A List Of Different Prom Dress Trends Throughout The Years

The prom has been around for many years, which is a dance organized by a school for high school students. The event is usually held near the end of the academic year. The participants are usually grade 11 and grade 12 students and as you would expect, prom dress styles have greatly varied over the years.

Here are some of the popular dress styles that have been popular in the past.

• Belted Dresses – The 1950s and 60s saw a surge in the popularity of wearing a belt with a prom dress.

• Empire Waists – A high waist style dress was all the rage in the mid-seventies, while the fabric might be different on the top and bottom sections.

• Thin Straps – Another style that came on the scene in the early 1970s, with very thin whispy straps that might be tied in a bow at the shoulder.

• High Neck & Long Sleeves – These were seen in the mid-seventies, for a very formal look with flowery patterns and some lace embroidery. Trends do tend to come in cycles; you would find this style among the selection of unique prom dresses for 2023 at your favorite designer dress boutiques.

• Satin Prom Dress – In 1976, a horror movie called Carrie saw the main actress wearing a satin prom dress to her prom and as you probably know, things didn’t really go to plan. The movie was so successful that for quite a few years, satin was the top fabric for prom dresses.

• Pastel Colors – The late 70s and early 80s saw an explosion of soft, pastel colors, which remained popular until the late 80s. Pale blues, greens, and pinks were the favorite colors and this trend is returning.

• Puffed Sleeves – These arrived in the early 1980s, and were a remnant of the flower power hippy days of the 70s. The more puffed, the better, along with gathered shoulders to give a Victorian look.

• Tulle Skirts – Layered fabric combined with lace were worn in the early 1980s and the more layers, the better. Typically worn with a ponytail hair-do and a long fringe, tulle skirts did make a comeback in the 00s, although it was short-lived.

• Drop Waist Dresses – Another 80s fad, the drop waist gown was similar to hipsters that emerged in the 70s, typically with lots of ruffles and bows.

• Sheer Lace Gloves – The mid-1980s was a time when grandeur was in vogue, with long lace gloves to complement a white lace dress. This was a very elegant and sophisticated period and the lace was a part of that look.

• Boy-Girl Color Coordination – The late 1980s saw prom couples coordinate colors and sometimes styles, with soft pastel shades being very popular.

• Bubble Dress – An unusual style where the bottom of the dress takes on the shape of a bubble, this was a crazy time when young people experimented with their outfits. Some would say it was a highlight of the crazy 90s.

• Shimmering Fabrics – Metallics were all the rage in the mid-90s, and this was reflected in the choice of prom dresses. Gold, silver, platinum, and bronze were all popular right up until the end of the 200s.

• The Monochrome Look – Typically black and white were worn together and couples paid attention and tried to coordinate whenever possible.

As you can see, prom dress styles have changed dramatically since the 1950s and some of these styles can be seen today. Whatever your favorite style of prom dress, search online for a designer dress boutique and get the best deal available.