A Prom dress. A piece of fabric that many girls have dreamed of wearing since the days of Barbie dolls and dress-up. For some, finding the dress involves meticulous planning months in advance, while for others, a simple trip to the mall or local boutique suffices.
With Prom rapidly approaching, many girls at NASH have secured the perfect gown to fulfill their greatest fantasies and make the night one to remember. As this year’s theme is The Great Gatsby Gala, one can only assume students will be dressed to the nines in stunning attire.
Prom dress shopping is undeniably an experience in itself, offering a variety of styles, cuts, and colors to choose from. While for some, the experience can be quite daunting, others find it easier.
Senior Jocelyn Quinet shared that her experience with Prom dress shopping was a breeze.
“My dress was actually pretty easy to find,” Quinet said. “My sister was the one who found it while we were looking around at David’s Bridal. Once I tried it on, I knew it was the one.”
Likewise, senior Emily Aunes had an easy-going experience while searching for her gown.
“I bought my dress at The Winner in Sharon, PA,” Aunes said. “I loved it from the second I tried it on, so the whole process was pretty simple. I think I was only there for about two hours.”
While some girls prefer in-person shopping, senior Ashley Friend came across her gown in a more 21st-century manner.
“After going in person, I knew that wasn’t for me, so I switched to see my online options,” Friend said. “I got lucky with sizing and prices, so I’m glad everything worked out.”
Instead of looking for a new dress, senior Lauren McGuire shared how she took a different approach.
“I decided to wear my sister’s Prom dress because I have always looked up to her,” McGuire said. “She is seven years older than I, and when her Prom rolled around, I fell in love with her dress. She adores sewing, so she altered my dress herself.”
For many, the idea of spending hundreds of dollars on a dress, shoes, and accessories can be overwhelming. This year, Bless a Dress Pittsburgh organized a more budget-friendly shopping experience for students, which was held on Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15, at North Way Christian Community in Sewickley Valley. The event featured over 4,000 free Prom gowns to choose from, and everyone was welcome, regardless of their needs.
Senior Maddy Cernicky took this route while choosing her dress.
“My sisters and I all went to a free dress event and tried on a dozen dresses,” Cernicky said. “We didn’t find anything there, but then we went to the same place my mom got her a Prom dress, and I finally found the one. It was exciting and somewhat stressful, but overall good.”
Senior Prom is often described as the best night of one’s entire high school experience. Whether girls have had their dresses for months or acquired them just weeks beforehand, everyone will certainly look gorgeous.
