Like all fashun, prom styles come and go—and every year, a new trend sweeps the dress department at your local mall. From overwhelming rhinestone bodices to extra-large sleeves, here are the styles that defined prom the year you were born.
1970: Belted Dresses
The full skirt of the ’60s and hourglass silhouette led to girls everywhere belting their prom dresses in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Can we talk about those chic glasses though?!
1971: Babydoll Dresses
We give credit to Twiggy’s iconic 1970 Vogue cover for this cutesy trend taking over prom nights everywhere.
1972: Empire Waists
You’re looking at the go-to dress style in the early ’70s. Bonus points if your dress had a different fabric on the top and bottom.
1973: Thin Straps
Jersey material + barely-there straps = prom queen status. Spoiler alert: This one comes back around in a few decades.
1974: Peasant Details
We see you, folksy trim on a ruffled sleeve. Girls found clever ways to work in peasant details during this very special time.
1975: High Necklines
The high-neck, long-sleeve look of the mid-’70s was the only way to embrace your inner flower child on prom night.
1976: Satin Dresses
Things might not have ended well on prom night for Carrie, but the dress Sissy Spacek wore was right on par with trends of the time.
1977: Pastels
Whether you wore head-to-toe buttercup yellow or peachy pink was up to you.
1978: Eyelet Lace
The peasant trend of the ’70s meant that eyelet lace was a go-to fabric for prom dresses. Rustic glam, I guess?
1979: Halter Necks
If you wanted to be the epitome of style and sophistication in the late ’70s, you channeled Studio 54. As in, you wore a sleek halter style on prom night, and your date wore bell bottoms.
1980: Big Sleeves
Entering the ’80s, we started to see that bigger was better—and this meant sleeves started growing a few inches upward.
1981: Tulle Skirts
Tulle, tulle…and more tulle. The more layers, the better. And a high side pony was appropriate formal hair, apparently.
1982: Bows
A big bow was essentially a requirement for all prom looks in the early ’80s, whether it was on your bustle or in your hair.
1983: Drop Waist Dresses
The most common prom style throughout the ’80s was a drop waist dress that gave way to a billowing skirt. Don’t ask us why tho, because agreed, it wasn’t always the most flattering.
1984: Ruffles
Ruffles became big—no pun intended—during the mid-’80s, because, say it with us, bigger is better!
1985: Sheer Gloves
’80s fashion was all about accessories, and by far, the most popular addition to any prom dress were sheer lace gloves.
1986: Matching Dates
Outfit coordination reached a new level in the ’80s. We dig it.
1987: Bubble Dresses
In the late ’80s, girls started opting for shorter styles—and the oh-so-popular bubble dress was born.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
1988: Iridescent Fabrics
Shiny, shimmery fabrics were *very* ’80s. These dresses definitely made it harder for your date to lose you on the dance floor.
