Prom Dresses Through the Years: An Evolution (2024)

Prom Dresses Through the Years: An Evolution (1)

Hollywood will lead you to believe that prom is all about romantic grand gestures, losing your virginity, and is a satisfying culmination of the teenage experience. Really though, it's all about the dress—come on, you know it's true. But what was fashionable for the Class of 1986 wouldn't make the cut for the Class of 2020. Here, we recap how prom dresses have changed over the decades.

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1

1930s: The Velvet Dress

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Velvet in any silhouette was desirable during the 1930s—especially a drop waist gown, like the one Mary Joyce Walsh wore to The Citadel's prom in 1939.

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2

1940s: The Long Gown With Full Sleeves

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The '40s silhouette did fall on the slim side (due to wartime fabric rations), but it's doubtful anyone showed up to prom looking like Rita Hayworth. Also, it was preferred to have one's shoulders covered, because modesty.

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3

1940s: The Wartime Dress

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Due to war rations, it was hard to find fabric for a new dress—even Queen Elizabeth had to scrimp and save for her wedding dress. But high school prom-goers made due with what they had and looked fabulous doing so.

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4

1950s: The Tea-Length Dress

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In the '50s, full-skirted dresses became highly fashionable. Commonly these dresses were tea-length, hitting mid-calf, but they certainly could be longer. Ruffles were optional for those who were into the Little Bo Peep look.

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5

1950s: The Tight Bodice and Tulle Skirt

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To give a bit more visual insight, a tulle skirt and curve-hugging bodice were also paramount elements to a beautiful '50s prom dress. And while many of these dresses were shoulder-baring, note how her date helps her with her shawl, because (again) modesty.

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6

1950s: The Sash

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While keeping to the era's traditional silhouette, it was beyond stylish for a dress to have unique little touches, like a chiffon sash or flower detailing.

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7

1950s: Elbow-Length Gloves

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Silk, satin, lace, you name it. Over all other accessories, gloves were key for any glamorous prom look in the '50s.

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8

1950s: Appliqué Detailing

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If you wanted to look like a true movie star at your prom in the 1950s, see Elizabeth Taylor at the UCLA prom in 1950. The actress's tulle dress with floral appliqué on the bodice and skirt was very high fashion at the time.

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9

Late 1950s: The Bubble hem Dress

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By the late 1950s, people started moving away from tulle skirts and went with sleeker designs. A common favorite? Shorter dresses with a full, trimmed skirt, dubbed the bubble hem dress.

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10

Early 1960s: The Transitional Era

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In the early '60s we see very subtle shifts in style. Most notably the waistline is slightly raised, the skirts slim down slightly, and the hair is a bit puffier. But the color schemes are still in innocent pastel shades.

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11

1960s: The Sheath Dress

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In true '6os style, some prom-goers opted to ditch formal gowns and wear knee-length sheath dresses instead.

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12

Late 1960s: The Empire Waist

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At this point, most of the waistlines are fully empire-style, but it's really all about those bouffants, isn't it? Think of all the secrets you could hide in a '60s beehive...

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13

1970s: The Long-Sleeved Poly-Blend Trend

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As we creep into the disco era, girls everywhere are wearing long floaty gowns made of synthetics to create a style that could be described as "gently unflattering." This particular gown has sheer long sleeves.

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14

1970s: The Eyelet Lace Dress

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Eyelet lace had its moment in the '70s. Pair this material with off-the-shoulder sleeves and an empire waist and you've got '70s gold. Bonus points if you placed a flower over your ear.

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15

1970s: The Carrie

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The outlier to the previously mentioned '70s dresses is a simplified strappy gown that's here immortalized by Carrie White. This look had a comeback later on in the late '90s, although the whole pig's blood thing never quite caught on...

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16

1980s: Ruffles on Ruffles

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The '80s took the previous decade's love for ruffles and supersized it. As a rule of thumb, no dress could have too many ruffles.

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17

1980s: The Metallic Wonder (And Other Demure Styles)

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All of these looks—from the crimped hair to the satin Minnie Mouse pumps—are so fantastically '80s. But special props goes to the shiny dress in the middle. That is prom queen material right there.

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18

1980s: The Matching Dates

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Matching was everything in the '80s. Did you even go to prom if your powder pink gown didn't match his bow tie and cumme*rbund?

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19

1980s: The Tulle Skirt (again)

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Tulle was back in the mid to late '80s, and this time it was bigger and, shall we say, better.

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20

1980s: Polka Dot Tulle

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A simple tulle dress didn't always cut it, which is why the '80s added polka dots to the look. Small embroidered dots would add that extra touch of sophistication.

