Why it’s Better to Fly Solo at Prom

Nothing in high school has you analyzing your relationships with your peers as much as prom does. Whose house are you getting ready at? Who are you taking pictures with? And, infinitely more important: Who are you going with?

Sometime we have default answers: significant others, best friends, the neighbour your age who you promised you take because they go to a private school that doesn’t host a prom. But sometimes we don’t. For the rest of those who didn’t make the first draft, it’s open season. Who we take to prom is a status symbol; it’s almost as important as what we wear. And the idea of facing the big night alone: a little uncomfortable at best, terrifying at worst.

It’s rarely anyone’s first choice (or second, or third), it seems, to attend the most magical evening of their high school career without a date on their arm…But it should be. Here’s why:

You’ll actually get to spend time with your friends.
Going to prom as someone’s date sometimes comes with a sense of obligation to spend most of your evening with them. If you’re lucky, your date will understand that you don’t want to be glued to their side for the entire night; if not, you may find yourself taking extended bathroom breaks with your friends just to get a chance to see them. This can become especially irritating if you and your date don’t have a lot of mutual friends, and you end up dancing among a crowd you usually don’t care to spend time with. Prom is a celebration of the four or five years you’ve spent with these people– you’ll want to spend it with the ones you like.

You won’t have to worry about coordinating outfits.
No, it’s not a requirement, just a tradition. Yes, it can be fun. But sometimes having to be matchy-matchy with another person is a hassle– and can cramp your style (especially if your date’s favourite colour is lime green). Your prom attire should be a reflection of your personal style; it’s a golden opportunity to show your peers with how well you clean up. Why waste it by letting someone else influence what you’re wearing?

No one will ask you what’s really going on between you and your date.
It’s very unlikely that everyone is aware of the relationship between you and your date. There’s always a few people who don’t keep tabs on what’s going on with their peers but try to get involved with gossip. Your friends know that he’s your cousin, but the girl that sits beside you in Biology doesn’t. Your teammates all know you’re just going as friends, but the guy who’s crushing on you might not. You know that she’s gay, but your parents don’t. People like to pry. Sideways glances, Facebook messages from people you’re not really friends with, questions from your mother about the person you bought that corsage for. “So…are you guys a thing?” It’s usually harmless, but very annoying, and totally avoidable.

You’ll make the other lone wolves at the prom feel better about their solo status.
You chose to go to the prom alone; you know you look amazing and you’re prepped for a great night enjoying your independence. But not all the solo-flyers present will feel the same way. If there’s anything worse than showing up stag when you didn’t want to, it’s being the only person there without at a date (or at least feeling like you are). By going unaccompanied, you make the lone gals and guys feel less lonely– and show everyone how much fun it is to be dateless.

If you’ve already agreed to go with someone, cancelling on them so you can go alone might not be the most polite thing to do– and it’s very possible to have a good time as a pair! But if you don’t have a date, no stress. Show up looking fly and make everyone wish they had asked you.