Whether you’re shopping for your first prom, or you’re in search of a versatile, formal black tie-appropriate dress, dress shopping might be intimidating.
If you need a dress but aren’t sure how to tell what style dress is best for you, we’ve got you covered with our guide!
Keep the Event in Mind
This is going to be the most important step when it comes to figuring out what style of dress is best for you. If you know there’s going to be a theme, you can incorporate that into the styles and accessories you look at.
There aren’t many times when you get to dress to the nines dance the night away, so if you’re looking for a black-tie look (like a prom dress) you can take the opportunity to be dramatic.If you’re looking for a dress with versatility that you can wear to multiple occasions, you can’t go wrong with a chic cocktail dress.
Just remember to adhere to school (or other) dress codes, especially if you’re looking at shorter dresses.
Think About Your Favorite Dresses
When you’re digging into your dress research, start with silhouettes that mirror dresses or outfits you already have that make you feel confident and powerful.
Maybe you have a sundress with a sweetheart neckline that makes you feel like royalty, or you love how cobalt blue looks on your skin–whatever it is, let yourself be inspired.
Consider Your Favorite Physical Features
This usually goes hand in hand with thinking about outfits that make you feel powerful. Thinking about your favorite physical features and what you’d like to show off greatly narrows down dress silhouettes and styles. For example, if you love your legs, a short dress or a dress with a high slit will accentuate them.
During this step, you can also think about looks that don’t usually work for you and filter accordingly. You want the dress to make you feel happy wearing it, so there’s no sense trying to make a style work that you already know you don’t like.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
The most important aspect of a dress is that it makes you feel good, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look to others for inspiration and experiment!
If there’s a red carpet look you’ve always wanted to emulate, why not give it a try? If your friends think you’d look stunning in a neon color you don’t normally wear, why not try it on? The worst that can happen is that you don’t like it, but then you know for sure that dress style doesn’t work for you.
Finding the best dress style for you can sometimes be a bit of trial and error, but you never know unless you try! Experimenting with silhouettes, colors, and dress alternatives like two-piece sets and rompers can guide you to your new favorite dress style!
Searching for Your Perfect Dress Style
Finding the perfect dress (or dress alternative) can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be impossible.
By keeping the event in mind, focusing on dress aspects that you already know you like, plus experimenting a little, you can figure out which dress style is best for you in no time!
Prom is the biggest event of the year for many high school students, and it's important to many that their prom outfit is perfect down to the last detail. When it comes to your 2025 prom dress, it's easy to be overwhelmed by all of the choices on the market and to be confused about which style might suit you the best.
Our article gives you top tips on choosing the best style for your 2025 prom and advice on what you can expect when it comes to dressing for prom.
What Are the 2025 Prom Dress Trends?
Following prom dress trends is a great way to select a style that is both eye-catching and flattering to your natural features. There are a few different trends that make great selections for your 2025 prom dress, and we discuss these trends below so you know what you're working with.
Shimmer and Shine
One of the most popular 2025 prom dress trends is gowns that shimmer, shine, and sparkle. These dresses may be made from metallic or shimmery fabrics, or they may be embellished with lots of sparkles and glittering thread. You can find a shimmery dress in any color and style that suits you, making this trend totally customizable to your preferences.
Sequins
Similar to the trend of shimmery fabrics is the trending design of sequins on prom dresses. You can get a prom dress that has a top layer of fabric that is entirely made out of small sequins, or you can select a prom dress that has sequin embellishments. Patterns that are made out of sequins on prom dresses are also very popular.
Timeless Prom Looks
The classics are classic for a reason – the most popular prom styles year after year are timeless dresses. By timeless classics for prom, we mean formal A-line and ball gown dresses created from materials such as tulle or satin that can be adjusted to flatter any type of figure or body type.
The most classic colors to wear to prom are light blue, purples, and black, but plenty of individuals opt for red and green dresses to perfectly flatter their skin tone.
When Should I Get My 2025 Prom Dress?
Purchasing your 2025 prom dress with plenty of time before your big night is essential. Leaving lots of time between your dress shopping and prom gives you time to fully explore your options, try on lots of outfits, and ensure that you get alterations on your dress as needed.
In general, we recommend starting your prom dress shopping in January or February for a prom that takes place in April, May, or June. You should leave a couple of months between your dress purchase and prom night to make sure you have your outfit finalized, your accessories picked out, and any dress adjustments made.
Before prom night, make sure you do a full trial of your outfit, hair and makeup included, so that you know how to tackle your look on prom night and look your best.
How Much Will a Prom Dress Cost?
Prom dresses vary in price based on the style of the dress, the designer, the store you are purchasing from, and the fabric that the dress is made out of. Because of this, it can be difficult to say exactly how much a prom dress might cost you, and some individuals may have larger budgets for their prom dresses than others.
