Black is an iconic evening gown color, however, few girls opt for all black prom dresses. We’re here to tell you why that’s a huge mistake.
Black is classic, edgy, sophisticated, dark–regardless of what look you’re after, a black dress is sure to make a statement. It’s timeless, looks great on everyone, and in the immortal words of 27 Dresses, “you could just shorten it and wear it again.”
If you’re already inspired to snatch up the first black prom dress you can get your hands on–by all means, don’t stop on our account. There are plenty of great places to get prom dresses in black, just ignore the rest of this article, use a store locator to find prom dresses near you, and get yourself the perfect black prom dress before everyone else does.
History of Black Prom Dresses
For those of you who aren’t so convinced, let’s go all the way back to the beginnings of black prom dresses to explain why the trend is due to have its moment in the spotlight.
Girls have been wearing black prom dresses since the 1950s when Rockabillys (followers of one of the earliest forms of Rock and Roll), shocked parents and teachers nationwide by showing up to dances in tight black gowns.simple black prom dresses
The early days of prom (1940s-50s) were characterized by pastel gowns, delicate lace, and soft silhouettes. Anything feminine and delicate ruled the day. Black was certainly a shock to the system, and not really seen again until the 1980s.
The 60s and early 70s were largely characterized by hippy flower power. Long bohemian dresses, pastel colors, and floral prints were the obvious trend, without much differentiation.
And finally in the 1980s, in an age where anything goes, and punk was the music of choice, black prom dresses made their first real comeback. Tight gowns in synthetic materials ruled the day.
1990s-2000s ushered in a wave of brightly-colored prom dresses. Shiney materials and vibrant colors left very little room for classic black prom dresses.
Black Prom Dresses in 2018 & 2019
Having been quite some time since black prom dresses have been considered trendy,’ it’s commonly thought that 2018 is the year that elegant black gowns will make their way into high school gymnasiums and hotel ballrooms all over the country.
Black gowns continue to rock spring runways for the first time in years. Designers are favoring elegant black gowns with intricate details.simple black prom dresses
Of course, other than trend-purposes there are quite a few other reasons black should be at the top of your prom dress shopping list this season. Here are just 4 reasons to wear a black prom dress in 2018:
- They never go out of style
Little black dresses have been in style for decades and they’re not leaving anytime soon. The same can be said for evening gowns–while they’re slightly less of a daily staple. If you wear a black dress there’s little chance that you’ll look back on your (many) Insta photos and think “eesh why would I choose that” like so many before you.
- Black looks good on everyone
Blonde hair, brown hair, red hair, blue hair, green hair…it doesn’t matter because black goes with anything. Light skin or dark, black dresses suit everyone. This is especially important if you plan to buy your prom dress online. There’s no way you’ll have to worry about your skin tone or hair clashing with a black dress. Whereas a yellow dress can look more vibrant on a screen than in person–black prom dresses can really only be well, black.
- You could totally wear it again
There could definitely be an occasion where you need to wear a fancy gown. Maybe a sorority event when you’re in college, a charity gala, or even the red carpet! At this year’s SAG awards, actress Beanie Feldstein wore her old high school prom dress to walk the red carpet. And what color was it? Black of course! Why? Oh yeah, because black is timeless, looks good on everyone, and you can easily wear it again.
- It’s not what everyone else is doing
We’ve already established that a lot of girls opt for brightly colored gowns for the big night. You’ll stand out in a sea of pastels in an elegant black gown. There are plenty of black prom dresses with incredibly intricate embroidery, lace, illusion detailing, etc. that are even more eye-catching than bright pinks, yellows or blues.
