Prom night is a rite of passage for teenagers across the country, a celebration of the high school experience. The last hurrah.
But this annual event has become a social competition of sorts, where young people blow up social media — and their parents’ bank accounts in the process.
Between the cost of attire, flowers, transportation, dinner, and tickets to the dance, the prom can also add up to be one of the most expensive nights of the year. According to a recent study by Visa, the average American family spends nearly $1,000 on prom.
Wondering how you can save money while ensuring a great time for you or your favorite prom-goer? Goodwill Central Coast is here to help! We’ve amassed hundreds of gently used and new formal dresses at a fraction of the cost seen at shopping malls. What’s more, purchasing a one-off dress at Goodwill makes it highly unlikely you will see anyone else wearing it!
While prom dresses usually range from $100 to upwards of $500, you can find beautiful dresses at Goodwill for just a fraction of the price. Keep in mind, most prom dresses are only worn once, and for just a few hours. Buying secondhand is essentially like buying a brand-new dress!
While no one will know the difference at prom, the purchase makes a huge difference in the community and can serve as a valuable teaching tool for parents. When you purchase items from GCC, you support our mission to help individuals with disabilities and other obstacles find meaningful employment and education opportunities. And you can teach your children to be part of the solution when it comes to protecting the planet. In a typical year, GCC diverts more than 16 million pounds of clothing and textiles from our local landfills!
Once you have your prom outfit, don’t forget about the accessories to pull it all together. Our stores have everything you need to complete your look at budget-friendly prices. Need a new pair of dress shoes, sparkly stilettos, or strappy sandals? Check Goodwill first before you spend big bucks at a department store. Looking for unique or vintage jewelry, hair accessories, or for the guys — a tie, bow tie, or cufflinks? What about a bag or clutch? You can find those at Goodwill, too.
Prom is a special night, and you deserve to look and feel your best from head to toe. To find stylish prom attire and accessories for less, shop in one of our Goodwill Central Coast retail stores, or online at shopgoodwill.com.
When you shop at Goodwill, you’ll get more than a great deal, you’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing your money is staying in the community and benefitting our friends and neighbors seeking life-changing employment.
You can help accomplish this mission by donating to and shopping at Goodwill. Remember, it’s easy to look stunning at prom and feel altruistic in the process.