Occasions
Prom dresses: long or short, styles, school rules and traditions
Prom dresses are formal wear for a school dance, so they have to look like a gala and survive a night of dancing. This page covers long and short styles, silhouettes and fabrics, school dress codes, the corsage tradition and what prom is called around the world.
On this page
What prom is, and what it is called
A prom — short for promenade dance — is a formal dance for graduating high-school students at the end of the school year. Early proms worked rather like a debutante ball: for many students the first adult social event and the first real dress-up affair. Students often vote for a prom king and queen, who may be given crowns, while the prom court may wear sashes.
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| United States | Prom |
| Canada | Prom, “formal” or “grad” |
| United Kingdom | Prom (the American name has spread through films and television) |
| Australia and New Zealand | School formal or ball, usually for Year 12 |
| Ireland | Debutante ball or “debs” |
| South Africa | Matric dance or matric farewell |
| Poland | Studniówka, about 100 days before the final exams |
Long or short?
Traditionally girls wear dresses or evening gowns to prom. A floor-length gown is the classic, most formal choice; a shorter cocktail-length dress is lighter to dance in. Unless the school says otherwise, both count as formal wear.
| Length | Looks | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Floor | The most formal; a gown for the photographs | Hem it in your dancing shoes; a train or very full skirt is hard to dance in |
| Tea or midi | Formal but easy to move in | Pick shoes that suit a visible ankle |
| Knee or above | Cocktail style; light and easy for dancing | Check the school's rules on length |
Silhouettes and fabrics for a night of dancing
- Ball gown. The most dramatic: a fitted bodice and a full skirt. It needs space on the dance floor and in the car.
- A-line. Fitted to the hips, then a gentle flare; the easiest long gown to dance in.
- Sheath or slip dress. Close to the body, often in satin or charmeuse; check you can sit and move.
- Mermaid or trumpet. Dramatic in photographs, but the lower the flare, the shorter the stride. See wedding dress silhouettes for how each shape works.
Chiffon and georgette float and forgive; tulle gives volume without much weight; sequins and beading catch the light but add weight and can scratch a partner's arms. The dress fabrics guide compares each.
School dress codes
If the school publishes a prom dress code, read it before buying: such codes usually deal with how short a skirt may be, how low a neckline or back may go, cut-outs and slits. Prom clothes have become more revealing since the 2000s, so these are the points most likely to be checked.
Check the rules before you buy A dress you cannot return is an expensive mistake if it breaks the school's rules. Ask the school for its written dress code, and keep the receipt and tags until the code has been checked.
Corsages and coordinating with a date
Traditionally a girl wears a corsage given by her date, and gives a matching boutonnière for his lapel. Boys traditionally wear black or white formal wear — often a tuxedo — sometimes with a tie, bow tie, vest or cummerbund in a colour that matches the date's dress. Send your date a photo or a fabric swatch of the dress so the flowers and accessories match.
Frequently asked questions
Should a prom dress be long or short?
Either is usually allowed. A floor-length gown is the traditional, most formal choice; tea or knee length is easier to dance in. Check the school's dress code first.
What is prom called outside the United States?
In Canada often “formal” or “grad”; in Australia and New Zealand a school formal or ball; in Ireland the debs; in South Africa the matric dance; the UK now mostly says prom.
Who gives the corsage at prom?
Traditionally the date gives the corsage, and receives a matching boutonnière in return.
What silhouette is easiest to dance in?
An A-line or a shorter dress. Mermaid and trumpet gowns restrict the stride; very full ball gowns need room.
Keep reading
- Quinceañera dresses: ball gowns, colours, the court and traditionsQuinceañera dresses explained: why the ball gown is traditional, choosing a colour, the tiara and change of shoes, dressing the court of damas and chambelanes.
- Wedding dress silhouettes: ball gown, A-line, sheath, mermaid and moreWedding dress silhouettes compared: ball gown, A-line, sheath, Empire, trumpet and mermaid, plus waistlines, maternity and short wedding dresses.
- Dress fabrics: chiffon, satin, tulle, organza, lace and moreDress fabrics for formal and wedding dresses compared: chiffon, georgette, charmeuse, crêpe, satin, lace, taffeta, organza and tulle, and how to judge a swatch.
- How to measure for a dress: bust, waist, hips and hollow-to-hemHow to measure for a dress before ordering a formal or wedding gown: bust, natural waist, hips and hollow-to-hem, why bridal sizes run small, and sizing up.
Formal Dress Guide is an independent reference. It does not sell, make, rent or alter dresses, has no connection with any designer, brand or shop, and has no connection with any earlier owner of this domain.