Fashion Forward - Smart idea. Everyone wins

By Gazette Staff

January 6th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

The Halton District School Board has this wonderful program that lets people who no longer want the formal wear they wore when they graduated to give it to people who may not be able to afford what is expensive.

The program is called Fashion Forward.

Donations are being  accepted until Jan. 23; Open Houses held in March and April

Year to year the selection has been very good.

Jan. 6, 2026 – Fashion Forward is an initiative that provides Halton District School Board students an opportunity to select donated formal wear, at no cost, for their upcoming prom and graduation celebrations. Donations of clean, current-style formal wear for the Fashion Forward program are being accepted until the end of the day on Friday, Jan, 23.

Students are invited to attend any of the Fashion Forward Open Houses held in March and April to view and try on formal wear in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Students may select from a variety of new and gently-used attire that has been donated for proms, graduations and other special events. Many different styles, colours and sizes of formal dresses will be available as well as suits, shirts, ties, shoes and accessories.

Donations can be dropped off during school hours at the following locations:

Oakville

• Garth Webb Secondary School (2820 Westoak Trails Blvd.) from 8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
• Gladys Speers Public School (2150 Samway Rd.) from 8:50 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.

Burlington

• Alton Village Public School (3290 Steeplechase Dr.) from 8:40 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Lakeshore Public School (2243 Lakeshore Rd.) from 8:40 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• M.M. Robinson High School (2425 Upper Middle Rd.) from 8:30 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Milton and Halton Hills

• Gary Allan Learning Centre, Halton Hills (96 Guelph St., Georgetown) from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• W.I. Dick Middle School (351 Highside Dr., Milton) from 8:15 a.m. – 2:35 p.m.

To browse for formal wear, students can attend one of the Fashion Forward Open Houses:

• Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 from 3:30 – 8 p.m. at W.I. Dick Middle School (351 Highside Dr., Milton)
• Tuesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 23 from 3:30 – 8 p.m at Rolling Meadows Public School (1522 Mountain Grove, Burlington)

Students are required to bring student identification to the Open House they attend.

A more private shopping opportunity will be available from 3 – 3:30 p.m. during the Open Houses for anyone who would benefit from it.

Great idea.  I once bought a white sports coat to take a lovely lady to her graduation.  Wore it just the once – then over time I grew too big for it.