Prom Night: My Biggest Dress Mistakes

Graphic by Rita Liu

It’s prom season!

Even though it has been two years since I last went, I still look back on my two prom experiences with a mixture of fondness and slight regret. The pressure that I felt leading up to prom overpowered the enjoyment of the actual event. I spent so much time stressing about who would ask me, what I would wear, and if I would be invited to the after-party that when I reminisce on my prom experience, those small worries still come to mind. Looking back at my old prom pictures also fills me with regret about my wardrobe choices. Although at the end of the day a prom dress is just a prom dress and it is the prom experience that matters, I do wish I had chosen different outfits for a few reasons.

So, in the spirit of prom season, I wanted to reflect on the mistakes I made when choosing a prom dress and consider what I would wear now if I were to go to prom.

The biggest mistake that I made with both of my prom dresses was that I didn’t prioritize comfort. In the moment, I cared more about the appearance and style of the dress than how I actually felt moving around and dancing in it. Junior year, I wore a dress that was so low-cut in the front that I was nervous about sitting down or bending over, afraid that my actions would result in a very embarrassing chest-exposure situation. Senior year, I chose a two-piece silk top and skirt set – it was a complete disaster. While the outfit itself was beautiful, the top consisted of a single long piece of silk that was meant to be tied in the back and the skirt was similar in that its only point of connection was a tie at the waist. Basically, the slit ran all the way from the waistband to the floor. To wear this set meant that I had to essentially tape myself into it and pray that the tape lasted the entire night. Luckily it did, but I think I spent more time adjusting my outfit than dancing.

My other error was not choosing timeless outfits, meaning that I would have liked to look back on my pictures and still like my dresses. To some extent this is impossible because fashion is always changing, but I feel like both of the dresses I chose were inspired by very current trends. Two-piece dresses are not a popular choice anymore and extremely low-cut gowns are not what I would personally describe as timeless.

Image via Lizabeth Frohwein

Image via Lizabeth Frohwein

So, I wanted to find a few alternatives that I, if I were going to prom now, would actually wear.

Queen Gown by Amanda Uprichard. Image via Revolve

This Amanda Uprichard gown proves that you can never go wrong with a black dress. It is simple, yet sophisticated and trendy. Although this dress has a modern look, it will likely still be in fashion for quite a few years to come. Plus, it leaves almost no room for the possibility of a wardrobe malfunction.

Ingrid Dress. Image via Reformation

Who says you can’t rock a print to prom? With its fun print and a simple silhouette, this Reformation dress strikes the perfect balance between edgy and classic. It also looks perfectly comfortable and breathable.

ASOS DESIGN off shoulder jumpsuit with puff sleeve and buckle detail. Image via ASOS

If you’re not a dress girl, don’t worry! Jumpsuits can look just as classic, like this one from ASOS. It looks clean, feminine, and stylish, and would stand out in the best way possible. Not to mention, it is extremely affordable!

Own the Night Red Strapless Maxi Dress. Image via Lulus.

This red dress from Lulu’s is another affordable, yet expensive-looking option. It is simple, yet stands out with the bold red color, the slit, and the bow at the back of the dress. Although another common prom mistake is spending way too much on a dress you only wear once, this timeless and comfortable option would have ensured I had not only a fashionable prom night, but also many more stylish nights to come.