Exploring Prom Dress Fashion Through The Decades
Explore the evolution of prom dress fashion from the wartime styles of the 1940s to the contemporary "Easter prom dresses" of the 2020s.
Prom season is quickly approaching, therefore the frenzy around prom dress shopping has already begun. With the chaos surrounding dresses, suits, corsages, and hair appointments, it’s interesting to think about how this beloved American tradition started. The idea is derived from debutante balls, a high-society dance that formally introduces young women into society. Make no mistake, debutante balls are still very much in existence today, but their spinoff, the end-of-year high school prom, is without a doubt an experience that unites all American high schoolers.
According to USA Today, the current-day tradition of prom stems from an alternative prom that middle-class Americans attended.
“The prom we're more familiar with today evolved in the 20th century to serve a similar function for graduating middle-class white women who might not be able to afford debutante balls,” said Camille Fine from USA Today.
The tradition of an annual prom began during the 1920s; however, due to Jim Crow and segregated high schools, these dances were generally reserved for white students. During the 1930s, many high schools actually canceled prom due to the economic pressures many Americans were facing from the Great Depression and World War 2. Author Beth L. Bailey details this in her book about courtship during the 20th century.
“The pressure could be intense,” writes Bailey. “Chicago high school principals frequently canceled proms because they feared many students who couldn’t afford them would be ‘psychologically wounded’ by that failure.”
However, after the war and post-war boom during the 1950s, prom was back in full swing. Each era of prom dress fashion is not only a reflection of American style but also of America’s culture and ideals during that decade. The 50s, with their poofy poodle skirts made of tule and a bodice made of satin, reflect an era of decadence and wealth the country had during its economic prosperity after World War 2, while the casual eyelet lace dresses of the 1970s and elegant silk slip dresses (we can thank the 1976 version of Carrie for that one) communicated an air of hip grooviness and a laid-back vibe many partook in after the chaotic aftermath of the Vietnam War.
As we explore prom dresses through the decades, let us take a look at a look at the styles and silhouettes that were indicative of each decade.
1930s and 1940s: Wartime Fashion
Prom dresses during the 1930s and 1940s employed conservative styles; velvet dresses were generally worn by wealthier upper-society women, while the middle class had to make do with whatever the wartime fabric rations provided. This meant dresses back then were often made with materials like cotton or even repurposed fabrics from their wardrobe to make their prom dresses. According to the Library of Congress, girls in the 1940s had to keep away from using fabrics imported from Japan as the U.S. declared war on Japan during World War 2.
1950s: Poofy Tulle
The post-war economic boom gave way to poodle and tea skirts made of tulle and silk sashes and shawls. Chiffon was also a popular material of choice for prom dresses during this decade. Florals and floral detailing also started to emerge in the form of applique detailing, and to accessorize, the ever-classy elbow-length gloves were a go-to. Many prom dresses during that time often had hems that ended at the mid-calf region.
1960s: Elegant Sheaths
The early years of the decade saw remainders of the ‘50s dressing in its poofy tulle skirts and conservative shawls. But a style unique to the ‘60s was the sheath dress was all the rage and was a style favored by the upper echelons of society. Women like Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn wore the style with grace, and it seems that the same could be said for high schoolers at the time. Sheath dresses usually hit just below the knee.
1970s: The '70s Groove
Perhaps a result of hipster culture, clothing during the ‘70s became baggier and more relaxed as opposed to the form-fitting and formal styles from the previous decades. Eyelet lace dresses, or layered gowns in a pastel color, were a popular choice for high schoolers back then. If we want to look to movies, a silk slip dress, as seen in the 1976 version of Carrie, might have also been a popular style during the ‘70s.
1980s: Metallic Fabrics and Polka Dots
The ‘80s are, without a doubt, one of the most iconic eras for prom dress fashion. Molly Ringwald’s pink polka-dot dress in Pretty in Pink was indicative of the loud, shiny, and, might one say, gaudy style of the ‘80s. Poofy tulle skirts made a reappearance in the ‘80s and were often paired with metallic bodices made of satin.
1990s: Spaghetti Straps
While the early ‘90s saw trends that reflected the taste of the '80s, The mid-to-late 1990s marked a minimalistic shift as we started to see simple spaghetti straps or strapless maxi dresses with straight or v-necklines. For those who were pop culture fanatics, Titanic-themed dresses were all the rage as well.
2000s: Vintage Throwbacks
During the aughts, plain satin dresses and two-piece sets make an appearance. These styles would go on to dominate the 2010s as well. The 2000s also saw a throwback to the ‘50s and ‘60s with shorter hemlines and floral detailing as seen with Gabriella in High School Musical 3: Senior Year. The prom dress designed by now-famous Christian Siriano in the fourth season of Project Runway also saw the ‘50s and ‘60s style at play.
2010s: Beads and Bedazzles
Towards the beginning of the 2010s, it was all about detailing. Beading, rhinestones, and ruching along with structured bodices were the vibe during this period defined by, sometimes questionable, but fun fashion. As it inches towards the end of the decade, many lean towards more muted styles reminiscent of the late ‘90s.
2020-present: "Easter Dress" Prom Fashion
The post-COVID era of prom went in a completely different direction in comparison to its previous eras. In a style of dress many are dubbing “an easter prom dress, the young women of the 2020s are choosing to wear lighter floral dresses made of cotton or chiffon. This style, in many ways, is a throwback to the pared-down style of the ‘70s.
