The 80s Prom Dress - What It Was

The Formal Gown of 1980

Many Americans hold a soft spot in the hearts for the 1980’s. I was born in 1984 and even though I was very young for the duration of the 1980’s I seem to hold the same memories of the 1980’s that older people do.

1980’s music, movies, TV shows and fashion seem to be what people reference when discussing the decade. Many songs, shows and movies from the 1980’s are being remade because people feel nostalgic when experiencing the media.

1980’s fashion is perhaps the most untouched area of pop culture that has been carried over, meaning that people dress in clothes that are not interpreted from the 1980’s, but instead are actually from the 1980’s. The piece of clothing that is perhaps most discussed then and now is the 80’s prom dress.

Since the 1980’s had a thread of excess running through the decade, the prom dresses produced were considered very cool. “The bigger the better” was definitely the motto and since prom is the most formal event of a high school student’s experience, people spared no expense on an 80’s prom dress.

Bright Colors and Fun!

A typical 80’s prom dress was bright in color and some popular choices included: tangerine, teal, magenta and fuchsia. Many girls chose short dresses over long chiffon dresses from the 1970’s. An 80’s prom dress needed to be bold and cosmopolitan and a great bright color helped pump up the energy.

Another fashion rule from the 80’s was that over-accessorizing was impossible. The attitude was the more styles going on in a single outfit, the better. This of course applied to prom dresses. The construction and shape the dress made on the body was very important.

You had to have the biggest impact and sleek silhouettes were not in style. Some had ruching, or bunching up on the sides. Some were asymmetrical or had geometric cutouts or prints. Another well-known characteristic of an 80’s prom dress was oversized shoulders and puffy sleeves.

Fashion Detail

An 80’s prom dress typically had a lot of detailed appliqués, sequins, bugle beads, netting and rhinestones. These dresses were pricey but well worth the effect. The dresses were accessorized with clutch purses, big jewelry, and metallic high heels and sometimes patterned tights.

These days, an 80’s prom dress can be purchased from consignment or thrift shops. Many nightclubs have 80’s night and many parties are 80’s themes. Even though the 80’s prom dress is now worn as a joke, many others 80’s clothing is not.

Smart Ideas for an Affordable Prom Dress - It's not that you are cheap in the sense of the word but you do want a bargain on your formal, don't you? Here is a small list of ideas to use to buy an affordable prom dress this year and still look like a charm.

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