Prom closet volunteer Theresa Ratzlaff shows a selection of the over 500 prom dresses available for girls in the Nanaimo region. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

yes to the dress

‘They’re seeing themselves in a different way:’ volunteers offer prom outfits to Nanaimo students

Feb 23, 2020 | 6:58 AM

NANAIMO — A volunteer-run group is making prom more affordable and environmentally friendly, one outfit at a time.

For the sixth year in a row, Prom Closet Nanaimo is offering up their inventory of over 500 dresses and 50 suits for students to take home, wear for their senior prom and keep at no charge.

While not limited to low-income families, coordinator Joan Hiemstra told NanaimoNewsNOW the program offers all students the opportunity to be the belle of the ball.

“We make sure every graduating student can get to their own prom and the cost of their formal wear isn’t the reason they don’t go,” Hiemstra said.

Hiemstra said the experience of watching very skeptical students come in and leave a different person can be overwhelming.

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“They might just ask for a simple dress because they think that’s the best they can get if it’s a cost thing,” Hiemstra said. “As they try them on and they realize there are ball gowns they might like more…you see them looking in a mirror and seeing themselves in a different way.”

The only criteria to receive a dress or suit from Prom Closet is students must be graduating that year. Dresses range in size from 0 to 26 with a variety of colours, styles and patterns.

Hiemstra said students of all backgrounds come to try on and take home dresses. For some, the motivation to shop through Prom Closet is money while others are conscious of the environmental aspects.

“People can come whether they can afford the dress or not. Sometimes you have someone who says they’d rather pay for an extra course at the university and save the money and wear a gown from here instead.”

Prom Closet plans to hold their annual fitting at an undisclosed location March 5-7. The details remain secret until a fitting appointment is booked by a student to protect privacy.

“Appointments last about an hour, they get to try and pick their dream dress,” Hiemstra said. “Most of the dresses are like new and when you look at them you often can’t tell (they’ve been worn before).”

The group expects between 50 to 60 students to say “yes to the dress” ahead of prom season in the spring.

To book an appointment for a fitting, visit the Prom Closet website.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley