Prom is one of the most memorable days of one’s high school years. Many people see it as a chance to dress up on a fun night with their friends. Some see it as an opportunity to create memories before graduating with their classmates. It is by far one of the most pinnacle moments throughout one’s journey from childhood to adulthood.
The highlight of a girl’s prom day is her prom dress. Over the years, prom dress fashion trends have changed drastically. Personally, I have been thinking about the kind of prom dress I want for my special night since freshman year. But, the styles have surprisingly changed so much over just four years. For this year, the latest prom trends seem to be bold and vibrant colors or metallic and sheer detailing. Most prom dresses chosen by girls this year fit nicely into these categories.
Finding a prom dress may seem simple but when you walk into a store filled with hundreds of dresses it really is overwhelming. Senior Katie Taormina shared her experience, “Going into my first prom store I knew exactly what I wanted, green and no sparkles. Having an idea of the color and style you want is important to think about before going to your stores.” Of course, she was right: knowing what you are looking for makes the process significantly easier.
Social media has increasingly become an expression of creativity. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest serve as a virtual runway for inspiration especially for events like prom. Individuals are exposed to a wide arrangement of styles, colors, and designs which influence their own ideas. Senior Ali Passarella said, “I’ve been keeping an album of what dresses I want from girls on TikTok and Instagram, they’ve been my inspiration after seeing them in their dresses.” It is helpful when you have a vision before making a decision as important as a dress you’ll be looking back on in the future.
Of course, the internet is what is always creating new fashion trends and one that is becoming extremely popular is the Easter style prom dresses. Ellie Glicksman, a senior at Yorktown, has a lot to say on the newest prom dress trend that has blown up: “I don’t like the new trend, it gives the wrong impression on what people should be wearing to prom,” she states. There is a controversy regarding this trend because some believe that it takes away from statements people like to make at prom. A flowy light-colored dress doesn’t make the same statement that a traditional sequenced tight dress does to most girls. Is wearing an Easter style prom dress a way for people to reject tried-and-true dresses or is it a form of self-expression? This is just one of the many tensions in today’s fashion culture.
Now, what happens when you don’t know what dress to decide on? Senior Sammy Robustelli explained her situation, “I was in between so many dresses so I randomly decided on a dress I wasn’t even sure about and when it came in I absolutely hated it.” To be in the situation where you make the wrong decision on a dress worth hundreds of dollars is awful. She continued, “After three stores I found the one I really liked and got it, I regret impulsively buying the first one because I just wanted to get a dress.”
Timeless or short-lived is a huge factor in thinking of your final dress decision. Timeless includes simple elegance, neutral colors, and classic styled dresses. Short-lived includes bold prints and trends that won’t last a while. When you look back at your prom 20 years later you want to be able to still think your dress looks good. Fast fashion may be on-trend now but thinking about the future is important too, maybe if you have a daughter you could pass that dress down!
The importance of prom dresses goes beyond the aesthetic appeal. Through the designs, colors, and timelessness there is a significance. Prom dresses hold a place in the minds of teenagers when approaching the year of their prom: a night to remember.
