fashion help!

[peggyfromwastate]

Kate has an 8th grade graduation ceremony coming up (don't get me started on how utterly stupid I think it is to have an 8th grade graduation, but anyway, since they do it for Kindergarten and Fifth grade, I think it's here to stay.) After the big ceremony, there is a dance for the 8th graders and it's semiformal.



So annoying.

She has friends who have been "asked" to this dance by their "boyfriend" and so they are going as a "couple". Kate's current boyfriend is in 7th grade, so he can't go to the dance. And no way in hell would I let her go as a "couple" to an 8th grade dance. Give me a flippin break. They are 13 and 14 year olds...

Anyway, the dance is "semiformal" so of course she and her friends have been shopping for prom dresses. But Kate's budget is $30!!! (It's her budget-- she thinks that a huge amount of $$ to spend on something she'll probably only wear one time!!)

What would you imagine a semiformal dress for an 8th grader would be? I have no idea...

[MrsK]

We saw some adorable 12-13 year old girls last weekend. For the most part, they were wearing party dresses. Short with empire waists and full/a-line skirts. Lots of sparkle and chiffon.

[Pollyanna]

Peggy, I am in complete agreement about the "graduations" from kinder, 5th, and 8th grades. Seriously, the entire practice is just stupid and unnecessary. Some parents bring huge gifts, rent limos, throw parties, etc. Dh and I always look at each other and ask, "so are their kids done with school now?" We expect our kids to move on from those grades, maybe our expectations are too high . Anyway, the picture attached is what dd wore to her 8th grade dance and graduation.

[madeintaiwan]

I think the dress that Tara's daughter is wearing is darling and perfect for such an occasion. And I agree with you all on the graduations. I was at my brother's 6th grade graduation last summer [my parents didn't make a big deal of it because they feel the same] and I was amazed by some of the parents and their extravagant gifts and displays of celebration. Hello are we not supposed to go through 12th grade!?! They'll be girls dressed for the prom, but they'll also be girls dressed "normal" and like what 8th grade girls should dress like. I always had "simple" dresses for such occasions due to finances growing up and I never felt awkward or left out. I also never liked all that froo froo la la stuff.

[peggyfromwastate]

That's a very cute dress!