Prom Advice

One of the fun parts of having a spouse that works for a high school is prom.  I didn't go to my own prom - which was really dumb...go to your prom, you don't get a second chance - so it is fun to go to theirs each year. My only other interaction with the students is watching them play soccer for coach hubby. The girls are dirty and sweaty and generally in ponytails but on this night they transform into princesses.

After several years of attending this event, I have noticed some things.  It is a requirement of those "older and wiser" than us to share their wisdom.  I know sharing this with teenage girls will fall on deaf ears but I'm going to do it anyway.

1. When you go to by a dress, take a responsible adult whose opinion you trust with you. And then listen to what they have to say.

2. Be practical. Don't just choose the shoes that look amazing. Can you walk in those shoes for longer than 10 minutes? Let alone dance in those shoes?  I have seen a lot of girls checking their "amazing" shoes at coat check and then going barefoot for the rest of the night.  Bare feet do not compliment most prom dresses. Just sayin'.

3. If you choose a short dress, practice doing typical things that you are going to do at prom...bend over to fill out your prom queen ballot, pick something up off the floor, hug your girl who is sitting down, sit down, get into or out of a car. Can you do those things without showing your undies?

4. Be realistic about your "assets." Strapless is really risky.  Too small? You spend the night pulling up your top.  Too big? You spend the night trying to avoid a wardrobe malfunction.  There are plenty of styles out their to compliment what your maker gave you.  You don't want to look like a stuffed sausage, do you?

5. Dance in the dressing room. Seriously. Dance, shake, boogie...make sure everything stays where it is supposed to. Please.

And speaking of dancing...please, for the love of God and all things holy face your partner when you dance. I have watched far too many vertical lap dances at these proms and you completely cheapen the elegant, beautiful image you worked so hard to create. Have some self respect. Our ancestors fought hard to give women equal rights and change the way men looked at and treated us.  Don't send us backwards.  (Okay, now that I've proven I qualify for the "older" part.)

And lastly, think about yourself 10 years from now, looking back at your prom photo.  What do you want to see?  These people obviously didn't ask that question...

Thank you to the Ellen DeGeneres' Show for posting these lovely photos...