Prom dress shopping can be an exhausting endeavor. Finding something suitable to your body type, budget, and sleeve length (cap sleeves only cover shoulder/arm area) as well as neckline can be daunting tasks.
1. It’s too short
Prom is one of the biggest nights in any high school girl’s life and an opportunity to celebrate their achievements while looking stunning in an elegant gown. No matter your body shape and personal preferences, be sure to select an ensemble that accentuates both.
Short prom dresses are ideal for petite individuals, eliminating any concerns over tripping or overheating during the evening.
Long prom dresses are an iconic choice for women looking to exude elegance and glamour on their big night. Available in various styles like mermaid, two-piece, and ballgown designs, they flatter most body types by emphasizing shapely shoulders and slimmer legs while accessorized with stunning lace or sequin details.
2. It’s too long
10 Things I Hate About You is an iconic teen movie featuring some incredibly iconic dresses, from Andie’s ruffled bell sleeves and Josie’s thrift-store masterpiece to Josie’s thrift-store ensemble, these gowns have inspired generations of high school girls while providing opportunities to its young stars.
A charming adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, with an unforgettable dance scene still talked about by audiences today, this film became so beloved that ABC Family decided to make it into a sitcom for one season!
Costumes in the film play an integral role in creating characters’ personalities without dialogue. Bianca’s seductive two-piece dress perfectly represents her style – no wonder she’s the envy of every teen girl! Additionally, her ensemble serves as a reminder that prom isn’t meant to take yourself seriously.
3. It’s too revealing
Teen movie audiences are familiar with prom dresses being an iconic representation of characters and even setting trends, yet not all prom outfits can capture the essence of the character while making audiences feel as if they’re right there with them.
Courtney’s antagonistic persona in 10 Things I Hate About You was made apparent through her prom dress. With its ruffled bell sleeves and taffeta gown, it exuded sensuality without being overtly sexual.
This 1999 movie, a modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, quickly established itself as a cult hit. Along with launching Stiles and Ledger into stardom, 10 Things I Hate About You also inspired many girls to wear two-piece prom dresses (now back in fashion!). Below are a few memorable ones from 10 Things I Hate About You.
4. It’s too expensive
Teenagers don’t always have enough money for designer clothing, so they must get creative when selecting outfits. Andie’s thrift-store companies in Pretty in Pink often captivate viewers, including her prom dress made out of trashcan bin fabric! While her dress may not compare with those worn by more glamorous teenagers, it demonstrates teens’ abilities to craft something beautiful out of nothing – and could easily fit any pop star!
5. It’s too ugly
Prom dresses don’t always make for attractive fashion statements, and Andie’s prom dress in Pretty in Pink doesn’t exactly win awards for beauty. Yet its purpose – reflecting Rose McGowan’s bold character while being appropriate to her edgy character – should be applauded – it made an impactful statement about who Andie was and left an impression memory in viewers’ minds.
Clueless features one of the worst prom outfits ever in Josie’s lemon print dress from the 80s; she wears it during one scene in Clueless.
6. It’s too old
Prom dresses have long been seen as an emblem of their times. From exaggerated puffy sleeves in the 1970s to neon hues and two-piece sets during the ’80s, prom fashion trends were always unique; however, in the ’90s, these trends took an entirely different form.
Lola Steppe stuns audiences in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, and She’s All That with her stunning fashion sense, especially her striking red prom dress with its eye-catching lace detailing and gold accents – it indeed turns heads at prom night!
Unfortunately, this dress can also be seen as an act of cultural appropriation. Relying on indigenous-designed Chinese qipao patterns to design the garment would be disrespectful. If you want to avoid making this error in judgment, try purchasing something more authentic to the style and culture of its wearer.
7. It’s too weird
High school prom is an unforgettable night that marks an integral part of life for young adults. This celebration of friendship and memories often requires searching for that ideal dress – something many girls take great pleasure in doing.
While Andie’s thrift-store finds have delighted fashionistas, Josie’s inappropriate attire has left many shocked and repulsed – it seems complicated to believe she would wear such an unflattering dress to the prom.
Robin’s delicate lace dress may look innocent enough, but it hides an unspeakable secret. After she steals it from Miss Catherine and wears it herself, Robin unleashes a chain reaction that could destroy every girl who wears it and become her victim – her life depends on Josie being there to stop it, but she’s too preoccupied worrying about finding an appropriate prom gown herself!
8. It’s too boring
10 Things I Hate About You has taught us a critical lesson about teenagers’ fashion decisions – that they’re unafraid to experiment. From Andie’s mismatched layers to Duckie’s thrift-store finds, these iconic characters from this ’90s teen classic have left an indelible mark on high-school wardrobes for decades to come.
So when your friend asks what you think about her prom dress, remember to keep your opinions to yourself–unless she specifically requests them. After all, only her opinion matters ultimately.
9. It’s too old-fashioned
Andie’s thrift-store dress from Pretty in Pink may look outdated now, but it serves as an exemplary demonstration of how teens can create custom prom attire that stands out. From using sequin sheath dresses as base garments to crafting fringed cocktail attire – teenagers have endless ways of personalizing their prom look to suit themselves perfectly!
Prom night can be an intimidating experience for students with unconventional fashion tastes, yet experts note that young people today are taking more risks with their prom attire than ever before. From pantsuits to gender-fluid options, teenagers are taking chances when it comes to dressing themselves for prom night, and this trend looks set to continue well into the future; simply changing up its color or embellishments may help reshape its look, too!
