Have a ball: Getting the right dress

What most parents remember as the ‘school disco’ has been catapulted to a whole new scale with the prom industry in the UK now worth a staggering £90m. The trend, which came over from the US, will be sweeping the North-East again this summer and the search to find the perfect dress starts earlier and earlier each year.

According to research, the average cost of a high school prom in 2015 was £190, an increase of 23 per cent in two years. Eighty four per cent of girls invested in a new dress; 45 per cent of girls (and even 42 per cent of boys) had their hair done professionally. Some even splash out on transport, arriving by stretch limo, horse and carriage and private helicopter.

Love it or hate it, many parents end up spending a small fortune. So when the pressure’s on, how do you find the perfect dress?

Living talks to four girls about how they chose theirs.

Grace Durkin, 16, Ingleby Barwick

Conyers School, Yarm, prom held at Blackwell Grange, Darlington

How soon before the prom did you start looking for a dress?

I decided to book an appointment with Kate Fearnley after New Year, so seven months. No one wants to turn up to prom and see someone with the same dress on, that’s why I decided to get my dress customised so it would be different and stand out. I tried on eight different styles. I wanted the dress to be my own and that’s why I got it made. I looked at different styles online so I had an idea of what I wanted.

What style did you choose in the end?

I chose burgundy because it didn’t feature heavily when I was looking at pictures from previous proms and I wanted it to be different. I decided to have long sleeves fitted and the neckline was rigid because I wanted a detailed lace effect. For the top, I chose embellished lace and I went for a fish-tail effect on the skirt. I loved my dress because it was so different.

Was it within budget, or did you splash out?

We didn’t really have a budget. We just wanted the dress to be special.

What accessories did you wear with it?

I went shopping with my nanna to buy my shoes and bag. I chose gold sparkly lace-up heels and a matching clutch from House of Fraser. I also chose gold earrings and a ring to add the finishing touch. I bought small burgundy and gold flowers to go in my hair.

How did you prepare for the night?

A few weeks before, I had a hair trial and went for a dress fitting afterwards. I wasn’t keen so I changed my hair style. The day before the prom, I had my nails done professionally - natural with gold glitter and diamonds to match my accessories. On the day of prom, I spent the whole day getting ready. I drove to Hartlepool to get my make-up done, then to the hair salon at Billingham. Makeup took an hour, hair three.

How did you get to the venue?

In my uncle’s soft-top Mercedes.

How did the evening go?

Prom night was amazing. The highlight was when everyone was dancing together because it was for one of the last times. Also, I really enjoyed the photo booth as it was a lot of fun. It was the best night of my life.

How did you feel in your dress?

Amazing, I didn’t want the night to end. I was careful I didn’t catch it or spill anything on it because it was so expensive and I didn’t want to ruin it.

What advice would you give to girls looking for a dress this year?

Make sure you go for what you will feel comfortable in because it’s so important you feel happy with your outfit.

Will you wear it again?

I have worn my dress at a bridal fayre to advertise for Kate’s shop. It felt amazing to put the dress back on. I am thinking of selling it eventually, just not yet!

Rhiannon Shove, 17, Darlington

Polam Hall School, Prom at Judges in Yarm

How soon before the prom did you start looking for a dress?

The prom was in June so I started looking in January. I tried on about eight dresses. It was fun, you don’t get to do this every day. I only went to Poppy Bridal, in Darlington, and I found the dress on that first visit.

What style did you choose in the end?

Satin with a medium, netted underskirt, and a full-bodice studded with diamantes. It had an open-back and was a champagne colour. It was sparkly but still looked classy.

Was it within budget, or did you splash out?

Splashed out.

What accessories did you wear with it?

Stella and Dot jewellery, bracelets and ring. I kept it simple.

How did you prepare for the night?

I went all out with a spray tan and hair and make-up by Susannah at Venus & Bardot. I started at 3.30pm for hair and makeup, and my friend came over and we got ready together.

How did you get to the venue?

