Stretched limos, flowing gowns and sexy suits…this isn’t Hollywood, this is England. I’m talking tantalising tiaras, I’m talking tuxedoed teen invasion, I’m talking prom. Amy Wragg explores the traditions and extremes of the ‘high school’ prom and what it means to be prom queen…

These days, few teens would miss their end of school prom. For some of us it’s not that big a deal, but for an increasing amount, especially girls, preparation for the event can be months in the planning. So how has the prom managed to become so important so fast to British teens? From an early age, thanks to countless American movies, the image of the high school prom has become firmly etched into every girl’s wish list for romantic and celebratory moments we hope to have in our lives. But until the late 90’s, we had nothing similar in the UK to allow us to experience what these films gave us a glimpse of. No dress to transform us, no dancing the night away in a beautifully decorated hall, no chance of prom queen and no hot date. Cambridge schools are said to have started the trend which has now taken off throughout Britain.

While there are only prom photos going back to the 1930’s, more formal proms go back as far as 1800’s America. The prom has always been classed as a highly important social event and in the early days served a similar function to the debutante ball, where wealthy young ladies (debutantes) where shown to be eligible for marriage. By the 1930s balls had evolved into graduation celebrations for American high school students. The 50s saw their popularity boom with teens driving their own cars, being independent, graduating high school and of course ‘dating’. By then proms had become a necessary finale to the end of exams, compulsory education and in some ways childhood.

A lot has changed since the early days of proms and spending ridiculous amounts on the big night seems to have become compulsory, even in the UK. While we may not be split into cliques consisting of cheerleaders, jocks and ‘freaks’, we still feel the need to be noticed. Some parents fork out well over a thousand pounds so their children can become ‘royalty’ in tiaras and floor length gowns. The expense starts with tickets costing upwards of £30. Many prom-goers consider this enough cash to fork out on one night out, but others see it as just the start. One of the biggest must have accessories has become the flashiest way to arrive in style. Whilst some go for delicate pink stretch limos and old Cadillacs, others go all out on fire engines and party busses in a bid to be noticed. And at around £400 for an evening’s hire, it doesn’t come cheap.

Dressing to impress is undoubtedly the most important ritual of the prom, even if at one time it may only have amounted to a teen’s Sunday best. Like American proms, ours have quickly becoming a huge cost, as the competition to outdo peers has quickly caught on. Dresses bought exclusively for the prom can typically cost around £400. The hope is to stand out, make others green with envy and do the best job of being Prom ‘royalty’. In a recent article in www.fabulousmag.co.uk one pampered princess spent £1,479 on everything from a fake tan to floor length gown. Fortunately with fashion more individual these days, and the cost of a wear-once dress a bit much for most, many plan to getting other uses from there glad rags. Samantha Green from Ks in Rotherham, who specialise in Prom attire, told me “Quite a lot of 18th birthdays are now like proms, especially if they missed them at school. A lot are wearing them again for that. People are also cutting them short and wearing them for weddings and stuff”.

The biggest Prom honour comes in the form of Prom King and Queen. Traditionally these were elected by other students in the Prom Court, for their contribution to schools activities and clubs or from selling themselves through election style voting. The rivalry for prom Queen has intensified in the last 30 years through Hollywood films weaving it often climactically into their stories. As a result it has now become more of a distinction of popularity than a prize. Sam from K’s explained it’s ‘an opportunity to up stage each other but it’s a laugh’. And there’s nothing wrong with a laugh and a little rivalry. In fact it gives those of us who are kept on a dusty shelf the chance to shine. That whole concept has given films license to play with the issues of status and peer grouping that plagues every school. Typical stories in films such as Mean Girls include the most beautiful, popular and often nastiest girl in the school ultimately being over shadowed by the quiet beauty and loveliest of the school geek. And the prom queen is often prom bitch. But unlike the moralistic values of a film, the evidence of expense and competition these days suggests it’s still more about what’s in the wallet than fairytale good V evil.
And where we’re going crazy for our new found fixation of proms it’s hardly surprising that in America, some are starting to get annoyed with the tradition. Anti-prom groups have formed in schools across the USA where students are rebelling against the official school held event and holding their own. Unofficial dress codes, gay coupling and looser rules are encouraged in an attempt to addresses teen’s issues over popularity and cash expectations. Some American extremists take the Anti-prom further into the realm of treating it as ‘hazardous’ sighting “extroversion, impaired judgement, euphoria, increased heart rate, and risk of widespread physical injury.” as the main issues. Check out www.theantiprom.com if you don’t believe it!

Whatever our options, there is no doubt that the tradition is still going strong and we have embraced the British prom. Films and books have help romanticise proms as representing a ‘climactic point in a teenager’s life’. Often the ‘girl gets the guy’, truces are called, friendships are celebrated and we are recognised as adults for the first time. For most of us it’s the first time we’ll get to splash out, dress up and feel really special all in one night. Sam at K’s, “Other than your wedding, it’s the only day you’ll get away with a big over the top dress”. Some girls in fact say that a prom is like a wedding. Their one day of absolute attention from everyone around them. Attention that they had to compete for, rather than instantly receive, making it more like a reward.

I’ve yet to experience my prom but I have to agree with Jenny Miller, 16 who recently had a fab time at her prom here in Sheffield. She told me, “You don’t need an expensive dress or to spend lots of money on unnecessary things to have a good time. Just see it as a way to celebrate in style and do something you wouldn’t normally do. And expect a few tears at the end when saying your goodbyes”. Although a little competition is fun, our prom shouldn’t be a serious contest. We should look back on it as a fun event to celebrate our hard work, friendships and the fine adults we are growing into, be that through beauty, brains or self respect. The most important thing, whatever we’re spending, is to enjoy our prom. We will only be 16 once, let’s remember it in style. Ohh… and don’t forget the waterproof mascara girls!

By Amy Wragg