Average Jane Goes to the Prom

Despite the fact that I am way too far on the wrong side of 30, I agreed to go to a Valentine's Day prom-themed party last night. My husband's band was playing, so I figured it might be fun.

Of course, the whole thing brought back memories of my real high school prom. I hadn't been very excited about attending it either. My mother gave me a big spiel about, "This is an important milestone in a girl's life..." blah, blah, blah. Anyway, I got a dress, roped in my boyfriend, and went.

I remember a few key things from my high school prom.

1. The minute I walked in the door, I spotted someone else wearing the same dress I was wearing. It did not help that she was wearing a version of my dress that was several sizes smaller than mine.
   
2. My boyfriend (a year younger than I, and from a different school), had not thought to plan beyond procuring a tux, so we had no dinner reservations. We ended up having hamburgers and chocolate malts after prom, which seemed rather lame, even at the time.
   
3. The best-kept secret of prom is that it is BORING, BORING, BORING! At least it is if you don't live near anyone in your school, you're widely thought of as a big geek, and none of the people you do know from school would be caught dead at prom.

Anyway, I'm over it.

So, I went out to the thrift stores yesterday in search of the perfect 80s prom dress. Oh, did I find it! It's a masterpiece of 80s design from Bonwit Teller, covered with tiny black and white checks guaranteed to make it unphotographable. The long sleeves are poofy at the shoulders, which are padded, of course. The waist is gathered from hips to lower ribs, and there's a giant bow across the chest. Best of all, the tulle peeking out from under the skirt is red!

I persuaded my sister to fix my hair in classic 80s poofy style. The big black bow on my head was her idea, too, as was the shocking purple lipstick and the "someone just slapped both my cheeks" blush. I also put on the oh-so-trendy-at-the-time blue eyeliner. I should be embarrassed to admit that the eyeliner stick in question really is left over from when I was in high school. The condition and age of my makeup collection always prompts much disgust and dismay from my sister.

Anyway, I ended up at the prom party very late. As it turns out, that was just as well because I didn't know anybody. Since my husband was occupied with the band and nobody seemed moved to talk to me, I got to play the wallflower. Just like high school all over again!

So, it didn't end up being very much fun. On the other hand, I think that playing dress-up is always kinda fun, so that was one small consolation. I only wish that I'd been surrounded by my own friends in hideous prom attire. That may be my next party theme...

Comments

[Lumpy]

First post, great! Now, all we need is a photo of you at your original prom and it's golden!