Though both Junior and Senior Prom are a few months away, the dress shopping bug has already spread through Warren Hills.

Prom dresses come in every possible shade, with every possible cut, neckline, and skirt length. From two-piece ensembles to sweetheart necklines, the possibilities are endless. Each year, a new wave of trends floods the banquet halls of prom and new fashion “No-No”s are avoided like the plague, for fear of being shunned or looking tacky.

Some trends, however, dominated this 2019 prom season, and the girls of Hills’ shopping carts especially. 

According to Prom Girl, a prom dress website [highly rated and highly trafficked by Hills girls], “Illusion gowns and dresses are one of this year’s most popular looks. These designs let you show off a hint of skin while maintaining a super glamorous and sophisticated style.”

The dominant color schemes for this year’s dresses include red, navy or royal blue, and black. 

Cuts in the sides and back are also a selling feature for many dresses and a mermaid fit, longer length seems to elevate a dress’s appeal.

Many at Hills this year have leaned away from the traditional, princess style of prom dresses, instead favoring a slimmer, tighter fit. Another surprise is the move away from strapless dresses.

Shopping for prom dresses eats up a lot of time, so realizing the perfect dress is a huge deal.

Junior Heather Laffan said, “I loved the elegant design of the dress; not too showy, but not unnoticeable,” upon finding her perfect dress.

Another reasoning behind the dress decision, senior Lexi Wesley said, “It had all the things I was looking for in a dress and fit like a glove.”

A reasonable price did not seem to be a stipulation for many dresses, so long as they fit and felt good. Most parents have also been willing to chip in for at least partial or paid the total price of the expensive gowns, most in the hundreds of dollars. 

Some, however, have struck up a deal with their parents to diffuse the hefty cost of prom prep.

Junior Jessica DeSanto said, “My mom paid for it, but I’m paying for everything else.”

Though a prom dress was a major part of the experience, style was not sacrificed for comfort.

DeSanto said, “The dress is decently important, but won’t make or break your prom experience. As long as you yourself like it, that’s all that matters.”

Junior Kassandra Llanos agreed that the dress is only important if, “you like your dress and are comfortable in it.”

Though personal preference ranged widely for the big night’s dress, Westley summed it up best: “A girl should get whatever dress makes her feel the most beautiful.”