Your brain may be in the depths of finals, but allow us to step in with a small distraction because prom season is officially upon us. This means that everyone is on the hunt for the perfect prom outfit — or will be soon enough. It's a special time to shop for a look that's equal parts edgy and elegant, and while that can be an overwhelming task, it totally doesn't have to be. Thanks to all the major celeb red carpet moments this year (looking at you, Zendaya and Taylor Swift 👀), there are tons of trendy looks to pull inspo from.
"Airy styles like lace, tulle, ruffles, and shimmer are on the rise for 2023, which translates perfectly into a prom look," Marta Topran, Fashion and Beauty Creator Lead at Pinterest, tells Seventeen. "For those not so interested in femme styles, fringe and vintage 90s will be influencing prom season looks, too — there's something for everyone this year!"
Pro-Stylist and Content Creator Jules Wettreich adds that the "light, chic, and comfortable" nature of textures like ruffles and chiffon will become more popular in the 2023 prom season.
Prom is a night to remember, so you're going to want to look the part from head to toe, whether you opt for ultimate glamour or go for a flexible look that'll help you crush it on the dance floor. That's why we tapped the pros, Topran and Wettreich, for all the details on the hottest 2023 prom trends.
Ahead, find out all the colors, cutouts, and styles that will not only make you look like prom royalty but a major trendsetter.
Make the Whole Place Shimmer
Sparkles, sequins, and shimmery fabrics tend to gain popularity during prom season, and thanks to Taylor Swift's "Bejeweled" aesthetic, we can expect more of these light-reflecting looks to hit proms around the world. Celebs like Sabrina Carpenter and Sydney Sweeney have also embraced the trend on red carpets at the MTV VMAs and Vanity Fair Oscars After Party.
While you can rock a sparkly mini dress for the big night, Weittrech also predicts that gowns and longer styles will pop off this prom season. "I think the maxi dress will be dominating this year. Fashion usually goes from one extreme to another and the looser, longer-fitting styles will probably be taking the spotlight," she explains to Seventeen.
The Rise of Ruffles and Airy Styles
Light, flowy styles are always the move, especially if you're looking to dance all night. Take Harry Styles, for example — he tore up the stage every night during his Love On Tour performances thanks to lightweight, eccentric styles that allowed him to be flexible. According to Pinterest searches, ruffled men's shirts and sheer pants outfits are on the rise in 2023. The "Airy Styles" Pinterest Predicts 2023 trend is a nod to Harry's on-stage style, which notes fashion will be "filled with lace, tulle, ruffles, and shimmer" this year.
For those who aren't into feminine silhouettes and gowns, Weittrech suggests that "slimmer fitting suits with disco collar lapels" will be a look this prom season. "I think dresses made of mesh will also be a big hit this year," she adds. "Dresses from [celeb-approved brands like] Fanci Club and vintage layered ruffle dresses from the thrift store are perfect options for prom dresses. They're light, chic, and comfortable."
Feeling the Feathers
Whether your clothing is adorned with feathers or you choose to add some accents through jewelry and footwear, feathers are a fun way to make the trend your own. Weittrech suggests that simple accessories like lined gloves can take your prom look to new heights.
Bring on Bright and Bold Colors
Bold colors have also taken over runways in the past year, with brands like Prabal Gurung and Private Policy honing in on fluorescent hues like pink, orange, blue, and green. "Ruffles, mesh, sequins, and feathers are all textures that were flooding the Spring/Summer 2023 runways. The color hot pink was also very popular both on and off the runway this past fashion week," Weittrech adds, referencing Valentino's hot pink and purple colorways that celebs like Zendaya and Jenna Ortega rocked on major red carpets.
Cutouts Have Entered the Chat
There's no denying that Y2K has made a tremendous comeback thanks to the eclectic style choices of it-girls like Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid. According to Topran, "2000s girl," "cool girl aesthetic outfits," and "pink mini skirt outfits" have all seen an uptick in search trends on Pinterest, and we can bet that it's because of celebs and viral fashion TikToks.
Y2K-inspired looks are larger than life with bling, bright colors, and skin showing sneak peeks taking the reigns over more minimal styles. Weittrech adds that while avant-garde dresses with cutouts on the chest and sides were big trends last year, they're still sticking around for prom 2023.
The trend also isn't limited to dresses — two-piece sets are also a chic and comfortable option for the big night. "The two-piece sequined Miu Miu look Elsa Hosk wore at the 2022 British Fashion Awards is also a fun reference for a prom look," Weittrech suggests.
Shop the Hottest Prom Trends of 2023 🌟
Lulus Giving Glamour Black Satin Feather One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
Pretty Little Thing Purple Bardot Faux Feather Glove Detail Dress
Fanci Club Garden of Eden Dress
For Love & Lemons Poppy Mini Dress
Showpo Shaima Strapless Organza Ruffle Crop Top and Pants Two Piece Set in Black
ASOS Design Embellished Cami Mini Dress
Nasty Gal Cropped Tailored Single Breasted Vest
Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn't draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.
