Do You Wear a Long Dress or Short Dress to Prom? (2024)

FAQs

Do You Wear a Long Dress or Short Dress to Prom? ›

While the traditional image of a prom dress is a long gown, short prom dresses are just as glamorous. These short, sweet selections will look stunning. Bonus: They'll let you show off your legs as you take to the dance floor and keep you cool and comfy all night long.

Knee-length dresses: This length offers the best of both worlds, falling right at the knees, creating the perfect blend between modest and fun.

Consider your personal style and the formality of the event when selecting the length. Appropriate Necklines: Choose a dress with a neckline that you feel comfortable in and that adheres to your school's dress code. Avoid excessively low-cut or revealing necklines for a more modest look.

Formal prom attire may be classified as a dress, tuxedo, dress suit, including a tie or bow tie, a dress shirt, which may include a vest or cumme*rbund, and dress shoes. Dresses may be strapless (if they fit properly) or include spaghetti straps. Dresses may be backless, as long as they are not cut below the naval.

Typically formal dresses are floor length, though midi or knee-length options can work for certain occasions. Feel free to choose the neckline of your choice (but depending on the occasion, you may want to avoid ultra-plunging options).

Short lengths are perfect for white prom dresses. While some girls might find a long white dress to look somewhat bridal, a short dress looks fun and flirty and not too formal for prom.

Long dresses look more elegant and formal than short dresses. Prom is the most formal dance during high school, and you won't have to worry about not fulfilling the requirements. Opt for a long prom dress if you're looking for an elegant appearance. It's most likely the first time you'll wear a jaw-dropping dress.

Don't: Show too much skin

While it's okay to show some skin at prom, try not to go too overboard. You want to look classy, not trashy! Stick to dresses that fall below the knee or higher. If you're wearing a strapless dress, don't pair it with heels that have very high heels.

Teens will wear just about any fancy adult look to the dance, whether it be a relatively casual dress you might see at an Easter brunch, or a jumpsuit fit for the red carpet.

For women, this usually entails wearing a long or short evening gown, co*cktail outfit, or even a jumpsuit with elegant accessories like statement jewelry and high heels.

What not to do for prom? ›

Unless your prom has a black tie dress code (learn more about that here), you'll still look formal enough for prom if you wear the right suit. While everyone else goes big with a tux, a suit can make a low-key, timeless statement. A blue suit (or navy, or grey) is a great base for accessories.

How long should be evening dress? For formal occasions, an evening gown should be floor length with the neckline of your choice. Midi and knee-length options can also be appropriate depending on the occasion.

It's your choice if you want your prom dress to touch the floor or not. Floor-length dresses are aptly named, as the traditional definition for the style states that the dress should just graze the floor.

Maxi dresses have become super popular for formal events such as weddings, school formals, glamorous functions and anything black tie.

Now when you ask yourself if you can wear a short dress to a formal event, you know the answer is “YES!” Simply choose a co*cktail dress or party dress with one or more of the features above and you'll know you've got yourself a short formal dress.

If it is a floor length dress, the bottom layer should fall about one inch from the floor. Each additional layer should fall slightly lower than the previous. If some layers are tulle, it is not necessary to hem those and they can just be cut to the appropriate length.

If your prom dress is just a bit too long to be perfect, you can remedy that problem by hemming the bottom a little more. A basic hem is often too bulky and too noticeable for most prom dresses, so you should try using a rolled hem or a blind hem for a smoother and overall better look.

No matter your body type, the general idea is to have your dress end at a relatively small part of your leg. For example, at or just below the knee tends to be the most universally flattering skirt length, whereas anything hitting the widest part of your calves can create the illusion of a shorter leg.

Hem the dress if it's dragging.

It's much better (and safer) to hem an overly long dress than to chance going out in it. You're asking to trip if you decide to just go for it! If you can't hem the dress, try using double-sided wardrobe tape to hem it.