Making it Work
Blog: Dancing on the promenade
By Aimee Rancer, Blogger
May 15, 2008 | 6 a.m.
After taking a Women’s Studies course at Ohio University my fall quarter, I would like to consider myself a quasi-advocate for women’s rights.
I’m not talking about the feminists who take it to the extreme, but in the end, isn’t feminism all about the equality of women? Anyway, after that class I gained a new perspective in the woman’s right to choose.
And this is how my story begins.
I get a call from my boyfriend of several months during winter quarter asking me if I would like to go to his senior prom. After attending two previous proms, I felt like my prom rendezvous had run its course. I gave him a simple “let’s see” but made no promises. After much persuasion by my boyfriend, I reluctantly and hesitantly said yes to going to his prom.
The fact was, I didn’t really want to go through the whole hassle of prom preparation, but since this event meant a lot to him, I thought why the hell not.
While agreeing to accompany him, I set a few guidelines. I wasn’t into the whole cookie cutter prom and told him this.
“I don’t want to look like a rainbow, Greg. A puffy, big rainbow.”
He agreed, and I told him I wanted to not look identical to the numerous prom goers before him.
“I can’t do sequins, glitter, neon colors and tulle. It’s just not my style.”
Was I being selfish? Maybe. After all, it wasn’t my prom, and I could really do whatever I wanted. Still, I wanted to make him happy. So, to end our confusion, Greg and I went shopping. Mounds and mounds of rhinestone fabrics adorned the racks at the department stores. I kept telling him I wanted simple and classy, not low cut and really trashy, which was a norm at my school.
Weeks and months went by and I still hadn’t found a dress. I wasn’t too worried so during spring break I went shopping with my mom and my best friend Colin to get their help on finding a dress to make everyone happy. I found the most modern, black dress with a racer back and thought it would be perfect. Simple, with a little flair and modern enough to make me stand out but not too much. Colin took a picture on his camera phone and sent it to Greg. The response we got back was, “It’s nice, but is it a prom dress?” Okay, so Greg didn’t like it. But my mother and Colin loved it…and I did, too! But, going back with pleasing everyone, I decided to pass on the dress and go on my way. Second round, a few days later and I went shopping with my roommate for a second, female opinion. We stepped into the BCBG outlet, knowing I’d find the perfect dress to fit everyone’s taste.
I shuffled through the racks, finding possibilities until one dress really caught my eye. It was a knee-length, white dress with silver brocade. Modern with the silver touch, but still completely elegant, I decided to snag it before anyone else did and before anyone else could say they didn’t like it.
Well, that was that, this was the dress I was going to wear. I showed Greg and surprisingly, I got a warm response to the dress.
Next was the whole ordeal with eyewear. I wear glasses probably 99 percent of the time and the other 1 percent is when I’m taking a shower or sleeping. I always wear them, not only because it’s convenient. It’s because I’m completely lazy, and I like the way they make me look, dare I say, smarter.
I get another call from Greg a week or two before the prom asking, “So, uh, are you going to wear your glasses or contacts to prom?”
“Well, I hadn’t really thought about it. I don’t know, Greg. Why do you ask?”
“Well, people don’t really wear glasses to prom, do they?”
Upon hearing this, I could automatically assume that he was for the wearing of the contacts. But still, what if I wanted to wear my glasses? Would he shun me in front of his friends or be embarrassed of me? Well, I didn’t care, damnit. I’m an independent woman, and no one tells me what to do, especially a guy. I stuck to my guns and harassed him, asking why glasses are such a bad thing to wear to prom.
Guilt tripping him, he finally felt bad enough to let the subject go and said, “You wear whatever you want.”
And I did. I got ready in my non-traditional prom dress, got my hair chopped off to an edgy, non-traditional prom hairstyle and put on minimal makeup.
Upon arriving to the prom, I stood out. I was in a sea of what looked like sherbet vomit. Neon yellows, greens, purples, golds and blues moved violently while their inhabitants shook their money makers. Everyone had their hair curled in intricate up do’s with ringlets gently falling down their faces, while their actual faces were smothered with what looks like a four-year-old attempting to put on her mother’s makeup.
While many of the girls were covered in lavish dresses and glamorous makeup, they did look nice, I have to admit. Well, some of them, but, it just wasn’t my bag. I’m not all about loads of makeup and well, I prefer black to highly potent colors anyway. It’s not so bad, I looked a little different, but I liked it that way.
And well hey, I had fun. And in the end, I suppose that’s all that matters. Sans glasses and all.
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