May 1, 2020 is the date that everyone is anxiously awaiting, Prom. With prom comes many preparations such as finding the perfect dress. The dress that fits amazingly and that you cannot leave the store without. As girls search for their dream dresses, the question becomes: is the dress vital to the prom experience, or are making memories more significant? Many would say that the dress should not matter; it is what you make of the experience. On the other hand, however, how could you have a great night if you do not feel amazing inside and out? Taking a poll inside of my journalism class, 40% said the dress was very important in making the prom experience. If you do not feel comfortable, you will not be able to enjoy yourself. Growing up watching movies such as Geek Charming, High School Musical, 16 wishes, etc. paint the perfect prom picture. In all of these movies, the girl has a dress that makes her feel and look like a million bucks. When she walks into prom, it is as if she is walking in slow motion, and by the end of the movie, she wins prom queen. All of these movies leave girls craving that perfect dress, because they make us feel like that is the only way we can have the perfect prom experience.

Well first, what makes the perfect prom dress this depends on the girl. A perfect example of that is our SHAPROM dress account on Instagram. You see so many different colors, styles, cut outs, no cut outs, open back, etc. Although there are variations in the dresses, each girl found their “cannot-leave-the-store-without dress.” Many girls would say finding a dress can be stressful- trying to keep up with trends, colors, styles, etc. Then, of course, every time just before you can say “this is my dress,” you compare it to everyone else’s dresses.

However when you really look back and think about all those picture-perfect prom movies, we miss the fact no one is really concerned with what they have on. In the middle of the movie, everyone is too busy making memories enjoying the night with friends and sharing good laughs. The other 60% of my classmates in my journalism class say that the memories are what stick and make the night.  Memories are the things we will look back on and share with our kids. Many of us probably will not say “I had such a bad time because my dress was horrible,” and many of us probably will not even remember the dress without seeing a picture. Instead, we will tell our kids about the wonders of prom and how it was a magical night. I leave you with this when you are in the store shopping for that perfect dress: just remember that, honestly there are no standards of what the perfect dress is only YOU set that standard. Second, have fun make memories and dance the night away. Here is to May 1, 2020…

“If you can’t be the prom queen, be at least the dancing queen. Young, sweet and only 17 [18]” J- Anonymous