4 prom-dress trends that are in and 4 that are out, according to stylists

Prom season is upon us, which means teenagers are carefully selecting the outfits that will forever live in their memories and prom-night photos. To make the sometimes painstaking process easier to navigate, Insider spoke with stylists to determine which trends are in for 2023's prom season ... and which are out.

"I feel trends are shifting away from just celebrity and red carpet [inspiration] and becoming more about what you see when you're watching a social-media app or even an event on Zoom,"stylist Ali Levine told Insider.

Levine and other stylists weighed in on the styles we'll be seeing this year.

Levine described this year's looks as being "ethereal feeling [and] dreamy."

She told Insider that this look generally includes chiffon and ruffles.

"Think dreamier and softer fabrics all around," she said.

Kim Collins, Prom Girl's chief merchandising officer, said bright colors are popular at proms this year, including neon shades like hot pink, which "Kim Kardashian, Saweetie, Anne Hathaway, Ariana DeBose, and Ciara have all been seen wearing," she said.

"Even Justin Bieber rocked a hot-pink beanie," she added, referencing Bieber's hat at the 2022 Grammys.

Katie Merickel, the styling team lead at Stitch Fix, agreed the trend will reach proms this year.

"While colorful dresses such as yellow, orange, and pink first became popular in the 1960s, hot-pink prom dresses will be everywhere this year as a nod to the 'Barbiecore' trend," she said.

"A number of celebrities, including Zendaya, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Mindy Kaling, Bella Hadid, and Billie Eilish, have been seen sporting the trend, which started in early 2022 and looks set to stick around," said Collins.

"We found that requests for blazers were up 40% from last year, with more shoppers embracing elevated separates," said Merickel.

Zendaya has worn suits on and off the red carpet, she noted.

"The best part about a prom suit? You can incorporate the separates into your wardrobe to mix and match with other looks," Merickel added.

Prom-goers in a post-pandemic world are rejecting simplicity and "generic looks," according to Collins.

"Pre-pandemic, the trend was for minimalism and a lack of shimmer. With many teens unfortunately missing out on prom in 2020 and 2021, the new class now wants to make a statement and wear something special," she said.

"When clients think of prom, typically what comes to mind is a long A-line ball gown," said Merickel. "Now that shoppers are dressing less formally in all areas of life, the ball-gown look is being replaced with a sleeker silhouette, with dresses often made from satin or silk."

"Another look from the 1980s — sweetheart necklines were extremely popular choices for formal dresses," said Merickel. "This year, we're seeing a preference for square necklines and one-shoulder options instead."

"The high-low skirt and dress trend was popular in 2011, but we're seeing this trend fall out of favor as more clients instead opt for a hemline that's a consistent length," said Merickel.