Amara and her friends
Written by: Amara Duncan
Your sorority group chat is a crescendo of never-ending pangs about dress codes and who's attending the formal for TKE, Fiji, or SAE. You just realized you're attending all three formals before winter break. It's too late to tell Mom to ship your prom dress you haven't worn since junior year, and you already have one dress that's been in everyone's pictures. How can you get a new dress this season?
Renting is always an option. Campus Closet has become popular in recent years, because it's cheap and doesn't take up any storage space you need for the jackets that will keep you warm this upcoming season. A new option with a similar mission has just come to Madison: Muze, which operates on the same rent-and-return principles. Costs can range depending on the garment, usually $20 to $60 for a formal-style dress. But what if your date spills on you? Or the zipper rips? Is the anxiety of staying pristine all night worth the extra cash in your pocket?
That leads us to option two: buying. Your pockets may be slightly lighter, but the dress is now yours. Will it ship in time, or do you have to take on State street shopping? It will be a guaranteed fit, and hopefully you can go for a neutral color you'll reuse. But it's the most expensive and easy to just wear once. Students usually opt for Urban Outfitters or Pitaya, which can range from $50-$100. Is the price tag and storage space worth the trip?
Option three, thrifting, is a happy in-between. Thrifting, however, requires two things: advance planning and a good amount of luck. The Madison area has decent options, but most of the large enough outlets, like Goodwill and St. Vincent, are 2-5 miles away. Apps like Depop and Poshmark can be frustrating; communication with a seller who won't ship your item or being catfished by a dress's photos aren’t uncommon difficulties. You would have to plan in advance regardless of in-person or online thrifting. Plus, keep in mind alterations and fixes. Always check the tags for brands and material.
Let's crunch some numbers. Have you heard of “cost-per-wear math”? If a $100 dress is worn 4 times, that's $25/wear, while a $60 rental worn once is $60. This could be a good motivator for mom to expedite that prom dress, or for you to reserve a hanger for a new dress. You can also restyle the same dress by swapping heels and jewelry or by adding a blazer and changing your hair and bag. One little black dress can do wonders and be restyled for day or night.
Amara and her friends
Before you stress about formal season, get on Campus Closet, or walk to Urban Outfitters, check your closet or a secondhand outlet first. My best advice is probably the same thing your mom told you over the phone: “allll you need is one simple piece you can wear time and time again.The formal dress of your dreams may just be a few creative tucks, alterations, and scrunches away, hanging in your closet and waiting for its chance to shine. Good luck, ladies, and happy formal season.
Edited by: Ruby Her, Logan Lloyd and Galilea Matus
