Today’s prom dresses are a far cry from those in the 1980s. While we embrace minimalist fashion and designs that accentuate our curves, the 80s focused on daring statements. It was common to find shiny, shimmery fabrics with big bows and tulle skirts. Curious to know what girls like you wore to their prom in the 80s? Let’s take a walk down memory lane.
Lace-accented gowns
The 1980s was an era of experimentation as prom dress designers played around with different fabrics, and one that stood out was lace-accented gowns. These gowns are usually made of high-quality polyester, silk, or satin, and the neckline is adorned with beautiful sheer laces.
Other designers add polyester laces at the hemline to accentuate the ruffles. Depending on the lace type and design, some lace dresses cost hundreds of dollars. These dresses are often paired with classic hairstyles, statement shoes, and bold, colorful earrings.
Taffeta and Satin
Since the beginning of time, luxurious fabrics like taffeta and satin were desired for their quality. These two clothing materials were popular for their glossy sheen, and in the 80s, glossiness was evidence of wealth and luxury in society.
Taffeta and satin are usually sewn with other materials to create beautiful bodice gowns. Although hundreds of materials go well with taffeta and satin, silk seems to be the favorite, as it is a lightweight material that clings to the body closely.
Excessive and Dramatic Ruffles
Extravagant ruffles characterized prom dresses in the 1980s, and there was nothing like too much. Ruffle designs are usually added to the sleeves and skirt to create a dramatic look. Many 80s designers add ruffles to the hemline of ballgown dresses to create a silhouette of a thin waist.
Ruffles were also incorporated to add volume and texture, creating a bold aesthetic that was similar to the previous era. Many girls go a step further to add ruffles to the hems and neckline for exaggerated silhouettes of a bigger chest area.
Oversized Bows
Like ruffles, oversized bows were also another popular clothing embellishment in the 1980s. They were placed strategically on dresses to create a dramatic effect. You can see these bows on big sleeves, the dress’s hemline, the waist, and even the neckline.
In most cases, big bows were placed at the back of the dress’s waist to create a slimming effect and promote an hourglass look. These bows are usually made from satin or tulle but can also be made from cloth material.
Corsets
Corset-inspired prom dresses were not as popular as flamboyant ball gowns in the 1980s; however, it is important to highlight their steady emergence in the fashion of the 80s. Corset dresses came into the limelight around the late 80s, and popular designs combined the flamboyance of ball dresses.
Sleeveless corset prom gowns with cute frills and ruffles at the lower end were the most popular. Although the 1980s corset was quite different from the bone-breaking, waist-shaping ones of the Victorian era in 1838, they still provided enough support to accentuate one’s figure.
