'm sure some of the girls did)...

Dillards is where most of us bought our dresses

We did that too when I was in high school but things have changed around here.
Some shop Dillard's, and that's the problem because lost of girls will have the same dress. I have always bought my daughters dresses out of town and so far we have been lucky that no one has had the same dress. They go all out here on dresses. Here is a picture of my daughters prom dress this year.

http://www.jovani.com/prom-dresses/171100-9767

She got it in hot pink and it's gorgeous on her. It was way more than we wanted to spend but she also wore it in a pageant a couple of weeks ago so it will be worn more than once. She is just a sophomore so I don't know if she will even be going to prom again this year but chances are she will. If not she can wear it next year.

 

[NewRVLady]

When I was in high school, we all went to department stores to get our gowns. Didn't spend crazy prices like this (though I'm sure some of the girls did)...

Dillards is where most of us bought our dresses

When I go to the big Dillards in my state, we always walk in the Entrance into the Teen girl prom area-or maybe they put those dresses next to the main entrance door for a reason
Anyway, my DH and I always remark on all the jewels and sequins on the dresses-they have a great selection

 

[runwad]

Ugh! My DD wants to go shopping but we have no time. She's on the Varsity basketball team and ever year we make a run to State so we go into the middle the of march. Then she runs track as soon as basketball is over, so her weekdays and saturdays are always full. Maybe we'll try to head out on Pres Day if she doesn't do a college visit. Another thing we're having a hard time fitting in. She takes AP & Post Secondary classes and doesn't want to miss durring the week. She wants a big puffy cinderella gown which is what the girls around here usually wear. And as far as the date, no she doesn't have one yet, but she has an underclassmen that is a good friend that will stand in if noone else invites her. So she knows she's going to go.

And does anyone else hate (well that's a strong word can't think of another?) that they post their dresses on social media? I guess I feel it's almost like a wedding day, people shouldnt see your dress until that night. I'm always disappointed to see them posting pictures beforehand. I like being surprised.

 

[KAMLEM]

I just have to laugh at all the ridiculousness associated with prom. Since when was wearing a similar dress such a crisis?

I think my parents are happy that I am saving $500+ by not going to mine.

You may think it's ridiculous, to some girls it's a big deal and prom is something that they look forward to all year. They may find themselves ROFL at something you find important.

 

[okeydokey]

When I was in high school, we all went to department stores to get our gowns. Didn't spend crazy prices like this (though I'm sure some of the girls did)...

Dillards is where most of us bought our dresses

I think some kids here go crazy, but lots are reasonable about prices and extras. We are in a pretty rural area and lots of folks just don't have the money to spend hundreds on prom, but still have the same good time. I don't think there is as much "keeping up" stressed here, for that I am grateful.

 

[Katelly]

A few weeks ago my dd17 started with the "EVERYBODY is getting their prom dresses now except meeeeee." I was thinking it was too early as the prom isn't until the middle of June, but I guess we need to get out there and start looking.

At my dd's high school the senior girls start a FB or Twitter (or Instagram) - I don't know which, where they post photo's of their gowns so two girls don't end up with the same one.

I did book my dd's hair and make up appointment for the prom as those appointments fill up fast and so many places get booked up months ahead of time.

 

[acebatonfan]

You may think it's ridiculous, to some girls it's a big deal and prom is something that they look forward to all year. They may find themselves ROFL at something you find important.

WARNING! THE BELOW IS A SMALL RANT!
But the way some of my peers treat it is fairly annoying. They believe it is a huge competition for the most flamboyant "prom asking", and it is a pain having my class time interrupted by people asking others to prom (with it taking more than a half hour for lessons to resume).

This might sound rude, but I have less than five months before graduation, and in the cases of AP classes (where time really is of the essence and the daily agenda is planned to the minute), those continuous prom-related interruptions can make the difference between a 3 and a 4 on the AP exam, or covering the curriculum or being required to self-teach the last three chapters the night before the exam.

Yes, I honestly do not see the point in prom. I actually had a neighbor claim that "those who do not go to prom are absolute losers", but I would much rather use that money towards first-semester expenses or summer sightseeing. Honestly, in fifty years or so, the prom-related stresses will not matter.

I know I am going to get yelled at for this, but part of me really wants to blow up at those who believe every single decision made about prom will affect the rest of their lives. While they whine about a certain dress not being in a color they "need", I am in the hospital fighting for my life and trying to learn how to manage my diabetes. At least they are alive with no life-threatening conditions, they have the opportunity and financial stability to go to prom, and, more often than not, they will have an enjoyable night. Not having a dress in blue will not cause the world to end.
END OF RANT

As for sophomores/freshmen going to prom, I'm surprised it happens at some schools. Though my previous HS was divided into a 9-10 and 11-12 school, underclassmen could not buy a ticket. They only sold tickets at the senior school and also required ID when purchasing. Juniors were only allowed to go to the senior prom if accompanied by a senior date (and even then, that was highly-frowned upon).

