Prom gowns in the 1800's. (Courtesy Photo: vintagedancers.org)
By Marisa Cagnoli and Rebecca Newsham
alexandrianews.org
With just over two weeks until prom, T.C. Williams High School seniors and their dates are scrambling to finish last minute planning for dresses, tuxes, dinner, and other essentials. The prom will be held on Saturday, June 13th, from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at the Marriott Crystal Gateway in Crystal City. Tickets are currently on sale for $55.
Prom, which comes from the word “promenade,” began in the late 1800′s as an end-of-the-year ball for high school juniors and seniors. They are most common in the United States and Canada, but have different names in countries such as Ireland and Australia. Many schools allow juniors and seniors to attend prom, but T.C. strictly holds it for seniors and their dates. While the central idea has stayed the same, prom has become a bit less formal over the years. Floor length, full skirted gowns are no longer mandatory for girls and it’s not uncommon for a girl to ask a guy. The waltz and the foxtrot are out of the picture and have been replaced by hip-hop or rock influenced dancing.
1960's era prom couple. (Courtesy Photo: images.chron.com)
To prepare for the final event of senior year, it’s important to make reservations for hair salons, restaurants and limos. Unfortunately, to have this story book prom experience, parents and teens will spend a lot of money. Research shows that prom expenses are increasing more than ever, and estimated costs this year will be higher than last year’s. From our experiences with planning so far, the cost of prom ranges from $500 to $1500.
Tomorrow, prom attire.
