Women are beautiful and they come in all shapes and sizes, and so do dresses. Here at Queenly, we want you to look and feel your best all the time, but especially on nights like prom. So, let’s go over the different types of gowns so you can make the right choice for your best prom self!
Gown is a very broad term for any number of floor-length dresses. They are going to be the most formal dresses for prom, but still offer a lot of variety so you can really find the right dress to fit your individuality and theme of the night.
Don’t be scared off by the notion that they are the most formal; gowns still offer a fresh and flirty vibe and depending on color and patterns, you can really have some fun. Since there are a few variations to gowns, we will break them down by style so you can truly find the right look for you.
So you wanna be Cinderella at prom? Perfect! This is the style for you. Ball gowns are big dresses; think lots of tulle and underskirts (and really difficult trips to the bathroom). You can expect to find dresses in this style to have tight bodices that will either zip or more traditionally tie up through the back, cut off at the waist, and then just bouffant to the ground. We love these dresses; they are so pretty to look at and if you are aiming for a true princess vibe you are looking in the right place. A few popular gowns on Queenly are here:
A mermaid gown is a style of dress that is tight through the knee and around the mid-calf flares out to the ground, giving off the subtle shape of a, you guessed it, mermaid’s tail at the bottom. Again, gowns tend to be the most formal of designs, and this one is formal with a sultry side.
Mermaid gowns are the tightest option for full-length dresses, and you can expect less movement when you walk. It’ll show off your hips and booty, so work your inner J-Lo for this type of dress. Some trending examples here:
This is similar and the same category as a mermaid-style dress, but the difference here is that a trumpet gown will flare out closer to the knee or lower hip, so it’ll look like a mermaid gown that was raised a few inches in the flare. Trumpet gowns are aesthetically pleasing to look at, so if you choose this style the overall look will be really pretty and formal but have more flow. It won’t be a hip hugger dress in comparison to a mermaid style, so expect a more subtle feminine silhouette, and a little more movement from the dress.
A-line dresses give you the shape of the letter: like other styles of gowns, they will be tight through the waist then flare out to the ground. They won’t billow like ball gowns but will offer some volume for the dress, just with more movement. These are a great style if you do want something floor-length but want a more middle-of-the-road fit. Nothing tight but nothing so big you can’t sit down. A-line dresses are great at giving you movement, but with the look and feel of a big ball gown.
We combined these two styles because they are similar in shape and fit, as well as style. All empire waist gowns are a sheath fit, but not all sheath fits are empire waist. Does that make sense? We hope so. An empire waist dress is a tight fit to just under the bustline, then the fabric will fall loosely to the floor.
There is a ton of movement with this style while still giving you structure on top, so you won’t feel like you’re just wearing a big bag. A sheath or straight dress without an empire waist will be more fitted through the waist and then sort of fall from the hips to the floor. Check out a few sheath dresses here:
High-low dresses are a step down in formality than a ball gown, but still very appropriate for traditional black-tie affairs. These tend to be more fitted through the waist and then looser fit through the leg. If you choose this style in satin fabric, expect that you will have more shape throughout the skirt, which, for prom, can give you a firmer formal vibe.
If you choose a high-low that has a silk or tulle skirt, it will be a lot more whimsy when you walk. Due to the front being raised, you will see your shoes the entire time, so be sure to really channel Carrie Bradshaw for this moment. if you aren’t saying “Hello Lover!” to your shoes, then you didn’t understand the assignment!
We know skater dress doesn’t really sound up to snuff for prom, but that’s just the style we promise. An A-line dress can come in a long ball gown style, so we wanted to include all the different names so you can find all the options for this fit. Fit and flare dresses are literal in style: fitted to the waist, then flare to about the knee.
They’re fun and fresh and give you a lot of options for showing off your personal style. Think shoes, accessories, and the color of the dress to match your unique taste. If you’re going for the punk rock prom queen vibe, or maybe you want to wear sneakers with your dress (yes, we ship this), then this is the style for you!
This style speaks a little more for itself, but mini dresses also come in two different styles of fit, tight and body-hugging or snug around the chest and then loose through the hips and thighs (baby doll). This style of dress is generally the least “formal” option but can be dressed up if you are really looking to dance without restrictions in moves.
A baby doll dress is tight around the bust, then loose fabric around mid-thigh. It is flowy and loose-fitting, but because of this, can seem shorter than it truly is so keep this in mind when you’re looking at options. It’s a breezy dress style, so be mindful to pick accessories and shoes that will dress it up for prom.
Mini dresses that are hip-hugging will be tight from top to bottom, they have the name bodycon because they are tight across your shape. They are without a doubt the sexiest option for dress, so, like the mindfulness of a baby doll dress seeming too casual, be sure to match your shoes and jewels to your dress to keep it looking more “prom”, not “club.” Even Cardi B knows how to pick the right accessories for the occasion so it’s totally possible!
We hope these definitions of dresses have helped you today to find the style and look that’s right for you and your special evening. There’s no wrong way to wear a prom dress, but there is definitely a right dress out there for you. And we are confident that sticking to your true self will help you find the frock that fits your big night!