Friday 25 October 2024

"Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment." - Alexander McQueen

The school formal season is upon us, and it seems in Australia the norm you celebrate Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12. I will save my rant on the decadence and overspending on these affairs (especially for year 10 & 11) and just focus on the clothes.

For many, the ticket itself is a lot, so then getting a dress or suit on top of that is prohibitive. However, this is a celebration with your cohort, so no one should be left out. There are plenty of organisations that recycle donated suits and gowns and give to kids that want to be belle or beau of the ball like the rest of their class.

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." - Rachel Zoe

So if you have current and good condition formal suits and dresses sitting in the cupboard, get them out asap to one of the many places listed below - please chack they are currently taking donations. Feel good that your beautiful dress will make special memories for someone else.

"Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn." - Gore Vidal

If you know any other places, please link in the comments (Australian only) as I'm making this a little SM project of mine. I want every kid in this country to have a special day.

I have no affiliation to any of these, they are just off google and a call out for suggestions.
Headspace Goulburn has a campaign.
Formally Ever After (Queensland)
Deadly Connections (check they are still taking donations) 5 locations in Victoria

If you know of others, let me know. I will keep adding to it. Also, if you know of someone who might need their service, let them know.

No one should miss out because they have nothing to wear!

Linking with #WWWhimsy

9 comments:

  1. I only own one formal dress! Take care, enjoy your day!

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    1. I just wear my wedding dress. I love it so don't need to buy another....but there are so many kids that don't go to their formal because they can't afford it. That's not the way it should be.

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  2. I love that first quote, and yes, I think it's awesome to re-use formal wear. It's such a waste of $ to buy something you only wear once.

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  3. I wore the same prom dress all through high school. My folks couldn't afford much so the one dress did it's job and I still felt special dressing up for the affair. It's all about the fun or at least that's the way it use to be. I don't know how kids think today. I know social pressures to blend is higher now than then. Those who have shouldn't ever look down on those who don't and those who don't shouldn't feel like they don't have a place. In 10 or 20 years those who have not, may be the ones who have everything.

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    1. Honestly, it's how the parents think. The kids only do this because they're enabled by our generation...

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  4. School formals have become almost as big as weddings when it comes to what they wear. So much social pressure on to look good rather than celebrating friendship and enjoying a celebration. I agree with the Alexander McQueen quote. I feel for those kids whose parents just can't afford a formal outfit but thank goodness for those charities and organisations that try to help out. A great idea for those who have formal attire and won't wear them again to donate. Thanks for sharing with us Lydia and being part of #WWWhimsy. Have a great week! Sue L #TeamWWWhimsy

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  5. I am so glad you added those sites for the formal dresses/outfits. I know it can be SOOOO over the top. As a principal way back, we held the Year 6 farewell at school with a sit down meal and had dancing..it's now become an 'industry' for local clubs to take this on board now and have kids arriving in limos. Sigh. Mind you I "remember" my Year 6 farewell in 1961 and I had my first 'stockings on' (don't ask, they were not tights) and little heels. It was at a hall and we dance to the new song "Let's Twist Again".
    Denyse #TeamWWWhimsy

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  6. Hi Lydia, what a great project to take on! Thanks for sharing these places that aim to help with providing outfits for end of year events. It can be a hard time for many and it's good to know these places are helping out. A great post for #WWWhimsy this week.
    Debbie #TeamWWWhimsy

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  7. Fashion can be expensive. I thought clothes cost alot when my children were growing up but it's gotten worse over the years.

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