As prom approaches, students aren’t just thinking about dates and dinners; girls are eagerly searching for the perfect dress. Prom dress styles have been heavily influenced by celebrities and social media in recent years. To fully understand what kind of dress you may want for this year’s Great Gatsby Gala, the theme of Brookfield Central’s prom, it helps to look at prom dress trends from the past.

Starting strong, most of our parents attended prom in the 90’s, and many students’ moms have a lot to say when it comes to shopping for such a milestone. In the 90’s, many women wore slip dresses, with simple, elegant colors and spaghetti straps. Key trends included pastel or deep-hued column gowns, beaded bodices, choker necklaces, and romantic babydoll styles, often styled with a high-heeled sandal. Many even claim that these styles have been making a comeback in 2020, in the era of modern freedom.

This year, fashion analysts are predicting that prom dresses will showcase vibrant jewel tones with prominent corset bodices, dramatic texture, and bold patterns. These experts expect electric magenta, emerald green, cobalt blue, and deep ruby colors with the possibility of large floral prints and sophisticated polka dots. This key style has been coined as Regencycore, a romantic, opulent style, inspired by historical fashion and silhouettes.

Though finding your perfect dress is only the first step, your outfit can’t be great without great accessories. A good metallic heel and simple jewelry will complement the dress wonderfully.

Prom fashion continues to change every year, bringing back old trends while introducing new ones. From 90’s slip dresses to modern corset gowns and bold jewel tones, prom dresses allow students to express their personality and style. No matter the trend, the most important part of prom fashion is choosing a dress that makes you feel confident and ready to enjoy the night.