My dad’s friend drove us in his Porsche.

How did the evening go?

Great. The highlight was having photos taken.

What advice would you give to girls looking for a dress this year?

Make sure you feel comfortable otherwise it will stress you out. Don’t try on a ridiculous number of dresses or you’ll lose track and they won’t feel as special. Try on something that you would not have originally imagined as you might be surprised. If I was going again, I would take more time getting dressed. I forgot to wear my earrings!

Will you wear it again?

I really want to, but I need another special event.

Amber Mundy, 17, Shildon.

Greenfield Community College, Sunnydale Campus. Prom at the Manor House - West Auckland

How soon before the prom did you start looking for a dress?

Four months before. I wanted to make sure I didn’t choose a ‘typical’ prom dress and to find one not many others would have chosen. I tried on around 20. I found it exciting, but a bit stressful. It took a couple of weeks to find the perfect dress and I only looked in three shops.

What style did you choose in the end?

A strapless, fitted dress with a train from Leggs in Darlington. It was nude with a navy lace overlay and had a scalloped edge around the neckline. It also had clear and navy beads on the top half of the dress. I absolutely loved how the dress fitted and the way the train looked when I walked. I knew it was right because I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time I had it on.

Was it within budget, or did you splash out?

The dress was within budget so we didn’t need to splash out!

What accessories did you wear with it?

I wore matching shoes and bag which were a silvery/gold colour with silver embellishments. I also wore a silver necklace, silver dangly earrings, two Pandora rings, a bow one and tiara one. I didn’t wear any hair-pieces.

How did you prepare for the night?

I bought a hair and make-up package from Tan Trims, which included a hair and make-up trial beforehand. I also had a spray tan and got acrylic nails done. I spent two hours getting ready.

How did you get to the venue?

We all went by coach so nobody felt left out and we could all be together.

How did the evening go?

We all really enjoyed it. Everyone got up dancing and made the most of the night. We even got the teachers dancing. I felt really dressed up and managed to keep my dress in perfect condition.

What advice would you give to girls looking for a dress this year?

Don’t settle for a dress you don’t love. You know when you find the perfect one. If there’s a dress you keep coming back to and can’t stop thinking about, that’s the one. I should have persuaded my date to be more colour co-ordinated because he wanted a red tie instead of blue!

Will you wear it again?

I’m not sure, but I think it would be suitable for a dinner dance or other formal event.

Macey Wright, 16, Brotton

Freebrough Academy, prom held at Gisborough Hall

How soon before the prom did you start looking for a dress?

Five months. I felt there was a lot of pressure with social media. I didn’t want to pay a lot of money for something someone else wore from a different school. I tried on four. I wanted something classy, different and stylish and got my inspiration from Michael Costello. We went to a few shops, but that’s when I realised I wanted something unique made just for me, so I could pick my own colour and have input into the shape and style.

What style did you choose in the end?

A Kate Fearnley mauve dress, fitted with a low back and fishtail bottom. We decided to add net to give it more impact.

Was it within budget, or did you splash out?

Within budget.

What accessories did you wear with it?

I kept the accessories simple so went for a silver Swarovski bracelet, a rosegold clutch and ‘So Kate’ nude Christian Louboutins.”

How did you prepare for the night?

Spray tan, nails and hair by Nancy Darcy and make-up. My first appointment was 12.30pm and I spend four hours getting ready.

How did the evening go?

The evening was brilliant. Once we had eaten, we danced all night.

What advice would you give to girls looking for a dress this year?

Stick to what you really want and don’t let others change your mind. It’s your day and you need to feel special as your parents spent so much money.

Will you wear it again?

I would love to wear it again, but not sure where.

CONTACTS

Leggs, Skinnergate, Darlington (leggs-fashion.co.uk)

Kate Fearnley Boutique, 224 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough (katefearnleyboutique.co.uk)

Poppy Bridal, 18 Duke Street, Darlington (poppybridal.co.uk)