Can't afford to go to my graduation

LegacyUser

Hi,
This is my first time posting here so I'm not sure if I'm doing it right so apologies in advance if not,

I'm in my final year of school (hopefully) and my graduation is coming up in a couple of months.

My problem is that ever year the people graduating are required to wear suits, I do not own one and can not afford to rent or buy one as money is extremely tight.

I don't know what I am going to do. At this moment in time my only way out is not going to my graduation. I think it is extremely stupid of the school for making us dress up to such expensive extremes. I can't go to my Debs because they are too expensive and I have just gotten over that when I found out I can't even go to my graduation. Why can't we just wear our school uniform.

Could anyone offer me any advice. Should I just not go to it?

Thanks.

December2012

Is there a form teacher you can talk with?

LegacyUser

Hi,

I can't talk to a teacher really because I'd be so embarrassed, I was able to give a believable excuse other than not having money as a reason for not being able to go to the Debs but I can't make another excuse for the Grad.

ivytwine

How tight a budget is a tight budget?

Can you go to Dunnes, Penney's, Debenhams (in the sales) and get a nice shirt and pants?

Have you an older brother or cousin or even an uncle or dad you can borrow a suit off?

What about your parents, where do they stand in all this?

Or....

How about you go, but not in a suit, but in the nicest clothes you own? Look at it this way, it's the very last day of school, what are they going to do, suspend you?

It would be a shame to miss out on the occasion for this reason. And once you're fairly well presented, you'll look well. I went to my debs in a dress that I got in the UK for £10!

LegacyUser

Hi,

I literally have no money that I can afford to spend.

I was thinking of just wearing the school uniform. But I feel feel so out of place! I don't know what to do.

aonb

whereabouts do you live OP?
I volunteer in a charity shop - a really really nice charity shop
We have heaps of suits - all pretty new/brill condition - and they sell for approx E15. You could even get a shirt and tie for around E5 - though shirt/tie sets are available in Penneys for less than E10 all the time.
So go to a charity shop (PM me if you want, I will tell you where our charity shop is located) and have a browse. You can give your name to charity shops and they will call you when something comes in in your size if they dont have anything at the moment. Charity shops are constantly getting donations, so keep checking the shops out in your town.
I would also explain the situation to one of your teachers - so many people are in the same boat as you, the school may have an option to help out in some way.

Doom

A good friend or friends brother may help out if you ask on the quite...
Hope it works out, I remember missing lots of these things when I was younger, but I did get to some and really enjoyed it, so if it doesn't work out, keep the faith.

LegacyUser

To be honest I couldn't justify asking Mom for any money because it's literally not there.

I'm not going to the grad afters or the debs because of money.

I hope to go to college next year and every cent I have is going into funding that.

I might just ask to go in uniform regardless of how much it will make me stick out and if they don't like it I just wont go. It's such a ridiculous notion anyways. We wear a school uniform to school so I don't see why we can't wear it to our school graduation.

ivytwine

Believe me your teachers have seen it all before. They know that not everyone has money to spend.

Also, what about your family? Surely they will not want you to miss your grad?

gavindublin

What size are you

freshpopcorn

Aunt,uncle, god parents, grand parents might be able to help you out?

LegacyUser

To be honest I don't even know what size I am.

I have no relatives around my age or size that I could borrow off.

It'll be grand though.

These replies have helped me realize that it doesn't matter what I wear as long as I am there.

I'm not letting some inconsiderate notion by the school get in my way of attending my grad.

Thanks a million.

ANXIOUS

I've suits in a few different sizes some I'd be happy to give away due to lack of use, to someone like yourself.

sopretty

Are you the future Luke Ming Flanagan by any chance? An occasion is an occasion. A dress code is just that. You're going to have to get a job (hopefully) somewhere down the line and abide by their dress code from Day 1. You're being a little tempestuous to be honest. How is everyone else in your school affording their suits?

oceancat

Ahh come on this has to be a Troll post, going in your school uniform are you for real do you want to look like a right spastic, jesus you surely have a half decent pants with a shirt you can wear? or else just stay at home for yourself youd be better off.

go look for an evening or weekend job that will pay for it

December2012

Teachers are well aware of the financial constraints that pupils are under. I understand you're proud, but there must be one you could talk to?

If not, then definitely go in your school uniform.

Taltos

oceancat - if you think a poster is a troll report it. Calling out trolls as you have here is not appropriate. However calling anyone a spastic is highly offensive. To be frank if you were not new to PI/RI this alone would have resulted in an immediate ban, such language is just not on.

sopretty - similarly this is your last chance. Read our charter, post in a civil constructive manner or please don't post

Penny Tration

sopretty wrote: »

Are you the future Luke Ming Flanagan by any chance? An occasion is an occasion. A dress code is just that. You're going to have to get a job (hopefully) somewhere down the line and abide by their dress code from Day 1. You're being a little tempestuous to be honest. How is everyone else in your school affording their suits?

When you're abiding by a dress code in work, you're also earning a wage and can therefore afford clothes.

Maybe other people in the school can afford suits?

When I went to my debs, I was going to bring a female friend. She couldn't afford a dress, drinks, lift up to my place to get the limo, nothing.

There are always people in dire financial straits, especially now.

