Prom has special meaning for Jill Deene. The Portland resident married her high school prom date and still has her prom dress from 30 years ago hanging in her closet.
But proms now cost a lot more than they did in 1985. According to Visa, families of prom-going teens spent close to $1,000 on tickets, formal wear, shoes, flowers, accessories, limos, photographers and after-prom parties in 2014 — and large part of that — $300 or more — went for the dress.
Deene noticed the problem seven years ago, when her own daughters were in high school.
“I saw what prom dresses cost and I also saw that there were girls who couldn’t afford the expense,” says Deene. “I thought, ‘Somebody should start collecting gowns and loaning them out.’ The ‘somebody’ turned out to be me.”
She convinced friends to donate gowns, named the effort Perfect Prom of CT, and held her first event in 2010. Six girls showed up and everyone left with a dress. Each year since, numbers of available gowns — and borrowers — have grown. Last year, 100 budget-minded prom princesses found their perfect gown.
Dresses are free to borrow; Deene asks for a $75 deposit to ensure that dresses will be returned and available for others who may want to wear them in the future. A local cleaner, who prefers to remain anonymous, cleans all the dresses.
“Girls can have the dresses altered if they need to and they don’t lose the deposit if there’s a spill,” says Deene. “They get all of their money back as soon as the dress is returned. If someone can’t afford to leave $75, they can leave what they can.”
This year, Deene and other volunteers will assist girls from across the state in choosing their dream dresses, when Perfect Prom CT takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22 at the Portland Senior Center, 7 Waverly Ave. Girls can choose from hundreds of donated, current-style gowns in a wide range of sizes. (Attendees must make appointments in advance.) Information is available on Perfect Prom of CT’s Facebook page or by calling 860-301-4345.
Other organizations are joining in the effort to keep prom gown costs down.
>>Princess and the Prom, an annual gown giveaway that offers free dresses and accessories to high school girls in need, features an inventory of more than 1,800 new and gently used formal and semi-formal dresses. It takes place March 27 to 29, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Windsor.
Advance registration is required at PrincessandtheProm.org. No financial information is required, but girls must bring a valid high school ID. Attendees are assigned a time slot and can bring a friend to help them choose the perfect gown, as well as purse, wrap and jewelry. Information: princessandtheprom.org
>>In Southington, Kristen’s Kloset, a seasonal prom-gown giveaway program, provides dresses and accessories to Connecticut high school girls with financial need. The annual pop-up shop, open through May 9 at Abby Park, 35 North Main St., Southington, stocks more than 750 gowns in a variety of sizes and styles.
Those who can afford to make a donation pay $27 for a dress; those who can’t get a gown for free. Girls can also bring a current-style gown in good condition and swap it for a different dress at no charge. Kristen’s Kloset hours are Tuesday, 2:30 to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 2:30 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointment is needed. For information, email youthservices@southington.org.
>>Operation PROM, a national dress giveaway, holds a Connecticut event at Hartford’s City Hall, 550 Main St., (second floor council chambers and balcony), on Sunday, March 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Access the building through the Arch Street entrance.) Information: operationprom.org.
