I think everyone would agree with me when I say that prom was a blast, but what was even better was seeing everyone’s choice in dresses and accessories. 2023 was a year of bright colors, ruffles, and simple, silk gowns.

Some opted for expensive dresses and some went for budget options, but most dresses this year were purchased online. This is a contrast to years ago when people would seek out boutiques or specialized dress stores to buy their dresses in-person.

Sites like Princess Polly, Dillards, Free People, Lulus, Nordstrom, Revolve, Reformation and many more were scoured by prom attendees for months prior to the event. It was hard to tell where dresses were bought from, as many of the sites sell similar products.

Personally, I was a fan of the simplistic look that was popular this year. Many elevated simple dresses by wearing statement jewelry or a fun hairstyle. I saw very few sequin or sparkly dresses, which was different from the 2022 trends.

Some dresses featured cut outs, which weren’t my personal favorite because I feel that cut outs mix more of a “going out/party” vibe with formal.

Bright colors were extremely popular this year, even borderline neon colors which I actually really liked. It made pictures so fun to look at and just added so much character to a dress. 

I saw lots of ruffles and tiered dresses. My dress was actually tiered, which ended up being super comfortable because of the flowy aspect. I loved the way these dresses looked in pictures and hope this trend sticks around for many years to come.

All of the 2023 trends were pretty good. I loved the online aspect of shopping and all the new styles that emerged this year. I can’t wait to see what pops up in 2024!