When someone says, “high school”, one of the first things that comes to mind is Prom. Picking out the perfect dress is a canon event in teenage girls’ lives; throughout the past 50 years, prom fashion has evolved significantly. Here is a  trip through the history of prom’s hottest fashion trends.

First up is the 70’s! If you’re looking to gain inspiration from this era, the main style was Bohemian. Ruffles and V-necks were all the rage being derived from this era’s disco fashion. During this time, the prom dresses were more modest and elegant with vibrant colors and floral prints.

The 80’s prom era brought vibrance to a new level! 80’s prom fashion consisted of shiny material made in neon colors like turquoise, orange, pink, and green. The prom fashion icons of the time wore drop-waist dresses with a large skirt and big puffy sleeves. Some other fashion staples include big bows, velvet, lace ruffles, etc.

90’s prom expressed classic looks and elegance. If you want your prom dress to look like you’re from the 90’s, the go-to style was shimmer and metallic slip dresses. Spaghetti straps were popular, helping to accentuate the shoulders and neckline. Dresses also had tulle and slits to give the princess-effect.

2000’s prom brought all different types of styles. Whether you like sparkles or sequins, the 2000’s had it all. Strapless dresses were a common feature in dresses during this time as well as the halter top style. Chunky shoes were a common accessory worn with these dresses along with elbow-length gloves to help elevate the look.

The 2010’s weren’t that long ago, but the prom trends have evolved a lot since then. Popular styles during this time were heavily beaded patterns, sequins, ombre, and cut outs. 2010’s seemed to follow the philosophy of “bigger is better” with the busy prints and use of sparkles.

For your 2025 prom, incorporate the different prom eras in your look! With your prom outfit this year, make your own statement and do your part to make the 2020’s prom era the most iconic one yet!