As prom approaches in May, the aisles at stores like Mimi’s and Dillard’s are filled with colorful dresses and sequins. Roaming the store to find the perfect fit. Bundles of other kids gathering and roaming around, looking for a dress while they simultaneously get yanked off hangers and shoved into the dressing rooms. And once the decision is made, many girls hold the dress up high for a photo with a bag covering the reveal, posting that they “found the one.”
However, the prices of prom dresses are becoming more and more expensive as the years go by; the average price being anywhere from $250-$600. Many students find it difficult to find an affordable dress for the dance. Having to save up and calculate just how much money they are willing and able to spend. Some students are even talking about the different lengths they would have gone to in order to find their dress, too.
Senior Brooke Roseberry works two jobs and had to save up her money from working to find a prom dress she really loved.
“I went online to find my dress, and I spent a little under $200, which nowadays is a reasonable price to spend on a dress. But I would’ve definitely been open to a cheaper alternative as well,” Roseberry said
Some cheaper alternatives locally include going to First Baptist Church of Grandview, which helps run a free Prom Dress Giveaway and exchange. Amy Blankenship is a volunteer lead who works with the program to support and help fund cheaper options for students.
“In 11 years, our store has grown from around 50+ dresses in a specially built room, to over 2000+ dresses with shoes and accessories, including dressing rooms. This has been such an exciting outreach, and your students can benefit from it,” Blankenship explained.
The store carries a wide variety of dresses in sizes 0-28. First Baptist Church of Grandview does not charge for dresses or accessories, so this is a completely free opportunity for students to find a prom dress. This is so that every girl can feel special and doesn’t have to stress about cost. Another local option is the Key Club thrift store, located in room 606, called Liberty Thrift Co. It is currently open 7:45-8:55 AM every day, and they are looking at the possibility of expanding hours in the afternoon as well. This option is available to all students, and it’s run by volunteers in Key Club. Students may look for a dress or claim service hours by donating 10 pieces of clothing, equivalent to one hour.
“We believe that even with high-end clothes, we shouldn’t hide away from people who wouldn’t be able to purchase them. Because everyone should be able to feel nice in the clothes they are wearing, ” senior Abel Enriquez said.
The prices for prom dresses range from $5-$10. Last school year, the students ran a prom dress drive, and from that, they received roughly 30 dresses from the students and the community.
“This was an important project to me because I believe all students should have equal access and opportunity to quality clothing. I also personally love thrifting and love that we are simultaneously making a positive impact on our environment.” Advisor Riley Neighbors said.
To find more information, visit the Key Club Instagram or stop by room 606 in the morning to check out the thrift store. First Baptist Church of Grandview is located at 1416 Main St, Grandview, MO 64030. Or you can contact the church at 816-763- 2200. The Prom Boutique will also feature 1,000 new or almost-new prom dresses from size 0 to size 32. Basic alterations will be available on site. Boutique guests may select one long dress and one short dress, while supplies last. They may also choose a pair of shoes, a purse, and jewelry appropriate for a prom or other special event. A smaller, separate section of the boutique features men’s dress suits, shirts, ties, and shoes.
