THE costs of going to a formal have never been higher, but Roma’s Janice Golder is finding a more affordable way to look stylish.

The St John’s senior will join her peers on Friday night at the Explorer’s Inn for their school formal, where teenagers get kitted up in outfits worth more than their first used car.

But Janice has only spent money on her dress, a bright fuchsia number, and her hair at Aubrey Rae.

She will do her own make-up and use shoes she already has.

However, the 17-year-old said plenty of her friends had spent big money.

“I know a couple of girls who I chatted to and they got dresses for $900,” she said.

“Girls have had their dresses made and one of my really good friends paid $1500 for it.

“There’s a lot of trends and you feel if you’re not in the trend you’re not going to look good.

“Unfortunately for us, the trend is perfect dresses, make-up and hair.”

Formal entrances have also become a huge part of the event, but Janice said she wasn’t too interested in going all-out on her arrival.

“I just asked dad if he could give the Land Cruiser a wash and just use that,” she said.

But don’t mistake her cost-cutting for a lack of interest – Janice is excited as anything for her big night.

“I’m doing my own make-up but I’m looking forward to getting my hair done,” she said.

“Definitely the week before every conversation at school is about the formal.”

The formal entrances will begin from 5.30pm.