On average, you can expect a prom dress to cost between $100 and $500. If you need any alterations for your dress, this can be an additional $50 to $200. You should also factor in the cost of any accessories, such as a nice pair of shoes, and whether or not you will be getting your hair and makeup professionally done.
If you have a strict budget for your prom outfit, we recommend starting your search in thrift shops and clearance sales before visiting local boutique stores and malls.
What’s the Best Prom Dress Style for Me?
When trying to choose the best prom dress style, it’s important that you take into account the following considerations. These factors will help you narrow down the many prom dress options out there and give you the best prom dress style for your big night.
Your Figure: Everyone has a slightly different figure, and yours may be flattered by higher or lower waistlines, or higher or lower necklines. Determine what silhouettes make you feel confident to find the dress style that feels the best.
Your Skin Tone: Your skin tone will have cool, warm, or neutral undertones, and these undertones determine which colors and shades look the best on you. Choose a complementary color to give yourself a glowing appearance on prom night.
Your Preferences: You may prefer strapless dresses, cocktail-length dresses, or floor-length formal dresses, and that’s okay. Choosing a dress that fits your preferences is just as important as selecting a flattering style.
Make sure when shopping for a prom dress that you try on lots of different options so you can see what works and what doesn’t for your body type and personal style.
How Do I Accessorize My 2025 Prom Dress?
Accessorizing your 2025 prom dress is the perfect way to bring your prom look together, and you should take note of the best accessories to add to your outfit.
We recommend choosing a pair of shoes that is formal and comes in a neutral color that will match your dress; a pair of black or beige high heels is a great choice for this. However, if you are trying to make a fashion statement and your dress is of a darker color, you can accessorize with a matching vibrant pair of shoes.
At some proms, you may have a corsage or gift a corsage to your friends or dates. You can make sure your corsage matches the color of your dress. If you wear jewelry, you can select simple jewelry in gold or silver to accent your dress; make sure that you choose one jewelry color and stick with it, or you risk your accessories clashing.
Do I Need to Wear a Dress to Prom?
If dresses aren’t your thing, that’s totally okay – formal dresses are not the only thing that you can wear to prom.
Instead of a prom dress, you can opt for a formal jumpsuit made out of a sparkly or satin material, or you could wear a tailored suit. Make sure that your prom outfit is semi-formal or formal (check your school’s dress code to see how formal it needs to be), and ensure that it is well-fitted.
You can accessorize your prom outfit as needed with shoes, hair, makeup, and jewelry.
Embracing the Best Prom Dress Trends 2025
Prom is one of those exciting events that we only experience once or twice in our lives, and finding the perfect prom outfit is something that every student is interested in.
Whether you want to wear a trending prom dress style, you have something more classic in mind, or you are opting for a classy jumpsuit, there is sure to be a prom style out there for you.
Take your preferences into account and review our tips above for considerations to keep in mind as you choose your prom dress. Then, you can be sure that you find the best 2025 prom dress or outfit for you with less stress.
Prom is one of those events that is anticipated year-round by students, and everyone loves getting ready for prom. One of the most important tasks that must be completed before prom night is finding the best prom dress to flatter your features and make a big impact as you attend prom with your friends. Choosing a prom dress that is trending in 2025 is sure to help you narrow down your dress options and select something that is not only flattering but also perfectly stylish for your prom night.
Below, we tell you more about the best prom dresses in 2025 and the top trends in prom dresses to keep an eye out for.
When Is Prom 2025?
Prom usually takes place at the end of the school year, and this event is used to celebrate graduating high school seniors and juniors who are moving up to their last year of high school. Depending on your school, there may be a separate senior and junior prom, or this event may be combined for both grade levels.
Prom most commonly takes place during the months of April, May, and June.
Is There a Dress Code for Prom?
Typically, proms have a semi-formal or formal dress code. This means you will be expected to wear a formal gown, and most schools encourage that your dress is floor-length. However, you may be able to wear a semi-formal cocktail dress depending on the theme of your prom and your specific school’s rules.
It’s important to check any dress code rules and guidance before going prom dress shopping so you know what type of dress to look for.
Best Prom Dresses 2025: Top Trends and Styles
There are many different prom dress styles and colors you can choose from, though there are a handful of prom styles that are trending in 2025. Below, we discuss the top five prom dress trends that you’re sure to see a lot of during this year’s prom season.
Metallic Colors
Metallic colors are having a moment in 2025, and prom dresses aren’t left out of this trend. Dresses in metallic golds and slivers, in addition to other colors with metallic sheens, are taking the formal dress world by storm. You can choose a plain metallic color or go for a more eye-catching look, such as metallic greens, blues, or even purple, to keep up with this trend.
