Prom night has always been a big deal in America. Teenagers get dressed up and pile into cars headed for a night they hope to remember forever. From the skirts of the 1950s to the big hair and shoulder pads of the 1980s, prom fashion has changed a lot over the years. But the feeling behind it has stayed the same: nervous excitement, corny slow dances, and photos that parents insist on taking before anyone leaves the house.
These 15 photos take you through prom nights from several different decades. You’ll see tuxedos, gowns, awkward poses, and plenty of hairspray. Some of these looks might make you laugh, and others might make you wish you could bring them back. Either way, they’re a fun reminder of how one night in high school can turn into a memory that lasts a lifetime.
1. Lovely sunset background, 1982
2. Amazingly bad wallpaper & some plants, 1980s
3. Class of ’87 Hits the Dance Floor
Jenny Rogers/via pinterest.com
4. A Night to Remember
5. Mom Captures the Moment Before the Big Night Out
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6. Balloons, Streamers & a Room Full of Dancing Teens
7. A Packed Dance Floor, 1959
8. Dancing the Night Away Under a Sign That Says “Home”
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9. Three Couples Dressed Up and Ready for the Night
10. A Slow Dance in the Crowded Gym
11. Pinning Corsages Before the Big Night Begins
12. Cheshire Academy prom, circa 1960
13. 1980s Prom Queen
14. Arms Around Each Other, All Smiles on the Dance Floor
15. Four Best Friends at Midway High’s 1992 Prom
Dewayna Killen/via pinterest.com
16. A Crew of Bridesmaid-Bright Gowns Poses Before the Band
17. Foil Lightning Bolts Steal the Show at This Slow Dance
18. Prom Portrait Under a Painted Sign
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