The Dos and Don’ts of Prom Dressing: What to Wear and What Not to Wear

Everybody wants to look fly on prom night.
Last Updated
:
September 8, 2024
Nine teenage girls in elegant prom dresses stand in a line, holding hands and smiling, in an outdoor, wooded area
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Prom is a special night that all high school students look forward to. It’s a time to dress up, have fun, and celebrate with your friends. But sometimes, it can be tricky to know what to wear.

What are the dos and don’ts of prom dressing? Don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this article, we will discuss the dos and don’ts of prom attire. We’ll cover everything from dresses to suits to accessories.

So whether you’re looking for prom dress ideas or just want to make sure you stay within the prom dress code, read on for our top tips!

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The Dos and Don’ts of Prom Dressing

Do: Wear a dress that flatters your figure

If you’re tall, a short dress might not work well for you. But if you have curves in all the right places, then don’t shy away from showing them off!

A prom night is all about looking and feeling good, so why not make sure you’re wearing an outfit that makes you look great? The key here is to choose something with a flattering shape for your body type.

Again, if you have curves then go for dresses or gowns in fabrics like satin or chiffon which will skim over those areas without clinging too much (or making them seem larger than they really are).

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Don’t: Spend too much money on your prom attire

The dress is an important part of how we present ourselves to others. But how much should it cost?

We all want a prom that looks great in photos and feels comfortable throughout the night but with so many options available today, how do you know which one will suit your budget best?

There are plenty of affordable dresses out there for less than $100 or even less than $50.

Go check out some thrift stores nearby so that way it will save more money which could go towards other things like the food at the prom or transportation!

To also answer this question, we’ve put together a list of our favorite dresses for under $100!

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Do: Choose an outfit that’s comfortable and easy to move around in

We highly recommend you to wear a dress that fits well and has enough room for dancing in it. You don’t want to be constantly tugging at your dress all night or worrying about whether it will fall down.

Pick something that you know you’ll feel comfortable in and can move around easily in. If you’re doing a lot of dancing, then we suggest avoiding floor-length gowns – they might get a little too cumbersome as the night goes on.

Prom isn’t just about how good of a time you’re having with friends.

There should also be space on the dance floor where everyone can move around comfortably without worrying about their outfits getting caught up on each other while they are out dancing together as one big group (and not single-file lines).

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Don’t: Wear white

One of the biggest prom don’ts is wearing white. Unless you’re going for a bridal look, avoid white clothing altogether. It’s generally seen as too formal for prom and can clash with other colors.

Generally, white is a popular color for formal wear, but it’s not the best choice for prom. Why? For one, it’s difficult to keep clean – and stains will show up much more prominently on white fabric.

Plus, white is often seen as a color of mourning, so wearing it to prom may not be the best idea. If you want to wear something light and airy, choose a pastel color instead.

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Do: Coordinate your colors

If you’re not sure what to wear, why not try coordinating your colors? This is a great way to make sure that you look like you put some thought into your outfit.

When it comes to picking out your dress or suit, try to stick to one or two main colors and coordinate all of your accessories with those colors. This will help create a polished and cohesive look.

For example, if you have a green dress, try pairing it with gold accessories. The two colors will complement each other and create a beautiful overall look.

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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. Instead, opt for flats or low wedges to keep your outfit looking classy and elegant. If possible, wear a shawl over bare shoulders.

This will help cover up any bra straps while still allowing them to peek through the dress’s neckline!

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Do: Wear a complimentary hairstyle

Your hair is one of the most important parts of prom night because how it looks can make or break an outfit.

Find out what kind of hairstyle works best for your face shape beforehand so there are no surprises when you get ready on prom day!

For example: if you have an oval-shaped face, you can wear almost any hairstyle. If you have a round face, try to avoid styles that add more width to your face.

And if you have a long face, go for styles that add height and volume.

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Don’t: Wear heels that are too high

We already mentioned this tip, but it’s worth mentioning again! Heels that are too high can be dangerous and they can also make your outfit look unprofessional or overdone. Try to stick to heels that are two inches or lower.

If you’re not used to wearing heels, start practicing walking in them before prom night arrives. This will help prevent any embarrassing falls on the big night!

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Do: Accessorize appropriately

When it comes to accessorizing, less is more. Try to stick to a few simple pieces that compliment your outfit without overshadowing it.

For example, if you’re wearing a dress with a lot of detail, keep your accessories minimal.

Some great prom accessory ideas include jewelry (chandelier earrings are perfect), a clutch bag, and a pretty shawl or wrap.

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Don’t: Wear too much jewelry

It’s important that you don’t wear anything that might draw attention away from your outfit.

Large pieces of statement necklaces and chunky bracelets can be distracting, so it’s best to stick with simple accessories like stud earrings or a delicate bracelet instead.

