Prom season is here, and while the tradition stays the same, the fashion has evolved over the years into a blend of modern day fashion and retro fashion. This year, many students are trading the traditional pro look for an outfit that is unique and bold.
The current trend is all about the texture and detail. Many women are wearing dresses with 3D patterns like butterflies and flowers that physically pop off the fabric. Glitter dresses are also a huge fashion favorite for those who want to shine under the disco ball. Romantic styles have made a major comeback, with corsets, ruffles, and bows adding a vintage feel to the dance floor. For men, the classic black tuxedo is being replaced by dark toned suits in emerald or burgundy, and men are even opting for suits with unique patterns like floral or geometric prints to stand out.
A big change this year is the shift toward conscious shopping. Instead of buying something brand new that might only be worn once, many students are choosing vintage reworn clothing. Thrifting has become a stylish way to ensure no one else is wearing the same outfit. Renting an outfit has also become popular way to wear a high end designer look while being eco friendly and saving a significant amount of money
Social media has a huge influence on what people choose to wear. Platforms like Tiktok and instagram create a lot of pressure to follow “viral” trends so students can get the perfect photo. This has made specific colors, like soft pastels and deep jewel tones, more popular for prom fashion this season. More students admit their choice was influenced by what they saw trending online, though some still try to mix in their own personal style.
Whether students choose to follow tiktok trends or go on their own path by having vintage and thrifted looks. This year proved that prom fashion isn’t about what’s trending or trying to fit in, it’s about self expression sustainability and making a bold statement. Ultimately prom is a way for people to express their style.
ACE Junior, Gabi Bierce, explain that she got inspiration for her fit by looking at at red carpet styles on Pintrest because she “wanted classic Hollywood type of feel to my outfit I wanted something that was bold”.
She mixed the current trends with her own style and “wore a trendy corset top but added 3d flowers and butterflies to make it my own”.
She explains that she “got [her] outfit online from different online stores that are trending and put the pieces together”. She “went to some thrift stores or low discounted stores for accessories and the designs” to make a unique look.
Gabi noticed that there are “a lot of men wearing velvet suits and women wearing flowy dresses with a slit or flowers” this year and that the cost of trendy prom clothes seems more expensive than previous years.
Whether you save money by crafting together your own unique fit or splurge on trendy looks that are all put together, prom is a rite of passage that many students find excited and worth the effort and extra expenses.
