Ah, high school. It’s easily the best four years of your adolescent life and a make-or-break season before you enter higher education. But, between juggling classes and figuring out who you are, another pressing thing that high schoolers have to worry about is what they should wear to prom night. And as the season finally kicks in, so does the dress shopping. To help speed up the process, check out these 10 prom dress ideas to try for your big night!
1. Try a functional and flattering two-piece dress.
Here’s the deal with prom dress shopping: It can get pretty expensive. So, if you’re looking for something you can repeat or mix and match for other formal events, why not opt for a fashionably practical two-piece ensemble? You can even choose two different shades of the same color to play out proportions as seen on Jess Wilson and Megan Young. Just make sure to pick a cut that doesn’t show the midriff to fit your dress code.
2. Wear a gown made of tulle for a fairytale moment.
While a ball gown might not be every girl’s cup of tea, a fairytale moment is still possible sans an exorbitantly poufy skirt. Slip on a tulle gown instead to project major dreamy vibes for your prom look. We especially love the tiered skirt of Solenn Heussaff!
3. Wear a satin frock for some understated elegance.
Satin dresses have been all the rave these days and we’re all for it. Stick to jewel tones like Katrina Loring’s flowy emerald green gown or opt for something more neutral for slinkier 'fits. To make things more interesting, throw on a pair of statement earrings to complete the look.
4. Make it a memorable night in a sparkly dress.
Ready to take the dancefloor by storm? Slip into a sparkly beaded frock for a showstopping number. Take inspiration from Kathryn Bernardo and Chie Filomeno, who both made formal wear extra glamorous with their sparkling picks.
5. Dance and shimmy the night away in a gown with fringe details.
Fringe details have become the hot trend lately thanks to formal wear designers like Patty Ang. Inject some drama and flair to your prom dress by choosing a design with fringe accents. Keep it simple with a solid pastel color like Coleen Garcia or go full glam like in metallics like Vern Enciso.
6. Let bows be the centerpiece of your dress.
Admittedly, the common conception about bows is that they’re too girly, but when you strategically place them on a dress, they can be such a bold yet classy statement. The secret to pulling it off? Choose a simple, plain dress and accent it with a bow or two in a different hue. We especially love how Maureen Wroblewitz pulled off the pink-on-pink look!
7. Keep it classy in a trusty long black dress.
Can’t get enough of black? We hear you! Wear your favorite hue in a sleek and streamlined design for a timeless prom look. To balance out the LBD, use statement accessories like a fun pair of earrings or a statement clutch to keep things interesting.
8. Look pretty and unpredictable in prints.
People tend to think that prom calls for a solid-colored evening dress for a classy and timeless fashion, but sometimes, it’s more fun to go with something a little more unpredictable. Play up your look by donning a prom dress in a fun print! Try a polka dot strapless dress like Martine Cajucom-Ho’s or opt for a floral frock for a more romantic feel.
9. Show off a little leg in a high-low frock.
We know the high-low hemline already made its wave back in the early 2010s but Camille Co and Ylona Garcia’s looks signal that it’s already making a comeback. Show off some leg with a high-low prom dress for a fresher take on formal wear. Accessorize it with tights like Camille or keep it au naturel with bare legs for a simpler 'fit.
10. Become a showstopper in modern Filipiniana
The local fashion scene has been abuzz lately and prom is a great time to show off a modern Filipiniana frock. Go all out with a terno top bodice like Sarah Lahbati or keep it a bit understated with a piña abaca dress like Ria Atayde.
