Prom’s Closet offering affordable outfits soon

High school prom season is almost here, but prom can be expensive with having to buy outfits, shoes, accessories, flowers and tickets. The costs add up quickly, so the Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls holds a two-day event they call Prom Closet to help prom be affordable. The Junior League collects new and gently used prom dresses each year which are offered to local teens for $20, removing a barrier that keeps students from attending prom. In past years there have been hundreds of dresses to choose from. The head of Junior League Julie Girsch encouraged donations. “In 2024 the League has expanded its offerings to formal wear such as tuxes, suits, ties, bow ties and dress shoes, but in order to keep those efforts going we need donations to grow our inventory to keep offering the additional formal wear.”

In addition, each dress or suit is steamed, labeled and wrapped with plastic. Girsch said, “We go through every dress individually to make sure they’re in gently-used condition so they’re ready to be worn.”

The goal is to give students in surrounding Cedar Valley schools an opportunity to go to prom. Girsch said some high schoolers wouldn’t be able to attend if it weren’t for the Junior League

“I think over the years, prom has gotten pretty pricey to get a dress, and do your hair, and make-up and all the other fun things girls want to do for their high school experience, so giving girls and now boys the opportunity as well to not stress about that is really comforting.”

The Junior League depends on the donations. There is a need for formal wear of all sizes and styles. New or gently used donations can be dropped off at the Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls Office at 2530 University Ave or in Waterloo at Crossroads Mall 2060 Crossroads Blvd. Monday to Friday. Go through the main entrance, go straight and on the left side of the hall there is a donation bin for formal wear.

Those looking for a cheap inexpensive dress or suit can pop in Feb. 28 or March 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to look through their selections. Dresses and suits are $20, formal shoes are sold for $3 and accessories, including purses and jewelry, are  $1. All proceeds from each sale go directly to the Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls to support their mission to help students attend prom.

For more information about Prom’s Closet, visit Junior League’s website: https://www.jlwcf.org/the-main-featured-post/