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These include a visit to the hairdresser for a "practice run", skin and nail care sessions and a series of visits to the suntanning salon. A French manicure for hands and feet is now the rage.
Months have gone into the planning of the evening wear and often the boy is also talked into wearing a matching outfit.
Leather outfits, stiletto-heels and contradicting colours seem to be high fashion this year. Among the fashion no-nos are excessive jewellery, clinging shorts with long boots and dresses with irregular hemlines.
In Cape Town, some matrics have had designer outfits made costing as much as R12 000. The total outlay (including smart transport) could amount to double that - enough for a wedding!
Although local matrics may not have spent as much, they can hardly wait for their special night.
But Lenore Fortuin feels that too much emphasis is being placed on the outfit.
"After going to so much trouble and spending so much money, some matrics might find the evening a letdown. Personally I think the final exams are much more important.
"At the dance, huge crowds await the arrival of the matriculants and they sometimes go overboard, shoving at the arriving couples.
"At the so-called after-party alcohol often plays a big role, but it depends on the individual - you do not have to take part in the drinking," she adds.
According to Lenore this year's styles are mainly bare backs and a slender silhouette while natural colours such as beige are in.
She is one of the lucky ones that has a fashion designer in the family, that will definitely cut down on the costs of her outfit.
Ursula Stockenström has no problem with dressing up for the matric dance, because this is the highlight of the year.
"Girls start dreaming about that special dress and date in primary school. But some tend to go overboard.
"Some girls have hinted that their dresses alone will cost about R3000. But what are the chances that she will ever wear that gown again?" she wonders.
Samantha Davids also feels that too big a deal is being made of the spectacular dresses for girls.
"Teenagers are so dressed up that they can hardly move on the dance floor. Then they go to the after party and act irresponsibly after drinking too much."
Anja Bothma said that the farewell should be a special event to mark the end of a school career.
"It should be an evening to remember, but you don't need to spend a fortune on your outfit. I don't plan on spending more than R1000 on my whole outfit, accessories included," she says.
Colours like purple and red, low neck-lines and corsets are some of the fashion looks that might be in the spotlight this year, says Anja.
Local designer Linda Meyer thinks that the feminine look is definitely in this year.
"Girls go for soft dresses that drape, in colours such as red and maroon. The criss-crossed strap detail is also high-fashion and more emphasis is placed on colour this year. Sequined dresses are also a favourite," she says.
Some matrics complain that a number of matric dances are held on the same evening this year.
According to one headmaster, this is due to the fact that there is a public holiday in the last week of the school term.
No matric dances can be held in the first week of next term, because the final examination starts a week earlier than before. |
GLITTERING gowns, flashy cars, the latest make-up and glamorous hairstyles make parents reach deep into their pockets for their darling daughters or sons.