Prom Dresses Through the Years: An Evolution (2024)

FAQs

Did girls wear gloves to prom in 80s? ›

'80s fashion was all about accessories, and by far, the most popular addition to any prom dress were sheer lace gloves.

What did girls wear to prom in the 70s? ›

By the 1970s, some prom dresses had long sleeves and flowing silhouettes. V-necklines made popular by disco fashion were seen on prom dance floors, as were strategically placed ruffles to give a more laid-back, bohemian look.

What is in for prom 2024? ›

Floral patterns bloom anew in 2024, infusing a new level of dreaminess and charm. From delicate blooms to bold flower prints, botanical motifs grace the fabric, evoking a sense of fantasy and romance. Whether mini, midi, or maxi, floral designs offer a timeless allure, ideal for a dreamy, ethereal prom night look.

Why are prom dresses important? ›

The choice of a prom dress is a momentous decision, representing an individual's unique style and aspirations. This connection transforms the dress into a tangible memory, forever linking it to one of life's significant milestones. Just as the memories are cherished, so is the dress that carried those dreams.

When did girls stop wearing gloves? ›

It wasn't until the 1960's that gloves began to slip away from mainstream fashion and regulated back to pure utilitarian uses for work, sports, and cold weather. However, gloves over history were much more than a fashion and social statement.

Did girls wear denim skirts in the 80s? ›

Circa-1983, denim miniskirts—with a pencil skirt silhouette—became a popular teenage fashion. They were initially in darker blues, but eventually pinstripes (light blue on darker blue, red on black) and acid wash. The trend faded in the late 1980s when knit miniskirts were dominant.

What was prom like in the 50s? ›

In the 1950s, proms were held in school gyms, which were decorated in crepe paper and streamers, a disc jockey might have played popular records of the day or a band might play, and teachers volunteered as chaperones so that the punch bowl wouldn't contain anything other than punch.

How did the girls dress in the 90s? ›

Common looks for women were crop tops, babydoll dresses over leggings, black leather jackets with shoulder pads, and colored or embroidered jeans, with slouch socks, Keds, or ballet flats.

What was the 90s prom trend? ›

The silhouette of the 90s prom dress was often characterized by a fitted bodice and a voluminous skirt. Strapless or spaghetti strap styles were particularly favored, accentuating the shoulders and neckline. These dresses often featured layers of tulle or chiffon, creating a princess-like effect when worn.

What does prom stand for? ›

Although prom in its precise definition is short for promenade dance—a formal dance party for high school students held toward the end of the school year—there are several other activities that typically take place on prom night, including group photo sessions, dinners and afterparties.

What grade year is prom? ›

Prom usually takes place in the junior and senior years of high school (especially grades 9 to 12), normally around February or March. Proms are commonly known as JS prom, or, junior-senior prom.

What is the 2024 prom color? ›

For 2024, it's all about standing out and making a statement with bold, vibrant colors. Whether you're into fiery reds, electric blues, hot pinks, or sunny yellows, embrace the power of color to express your unique personality.

Why are girls so obsessed with prom? ›

It is a Memorable Time Spent with Friends

Someone acting like a mean girl is laughable. One of the reasons why is prom so important to teens is that they have a memorable night with friends, classmates, and people they'll miss growing up with. We are pretty sure that years later, you won't regret missing it!

Why do girls care about prom? ›

A prom is a rite of passage for many high school students. For girls, it can be especially important because it's one of the few times in their lives when they get to dress up and feel like a princess. It's also a time when they can let their hair down and have fun with their friends. Is prom overrated?

Do you try on prom dresses with a bra? ›

If possible, wear a strapless or plunging bra under your shopping outfit. This makes it easier to see the true neckline of the dress, without your bra getting in the way too much.

What did people wear in the 80s to prom? ›

Typical '80s prom dresses were all about big sleeves, big bows, big ruffles, and billowing tulle skirts. Early '80s prom fashion was a festival of shiny, shimmery fabrics, jewel tones, sheer gloves, polka-dot tulle, and satin.

Did people wear fingerless gloves in the 80s? ›

The influence of fingerless gloves on high fashion and mainstream culture became more apparent in the 1980s. Designers started incorporating fingerless gloves into their collections, elevating them from a subcultural symbol to a mainstream fashion accessory.

Were fingerless gloves popular in the 80s? ›

The fingerless glove became a fashion statement in the 1980s, made iconic by celebrities such as Billy Idol and Madonna.

When was wearing gloves popular? ›

During the 15th century, gloves become a fashionable accessory for both men and women. By the 16th century, gloves become a highly decorated accessory with slashing, gems, pearls, lace, embroidery, tabs, ribbons and elaborate cuffs.

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