Prom Dresses
Prom dresses, a.k.a. formal dance attire for high school students, date back to the early 20th century in the United States.
At first, proms were simple events held in school gymnasiums or auditoriums, with students wearing their best clothing rather than formal attire. However, as proms became more popular and glamorous in the mid-20th century, formal wear became the norm.
This included the prom dress, a special dress that girls would wear to the prom. In the 1950s, prom dresses were typically tea-length or ballerina-length, with full skirts and fitted bodices. In the 1960s, shorter hemlines and more streamlined silhouettes became popular.
- March 11, 2023
- Dagmara Mach
Since then, prom dresses have continued to evolve with the times. Today, prom dresses come in a wide range of styles, from classic ballgowns to sleek and modern designs.
They are often made with luxurious fabrics such as silk, satin, and chiffon, and may feature intricate beading, embroidery, or other embellishments.
For many young women, choosing the perfect prom dress is an important rite of passage and a symbol of their transition into adulthood.
Prom dresses are often cherished as keepsakes and may be passed down through generations.
Ballgown: A classic and timeless style, ballgowns are characterized by a fitted bodice and a full, voluminous skirt that falls to the floor. They are often made with luxurious fabrics such as tulle or satin, and may feature intricate embellishments such as beading or embroidery.
A-line: A-line dresses are fitted at the top and gradually widen towards the hem, creating a silhouette that resembles the letter “A”. This style is flattering on many body types and is often made with flowing fabrics such as chiffon or organza.
Mermaid: Mermaid dresses are fitted through the bodice and hips, and then flare out at the knees or lower. This style is often made with stretchy fabrics such as jersey or spandex, and can be very flattering on those with an hourglass figure.
Two-piece: Two-piece prom dresses consist of a separate top and skirt that are designed to be worn together. This style is versatile and can be customized with different combinations of tops and skirts.
High-low: High-low dresses have a hemline that is shorter in the front and longer in the back. This style is often made with flowing fabrics such as chiffon or tulle, and can be a great option for those who want a shorter dress that still feels formal.
In 2023 look for a rise in more minimalist styles, as well as dresses with unique details such as cutouts, asymmetrical hems, or dramatic sleeves.
prom dresses in the 90s!
The 90s was an interesting time for fashion, and this was reflected in prom dress styles as well. Here are some of the most popular styles of prom dresses from the decade:
The Slip Dress: The 90s were known for their minimalist, grunge-inspired fashion, and slip dresses were a perfect embodiment of this style. Slip dresses were simple, elegant dresses that featured a straight cut and often had spaghetti straps. They were often made of silk or satin and were very popular for proms in the early to mid-90s.
The Babydoll Dress: Another popular style from the 90s was the babydoll dress. This style featured a short, full skirt and a fitted bodice, often with a high neckline. Babydoll dresses were often made with floral prints or other fun patterns, and were a popular choice for those who wanted a more playful look for prom.
The Princess Dress: While the 90s were known for their minimalist fashion, there was still a demand for more traditional, fairy-tale inspired prom dresses. The princess dress was a popular choice for those who wanted a more formal, elegant look for prom. These dresses featured a fitted bodice and a full, voluminous skirt that often featured layers of tulle or other materials.
The Sheath Dress: In the late 90s, a more streamlined silhouette became popular for prom dresses. The sheath dress was a simple, elegant style that featured a fitted, straight cut and often had spaghetti straps or a halter neckline. These dresses were often made with stretchy materials such as spandex or jersey, and were popular with those who wanted a more modern, minimalist look.
popular styles of prom dresses in the 1980s!
The 1980s was a decade of bold, colorful fashion and prom dresses were no exception. Here are some of the most popular styles of prom dresses from the decade:
The Pouf Dress: One of the most iconic styles of prom dresses from the 80s was the pouf dress. These dresses featured a fitted bodice and a full, voluminous skirt that was often made of layers of tulle or other materials. Pouf dresses were often brightly colored and decorated with sequins, bows, or other embellishments.
The Power Dress: The 80s were also known for their power dressing trend, which emphasized strong, structured silhouettes. Power dresses were often made with stiff fabrics such as taffeta or silk and featured padded shoulders, sharp tailoring, and a fitted waist. They were a popular choice for those who wanted a more formal, sophisticated look for prom.
The Ruffle Dress: Another popular style of prom dress in the 80s was the ruffle dress. These dresses featured tiers of ruffles that added volume and movement to the skirt. Ruffle dresses were often brightly colored and decorated with sequins or other embellishments.
The Off-the-Shoulder Dress: Off-the-shoulder dresses were a popular style in the 80s, and this trend carried over to prom dresses as well. These dresses featured a neckline that exposed the shoulders and often had a fitted bodice and a full skirt. They were a popular choice for those who wanted a more romantic, feminine look for prom.
prom dresses in the 2000s!
The 2000s were a time of evolving fashion trends, and this was reflected in the prom dress styles that were popular during the decade. Here are some of the most popular styles of prom dresses from the 2000s:
The Mermaid Dress: The mermaid dress made a comeback as a popular style in the 2000s and is still popular today. These dresses featured a fitted bodice that flared out into a dramatic, flared skirt that resembled the shape of a mermaid tail. They were often made with shiny, shimmery fabrics and were popular with those who wanted a more glamorous, red-carpet look for prom.
The Empire Waist Dress: The empire waist dress was another popular style in the 2000s. These dresses featured a high waistline that sat just below the bust, and a flowing skirt that fell to the floor. Empire waist dresses were often made with light, airy fabrics such as chiffon or silk, and were a popular choice for those who wanted a more romantic, bohemian look for prom.
The Strapless Dress: Strapless dresses were a popular style in the 2000s and were often decorated with beading, sequins, or other embellishments. These dresses featured a fitted bodice and a full, flowing skirt, and were a popular choice for those who wanted a more classic, feminine look for prom.
The Two-Piece Dress: In the mid-2000s, a trend for two-piece prom dresses emerged. These dresses featured a crop top and a full, flowing skirt, and were often made with colorful, bold prints or patterns. Two-piece dresses were popular with those who wanted a more modern, edgy look for prom.
popular styles of prom dresses between 2010 and 2020.
The period between 2010 and 2020 saw a variety of different prom dress styles become popular. Here are some of the most popular styles of prom dresses from this decade:
The High-Low Dress: The high-low dress was a popular style in the 2010s and is still popular today. These dresses featured a hemline that was shorter in the front and longer in the back, creating a dramatic, flowing effect. They were often made with lightweight fabrics and were a popular choice for those who wanted a more bohemian, whimsical look for prom.
The Ball Gown Dress: The ball gown dress was another popular style in the 2010s. These dresses featured a fitted bodice and a full, voluminous skirt that was often made with layers of tulle or other materials. Ball gown dresses were often decorated with beading or other embellishments and were a popular choice for those who wanted a more formal, traditional look for prom.
The Sheath Dress: The sheath dress was a popular style in the latter half of the decade. These dresses featured a slim, figure-hugging silhouette that was often made with stretchy fabrics such as jersey or spandex. Sheath dresses were often decorated with sequins or other embellishments and were a popular choice for those who wanted a more modern, streamlined look for prom.
The Jumpsuit: In the later years of the decade, jumpsuits became a popular alternative to traditional prom dresses. Jumpsuits featured a one-piece design with pants instead of a skirt or dress. They were often made with luxurious fabrics such as velvet or silk and were a popular choice for those who wanted a more edgy, fashion-forward look for prom.
