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The aim of this thesis is to analyse, interpret, and describe the meanings of making a senior ball costume yourself. In addition, the motivation behind making their own costume instead of buying ready-made or tailored costume by someone else is being examined. The first part of the study describes, analyses, and specifies the types of senior ball costumes that are self-made. The second part of the study examines why dancers have made their costumes and what significance it holds for them. This research was conducted as a qualitative study using content analysis. The data for the study consisted of responses to an online survey, which were analysed using a data driven analysis method. The photographs from the online survey were analysed using a theory-directed analysis. Atlas.ti software was used to assist in the analysis. A total of 38 people responded to the online survey. The dataset consisted of 36 photographs of 25 different senior costumes. The senior dance costumes varied in colour, style, design, material, and details. In this study, all costumes were sewn, but other techniques including dyeing, embroidery, customization, and gluing were also used. The costumes aimed to express personality, old-fashioned aesthetic, recycling, and a departure from traditional appearances. The purpose of the senior costume can be divided into two categories: the product and the process of making. The costume as a product held emotional, aesthetic, expressive, supply-related, and functional meanings. It also held significance during the celebration. Wearing the dress during the celebration felt special for many of the dancers, as they had spent time and effort on the costume. Positive feedback about the costume increased the feelings of accomplishment in the seniors, and they felt proud of themselves. Some of the dancers had subsequent use for the costume after the senior ball, which indicates special attachment towards the self-made costume. For the dancers designing was a meaningful aspect of creating the costume and the whole process was educational. The process also involved emotional and social significance for dancers. The significance of the costume, as described by dancers, varied between individuals. For many dancers it was important to have a costume that felt personal and fitted well. For the participants of this study a self-made costume created more meaning than a ready-made or tailored costume. They valued handprint and it was desired to be displayed in the costume. According to the study, it is hard to find a ready-made old-fashioned costume, so the small group making their own costumes who are inspired by the past respect the original tradition of the event by wearing old-fashioned clothing.