My daughter is going to her boyfriend’s prom in less than 2 weeks. They have been dating for 10 months which is a long time in teen years (just like dogs, you must multiply the actual time by 7). Anyway, she dragged him along shopping for a prom dress yesterday. The day started out wonderfully as the boyfriend (BF) sent me a picture of my daughter in a beautiful dress that cost only $40. Cool. I definitely don’t mind spending $40 on a dress that will be worn 1 time. And, literally, it will only be worn 1 time because her sisters are a lot younger than she is, so there will not be an opportunity for handmedowns. Then came the next dress at $69. Also a beautiful dress and with even some sparkle on it. I love sparkles, so I was particularly happy to buy a dress with a little pizazz (is that an old lady word??). Then, the final picture arrives on my cell phone with my daughter in a very pretty dress but now it’s at $150. Not so sure about $150 for a dress that will be worn for 1 night. Not to mention that she’ll need shoes, a bag, earrings and a bracelet to match, her eyebrows done, a mani, a pedi, and I have already paid for her ticket and the party bus. I can hear this all adding up loud and clear!
Did my daughter and her BF commit the fatal sales error of showing me the low-cost dress first?? Or am I just being cheap? I want her to look and (more importantly) feel beautiful, but is this what it costs to feel pretty these days? I put the same question on my Facebook page and one of my friends said to expect to pay between $300 and $800. You have got to be kidding me! It’s a prom, for Pete’s sake, not a wedding!!
So, what do you think? Should I suck it up and pay the $150?