We recommend accessorizing your metallic prom dress with jewelry in a similar color and shimmery eyeshadow.
Sequins and Shine
Sequins and shine are another popular trend in 2025, with dresses completely covered in sequins and shimmering embellishments being all the rage. You can select a sequined dress in any color, though red, black, gold, and silver are the most popular, or you can select a solid color dress with sequin decorations on it.
Any style of prom dress matches the sequin and shimmery styles that are popular this year, so you can choose something that is on trend and flattering to your figure.
Timeless Classics
The classics are timeless for a reason – simple A-line and ballgown prom dresses are still one of the most popular selections for prom in 2025. These dresses flatter most figures, can be adjusted with different necklines and sleeve lengths, and come in a range of colors and materials.
The most popular colors for these timeless classic dresses are purple, light blue, black, and dark green. If you don’t feel like wearing a long, floor-length formal gown, you can also opt to wear a classic cocktail dress in a color that suits you.
Hot Pinks
Hot pink has come and gone from the limelight over the years, and in 2025, this color is currently very trendy. Hot pinks come in a range of undertones, so you can choose a cool or warm hot pink to perfectly enhance your skin tone and give you a naturally glowing appearance.
You can accessorize your hot pink outfit with a pair of heels in a neutral color like beige, black, or white, and you can choose subtle makeup that enhances your features while still letting your perfect prom dress be the star.
Two-Piece Outfits
Two-piece outfits are a popular trending look, and these outfits include a top blouse piece and a longer skirt; some two-piece outfits show off the midriff, while others are closer together and show less skin. If you are a fan of slightly more freedom with your formal dresses, or if you want something unique, this is a good choice.
However, keep in mind that you should always check with your school’s dress code rules, as two-piece outfits might not be allowed at your prom if they show off too much skin.
When Should I Go Prom Dress Shopping?
It’s a good idea to start thinking about your prom dress several months ahead of prom night. For most people, this means starting to shop for your prom dress during January and February. The earlier you secure your dress, the better deal you might get, and you have plenty of time to make sure your dress fits, get your outfit tailored, and select accessories.
We also recommend doing a trial run of your prom outfit several weeks ahead of prom night to make sure that your dress, hair, makeup, and accessories match and to identify any potential issues with your outfit ahead of your big night.
How Much Can I Expect to Spend on a Prom Dress?
Prom dresses can range from moderately priced to more expensive, and this range depends on the type of dress you are buying, where you are buying the dress, and the overall fabric and style of your prom dress. Dresses such as ball gowns that utilize a lot of material and may have plenty of embellishments might be more expensive than a simple A-line formal outfit in a classic color.
In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $500 for a prom dress. If you are shopping for your prom dress on a budget, you can check out clearance sales and thrift stores before heading to boutiques and your local mall to select a dress.
How Do I Accessorize My Prom Outfit?
Accessorizing your prom outfit doesn’t need to be as difficult as you might think. Corsages are a common addition to your prom outfit, and your date might give you a corsage, or you may choose to wear matching corsages with your friends. You can also give your date a corsage or other floral-type accessory that matches your prom outfit.
If you aren’t interested in adding a corsage to your outfit, you can accessories your prom look with the right jewelry, hair, and makeup. You should select simple jewelry that doesn’t take away from the impact of your dress and choose either silver or gold based on your skin tone; don’t mix and match silver and gold, as this creates a clash in appearance.
Your makeup and hair should be formal to match the rest of your outfit, and some people prefer to get their makeup professionally done or ask a friend to help with hair and makeup before prom.
You can complete your prom outfit with a pair of high heels in a neutral color or a similar color to your dress; dressy flats are also an option if you don’t feel like wearing heels all night.
Choosing the Best Prom Dresses 2025
When it comes to selecting your prom dress and style, it’s helpful to keep up with 2025 trends while still choosing an outfit that flatters your natural features. This year, metallic colors, sequins, hot pinks, and two-piece prom outfits are having a major moment, and you can choose from any of these trending styles for your 2025 prom outfit.
That being said, if you prefer to go with a timeless classic dress style or a more vintage look, this is also perfectly fine. The most important thing is that you choose a dress that catches your eye and makes you feel your best so you can confidently enjoy your prom night.
Concerts are a huge event that music lovers will often save up for and plan well in advance. When you spend so much time, money, and effort preparing, you want everything to be perfect, and you probably want to take some photos or videos of the event as well. This means you’ll also want to prepare the perfect outfit.
Country music is having a major moment and attracting fans, new and old, to concerts across the country and beyond. If you’re prepping for your first big country concert, you’re probably wondering what to wear for the event.
There are so many options and factors to consider when choosing your ensemble for the show, that this process can be overwhelming. We’ll help you figure out which look will be best for your concert.
