Prom dresses are formal gowns, and as such, they are generally expected to be longer. However, with changing styles over the years, your prom dress doesn’t necessarily have to be long and voluptuous for you to make an eye-catching entrance at prom. Our article gives you details on the many available lengths of prom dresses and what to consider as you choose the length of your perfect dress for prom.
What Lengths of Prom Dresses Are Available?
Prom dresses come in a variety of styles, and there are numerous lengths of prom dresses to accompany these styles. If you are new to the world of prom dresses, you might be wondering exactly which lengths of dress are available to you – we give you an overview of basic prom dress lengths below:
- Floor length – This covers the feet, and the fabric touches the floor when you wear it
- Maxi – this stops around the ankle area
- Ballerina – the fabric stops around the calf area, typically mid-calf
- Midi – this length stops somewhere between the mid-calf area and just below the knee
- Tea-length – this stops just below the knee
- Knee length – this stops at the knee, and it may be referred to as cocktail length
- Above the knee – this falls at the area above the knee, and it may also qualify as cocktail-length
- Short midi – this falls in the mid-thigh area
- Micro – the fabric stops at the upper thigh, though typically, this style is not suitable for formal events
In general, prom dresses that are floor-length and those that are cocktail-length tend to be the most popular dress lengths year after year. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to select from one of these lengths – if a dress falls anywhere in between, or if you feel like embracing a jumpsuit or romper-style outfit for prom, then you should go for that.
Picking the Length of Your Prom Dress
As you start to think about the length of your prom dress, there are some additional considerations that you should keep in mind to ensure you choose the most appropriate prom dress length.
Dress Code Requirements
Proms are typically hosted by high schools, and this means that your high school may be enforcing a dress code for the prom dresses worn.
It’s important to check dress code requirements for prom dress styles and lengths, as this will ensure you don’t select a dress that will get you turned away on prom night.
The most common dress code requirements for prom include things like a length requirement, such as a dress being longer than your upper thighs, and style requirements, such as no dresses with exposed midriffs being allowed.
Dress Style and Color
Sometimes, the style of your prom dress can have an impact on the length. For example, if you are interested in a romper-style prom dress, the hemline of this outfit will typically sit somewhere in your mid-thigh area. Alternatively, if you want to select a ballgown, these dresses are usually full-length, and the bottom of the dress will fall around your feet.
You’ll also want to keep the color in mind. For instance, if you know you want to wear red, a micro dress will likely come off as sultry while a long dress may give off old Hollywood vibes; you can get a feel for how the same shade is affected by dress length in this red prom dress collection.
Personal Preference
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a prom dress is your personal preference.
There are many different styles and lengths available, and you should choose the kind of prom dress that makes you feel your most confident and beautiful. Additionally, you should make sure that your prom dress fits you well and that you are able to accessorize it the way you wish so you can put together a complete prom outfit for your big night.
Where Do I Purchase a Prom Dress?
Purchasing a prom dress can feel confusing, especially when there are multiple stores you can shop in to find your dream dress. If you want to shop by size, style, or a specific prom dress length, you can use online websites to locate the type of prom dress you are interested in.
Alternatively, you can shop in person by visiting local prom dress and boutique stores, department stores, and your local mall. If you are shopping on a budget, a thrift store may have the types of prom dress you are interested in for half of the cost of purchasing it new.
Finding the Prom Dress Length For You
Choosing a prom dress style for your big night also means choosing a length that fits the dress code requirements your school may have and one that helps you feel your most beautiful. While there are numerous lengths of prom dresses, the most popular lengths are generally full-length formal gowns or cocktail-style gowns. You can pick from either of these lengths or any prom dress length in between as long as it suits your personal preferences and style.
