Free prom outfit event held in Harlow for first time

“I’ve tried on 15 dresses,” said Sophie, 18, who realised the elegant nude and black-lace dress she tried on first was “the one”.

“This prom is the last time I see quite a lot of people I’ve known for two years now and I feel it’s a fun excuse to get dressed up, because we don’t normally do that,” she said.

Her mum, Stephanie Carey, said she looked “stunning” and, because this was Sophie’s third prom, they attended the event because money was “tight at the moment”.

Her first prom dress cost about £150 and extras like “shoes, bag, jewellery, you’re paying for ticket” all added up, she said.

“I feel like it’s the way forward – upcycling, recycling, swapping clothes, it’s definitely helping everyone out,” she said.