Like all fashun, prom styles come and go—and every year, a new trend sweeps the dress department at your local mall. From overwhelming rhinestone bodices to extra-large sleeves, here are the styles that defined prom the year you were born.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
1
1970: Belted Dresses
Tara Greenbaum//Getty Images
The full skirt of the '60s and hourglass silhouette led to girls everywhere belting their prom dresses in the late '60s and early '70s. Can we talk about those chic glasses though?!
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
2
1971: Babydoll Dresses
Justin de Villeneuve//Getty Images
We give credit to Twiggy's iconic 1970 Vogue cover for this cutesy trend taking over prom nights everywhere.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
1972: Empire Waists
Tara Greenbaum//Getty Images
You're looking at the go-to dress style in the early '70s. Bonus points if your dress had a different fabric on the top and bottom.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4
1973: Thin Straps
Tom Kelley Archive//Getty Images
Jersey material + barely-there straps = prom queen status. Spoiler alert: This one comes back around in a few decades.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
1974: Peasant Details
NBC//Getty Images
We see you, folksy trim on a ruffled sleeve. Girls found clever ways to work in peasant details during this very special time.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
6
1975: High Necklines
Allan Roberts//Getty Images
The high-neck, long-sleeve look of the mid-'70s was the only way to embrace your inner flower child on prom night.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7
1976: Satin Dresses
Silver Screen Collection//Getty Images
Things might not have ended well on prom night for Carrie, but the dress Sissy Spacek wore was right on par with trends of the time.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
8
1977: Pastels
H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock//Getty Images
Whether you wore head-to-toe buttercup yellow or peachy pink was up to you.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9
1978: Eyelet Lace
Denver Post//Getty Images
The peasant trend of the '70s meant that eyelet lace was a go-to fabric for prom dresses. Rustic glam, I guess?
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10
1979: Halter Necks
Historical//Getty Images
If you wanted to be the epitome of style and sophistication in the late '70s, you channeled Studio 54. As in, you wore a sleek halter style on prom night, and your date wore bell bottoms.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11
1980: Big Sleeves
NBC//Getty Images
Entering the '80s, we started to see that bigger was better—and this meant sleeves started growing a few inches upward.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
12
1981: Tulle Skirts
Fairfax Media Archives//Getty Images
Tulle, tulle...and more tulle. The more layers, the better. And a high side pony was appropriate formal hair, apparently.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13
1982: Bows
Frank Lennon//Getty Images
A big bow was essentially a requirement for all prom looks in the early '80s, whether it was on your bustle or in your hair.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
14
1983: Drop Waist Dresses
Chicago History Museum//Getty Images
The most common prom style throughout the '80s was a drop waist dress that gave way to a billowing skirt. Don't ask us why tho, because agreed, it wasn't always the most flattering.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15
1984: Ruffles
CBS Photo Archive//Getty Images
Ruffles became big—no pun intended—during the mid-'80s, because, say it with us, bigger is better!
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16
1985: Sheer Gloves
New York Post Archives//Getty Images
'80s fashion was all about accessories, and by far, the most popular addition to any prom dress were sheer lace gloves.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17
1986: Matching Dates
Wally McNamee//Getty Images
Outfit coordination reached a new level in the '80s. We dig it.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
18
1987: Bubble Dresses
Fairfax Media Archives//Getty Images
In the late '80s, girls started opting for shorter styles—and the oh-so-popular bubble dress was born.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19
1988: Iridescent Fabrics
Tim Jones//Getty Images
Shiny, shimmery fabrics were *very* '80s. These dresses definitely made it harder for your date to lose you on the dance floor.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
20
1989: Layered Dresses
Arlene Blades Photography//Getty Images
All. the. rage. Bonus points if they happened to be worn with white tights and flats.
I'm Cosmopolitan's Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago.