The sad rise in promflation with £700 dresses & flashy limos that force kids out of event – and how school's changing it
Scroll down to see how teachers and a community group are helping in one part of Scotland
LAST DANCE The sad rise in promflation with £700 dresses & flashy limos that force kids out of event – and how school's changing it
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
PROM can be one of the most important events in the school calendar for teenagers.
It's the perfect chance to mark the end of exams and finishing up school, and having one last celebration with friends before heading off to college, university or work after summer.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
1
Prom can be an expensive time of year
Credit: Getty
But along with the glitz and glamour of getting dressed up, prom season can put financial pressure on both teens and parents.
There are even fears that the cost of living crisis is leaving some pupils forced to miss out because they simply can't afford it.
Indeed, the total bill can quickly spiral out of control once you've added up outfits, shoes, hair, makeup and corsages on top of the ticket price.
Dresses off the rail can cost anything from £50 to £700, with custom-made frocks priced even higher.
To help make the event truly inclusive, a school in Scotland has launched a donation service to take the stress out of buying a suit or dress, with 300 up for grabs so far.
Auchenharvie Academy in Stevenston, Ayrshire, has already seen teenagers sampling the gifted dresses.
Delighted with the one she found, 18-year-old Muirren Shearer told STV News: 'It's really helpful for anyone who can't afford to pay £500 for a dress, and they're all designer so no one would know you've got it for free.'
Teachers had feared some pupils would not attend if they couldn't afford a suitable outfit and hailed the scheme for making "dreams come true".
After witnessing schoolkids arrive in flashy limos, a horse and cart and even a helicopter, a bus has also been arranged to ensure everyone arrives in the same fashion.
Auchenharvie Academy's Deputy Head Linda Davis said: 'This year everyone is travelling to the prom by the same method of transport, because it puts everyone on a level playing field.
GET BODIED Watch boy, 16, arrive at prom as a fake CORPSE in body bag carried by men in balaclavas
'It's very important that all children are made to feel special, and that's why we do what we do.'
An Ayrshire community group is also helping out with the scheme by reaching out to local businesses and volunteers to cover extra touches including makeup and nails free of charge.
Saltcoats Link Up's Carol Boyd said: 'People have a lot of dresses, whether it's their own prom dress, wedding dress or special occasion dress… it sits in the wardrobe.
'Through their kindness, care and generosity we're able to support young people to get access to dresses, and make memories that will last forever.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Taking it too far' fume shoppers as they hit out at ‘Mrs Hinch mums' over Aldi toys – but not everyone agrees
Some people have defended the toys GREY MATTER 'Taking it too far' fume shoppers as they hit out at 'Mrs Hinch mums' over Aldi toys – but not everyone agrees Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT was the homeware trend that everyone seemed to fall in love with. Velvet sofas, 'Live laugh love' signs and grey EVERYWHERE - with many people citing cleaning guru Mrs Hinch as their home decor inspiration. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 An Aldi middle aisle buy has left shoppers divided Credit: Alamy 2 People have claimed the grey toys are 'utterly depressing' But shoppers have blasted the trend for going "too far" after spotting "super depressing" grey toys in Aldi. The 100-pack of ball pool balls is currently priced at £4.99 in the bargain supermarket, and is available in grey or pink. After seeing the middle aisle buy in her local store, one woman fumed: "Unless babies/toddlers are colour blind, I'm not sure why you'd make toys colourless? "Taking the grey aesthetic too far. Do toys clash with your living room scheme? Plain weird." Her post on the BARGAIN LOVERS - Poundland, Home Bargains, B&M, Primark, The Range & More Facebook group, which boasts 841,000 members, quickly racked up a flurry of comments. Many people appeared disappointed by the "utterly depressing" toys due to their lack of colour and hit out at parents for prioritising their interior aesthetic over colourful buys for the kids. One said: "My living room is black, white and grey, but all my girls toys are ALWAYS going to be colourful. It's not fair to deprive a baby of colours for your own aesthetic." "You buy toys for kids. I don't know many kids who'd prefer these boring balls", chimed in a second. A third fumed: "Very bland, like a lot of beige nurseries." A fourth claimed: "So many triggered beige baby mums. By the time they're old enough to be using a ball put properly they can see colour just fine, it's super depressing." Parents race to Lidl for middle aisle bargains including 2 in 1 sandpit for £29 "Yep, made totally to match decor not for child enrichment", added a fifth. Meanwhile a sixth echoed: "Agreed. Couldn't live in a grey and silver house. Find it utterly depressing." Other social media users, however, have defended the grey toys and insisted their colour doesn't ruin the fun. "Really not sure why it matters, kids will still play in amongst them no matter the colour", insisted one. A second wrote: "It's really not that deep, and a plastic ball is a plastic ball." A third suggested: "Too much colour can be overwhelming and overstimulating. Probably the same reason so many people choose the neutral tones to decorate also." Someone else admitted: "I'm not going to lie. I'm the parent that has bought this in the past because it goes with my living room. Not really ashamed of it either." "Maybe just me, but I'm sorry if it don't match my living room I ain't buying it", agreed a fifth. And a sixth echoed: "I got grey to match my house. Looked gorgeous in our home and it mattered to me that it looked nice because that's who I am. Let people do what they like without judgement maybe?"
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Megan McKenna mum-shamed for giving 8-month-old son steak AGAIN, after people already warned her of the choking hazard
The first-time mum admitted it's hard to give her son healthy food while they stay in hotels in London WORD OF WARNING Megan McKenna mum-shamed for giving 8-month-old son steak AGAIN, after people already warned her of the choking hazard Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MEGAN McKenna has found herself at the centre of controversy again, after sharing a video of herself giving eight-month-old son Landon steak for dinner. The 32-year-old took to Instagram to post the clip of her little boy tucking into a juicy piece of meat for his tea. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Megan McKenna has caused controversy after sharing a video of her eight-month-old Landon tucking into a steak Credit: instagram 7 Megan McKenna mum-shamed for giving 8-month-old son steak AGAIN, after people already warned her of the choking hazard, Credit: instagram 7 The tot stared wide-eyed at the steak as Megan handed it to him Credit: instagram 7 And he wasted no time chowing down on the meat either Credit: instagram 7 Megan admitted she's found it hard to give Landon healthy food while they've been going from hotel to hotel Credit: instagram She added in the caption that it was a ribeye steak that he was enjoying at The Corinthia hotel in London, where she and fiancé Oliver Burke were having a "pre-wedding stay cay". "My little king," Megan wrote. "I live in Landon's world now… yes Landon is eating a ribeye steak at the Corinthia. "He deserves the best and only the best!" Megan also said that travelling from hotel to hotel sometimes makes it hard when it comes to feeding her little boy. The family currently live in Germany, so have to stay in hotels when they come back to the UK. "It's really hard to feed Landon when we're in hotels all the time," Megan sighed. "So I'm trying to order food that's healthy for him and good for him. "But sometimes for dessert it's a little fruit pouch because I can't be stewing up fresh fruit when I'm on the move!" The video then showed Landon sitting in a highchair at the restaurant in the hotel, as he once again looked delighted with the offerings. Megan McKenna and Oliver Burke look loved-up in pics from joint stag and hen party ahead of wedding However, while Landon looked to be enjoying his steak, mashed potato and broccoli, trolls were almost immediately active in the comments - taking aim at Megan and warning her that the meat is a choking hazard. "He shouldn't be eating steak at this age he can choke," one wrote. "At least puree it. "You're trying to make him eat like you do, make it make sense!" "My baby nearly choked on white chocolate, scared the life out of me," another sighed. But others insisted the tot eats better than them. Megan McKenna's TV Timeline Since her debut on Ex On The Beach, Megan has rarely been away from TV screens. Can you remember all the shows she has appeared on? 2009 - Britain's Got Talent, series 3 - ITV 2015-2016 - Ex On The Beach, series 3-4 - MTV 2016 - Celebrity Big Brother, series 17 - Channel 5 2016-2017 - The Only Way Is Essex, series 17-21 - ITVBe 2017 - There's Something About Megan - ITVBe 2018 - Celebs On The Farm, series 1 - Channel 5 2019 - Celebs Go Dating, series 6 - E4 2019 - The X Factor: Celebrity - ITV 2021 - Celebrity MasterChef - BBC One 2022 - Celebrity MasterChef: Festive Extravaganza - BBC One "Why am I obsessed with watching Landon eat?" one asked. "It's the goddamn cutest thing!" "Absolutely love seeing little ones enjoy their food," another wrote. "He's gorgeous." "He's too cute!" Megan's pal Ferne McCann commented. 7 He went cross eyed as he stared intently at the broccoli before eating it Credit: instagram
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Need this so much it hurts' cry shoppers as they leg it to Tesco for denim summer dress that's giving noughties vibes
