With prom just around the corner, many students are very excited to pick out their outfits; however, this just isn’t a reality for some students. Prom can be extremely expensive. With dresses and suits starting at the low end around $100 or more, many students simply cannot afford to buy a whole new outfit just for prom. 

Prom can be one of the most memorable moments of a student’s high school experience. With these exorbitant prices, some IB students plan on helping out. The IB council is sponsoring a Prom IBoutique where students with tight budgets can get outfits for their prom experience.

For prom, the average student will spend around $900 on their experience, according to “Amarra,” one of the biggest fashion companies in the United States. However, some students can spend upwards of $2,000 on their prom experience. 

Every item of clothing at the boutique will be free of charge, and there will be a large variety of sizes and styles available. Katherine Maurelli (11) is a member of the IB Council who has been working to set up the boutique and make sure everything goes smoothly. “[Dresses] can be expensive, and so all of it is free because I would hate for someone not to go [to prom] because they felt like they weren’t dressed appropriately,” Maurelli said.

The costs of going to prom can add up quickly: Ticket, dress/suit, promposal, accessories, haircare. For a many students, it’s simply out of their budget. The help that a budget boutique can bring to someone can make their prom experience one they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. 

IBoutique starts on Saturday, April 2 from 8-11 a.m. in the lower cafeteria. From April 4 – 22 between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. every weekday in the lower cafeteria. There will be a variety of sizes and styles, depending on students’ preferences.