Renting a dress ‘offers you that same, glamorous prom experience at a fraction of the cost while knowing that you are making the more sustainable choice,’ said Angela Pastor, co-founder of the Fitzroy, a designer dress-rental service in Toronto.Fitzroy Rentals/Supplied/Supplied
With prom season fast approaching, many Canadian teens are on the hunt for Instagram-worthy fits and photo shoot locations. But for students trying to keep their celebrations ecofriendly and on budget, styling and decorating for prom can be tricky.
Widely recognized for its concern and engagement with climate change, Generation Z is known for actively taking steps to reduce their environmental footprint through conscious and impactful lifestyle choices.
Karishma Porwal, a climate activist based in Kitchener, Ont., with thousands of followers on her social-media channels, suggested that prom is a great opportunity for Gen Z students to promote sustainability.
“It’s a time to celebrate your transition into adulthood, making it the perfect time to express yourself and your values through your look,” she said.
If your teen is set on having a brand-new prom outfit, advise them to pick something they can wear again.Ron Lach/Pexels/stock
Here are five ways to stay ecofriendly and on budget with your prom fashion and decor – so you can look good while also feeling good about your choices.
How to stay green while decorating
Embrace a DIY approach
Emma Richardson, a Victoria-based founder of the Good Party, an event-planning company, says encouraging high-school students to create handmade prom decorations can save money and foster engagement.
For example, woodshop and textile classes can make fabric backdrops for selfie walls. Prom committees can also turn to their school’s art department for centrepieces, invitations or posters.
According to Richardson, linens and wooden signage are great alternatives to single-use plastic decorations such as balloons and glow sticks.
“A living photo wall made from potted plants or florals that can be replanted is another popular, ecoconscious touch,” she said.
Consult teachers, venues and thrift stores before buying anything new
Many schools hold their year-end celebrations at the same hotels, banquet halls and convention centres throughout May and June. Richardson recommends reaching out to your venue and nearby schools to co-ordinate the reusing of chairs, draping and stage equipment.
To stay on budget while reducing waste, prom organizers might also consider renting decorations for the big night. Items which are not available for rent – think commemorative trinkets or tablecloths – can be purchased second-hand from thrift stores.
“We love when decor tells a story and avoids the landfill,” said Richardson.
Prom style guide: Whether you buy new or secondhand, help your teen shop with this style guide
How to make your prom fashion more ecofriendly
Choose a genuinely sustainable brand
Finding a fashion brand which truly honours its ecofriendly promise can be challenging. Look for the red flags which often accompany greenwashing – a type of misleading marketing which makes a product or service seem more sustainable than it actually is.
“Think about how many hours it would take to make a beautiful dress,” said Porwal. “Then multiply that by what you’d expect to be paid by the hour.” If your dress is cheaper than the total, it probably means the brand cannot live up to its environmental or ethical claims.
Naila Moloo is an award-winning, 19-year-old environmentalist from Ottawa. She says using an online resource called Good on You can help students research a brand’s sustainability, from packaging to water consumption.
Rent your outfit
If you think you’ll only wear a prom dress or suit for one time only, consider renting.
“Renting offers you that same, glamorous prom experience at a fraction of the cost while knowing that you are making the more sustainable choice,” said Angela Pastor, co-founder of the Fitzroy, a designer dress-rental service in Toronto.
To cut down on shipping emissions, look for rental companies in your city that prioritize sustainability while cleaning and retiring their products. At Rent A Dress – a Calgary-based rental service founded by Karolina Rajzer – garments that are no longer suitable for rent are donated to charity or sold at a discount.
Pick something that can be worn again
Though some prom-goers may feel driven to snag the latest viral Sherri Hill dress, others may find the perfect ensemble already hiding in their closet, just waiting for its glow-up.
Rosemarie Smalling is a seamstress in Pickering, Ont., who owns a custom-sewing business called Bashy Couture. She recommends tailoring existing dresses for a cost-effective and elevated prom look, for example by adding a slit or embellishing plain straps with a beaded trim.
If you are still set on having a brand-new prom outfit, pick something you can wear again.
When Kerstin Boyd, a first-year student at Dalhousie University, was choosing her prom dress last year, she looked for options that she could reuse at coming family weddings. “I didn’t want to buy a fancy, expensive dress just to wear it once and never again.”
