Nav_gr_channelNav_gr_homeNav_gr_home_overNav_gr_subchannel

1950s ’til Today – Prom: The Ages and Stages

By: Shyla Batliwalla (View Profile)

Prom is an American tradition as true and blue as fireworks and corndogs. We can all look back and smile on the times of brace-faced kisses, first dances with “belt-buckles” rubbing into our crotches, and endless bottles of Smirnoff Ice. In American culture, prom is a rite of passage, a time to slut it up and break out our most stylish get-ups. Let’s take a little promenade to the proms of yester years …

Prom 1950

             

Photo source: ute_w68, David Zellaby on flickr (cc)

In the fifties, they slow danced under the disco ball to Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” and went home with their virginity intact. (So they say … )

Prom 1960

   

Photo source: lobstar28, David Zellaby on flickr (cc)

The hot song choice in the sixties was the Beach Boys’ “Don’t Worry, Baby” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” by the Shirelles. The ladies’ dresses were purchased at Montgomery Wards and Sears.

Prom 1970

         

Photo source: vision63, Jack Russel Terror on flickr (cc)

The seventies was a time of big hair, big glasses, and big dresses. The buzzy and free-flowing teeny-boppers slow danced to Chicago’s “If You Leave Me Now.” The sexual revolution made prom a lot, lot more exciting.

5 readers liked this story.
share
bookmarks
Comments
posted: 07.03.2008
Vanessa Prada
what a wonderful idea! this is so interesting to read and explore. I miss those times :( It seems like my prom was so many years ago. My beautiful dress, my sexy prom date and a <a href="http://www.easylimo.co.uk/ "> limo hire </a> paid by my daddy. Sweet times..
posted: 05.21.2008
Carissa Ward
i was hoping for a little more fun article on the different proms. my prom in 90 looked significantly better dressed than the photos shown. i would have to say that i also haven't seen any girls dressed for the prom this year like the gals posted in the pictures. i did find a link to some real-life prom goers from this year in ohio: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category...
posted: 05.21.2008
Mark Roddey
The '70s, Man ...T'was a Rad time!
posted: 05.21.2008
Shelly B
It's true. Looking around at stores these days, I couldn't find a single dress that had a top that was more than a simple strap. Certainly nothing traditional, at least. =/
posted: 05.21.2008
Nadine
Uh. I don't know where you've been looking for pictures of prom dresses, but I can't say that when I went to prom 2 years ago (or when the prom crowd comes into the restaurant I work at), I saw anyone showing that much skin. I'm so tired of reading all these ridiculous generalizations about my generation. Hey, news flash, we learned it from someone, we didn't teach ourselves. The only one to blame is the generation that we learned it all from.
Tell us a Story.

You know you've got something to share. Maybe it's something funny, touching, inspirational or informative. Whatever it is, your circle of friends here at DivineCaroline would love to hear from you.

Btn_articletour
most liked
Loader_buff
Other topics you might appreciate
Travel Body & Soul Play Parenting