2021 Prom Dress Trends You Need to Know
Prom season is fast approaching. It can be a little nerve-wracking to flip through the magazines and scroll through the endless, perfectly-curated Pinterest boards labeled “prom” to figure out what might work for you—there are so many options, and it’s challenging to know where to begin. The following will explore some of the prom dress trends of 2021. We’ll also discuss hair and beauty trends that complement the dresses.
Mermaid Dresses Are Back With A Bang
One of the biggest style-specific trends of 2021 is the mermaid-fit dress. These dresses are tight in the waist and around the knees, meaning they work well with pretty much all body types—emphasizing the right curves in the right places. If you can’t picture what we mean, take a look at Jovani mermaid dresses to get an idea. Mermaid dresses are also quite comfortable—their length keeping you from having to worry about how you’re sitting as the night progresses. Parents also tend to like the length. It’s a win-win.
Cool Toned Colors: Silver, White, Ocean Blues, and Diamond Sheer
Among the most popular dress colors for 2021 are these gorgeous shades that bring back images of Jadis the White Witch from The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe, or Elsa from Frozen. From deep-sea blue to powdered blue, shiny translucent, bright silvers, and crisp whites—the cool colors for 2021 are nothing short of magic.
The Verdict Is In: It’s Trendy To Be Ethical
Once you have your budget laid out, take a moment to consider any ethical concerns you may have. Fast fashion and non-vegan fashion, for example, have come under fire in recent years for the damage that they do to the environment. If you’ve never thought about considering vegan fashion before, now might be the time to do it. Vegan clothing choices do more than protect animals—they help clean the air, conserve energy, reduce water waste, and purify the soil.
Maybe you also want to address the concerns of fast fashion. Studies have deemed fast fashion as the second biggest polluter of Earth. Landfills are full of old clothes that don’t degrade quickly. There are two ways to reduce the impact your prom has on this issue: you can seek out used dresses or develop a plan for what you’re going to do with your dress once you’re done with it.
You can select items that you’d be happy to wear again because they suit different types of events, or you can look into donating the dress when you’re done with it. There are several charities explicitly designed for teens who can’t afford prom dresses or tuxedos. Have a look for prom dress drives in your area, or start one of your own at school.
Warm Toned Colors: Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, and Lime
On the warmer end of the color spectrum, bright, happy citrus fruit colors are where it’s at. These summery and cheerful tones will light up any outfit and complement complexions well. These tones also do wonders for our psyche, according to color psychologists. Studies have consistently shown that the colors you wear influence your mood and the mood of others around you—share the joy with fun, happy-go-lucky hues.
Natural Hair Is Back In
The right hairstyle-dress pairing is part of creating a great look. It’s about time that natural hair came back into vogue! In the 70s, this trend exploded, and now it’s finally getting back into the limelight. Natural hair involves not drastically altering your hair’s natural texture but instead using products and styling techniques that highlight the beauty of your hair just the way it is. It also means keeping colors real whenever possible.
The final look is usually fresh and summery, but also casual—like you woke up and wandered to prom with next to no effort. Understand that for all-night events like prom, it’s entirely okay to include some hairspray to help keep things in place.
Dresses With Sharp Lines
No longer are the frills and lacy details where it’s at. Dresses with sharp lines are one of the most common new elements on the Spring 2021 runways. The goal here is to create gorgeous silhouettes—a crisp, clean, fresh feeling.
Natural Nail Colors
Nails are a big part of dressing up for a special occasion, and in 2021, that means simple, clean, natural nails. Consider a french manicure or the palest pink color that feels nude. To master this look, you might need to give your nails a little love and care leading up to the big day. Especially if you often use fake nails, your nail’s surface is likely scratched up and rough.
After The Year We’ve Had, Financially Security Is More Than Cool
Before you jump into the fun part—shopping—it’s vital that you take a moment to understand your budget. If your parents are planning on helping you out with some of the purchasing, have a conversation with them about what they’re happy to spend. 2020 was rough on everyone in all different ways—more than half of Americans made a 2021 New Years’ resolution to save more money. When was the last time you heard of a trend that half the population jumped on? Be respectful of what your parents can offer and find creative ways to work within it. Style comes at all price points—don’t ever let anyone tell you it doesn’t.
Keep in mind that it’s not just the dress that can end up costing money. There might be shoes, beauty products, jewelry, corsages or boutonnieres, undergarments that work with the dress, travel expenses, and hair or nail appointments—some prom’s even charge for the tickets. It’s a good idea to write down all of these expenses in one location and think about balancing your needs with your budget. Think about where you can cut costs. Maybe your sister has the perfect pair of heels that she never wears that she’d let you borrow. Maybe you and your friends can style each other’s hair.
The above information should help you navigate the 2021 trends in regards to your prom dress search. When shopping, never settle for something uncomfortable or ill-fitting. You don’t want to spend the whole night pulling the front of your dress up or walking strangely. You want to be able to dance and laugh and enjoy the freedom of the evening.