I ended up bringing a guy to my debs in the end, who couldn't afford a suit or drinks. So I borrowed a cousin's suit, bought him a shirt and tie, and paid for his drinks.

Op, do not miss your grad for the sake of a suit. If you can get your hands on a pair of black slacks, wear those and a cheap white shirt/tie. If not, wear the nicest clothes you have, or your uniform. Tbh, I think it's admirable that you're so determined to use the little money you have for college, and not for a damn suit. Enjoy your grad, and don't stress about clothes.

amdublin

If you can stretch to it Penneys do great suits for a great price.

My mam bought my dad a plain black one for a wedding last year. They can well afford to pay way more for a suit, but my mam considered that for literally that once a year event when my dad wears a suit, plus that the Penneys one was so GOOD for the price that she was not not paying more than the penneys one.

Even a pair of trousers from Penneys and a shirt and tie set. I'd say €25 all in would do it. Any chance you could even get that money from somewhere???

But if you literally have no money at all could you go with what you have.

Suggestion:
pair of runners
pair of jeans
shirt
dickie bow (funky one from penneys)
This looks seems very "in" at the moment with young people...

I'd also echo and say fek it wear your school uniform and later on just take the jumper and tie off and sure there you are in a pair of trousers and a shirt. It is what it is and if anyone judges you for that they are not worth it.

mistress_gi

I have another suggestion. Go to a shpo and find out what size you are then you can ask for what you need in freecycle or jumbletown, maybe even gumtree. Free is the best price there is

amdublin

mistress_gi wrote: »

I have another suggestion. Go to a shpo and find out what size you are then you can ask for what you need in freecycle or jumbletown, maybe even gumtree. Free is the best price there is

This is a GREAT idea.

gavindublin

The offer is already in thread for free suits

ted1

nomoneyno wrote: »

Hi,
This is my first time posting here so I'm not sure if I'm doing it right so apologies in advance if not,

I'm in my final year of school (hopefully) and my graduation is coming up in a couple of months.

My problem is that ever year the people graduating are required to wear suits, I do not own one and can not afford to rent or buy one as money is extremely tight.

I don't know what I am going to do. At this moment in time my only way out is not going to my graduation. I think it is extremely stupid of the school for making us dress up to such expensive extremes. I can't go to my Debs because they are too expensive and I have just gotten over that when I found out I can't even go to my graduation. Why can't we just wear our school uniform.

Could anyone offer me any advice. Should I just not go to it?

Thanks.

What would you wear to a job interview?

chefwes

WhT size are you op ? I have some suits at home and in my mams that you could have one. I understand what your saying about money I really do but there is always places that can help. As previous posts said try jumble town or the SVDP clothes bank. There's plenty of help out there these days.

MouseTail

chefwes wrote: »

WhT size are you op ? I have some suits at home and in my mams that you could have one. I understand what your saying about money I really do but there is always places that can help. As previous posts said try jumble town or the SVDP clothes bank. There's plenty of help out there these days.

OP go to a shop and find out your size, not somewhere you need to be measured, but try on a few suits and shirts in Dunnes or Marks. Then post up your size. People are good :-)

Koptain Liverpool

Takew up the offer of a second-hand suit that a few people have made to you OP.
If not then why does it have to be your uniform??

Just wear a shirt, tie and trousers. I'm sure you have at least that.

That's what I wore for formal occasions for years. I couldn't afford a suit until I'd finished college. Sure everyone takes off their jacket when they arrive at these things so a shirt and slacks is basically the same thing.

LegacyUser

Hi,

I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of people! Thank You all so much!

Thankfully my friends have decided to also wear their uniforms alongside me!

I am so grateful for all the kind offers and suggestions!

Thanks again!

ANXIOUS

nomoneyno wrote: »

Hi,

I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of people! Thank You all so much!

Thankfully my friends have decided to also wear their uniforms alongside me!

I am so grateful for all the kind offers and suggestions!

Thanks again!

That's great to year, you find out through friends when the chips are down. Offer still stands if you need an one for an interview or anything.

freshpopcorn

Generally people get a little dressed up for their grads night in school because it's a special night. Generally people head out after it to a pub or somewhere. Would you go out afterwards in your uniform?
Just becareful your not backing your friends into a corner about wearing there uniform.

Tramps Like Us

Maybe I'm wired differently but I've been in a similar position quite a few times (I now have a nice suit lol) where I couldnt afford to go to these type of things and I just told people when they asked why I wasn't going that I couldnt afford it and it wouldn't be justifiable to cut back in other ways or to accrue debt for one day. There's no shame in not having enough money. Nearly everyone understood and was very kind about it, only one guy I know kinda sniggered - I just looked him dead in the eye and asked him what was so funny - judging by how embarrassed he looked I think he realized he had far more to be ashamed about than me

OP its not like a few years ago, people understand that money is scarce.

finix

If all comes to nothing PM me. I will kit you out:)

Taltos

Can I remind posters that asking the OP to PM you is against our charter even if it is with good intentions. This is as much to protect you as it is them.

Thanks
Taltos

Dixie Chick

I may be wrong but I think the person asking what size you are was doing it for a reason...and you aren't even trying to entertain any advice. Isnt the school graduation in June. Its March now, you can put two quid a week away and get a suit in a charity shop