Depending on who you talk to, Homecoming and Turnabout can either be a source of liberation for their wardrobe or an unnecessary cause of stress. This is because juniors and seniors dress as a “theme” within their groups for the first two of New Trier’s three yearly dances.

Deciding on a theme can cause tension within friends. Senior Charlie Bunge said, “Every year I’ve had a theme that has caused some sort of tension with my friends.”

For other groups, the after-party causes more stress.

“I would say there is more tension in finding the after party,” said senior Gabby Kraus. “Once you reach junior and senior year and you dress up as themes you tend to have the same group of friends going with you and no theme is going to come between friendships.”

Themes range from a variety of costumes.

“Personally I’m all about ‘punny’ themes. You can make an outfit more conservative or scandalous no matter what your theme is. You just need to have creativity,” said Kraus.

Bunge said, “I want a theme to look good all-around. I think themes are better when people try to go all out for their costumes. It makes it all look much better.”

Typically, guys decide the theme for Homecoming and girls decide for Turnabout, but some students, such as senior Jen Lindblad, claimed that girls end up overriding the Homecoming theme in the end.

“For Turnabout it’s supposed to be the girls’ [choice] but of course the boys think they have veto power. But in the end, girls choose over the guys,” said Lindblad.

Many students actually admitted that they end up disliking the theme and agree to it just to please others.

Some of the more favored themes include dynamic duos, Disney characters, and “decades.”

“My favorite theme idea ever is ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’” said Kraus. “The girls would be vikings and the boys would be dragons. It’s too bad my group didn’t choose it. I also really like the idea of mythical creatures and ‘hot’ teachers, along with Noah’s Ark .”

According to Bunge, “It usually takes multiple [Facebook] polls to decide on a theme.”

“It normally takes my group ten to fifteen ideas before we are officially set on one,” said Lindblad.

Sophomore Charlie Burton, future theme dance-goer, said, “themed dances seem like a super fun idea because we don’t have to wear uncomfortable suits.

The problem is, I’m not very good at coming up with creative ideas, so I’m not prepared for the stress that comes from this extensive planning.”