As culture vultures, there is little my generation has devoured stateside that has stood the test of time.

Yes, we have dallied with pretending we liked basketball before realising that the last 30 seconds is where all the excitement occurs, or American football after enjoying a John Madden marathon on the Sega Megadrive, but besides that, there is scant little.

One curious import, however, which I have become embroiled in, is that of the school ‘prom.’

I spent a less than pleasurable day shopping in Watford for a prom dress (which is basically a smart dress) as we traipsed around numerous outlets and my suggestions, humoured at first, were ignored by the end of the day as Izzy and her friend/personal shopper Poppy discussed fits, cuts and other foreign to me apparel discussion, as I begged them to get a move on so I could get home in time for the cricket.

It was a curious event as I found myself way out of my comfort zone, especially when I walked into a wedding shop with two 16-year-olds in tow as the lady behind the counter readied her hand to call social services.

Brett Ellis was out of his comfort zone when shopping with his daughterBrett Ellis was out of his comfort zone when shopping with his daughter

After being shown the prom dresses, despite numerous requests, they would not give me a price, claiming we would have to wait until the ‘he won’t be long’ owner came back as, out of the blue, we suddenly felt we were being held against our will. She did not deny that the dress would be expensive as we darted to the door when her attention was elsewhere and scarpered to Mango instead.

Apparently, this prom charade was imported circa the year 2000. I don’t even remember if we had a leaving do besides egging Mr Hancock’s car, deploying some stink bombs in Boyce’s metalwork room and just generally throwing back in their faces the respect our teachers gave us at the time.

But, despite this being a whole new world to me, I’m glad they have something like this they can call their own.

They only know this as being a thing in their lifetimes and they are going out to celebrate after finishing an exam series which would be a lot of pressure to place on fully grown adults, let alone kids finding their way in the world.

As for my Izzy, you will be glad to know I purchased her a dress so she will go to the ball! I just have to work out how to tell her she’ll be travelling in the front of a Ford Fiesta EcoBoost to the venue, as I’m not made of money you know….

  • Brett Ellis is a teacher.