The debutante balls of the wealthy upper class Americans of the Nineteenth century were the inspiration for the current tradition of high school proms. At the original debutante balls, young well groomed women would don whit ball gowns and gloves as they marched grandly into an event hall with their escort. This was their rite of passage to enter the social dating scene which was designed to ultimately help them find a partner in marriage. The American term prom is generally agreed to be a shortened from of the word promenade. The promenade was the walking in of the girls in the original debutante balls. Prom is still a landmark event in a young girls life in which she is seen as moving from little girl to young adulthood. Proms have changed drastically over the years as new money and ideas led to new and more creative themes and styles. The style of dresses girls wear to prom has changed also and today much of it depends on personal preference. Some girls still go all out in a full gown, while others choose a simpler more casual but still elegant cocktail dress. Prom dress is still a distinctive style of apparel though. The term prom dress is still considered to describe a certain type of strapless dress with a flaring skirt made of a silky fabric.

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A-line gowns feature form-fitting bodices which flare from a natural waist down to a full length skirt. A-line gowns have seamless waistlines and are also referred to as princess cut gowns. This style is attractive eon most body types and can help conceal wide hips and thighs. Another choice is a tea-length dress which I hemmed at the shin. These dresses are more playful and fun for less formal affairs and they are great for showing off well-shaped calves. They are also a good choice for tall thin figures. A high-low gown is an elegant choice in which the skirt is hemmed long in the back and hemmed just above the knees in the front. It creates a sassy and sexy appearance which is ideal for showing off long legs and hourglass figures.

 A tulle skirt/bouffant gown is a fun retro style which features a sheer puffy skirt made of rayon or silk. These skirts look like a longer more formal version of a ballerina’s tutu. This style is flattering to those with more bottom-heavy figures. Finally the classic ball gown style is a timeless choice for proms and formal social events. These dresses have long full skirts which begin at the natural waistline and extend down to floor length. They feature seamed waists and are designed in various shapes. This type of dress cuts the waist in half from a visual perspective for a flattering look on average and tall figured women.

Those shopping for vintage prom dresses will find a number of varying styles and it’s good to have a basic understanding of the different cuts and designs so that you can choose a dress that is appropriate to your style and the level of formality of the event. An empire cut dress features a very high waistline which usually begins somewhere just below the bust. Below the waist is a long full length skirt flowing straight downwards. Empire cut prom dresses are flattering to those with a pear shaped figure or a thicker waist. They create an illusion of height for shorter or petite girls as well. Sheath dresses are slim and feature very little in the way of fabric detail. They hug the natural curves and lines of the body. Sheath cuts are a good choice for sleeveless dresses and they are flattering on well-toned figures. Very tall and thin women look especially beautiful in them.