Plus, scroll down to find out why YOU should be shopping supermarket fashion NOUGHT TO BE MISSED 'Need this so much it hurts' cry shoppers as they leg it to Tesco for denim summer dress that's giving noughties vibes IF you're searching for the perfect beer garden or festival outfit this summer, then Tesco's got you covered. The supermarket's in-house fashion label, F&F, is renowned for its stylish buys at affordable prices. Advertisement 3 Shoppers are racing to Tesco for a new £25 denim dress Credit: Getty 3 Shoppers insist the denim frock is giving noughties vibes Credit: Tesco 3 It's already sold out in many sizes online And fashion fans have insisted the new denim dress is a must-have for summer, and they "need it so much it hurts". The 'OH ME OH MY Pure Cotton Halter Neck Denim Dress' is priced at £25. The supermarket find ranges from a size 6 to a size 22 and is available to order online. It is made from 100% cotton, making it perfect for the warmer months, whether you're relaxing on holiday or enjoying the sun in the UK. Advertisement The denim frock can be dressed up with sandals for an elevated look or worn with trainers or boots for a casual outfit for the perfect festival vibe. According to Tesco bosses, the F&F buy is a 'retro-inspired addition to your summer collection". Their online description adds: "Featuring a collared halter neckline and button down front, standout seam details add a sophisticated feel. "Wear solo on sunny days or add a chunky knitted cardigan for extra warmth when needed." Advertisement Fashion fans beam Fashion fan Kimberley has gone viral after sharing a clip of the denim frock on the rails of her local store, with her video racking up almost 500,000 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 23,000 likes and 230 comments, with many social media users left seriously impressed. I work at Tesco and there's so much newness in store - I love it all, but a holiday co-ord is sure to be a sell out "This is a need and a want, it's a must", one cried. A second wrote: "I had one of these back in 2000s." Advertisement "It's coming back into fashion", echoed a third. A fourth gushed: "Omg I need it RIGHT NOW." A fifth insisted: "That is gorggg I'm going tomoz !!!" Meanwhile, a sixth wrote: "I NEED this so much it hurts." Advertisement Reasons to shop supermarket fashion When looking for new pieces to add to your seasonal wardrobe, or update your basics, there's no need to spend hours walking around clothes shops, or scrolling online. Just pick up a dress or two alongside your fruit and veg... They're convenient - Chances are you visit your supermarket more times than a shopping centre or high street. It's affordable - For basics to more fashion-led pieces, supermarkets are leading the way for budget fashion that doesn't look cheap. They're more on-trend that you think - With a customer database larger than the average high street store, shops like ASDA, Sainsbury's and Tesco are able to cater to the markets and predict trends in a lot more areas than just food supply. They fit well - Fits and lengths often come with a little more modesty in mind. Fabrics are often highly practical too—think plenty of 100% cotton that can be thrown into the washing machine without thought The supermarket frock's not the only noughties fashion buy that's got shoppers talking this week. Fashionistas have been left totally divided after spotting an iconic noughties trend that has made its way back to the high-street. The bandage dress first hit the catwalk back in 1989 as the grand finale of Hervé Léger's runway show, but it wasn't until the likes of Victoria Beckham and other celebrities went crazy for the dresses in the 00s that they became mainstream. And now, shoppers will again be able to get their hands on the iconic bandage dresses, as they are now back in House of CB. Advertisement The much-loved chain took to Instagram to share the exciting news, leaving many totally stunned. Alongside the social media post showing off the new frocks, the chain penned: 'She's baaaaaack. Shop the birthday bandage collection now and be ready to serve some cake.' But many are fuming and are describing it as 'cheap and tacky'.
