Homecoming Vs Prom Dresses: Everything You Need to Know

Homecoming and prom are some of the biggest high school events of the year, and while they share some similarities, you shouldn't wear your prom dress to homecoming or vice versa. This is because each dress is tailored to the occasion and prom is a bit more elegant than most homecoming events. That said, this can quickly become confusing, so we’re here to clear up the homecoming vs prom dresses debate. Read on to learn more about each dress below.

Prom Vs Homecoming Events

Prom and homecoming are vastly different events, so knowing more about them can help you understand why each type of dress is unique. Learn more about homecoming and prom below.

What Is Homecoming?

Homecoming is an event that focuses on school spirit and bringing everyone together. Typically, homecoming is a week-long celebration where students dress up in fun colors and outfits based on themes. The end of Spirit Week tends to culminate in a pep rally that all grades attend, which is followed by a sporting event, usually a football game.

Depending on your school, there may or may not be a homecoming dance at the end of the week as well. While the pep rally and other Spirit Week events are open to everyone, the dance may only be available for juniors and seniors depending on the school.

What Is Prom?

Prom is a formal event where students invite each other to a dance towards the end of the school year. As a formal event, men are dressed in tuxedos and women wear elegant ball dresses. It's usually only a few hours long and happens over the course of one night.

Typically, there's a junior and senior prom and both events have a slightly different dress code. This is because most proms are held off school grounds, whereas many junior proms are held in the school's gym. Therefore, junior prom is a little less formal but still elegant.

Homecoming Vs Prom Dresses

Based on the events, homecoming and prom dresses have a handful of key differences. We cover homecoming vs prom dresses in detail below.

Homecoming Dresses

Homecoming dresses are more semi-formal than prom dresses, but that doesn't mean they have to lack style or elegance. Typically, homecoming dresses are shorter in length and tend to sit above the knee or just below it. The result is a dress that looks more like a cocktail dress rather than the ball gown you commonly see for prom.

Homecoming dresses also give you a lot more room for creativity when it comes to colors due to the event. For example, you may want to represent your school's color at the homecoming dance. You can also pick slightly unusual colors, like are featured in these lavender dresses, to help your gown stand out.

When it comes to fabrics, most homecoming dresses are made with satin and other similar fabrics that aren't too expensive. The best part about homecoming dresses is that they're often something you can wear more than once, whereas prom dresses don't have much use outside of prom.

Prom Dresses

Prom dresses are more elegant dresses and tend to be formal dresses comparable to ball gowns for black tie events. They're usually floor-length dresses that have more elegant patterns and designs, which also leads to a higher price tag.

When it comes to fabric, prom dresses are often in a different class than homecoming dresses entirely. Many styles feature satin, silk, and even organza. Prom dresses also have less variation in color because the event is more traditional, which results in colors like navy blue, red, and black being the most popular options.

It's also important to note that prom attire doesn't stop with the dress. Accessories like high heels, flashy jewelry, and more extravagant hair and makeup are also common, so the dress is only part of the look.

Homecoming Vs Prom Dresses: Our Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, homecoming and prom dresses are similar but with a few key differences. Homecoming dresses tend to be more semi-formal and shorter in length, whereas prom dresses are more like ball gowns. Plus, prom dresses are often more expensive due to their length, fabrics, and elegant styles. Therefore, make sure you have the right dress for each event.