Things You Need for This Prom Season 2021
Things You Need for This Prom Season 2021
High school proms are the culmination of not just the school year but for high school seniors, it represents the capstone of all four years of hard academic work and tight-knit friendships. It’s a major life milestone marking the end of 12 long years of mandatory education and an imminent entry into adult life.
It’s an event that most people remember for the rest of their lives. Accordingly, a certain level of planning is necessary to ensure that you have done all the hard work ahead of time and don’t forget anything vital last minute.
However, not many people have ever prepared for anything like a formal dance before they attend their first prom. The closest most students have gotten to this environment is watching tv shows showing a Hollywood interpretation of what a senior prom is supposed to be like.
This list will detail everything you need to have a once-in-a-lifetime level 2021 prom.
1. Prom Dress/Tux
The first thing you need to consider when preparing for prom is what you’re going to wear when you get there. Finding a dress can be a long process given all the options out there, while other people aren’t particular about what kind of gown they spend the evening in.
These days there are two-piece dresses, long formal dresses, short dresses, ball gowns, off-the-shoulder dresses, mermaid dresses, and more. Finding the perfect prom dress is a longer and more involved process than ever before. The good news is that no matter what your body type is, there will be multiple gowns out there that will make you look like your best self.
If you’re looking for a dress that will make you look ethereal without breaking the bank, take a look at City Studios Juniors’ Tulle Belted Gown, Created for Macy’s
Flouncy layers of tulle create a floating-on-air look which is accentuated with a sparkling belt that helps to cinch the waist.
If a tuxedo is more your speed, we strongly recommend buying over renting (this allows you to tailor your tux for a better fit, plus you won’t have to worry about what to wear to the next wedding or formal event).
You can’t go wrong with a classic like Men’s Slim-Fit Tuxedo Suit Separates, Created for Macy’s by Alfani.
This three-piece collection of separates includes a jacket, pants, and a tuxedo vest. The best practice would be to get a tie, bowtie, or pocket square that matches your date’s outfit. Some choose to go with a more lively colored button-down under their tux but you can’t go wrong with classic white.
2. Shoes
Prom shoes are one of the most key parts of the entire outfit. They have to not only match your outfit, and look sharp, but also be comfortable for a long night of dancing and socializing.
These Bow Decor Ankle Strap Ultra High Heeled Pumps are a good choice.
The ankle strap with the fun bow will provide stability, as will the thicker heel. The fun red sole of the shoe provides a surprise pop of color.
It is absolutely key, especially if you’re wearing heels, that you break in your shoes in advance and practice walking around in them until you become comfortable on the dance floor, standing, and walking around in these shoes for hours at a time. The consequences of not doing this can include aching feet, blisters, and a less than optimal prom night.
Wear your shoes around the house for a couple of weeks before prom. This will also give you the chance to decide if you need extra insole support or other inserts to provide for your comfort. Even if you do all this, it’s still advisable to stash some flats in your bag, just in case.
For men’s shoes, there are more options than ever before, but a classic and clean look will serve you well no matter what kind of tux you decide to go with.
Men Lace-up Front Dress Shoes are one such option.
They are made of PU leather with a rubber outsole.
3. Corsage & Boutonniere
If you’re flying solo or attending with a group of friends instead of a date, you can easily skip this step. For dates looking to coordinate their looks, the matching corsage and boutonniere set is a prom classic.
The best part is that since they are so often sold in sets, you needn’t worry about searching for matching ones separately.
4. Bag
Especially if you’re wearing an outfit that is sadly lacking in pockets, a bag is an absolute necessity when it comes to prom night. There are many things that you might want to keep on your person, such as a mini hair spray, stray bobby pins, a compact for touch-ups, mints, tickets, and of course your phone.
Though a clutch is the traditional (and eternally elegant) option, we advise a cross-body bag so that you won’t get tired of holding it and are slightly less likely to set it down and lose it while you’re dancing.
A fun and eye-catching option is the Shell Shaped Chain Sequined Crossbody Bag.
You don’t need to wear a mermaid gown to accessorize with this sparkling shell bag.
4. Ride In Style
Prom season and limo rental are phrases that go together like bread and butter.
However, if you don’t have enough people in your gang for a limo, or you’re planning to go with just your date, you might find that you’re driving yourself.
If you’re in New York and 18 or older, you also have the option of renting a car (though you will be charged much more than a more experienced driver for the privilege).
5. Hair and Makeup
If you’re getting your hair and makeup done by a professional, it’s vital that you make your appointment well in advance and make sure you have an appointment time that won’t leave you scrambling to get dressed hustle into your limo last minute.
On the other hand, if you are planning to do your hair and makeup yourself, it’s advisable for you to undertake at least one trial run to make sure the look you have in mind comes together the way you wanted.
6. Prom Tickets
This is the most important thing of all to purchase before prom. These tickets go on sale at different times at different schools but there should be plenty of announcements and opportunities to purchase them.
Once you’ve got your ticket put it someplace safe and make sure you remember to bring it when you go!
7. Accessories
This is one of the areas where you really have to consider what your budget is going to be and how much you can actually afford.
You might even have some nice accessories or some statement earrings in your closet already that you can throw together with your prom threads and call it a day.
For those looking to splurge on some sparkle that will last them for years to come, there are many great options out there like this Swarovski Crystal Rose Gold-Tone Tennis Bracelet.
This tennis bracelet style has been a timelessly classic popular style for many years and is sure to be fashionable far into the future as well. That makes this bit of shine a good investment if you’re looking to build a jewelry box of pieces that won’t wear out on you almost as soon as you’ve worn them for the first time.
This bracelet is made of rose gold-toned metal with round clear Swarvoski crystals.
On the other hand, you don’t need to get expensive to have a cute new accessory to make you shine on this once-in-a-lifetime night.
You could easily take a leaf out of Lizzo’s page and snap in some big sparkly clips as she did at the red carpet of the 2021 Grammy’s. Her stylist picked her pink sparkly hair clips up at the mall before the event,
These Korean Crystal Hairpins are similar enough to be fashionable without being a direct copy cat of Lizzo’s look.
8. Coordinate Pre-Prom Plans (and Photos) With Your Friends
Pre-prom photos are an age-old tradition and as such are rarely impulsive, last-moment schedule items.
For the best (and most social media-friendly) photos you need to have everything staged in advance. This means that the group you’re going with has to agree where you will meet up, and if you’re going to do a group pic before you pile in the limo.
Your family may also want pictures of their own before you even leave the house, so you have to consider that in your timeline. Prom photos are rarely one quick snap, but often take 20 minutes or more of careful arranging.
9. Tailoring Services
To be quite honest, tailoring services are one of the most underrated parts of your pre-prom planning. Tailoring can completely turn around the way your outfit looks and transform a dress or a tux from cheap and ill-fitting to more expensive looking and form conforming.
Tailoring is always worth the money, especially when you want to look your best.
10. Your Most Beautiful Smile
Prom photos are one of the few sets of photos that you will likely hang on to for the rest of your life, and you want to make sure you have the most beautiful possible version of your smile in each of them.
Pur-White Smart Teeth Whitening System is one of the best products on the market for brightening your teeth.
Specialized Pur-Bright LED technology covers both visible and non-visible teeth for advanced whitening and offers professional results with a patented formula. It’s gentle on enamel and produces virtually no tooth sensitivity. It is also made in the USA.
Included in the kit you can find:
- Pur White LED Smart Mouthpiece and phone kit
- Pur White Advanced On-the-Go Whitening Pen
- Cheek Re-tractor
- Remineralizing Gel (for sensitive teeth)
- Instructional Manual
