Ladies, this ain’t the ’80s. Gone are the days of “mall blasts” and “shopping ’til you drop.”

In this economy, even teens are embracing frugality — as well as the notion that it’s a bit ridiculous to wear a special dress just once.

Molly Orr, a senior at Redmond High School (RHS) has organized the first-ever RHS Dress Swap, to take place from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 in the RHS cafeteria, 17272 NE 104th St.

Students are bringing in gently used Homecoming dresses, shoes and accessories during lunch periods at the school this week. Community members can also donate fancy frocks in the school office from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. through this Friday, Sept. 18 or in the cafeteria, prior to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19.

Participants have the option of getting their dress back after the Homecoming dance, which is scheduled from 9 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Oct. 10 in the school cafeteria.

Don’t have a dress to donate? You can also donate cash to the RHS Help Fund, which helps students whose families are financially struggling to participate in activities such as school dances.

Orr said the RHS Dress Swap is “definitely in response to the recession — dresses are expensive and definitely not top priority right now. After our school created the RHS Help Fund last year, I realized how many people in our community are having trouble economically and I felt that this is a way to help them.”

Once upon a time, girls would amass large collections of pretty party clothes, only to have them gather dust in the closet afterward. “Dressing to impress” is no longer an obsession, not only because of the economy but because of concerns about being wasteful.

“I know a lot of girls that have borrowed dresses for dances,” Orr noted. “I lent one to a friend last year and I also borrowed one for Prom and this year’s Homecoming. Since most girls only wear their dresses once, they’re in good condition and girls are willing to share. … We are planning on this being the first of many dress swap drives. There will also be one before Tolo and Prom. We’re just trying to stay Green and support each other in this recession!”

She’s also seeking raffle donations from local hair and nail salons and volunteers to help with dress fittings and alterations. For more information, contact Molly Orr at s-MORR@lwsd.org or at mollyryann@hotmail.com.