Viral TikToks show that prom is back in season and more extravagant than ever. Students are stepping up their game and sharing beautiful, creative, and downright gorgeous looks on social media. While videos of “promposals” reigned supreme online at one point, there is a new prom trend in town — transition videos.
Even though people have given up on arguing over a dress, the debate over what a prom dress is meant to look like was something that arose for a couple of weeks around March and April. They were given titles such as a “brunch dress” or “Easter dress.” While it is understandable where the hate is coming from, people should be allowed to wear what makes them feel most comfortable.
It seems that as prom season comes and goes, the media shows what kind of dresses are trending, and this year it seems to be flowy, floral dresses – instead of the “expected” Disney princess ball gown. While they are not gone, it shows what appeals to people this year. Considering that prom dresses tend to be similar style-wise, allowing these new styles allows girls to have uniqueness to their dresses, instead of being worried about twinning with someone they do not even know.
TikTok users are advocating for the old, more dramatic prom look. Prom dresses from the 2010s include a lot of sparkles, brighter colors, and occasionally a princess-like fit. All those themes combined give a less relaxed look compared to the new trend of dresses, which people think is more appropriate considering that prom is only one night. Sophomore Abbie Lo says, “Whether it’s ‘prom dress material’ or not, I bet they’re cute regardless.”
Both have great pros and cons. For example, prom looks from the 2010s could make the night more memorable if the dress was a bit more out there, and there are not many other occasions that call for more extravagant princess dresses. But for the cons of this look, it could be uncomfortable and dim the enjoyment of prom night if it is difficult to move in your dress. As for the more informal prom look, the casual look of the dress could make the night more enjoyable because it is more comfortable but it can also make it less memorable, as some would say.
Senior Miles Webber says, “I really don’t think what people wear matters, as long as they have fun.” And freshman Leo Petty says, “Yeah, I mean, do they put the same expectations on guys, too? I think not.” Whether the dress is big and sparkly, or short and plain, it really does not matter at the end of the day. As long as the person who is wearing it is comfortable in happy, then anything negative people have to say is unnecessary.
Some also buy the shorter, plainer ones specifically because they just cannot afford a big, sparkly dress as the expectations are. Prom dresses are extremely expensive these days, ranging from $100 to $500 or more. Not to mention how much money the tickets are to start with, which is its own thing. All this to say, some people just do not have the money to live up to grand expectations. Taking prom as something where only the dress matters is ignorant, because it takes away the entire point of the night.
The brunch prom dress trend blurs the traditional boundaries between distinct fashion categories. The trend offers a tribute to the relaxed elegance of Easter and brunch attire while ushering in a new era of prom fashion that prioritizes individuality and comfort. Junior Ellen Ros says, “Just ‘cause a dress has pretty flowers on it instead of sparkles doesn’t mean it’ll kill you.”
Finding comfort in the dress that is being worn is what is most important, and not what people think about the dress. Whether $500 dollars or $20 dollars are spent on the dress, at the end of the day, it is only one night. It is likely that the dress will get shoved into a closet or box and never seen again – which is why some view “brunch” dresses as innovative! They can be worn multiple times at multiple occasions or get togethers. Such as a family reunion, to a date, and as in the name, to a nice brunch. With a lot of fancy prom dresses, it is exceedingly rare that there will be another reason to wear it.
The internet even shows that dresses are not as out there anymore, and cocktail dresses seem to be more in style now. Going through articles of “unique prom dresses,” people seem to show interest in more easy-on-the-eyes kind of dresses – and there is nothing really wrong with that. Starting a debate on tiktok over the way girls need to dress for prom is unfair and unnecessary. Whatever makes that person happy and comfortable in their skin with the dress they are wearing, then so be it. It is not anyone else’s place to judge.
