Prom Night is probably the most exciting night for every teenage girl! And as it should be! Prom is your time to shine! Nobody may live up to the standard of Elle Woods, but prom time calls for channeling all your inner it girl energy and putting together the perfect outfit that even Elle Woods would approve of! Finding the right prom dress can be tedious but also super fun!
The excitement of trying on multiple dresses with your girlfriends, finding the perfect dress that you not only look good in but also feel comfortable and confident in, is all part of the prom experience.
Have you always had a good eye and found yourself at home in the doors of a clothing store? Prom is your time to shine! Even if you don’t, I have got you covered.
Find Your Style: Classic vs Trendy
Choosing the right prom dress can be tricky, trying to keep up with upcoming trends while still trying to maintain your personal style. A classic, timeless piece can never go wrong. That being said, as good as black may look on you, you will probably find a handful of your other classmates in a black prom dress. It is best to find something unique that sets you apart from the crowd!
It is also noteworthy that you blend your personal style and aesthetic while you style your dress; you are always going to remember the night of your prom, so best to make your outfit a memorable one!
In the current trends when it comes to prom dresses, you will see that a lot of corset dresses are still very much in style, more dresses with sheer sleeves and puff sleeves. And for the girls out there who don’t want to follow traditions or norms, a stylish jumpsuit is the way to go!
Bright colors have also made a comeback, and it is sizzling! A red prom dress or even a green prom dress styled right could make you stand out! With the release of the Barbie movie, a lot of prom dresses 2023 were inspired by Margot Robbie’s looks, featuring a lot of bright pink options, and the Barbie trend is still relevant in 2024.
Length is another aspect to consider; depending on your school, surroundings, and personal comfort, you can look into either beautiful long formal dresses or short cocktail dresses, which are perfect for the afterparty! I personally also adore the style of long-sleeve formal dresses, keeping it simple and elegant!
Budget-Friendly Options
Who said you can’t have glamor on a budget? Why spend hundreds of dollars on a dress that you will probably end up wearing only once? But shopping on a budget does not mean sacrificing style and glamor. There are many online stores that offer good-quality, stylish, and trendy dresses for cheap!
Asos
Asos probably needs no introduction! They offer some of the most stylish, trending clothes online! I am sure all the Pinterest girls agree with me. Their 2024 prom dress collection is more hot than ever. Gorgeous silhouettes, formal dresses, homecoming dresses—you name it, they got it. Asos caters to the current style more than any other online store at the moment, and the best part is that they aren’t overpriced. You will find stunning dresses ranging from $100-$200 and a few good options below $100 as well. Asos also has a great collection of plus-size prom dresses. Asos will always be my favorite go-to option!
Lulus
Lulus is also a great option for shopping on a budget. Their collection features a style of laid-back, sleek, and simple dresses; these options are timeless, and you cannot look bad in any of their dresses! Their price range is also super reasonable, starting at just $25! The $75-100 price range features some really great pieces that look red-carpet worthy! Lulus also has an exceptional collection of long-sleeve formal dresses, which is worth mentioning.
Macy’s
Macy’s has really stepped up their prom dress game; their collection features some beautiful floor-length gowns. The 2024 prom dress collection at Macy’s is truly impeccable. Their “dresses under $150” category features prom dresses on a budget. Macy’s is a very reliable option for shopping for prom dresses when you’re on a budget; you will surely find something you like!
Windsor
Windsor has some really great options for prom dresses, especially their tulle ball gowns, which are drop-dead gorgeous. They have a variety of categories under prom dresses alone, and the price range is super reasonable, ranging from $90-$150. Windsor also offers really good quality for the prices that they offer. They also offer an additional 15% off on your first purchase!
Styling Beyond the Dress
Every girl knows that the prom look is more than just the dress. There’s a lot that goes into the look—accessories, shoes, hair, makeup, nails! It is key that all of these things match the outfit and the corsage. Here’s a few tips to help you nail your prom look! (no pun intended)
- Accessories: There is a very simple trick to accessorizing, and the first step is to simply decide if you are a silver, diamond, or gold jewelry person. There are of course certain colors that complement each gold, diamond, and silver better, but once you nail that, it’s easy going from there! Another tip for accessorizing is that if your dress is plain and doesn’t have many patterns, etc., then you can opt for chunky and flashy jewelry. If your dress has sequins or sparkles, it is best to go minimalistic on the jewelry! If you are unsure about what type of ring to go for, go through this guide to know what cuts and shapes will suit you the best
- Hair: Hair is arguably one of the most important parts of the entire look. Now you could always just opt to get a blowout for the night; blowouts never disappoint! There are also easy hairstyles that you could attempt at home. If you are wearing a heavy ball gown, you can keep it simple when it comes to your hair and try some braided buns. The Pinterest ponytail is also a great look for prom!
- Shoes: Shoes can be tricky to pick considering that there will be a lot of dancing and partying on prom night. Heels may be a hindrance, but then again, a beautiful ball gown accompanied by flats doesn’t exactly provide the glam look one hopes for. If you are wearing a short cocktail dress, a long, strappy heel would compliment it well. At the end of the day, you can never go wrong with a trusty pair of pumps!
- Nails: Getting your nails professionally done for the occasion would really seal in the look for prom. The safest option is to get nails that either match your jewelry or compliment your dress at the same time, so you are not stuck with nails that match only your prom dress.
Read more about how to plan for prom!
Elements Beyond Fashion
The prettiest dress in the world wouldn’t look good unless you wore it with confidence! Prom is a memorable and emotional night, so it is important that your outfit reflects your personal aesthetic and personality. Self-expression and confidence are the most important things, and as teenagers especially, it cannot always be easy to feel your best, but your prom night should be most of all memorable, so forget all your insecurities, even if it is just for one night, and let yourself have fun!
Embrace your uniqueness and enjoy the process of expressing yourself the right way.
After Party
An afterparty is the perfect way to make the memorable night of your prom last longer! A well-planned afterparty with the right venue is crucial for the perfect end to your high school years.
Lucky for you, HolidayKeepers offers prom house rentals! Properties perfect to bid adieu to your high school years, in style.
The properties are well suited for prom venues as well, not just afterparties!
Wrap Up
Prom marks the end of high school and is a very emotional journey. Prom is also going to be one of the most memorable high school experiences and will make for a story to tell even years later.
Choosing a prom dress and getting ready for the big night is such an exciting part of the whole prom experience. Whether you are attending with a partner, friends, or even solo, the most important takeaway from your prom is that it will be a night to remember!
Here’s to hoping that you found this blog helpful and have an amazing prom!
On that note, for any staycation or vacation home rental needs, check out HolidayKeepers!
FAQs
Q: Where can I get the best prom dresses near me?
A: Instead of in-store shopping, check out the online stores mentioned in the blog (Asos, Lulu, Macy’s, Windsor) for unlimited options and better rates!
Q: What trends did graduation dresses 2025 see?
A: A lot of graduation, prom, and homecoming dresses in 2025 saw some bold trends like puff sleeves, romantic ruffles, and dramatic long sleeves!
Q: What trends did homecoming dresses 2025 see?
A: 2022 dresses saw a lot of floral lace-up mini dresses. HoCo 2022 also saw a pattern of feminine hues, florals and a lot of soft blues and pinks.
