With prom night coming up in May for juniors and June for seniors, the pressure to find the perfect prom dress while juggling academic responsibilities has reached its peak. It’s a time consuming process filled with anticipation, stress, and dozens of open browser tabs.
For some people, the search for the perfect prom dress began early. “I bought my dress a lot more early on, so it wasn’t as difficult trying to find ones in stock or worrying about buying ones that were already claimed by someone else,” said Martina Lipczyk, a junior who began her search in late February. But even with early planning, finding the right dress is rarely easy. “I had to try multiple dresses because online ordering was harder than I thought,” said Fiona Curran, a current junior, “I actually bought one at first but it wasn’t what I wanted when it arrived. Then I remember what my cousin wore last year. I ended up borrowing her dress because she was never going to wear it again. I think it was a good choice because I saved money and reused clothing.”
The search for the perfect dress has taken many forms. According to a survey taken by BCA juniors and seniors, 41.7% of students shopped by scrolling through online stores. Only 29.2% decided to only shop in person, and the other 29.2% decided to do both. One student said that they had around 40 dress tabs open before finally making a decision. “I’ve ordered prom dresses to try on from multiple stores including Windsor and JJ’s House,” said junior Sofia Michaels “I’m really hoping my first choice fits me well because prom is too soon for me to return it and get another size.”
Others took a more spontaneous route, like one junior.“I thrifted mine. I was generally thrifting that day, so I wasn’t necessarily looking for prom dresses until I found the one I chose.” For students like her, the process is about more than trends, it is about finding something that feels authentic and personal.
Despite the variety of experiences, one thing is clear, long dresses are the favorite this year. A survey taken by BCA juniors and seniors showed that 90% of students chose a long dress while only 10% opted for a shorter style. As one student put it, long dresses just feel “more formal and memorable.”
As prom night gets closer and closer, BCA juniors and seniors without their dresses are getting deeper and deeper into their searches, and those who already have their dresses can’t wait to wear them. From online browsing to last-minute thrifting, each unique experience is united by the hope of finding the perfect long dress, which ultimately reflects not just style but the memories created along the way.