For purchasing a dress, a lot of the schools I have heard of do not post the official dress code until March or April, usually around when tickets are being sold. Unless the OP's daughter has older friends who can give a general synopsis of the dress code or can find a dress that will most likely not be forbidden, it might be best to wait until the dress code is posted. From what I have heard from other HS's, dress codes typically incorporate these elements:

• 
  Are backs allowed to be exposed?
  If there are slits in the dress, how far can they go? (My previous HS only allowed up to the knee)
  Are strapless dresses allowed?
  If wearing a shorter dress, how long must it be? (I think my school was mid-thigh)
  How deep can the neck line be?
  Are torso cutouts allowed? Even with a sheer backing to it?
  Will shoes be left at the door or worn during the dance? Is there a limit on how high a heel can be?

 

[Art 1]

I just have to laugh at all the ridiculousness associated with prom. Since when was wearing a similar dress such a crisis?

I think my parents are happy that I am saving $500+ by not going to mine.

My daughter really looked forward and enjoyed her prom with her friends. Her dress was in the neighborhood of $1700 or so, it was a few years ago. The expensive has been forgotten but she still remembers that prom and the whole experience that went into preparing for it.

 

[Fire14]

I bought what turned out to be my SR. prom dress the Summer prior while on vacation with family. I got it at DEB paid $ 10.00 for it. I paid more for shoes than dress, I didn't do nails or hair and was taken to dinner at EXBF's mom's diner ( which is fine, but there was some issues behind my feelings), and rode in his pick up truck. Tickets were either free or 25.00 ish I believe.

Went to Ex Bf's Sr. prom in 40.00 dress I had in closet, drove self to prom because I was semi fighting with him and ended up at mcdonald's because pre prom meal was lacking serverly.

 

[honeydiane1953]

My daughter has already started shopping with my granddaughter for her May prom. Payton wants a short in the front long in the back but there is another name for the style. My daughter and I hate the look but even though naughty I am glad my daughter has to deal with that one. My daughter and I had our "rounds" with those type of things years ago lol. No it is not to early to shop as gowns will get picked over quickly. GOOD LUCK Shop early!!

 

[java]

I have a Junior, who swears she isn't going to prom. But she has already been asked twice by Seniors. I think the "right" senior hasn't asked yet. So we are not shopping yet, but she did this for Homecoming too and then ended up going. I see a shopping trip in my future.

The dress posted above in the link is one she would love but I'm not sure would be allowed to wear.

Happy shopping all!

 

[Laura66]

Girls here start in January! Doesn't necessarily mean you'll get it then - bit that's when they start looking!
We live in Northeastern Ohio and many girls take trip to a shop in Pennsylvania or or the shop in Minerva, Ohio - Henri's, like we did.

 

[KAMLEM]

WARNING! THE BELOW IS A SMALL RANT!
But the way some of my peers treat it is fairly annoying. They believe it is a huge competition for the most flamboyant "prom asking", and it is a pain having my class time interrupted by people asking others to prom (with it taking more than a half hour for lessons to resume).

I know I am going to get yelled at for this, but part of me really wants to blow up at those who believe every single decision made about prom will affect the rest of their lives. While they whine about a certain dress not being in a color they "need", I am in the hospital fighting for my life and trying to learn how to manage my diabetes. At least they are alive with no life-threatening conditions, they have the opportunity and financial stability to go to prom, and, more often than not, they will have an enjoyable night. Not having a dress in blue will not cause the world to end.
END OF RANT

I'm sorry that you have diabetes, but I'm not sure what that has to do with others enjoying their prom. To some girls it's a big deal, just like your classes are a big deal to you. How would you feel if someone said it was ridiculous for you to be complaining about missing part of your class while they were in the hospital dealing with an illness? You never really know what people are dealing with in their lives, so don't just assume that because they are excited about their prom that they don't have other serious issues going on in their lives. Try to step back and see things from another's perspective, it will help you later in life.

I also find it hard to believe that many teachers would allow a half hour of their class time to be taken up with kids discussing prom.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Bought DD's senior prom dress in November. Went to Diane & Co. No wait, no crowds. DD got first pick and that's one less senior year thing to stress about. They said after the holidays it starts to get crazy