("My Ultimate" will run most Tuesdays and will feature any topic that hops into my head. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the other New England Mamas. . . although they should).
I first attended the prom in 1983. I was a sophomore in high school, going with a senior who was not exactly my idea of the 'hunky older senior', but had a look of inexperience that made my parents comfortable. Back in the early 80's, we all wanted to wear one kind of dress: a Gunne Sax. I'm not sure exactly what these designers were thinking, but these dresses looked suspiciously like ones worn in the late 1800's. All I needed was a parasol and high, lace-up boots.
I'm on the far left. The only skin I'm showing is above the neck and below the wrists. Quite the sex symbol, huh?
Over the next twenty years, there were three more formals, several semi-formals and about six weddings in which I was a bridesmaid. The number of dresses left behind in my parents' home was impressive. And, taking up way too much of their closet space.
So, a few years ago, I heard about a program called Belle of the Ball, a program which is currently going on now. Anton's Cleaners (locations in Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire) will accept gently-worn formal dresses at any of their locations (there are drop-off points at Jordan's Furniture as well). After cleaning the gowns, Anton's holds an event for high school junior and senior girls who would normally not be able to afford the high price of a new gown.
On April 28th, girls who have been referred to the program will be invited to come and look at the gowns with the aid of a personal shopper. After selecting one gown that they would like to wear to their prom, they can meet with hair and makeup professionals for some beauty tips.
There are a few rules for donating a dress: they should be no more than four years old so that they are still stylish (which eliminated that gorgeous Gunne Sax from consideration). They should be in 'gently worn' condition. Anton's will clean all dresses they receive before offering them to the girls.
When I first heard of this program, I was working in an office with many other women. I offered to take up a collection and dresses began to appear in my office daily. Beautiful dresses from formal events, weddings; dresses worn by my co-workers' daughters once; dresses that fit at one time, but were now too small for the owner. I carried more than 20 dresses into Anton's that year.
So, while you may not have a magic wand, you too have all the tools to make a deserving girl look like a princess for a day.
You and your sister wives look very charming.
Posted by: AlphaDogMa | February 12, 2008 at 05:27 PM
What a great program. I'll have to look into it. Thanks!
Posted by: margaret | February 12, 2008 at 05:35 PM
It sounds like a wonderful program, although I'm just about dying from Alpha's Sister Wives comment. HAHAHAHAHAAH
Posted by: Beck | February 12, 2008 at 07:29 PM
I too, was lucky enough to wear a Gunne Sax to prom... Twenty-four years later, I STILL have it somewhere in storage - how could I ever get rid of it? It's a GUNNE SAX for God's sake!
Love your blog, btw - I've officially added you to my blogroll!
Posted by: mommypie | February 13, 2008 at 01:09 AM
Sex-ay. Yup, graduated high school in 1986 and remember the Gunne Sax very well. Your dress closely resembles my senior prom gown but mine was (wait for it) Dusty Rose.
My (much) younger sister has been a bridesmaid in about 700 weddings in the last four years. I should let her know about this program. God knows the dresses are rotting in my mom's attic.
Posted by: Manic Mommy | February 13, 2008 at 04:05 PM
The program sounds wonderful-I donated a dress last year to a similar program here in CT. I didn't have a Gunne Sax, but my girlfriend did-with rosebuds all over it and a quilted jacket-I was so envious!!!
Posted by: Alisa | February 13, 2008 at 04:06 PM
The program sounds wonderful-I donated a dress last year to a similar program here in CT. I didn't have a Gunne Sax, but my girlfriend did-with rosebuds all over it and a quilted jacket-I was so envious!!!
Posted by: Alisa | February 13, 2008 at 04:06 PM
I personally like the Neighborhood Crime Watch! sticker on the strikingly-yellow garage door.
(I did a spit-take when I read the comment about you and your sister wives!)
Posted by: Mrs. Q. | February 13, 2008 at 09:51 PM
For a while, I've thought that all bloggers should scan and post their prom photos. I'm so glad you did! Mine is just as lovely. At one prom, I'm wearing a saggy-baggy-puffy-sleeved satin bright blue dress. At another, I look like a character from Mama's Family. Hilarious.
Posted by: Ali B. | February 14, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I had a tea length Gunne Sax dress for my sophomore ring dance and a floor length one for my Junior prom. I loved those dresses. Loved. Them. Even though now, when I stumble across pictures of myself back then, I shriek in horror. The hair! The glasses! And good lord, the dresses.
For my senior prom, I had an off the shoulder flouncy number and I bore a strong resemblance to Scarlett O'Hara.
Posted by: Major Bedhead | February 14, 2008 at 12:35 PM
I totally had a gunne sax dress and thought it was bee-yoot-i-full. It was poofy and lacy and covered with lavender flowers.
Oh my.
Posted by: Ruth Dynamite | February 15, 2008 at 11:50 AM
At least it doesn't have shoulder pads!
Posted by: Mary G | February 18, 2008 at 11:57 PM