Photos show the evolution of prom dresses from the 1940s to today

Erin McDowellApr 18, 2023, 01:54 IST

Left, a couple at a prom in the 1950s. Right, three girls wear prom dresses in the early 2000s.Getty Images; Mark Peterson/Corbis/Getty Images

Prom dresses have changed significantly in the last century.
In the 1940s, prom dresses were generally more modest and simple due to war-time shortages.

Promenade dances, commonly referred to as prom, are an iteration of debutante balls, which date back to the 1800s.

A sketch of a debutante ball in 1891.Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In the 1940s, prom dresses were generally modest.

Full-length image of a teenager showing off her prom dress to her parents in their living room, circa 1945.Lambert/Getty Images

Prom-dress silhouettes in the 1940s varied from empire-waist styles to drop-waist dresses and everything in between.

Students attending prom in 1942.Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

In the 1950s, girls embraced the "new look" — a signature dress silhouette popularized by Christian Dior that featured a ball-gown skirt that went out at the waist.

A couple posing for a prom photo in 1953.Getty Images

In the 1950s, girls embraced the "new look" — a signature dress silhouette popularized by Christian Dior that featured a ball-gown skirt that went out at the waist.

Prom dresses in the 1950s were also less modest than they were in earlier decades.

A girl wearing a prom dress in 1951.Los Angeles Examiner/USC Libraries/Corbis/Getty Images

Dresses in the 1960s featured slightly slimmer skirts and raised waistlines.

A vintage family photo of teenager in prom dress circa 1964.Kirn Vintage Stock/Getty Images

By the 1970s, some prom dresses had long sleeves and flowing silhouettes.

Couple posed for prom photos circa 1970.H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images

Taffeta, silk, and velvet prom-dress styles fell slightly out of fashion in the '70s, with some girls choosing to wear simpler eyelet-lace styles.

Two girls wearing white prom dresses in 1977.Denver Post/Getty Images

In the early 1980s, disco fashion was still alive and well, which showed in some form-fitting prom-dress styles.

Stephanie Thomas puts finishing touches on her hair in preparation for her senior prom in 1980.Denver Post/Getty Images

However, over-the-top 1980s prom dresses also had their moment.

Identical twins Colleen Stanczuk and Maureen Waterworth wearing prom dresses in 1984.Frank Lennon/Toronto Star/Getty Images

From ruffles to lace, bows, and pleating, prom dresses in the '80s proved that bigger is better.

A scene from "Dance 'Til Dawn" in 1988.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Prom dresses in the 1990s took notes from popular award-show fashions.

Two girls wearing prom dresses in 1998.Tom Herde/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

Bright colors and sparkles were major trends in the early 2000s.

Three girls wearing prom dresses in 2002.mark peterson/Corbis/Getty Images

Spaghetti straps and satin dresses were also popular in the early-to-mid 2000s.

Juniors and seniors from John McDonogh High School in New Orleans celebrate their prom in 2007.Mario Tama/Getty Images

In the 2010s, short styles came into fashion.

A couple poses for a prom photo in the 2010s.Tim Kitchen/Getty Images

Daring prom dresses have risen in popularity over the last few years.

A girl wearing a two-piece prom dress.Todd Ryburn Photography/Getty Images

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Photos show the evolution of prom dresses from the 1940s to today

Promenade dances, commonly referred to as prom, are an iteration of debutante balls, which date back to the 1800s.

In the 1940s, prom dresses were generally modest.

Prom-dress silhouettes in the 1940s varied from empire-waist styles to drop-waist dresses and everything in between.

In the 1950s, girls embraced the "new look" — a signature dress silhouette popularized by Christian Dior that featured a ball-gown skirt that went out at the waist.

Prom dresses in the 1950s were also less modest than they were in earlier decades.

Dresses in the 1960s featured slightly slimmer skirts and raised waistlines.

By the 1970s, some prom dresses had long sleeves and flowing silhouettes.

Taffeta, silk, and velvet prom-dress styles fell slightly out of fashion in the '70s, with some girls choosing to wear simpler eyelet-lace styles.

In the early 1980s, disco fashion was still alive and well, which showed in some form-fitting prom-dress styles.

However, over-the-top 1980s prom dresses also had their moment.

From ruffles to lace, bows, and pleating, prom dresses in the '80s proved that bigger is better.

Prom dresses in the 1990s took notes from popular award-show fashions.

Bright colors and sparkles were major trends in the early 2000s.

Spaghetti straps and satin dresses were also popular in the early-to-mid 2000s.

In the 2010s, short styles came into fashion.

Daring prom dresses have risen in popularity over the last few years.