Consider the Concert
No two country concerts are exactly the same. When choosing your outfit, you should consider the time of day the concert takes place, the venue, and the artist. For example, the outfit you choose for shaking it at an outdoor music festival on a hot summer afternoon will probably be quite different from what you’d wear at an indoor evening show where you’ll be seated for the event.
Certain artists also have certain aesthetics associated with them and their music, which means that fans are more likely to go for a specific type of look. Classic country rock crowds may favor a more denim and cowboy boots look, whereas some artists have a more glamorous style, attracting fans in cute dresses with rhinestones and sequins. If you're dressing for something like a Taylor Swift show, you may even pick a themed outfit based on your favorite era.
Comfort
No matter the concert, you should make sure you choose an outfit that will be comfortable for you to wear and navigate crowds in. This will vary depending on the concert venue, but you may have to do a lot of walking on uneven terrain or on steep stairs.
You should also consider the bathroom situation. Some outfits are more complicated to get on and off, so if the venue only has porta potties, that could be uncomfortable and stressful.
Make sure to research the venue and the amenities ahead of time. If the event is outdoors, check the weather in advance and adjust your outfit accordingly!
Cute Outfits for Country Concerts
Here are a few of our favorite outfit combos for country concerts.
A Bold Matching 2-Piece Set
Shorts and a crop top are a classic country style, but by matching the two pieces, it elevates the look beyond an everyday casual outfit. If you love classic denim cut-offs, try a denim vest or shirt to match.
We also love a daring, bold color or animal print to take your matched set to the next level.
Americana Bling
Country music has its roots in many early American music styles, reflecting the diverse and unique collection of people who all had a hand in creating the music style and the country. It’s not uncommon to see stars and stripes in abundance at country concerts to celebrate that, but it can be a little overdone.
If you want a more formal and sparkly look for an evening concert, choosing a dress that subtly references the flag colors or features a star motif is a fun way to match the theme while being a little more formal.
Sweet Floral Sundress
When a concert vibe is less whiskey and banjos, and more folksy and acoustic, a floral dress or skirt matches the atmosphere perfectly. The look is especially fitting for outdoor events in the daytime.
Bright summer colors keep this look from being boring or blending in with the crowd.
A Fun Romper
Rompers are a great middle-of-the-road item to have in your wardrobe. They have the polished ease of a dress, but the convenience of shorts. This can be a great option if you’re not really comfortable in skirts and dresses or if you’re trying to avoid upper thigh chafe.
There are so many cute romper styles to choose from. While there are simple options out there, for an evening concert, you could amp things up with a sparkly look.
Add Accessories
No matter what base outfit you choose, you can completely change an outfit by choosing the right accessories. Western themes are very popular right now for all sorts of events, including weddings, so it should be easy to find some pieces to help make your concert look really pop.
Boots
Of course, cowboy boots are a given at any country music concert or event. You can add them to any outfit to give it cowgirl flair. Cowboy boots come in many colors and styles, so you can choose a pair that matches your personal style to get more use out of them.
Since comfort is so important, we recommend buying your cowboy boots in person and getting them properly sized at the shop. Make sure you give yourself a few weeks to break them in before the concert, as wearing new boots all day can cause blisters.
If you don’t own a pair of cowboy boots and don’t want to invest in something you might not see yourself wearing regularly, you can wear any comfortable pair of leather boots to give your outfit a more rugged country look.
Headwear
The obvious choice for a country concert is a classic cowboy hat. In a variety of colors and sizes, these hats let people know you’re here for country music. They also have the added bonus of providing some protection from the elements.
If you don’t have a cowboy hat and don’t want to spend the money on one, there are some alternative options that can also be practical and cute for a country concert.
If you’re at an outdoor venue, a sunhat made from straw or canvas can be both attractive and practical. You could also wear a bandana as a headband or even tie it around your neck as a very down-home farm look that would suit the event.
Other Accessories
Depending on the kind of concert and the outfit you choose, you can have fun playing with other accessories. Some venues will have restrictions on bag sizes or require them to be clear, but if you don’t have that limitation, you can choose a fun bag with fringe or an embroidered strap to add flair to your outfit.
We don’t recommend wearing a lot of expensive jewelry at a concert, because things can fall off and get lost easily in a crowd. Stick to a few inexpensive pieces that are sturdy and won’t easily come unhooked.
Add Some Yee to Your Haw at Your Next Country Concert
There are many fun outfits you can enjoy wearing to a country concert, and there are plenty of ways to accessorize clothes you already own to fit the event. Depending on the time, venue, and artist, you might go a little more casual or a little more glamorous. The most important thing is to be comfortable and have fun.
Make sure the outfit and accessories you choose make you happy, so you’ll enjoy looking back at the pictures for years to come.