Going to high school prom is a rite of passage for many. These days, teens go all out just to ask their date to accompany them. Elaborate “prom-posals” are all the rage.
It is interesting to note how proms came to be and how fashion has evolved over the years. From the dropped waists of the 1930s to the strapless and halter-top dresses of the 2000s, things have shifted over the years. Let’s take a look back at the fashions of decades.
Did you know that prom is actually short for promenade? The tradition started in the 1800s, but it was not connected to high school. It was a way for college students to come out into society.
After the dropped waist craze of the 1930s, proms shifted to high schools. Influenced by the popular film Gone With the Wind, 1940s prom fashion flashed back to the Victorian era. Full skirts and puff sleeves were what all the cool kids wore.
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Skipping ahead to the '90s, we see sweetheart necklines and off-the-shoulder dresses. Later in the decade, slip dresses with spaghetti straps took over as teens were influenced by designer Calvin Klein. The 2000s featured dresses with strapless and halter-top necklines embellished with sparkles.
To see the full 100 years of prom dress fashion history, watch this video.
