10 Steps to Develop a Prom Dress Code

Developing a prom dress code can be a daunting task, but it's one of the most important steps in the prom planning process.

Taking the time to develop a clear, inclusive, and well-articulated prom dress code that reflects the best interests of all stakeholders will save you immeasurable time and headaches in the long run.

In this article, we'll discuss how to develop a prom dress code and provide some action steps to follow.

The first step in developing a prom dress code is to form a committee. The dress code committee should be made up of students, teachers, and administrators who can represent the interests of a variety of stakeholders.

It's important to have a variety of perspectives on the committee to ensure that you develop a prom dress code that is fair and inclusive. The dress code committee should meet regularly to discuss the dress code and come up with guidelines that everyone can agree on.

The next step is to determine the level of formality for the prom. Is your high school’s prom a black-tie event, or is it more casual? This will have a significant impact on the prom dress code. If prom is a black-tie event, formal attire will be required. However, if your school’s prom is more casual, there will be more flexibility in what students can wear.

The cultural phenomenon marketers refer to as Kids Getting Older Younger (KGOY) is especially noticeable in the prom apparel available to our students.

Additionally, factoring in the internet algorithms that fill our students’ social media feeds with pictures of clothing worn by celebrity influencers helps to explain why young people have been conditioned to believe that styles that might be suitable for much older people are suitable for them to wear to a high school event.

Most attendees will be selecting their prom attire from garments that are currently available through retailers. Very few students will be sewing their own prom attire or having their prom dresses custom made.

Conducting an internet search using terms like “trending prom attire,” browsing social media outlets, and looking at websites and/or visiting retail locations of formal wear shops, big box retailers, and prom and pageant dress retailers in your area are all great ways to familiarize yourself with the season’s current and trending prom fashions.

Input from students serving on the prom dress code committee will be invaluable in helping you take a proactive approach to preventing dress code problems. For this reason, communicate to students that their voice is important for communicating concerns and questions that affect all prom attendees.

Student committee members must feel that they can speak freely during dress code discussions.

As discussions progress, faculty and administrative prom sponsors should strike a balance between speaking and listening to ensure that all students on the dress code committee have an opportunity to ask questions as well as voice the concerns of their peers in the student body.

When developing a dress code, it's important to consider the school's values and its culture. The dress code for prom should reflect the values of the school and be consistent with the expectations for dress throughout the school year. However, the dress code must also be appropriate for the unique setting of a high school prom.

Standards of propriety can vary a great deal from one setting to another. For this reason, the types of prom attire that one school administration considers appropriate might be considered unacceptable by another school’s administration. Oftentimes, school dress codes are relaxed or modified for prom night.

It's important to develop a dress code that clearly states what attire is and is not allowed. Consider including guidelines for the following:

It's important to be specific and clear in the dress code guidelines to ensure that all prom attendees understand what is expected of them.

Also, ROTC cadets or students who are enrolled in other military programs may want to wear their dress uniform, a lovely garment that is a source of pride for them and saves the expense of a tuxedo rental or dress purchase. Include wording in your dress code to inform attendees that a military dress uniform is appropriate prom attire.

Students will begin asking questions about prom dress code from the very beginning, sometimes before the prom date is even announced! Also, many students will invest in their prom attire months in advance of the event itself, oftentimes receiving their prom outfit as a gift during the winter holidays, for a birthday, or for another gift-giving occasion.

It is vital to ensure that the prom dress code is easily accessible to all students and their families.

The dress code should be posted on the school's website, social media platforms, and the school's bulletin board. Additionally, the dress code should be communicated through newsletters, emails, and other communication channels.

Students and their families will need the name and contact information of the school personnel they should contact in advance of the event to answer any questions about prom attire.

Also, if you are requiring students to have their attire approved in advance of prom night, provide information about the procedure they should follow.

Trends change rapidly, so it is possible that a new fashion will appear just when you think you are ready to finalize your dress code. Understand that maintaining flexibility and adjusting as needed are vital to ensuring your prom’s dress code will meet the needs of all stakeholders.

Even though prom dress code guidelines are necessary, we know that students’ constitutional rights do not stop at the school door. A lot of gray area exists between students’ constitutional rights and the rights of the school or school system. This gray area that provides a fertile breeding ground for the type of dress code controversies that can lead to litigation.

Nevertheless, prom is a school-sponsored event, and as such, school personnel have the final say about the types of attire that will be permitted at prom.

In conclusion, developing a prom dress code involves a process that considers the school's and all stakeholders’ culture, values, and traditions. The process involves developing the dress code, communicating the dress code, and providing guidance to students. A well-defined dress code ensures that the students are appropriately dressed and helps to create a memorable prom experience.

Making sure that prom dress code guidelines are clear, reasonable, and enforceable will go a long way in preventing dress code controversies from arising. And that’s what we want a high school prom to be for all of our students, a wonderful and memorable prom night to conclude their high school experience and provide a magical and memorable send-off into adulthood!

Our other articles will give you additional help as you plan your prom.

For example, 42 Things for a Prom Planning Checklist keeps you focused on the most important things for your event, and 10 Things to Consider When Choosing a Prom Venue gives you all the help you need to find the perfect location for your high school's prom.

12 Prom Theme Decoration Ideas gives you a list of trending prom themes as well as decorating ideas for each theme. 8 Prom Night Entertainment Ideas offers new and innovative ideas for ways to make sure all attendees have fun and stay engaged throughouht prom night, and Prom Night Party Fuel provides ideas for refreshments to fit any budget.

If you're looking for a start-to-finish, all-inclusive prom planning handbook, I have one for you!

The Ultimate Prom Planning Handbook takes you through the prom planning process one step at a time and provides you with pro tips and prom checklists to use every step of the way!

The Ultimate Prom Planning Handbook is available on this site as well as in my TPT store.