If the prom theme is glitzy glamour, then go ahead and pile on those jewels!

But if not – less is more in this case because no one wants their eye drawn towards something shiny when they should be admiring how fabulous you look in your dress (or how stylishly handsome he looks).

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Do: Wear makeup that compliments your outfit

If you’re going to wear makeup, try to stick with neutral colors and tones. Avoid anything too bright or sparkly because it can look cheesy or overdone on prom night!

A good rule of thumb is less is more when it comes to how much makeup should be worn at prom — just enough so people notice how pretty your face looks while still having fun dancing around all night long.

Plus, you don’t want to worry about smudging any mascara off their cheeks later on (although some may say this isn’t always possible).

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Don’t: Wear a dress that’s too tight or short

This is one of the most common prom dress mistakes made by girls every year. If you have to pull on your dress or tug at it, then it’s too tight and will likely end up ripping during dinner or dancing! Plus, wearing something that doesn’t fit well can cause bulges in all the wrong places.

If this happens to you, don’t despair: there are plenty of other dresses out there that might work better for your body type and budget. And if none do? Then go ahead and buy a new dress just before prom night arrives!

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Do: Wear makeup that’s age-appropriate

Prom is not the time to experiment with heavy makeup. Stick to natural shades that match your skin tone and avoid bright colors or anything too dark (unless you’re doing a smokey eye).

Also, keep it light on how much foundation you use so people can still see some freckles!

Don’t forget about your hair either; if you want to wear it down, do so in an updo instead of leaving loose strands everywhere – messy isn’t always better when it comes right down to prom night attire tips like these ones here today!

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Don’t: Go to prom in jeans

Seriously, just don’t. Prom night is a time to dress up and look your best – not wear the clothes you would normally wear to school or work.

We all know that jeans are a versatile and comfortable piece of clothing, but they’re definitely not appropriate for prom night.

If you show up to your prom in jeans, you’ll stick out like a sore thumb and you’ll likely feel out of place.

There are so many other great options for dresses that are much more formal and elegant than jeans.

So why not take the time to shop around and find a dress that will make you feel confident and beautiful on prom night? You won’t regret it!

So save your jeans for another day and go all out in a pretty dress or sharp suit instead!

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Do: Wear something colorful and fun

Prom night is the perfect opportunity to wear a dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful. So why not choose something colorful and fun?

A dress that catches people’s eye will help you stand out from the crowd and feel like the belle of the ball.

If you’re not sure what color to choose, think about your favorite shades and how they’ll look together.

A bright pink dress with a floral print is always a winner, or how about a sleek black dress with pops of purple? The possibilities are endless!

Whatever color or style you choose, make sure it makes you feel happy and confident. You’ll be sure to have a great time!

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Don’t: Wear something that’s too revealing

We all want to feel sexy on prom night, but there’s definitely a line between feeling confident and feeling like you’re wearing too much. If your dress is too low-cut or shows too much skin, you’ll end up looking trashy instead of classy.

Remember how important it is that you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing.

If your dress makes you self-conscious or uncomfortable, then maybe it’s best to find something else – otherwise how can anyone expect their prom night outfit will be perfect for them?

Don’t forget about the dancing part too! A short skirt may seem like a good idea at first, but if it keeps riding up every time someone spins around on the dance floor… not so much fun after all.

So keep these things in mind before choosing your prom attire and make sure everything stays put when things get wild out there!

Save the plunging necklines and high slits for another time – prom is not the place for them!

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Do: Choose shoes that are comfortable

Prom night is all about dancing, so choose shoes that will keep your feet happy throughout the evening. You’ll want them to match or coordinate well with your outfit – black pumps go great with most dresses, for example.

If you’re not used to wearing high heels, it might be a good idea to practice walking in them before the big night arrives. That way you’ll know how to avoid any embarrassing falls or wobbles on the dance floor!

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Don’t: Buy your dress last minute

Now that we’ve covered how to dress for prom, it’s time to talk about how not! Buying your dress at the last minute is a big mistake and will lead you down an endless path of stress.

Start looking early so there isn’t any pressure when choosing what looks best on you (and fits within your budget).

There are many dresses out there with different styles, colors, lengths – don’t limit yourself or feel like something won’t work just because it might not have worked before in another situation.

Look through magazines as well online stores before making up your mind! There really is no rush – take some time to find the perfect gown that makes you feel amazing inside and out!

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Do: Have fun and enjoy yourself

Above all else, prom should be fun!

So make sure to take time out of your busy schedule beforehand and enjoy some quality bonding with friends or family members while getting ready for the big night.

It’s also important that you get enough sleep before prom so you’re well-rested on this memorable occasion.

If possible, try not to stress about how everything is going to turn out because chances are it will work out just fine in the end anyway 🙂

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