The History of Prom

Prom Blog

Today we are going to reminisce a little about history of prom – the event of paramount importance for each and every high school student.

All major accomplishments call for a celebration of some sort, and the end of senior (and sometimes junior) year is definitely not an exception. It marks the finish line of a year-long arduous pursuit of knowledge and entails lifted curfews, breathtaking dances, afterparties and many other ways of having fun. Short for promenade and promotional dance prom is were is the name Prom originally came from.

Prom Blog

Prom traces its roots back to the nineteenth century. Initially a college gathering held for a graduating class, the event worked its way to high schools. From in-house format to posh celebration in hotels and country clubs; from Sunday clothes to designer dresses; from ordinary to larger-than-life. By the 1920s and 1930s an unelaborate dance for seniors scales up into a banquet with party attire. Coverage in yearbooks since the 1930s and 1940s means greater focus on the dress code. The post-war economic development generates higher incomes, hence there is more room for extravagance. The evolution continues bringing new traditions, increasing competition and demanding more time, money and effort.

Modern proms are iconic, widely popularized in literature, movies and other media. Fashion and logistics wise some view them as a wedding rehearsal. Today’s prom dress planning often requires several months of careful organising and preparation. Every minute detail is vitally important and will be the key to either triumph or failure.

Prom Blog

We’ll see what the future holds for us. It is very unlikely, however, that prom will lose its significance. After all, this is perhaps the most important event en route to adulthood.