Upper Cumberland high school students embracing a wide variety of prom styles this season, shifting toward retro 1990s looks, more natural themes and highly individualized dress choices.
Local Formal Wear Expert Morgan Johnson said local students are pulling inspiration from social media platforms like TikTok and country music red carpet events. The current season features an unprecedented variety of dress options, ranging from classic black and white pieces to unexpected colors like yellow.
“And it’s kind of given a lot of girls, I think, a huge freedom and a lot of leeway to, you know, show their personalities without really, really standing out or fitting in or having to worry about if they’re on trend or not, and it’s kinda given, like I said, a lot of freedom for girls this time,” Johnson said.
Johnson said popular dress features include pockets, ruffles, and large bows that carried over from last year. Many students are opting for flowy ballgowns that allow for free movement and photograph beautifully, while others prefer fitted styles covered in sparkles or pearls.
“So I don’t necessarily think it’s more about just staying on that trend, I think it’s more about just finding what you really, really like and what makes you feel good,” Johnson said. “I mean, I think you feeling your best is the best trend to go with.”
Special Event Cosmetologist Tesa Hogue said the shift toward individualized style extends to hair and makeup, with students choosing understated looks over dramatic applications. Nude colors and subtle shimmers are replacing heavy makeup, while hairstyles are leaning toward simple French twists, chignons, or loose waves.
“90s is kind of making a big comeback, so 90s kind of bard hair, early 2000s, Pamela Anderson-kind of looks, and just like kind of really natural when it comes to the makeup, and just like loose waves, and just kind of effortless, really, when it comes to the hair and makeup,” Hogue said.
Johnson said boutiques are actively working to ensure no two people at the same school have the exact same dress. This contrasts with past eras where students strictly wanted tight, fitted, and glitzy dresses to match the dominant trend of the time.
“I kind of wish that that was the thing for me whenever I was in high school, was that you could wear sneakers and it was okay because I remember walking up into my high school prom and my feet already killing me as soon as I hit the dance floor before I even began to bust any moves,” Hogue said.
Hogue said students can lock in their final prom looks for the entire evening by using hairspray on both their hair and their faces.