Prom, Homecoming, & Formal Dresses - What's Hot Now

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Top 10 Trends for Spring/Summer 2011

While prom season may only last a few months, homecoming, dances, and other formal events are going on all year long! This lens features the top ten trends for Spring-Summer 2011 with gorgeous, stylish dresses, plus coordinating accessories to complete your outfit, and ultimately help you buy the formal dress of your dreams!

This season's hottest trends are about being bold & new with ultra bright colors, unusual graphics, and flirty accents. So don't be afraid to mix and match your favorites to create the perfect look. Whether you opt for a pink and blue striped dress or a blurred floral gown with pops of sheer, you'll definitely stand out in style this year.

Don't forget to check out the top trends for previous season by clicking the tabs at the top.

The dress featured here is available at Cinderella's Gowns.

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New & Best-Selling Formal Dresses

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Earn Your Stripes

Because you have more than one favorite color.

Striped dresses from the Spring 2011 runways

Stripes are one of the quintessential patterns for spring and summer, but you don't have to limit yourself to the classic red, white, & blue nautical theme. This season, designers have imagined the warm weather filled with bright stripes in every color, from yellow to green to purple. The sky's the limit with as many colors striped together as you please. Of course, there's always the classic black and white that's sure to be a stunner no matter what the season.

My Top Picks


Shop for more striped evening & cocktail dresses.
  • $ Trixxi Strapless Dress @ Nordstrom, $19.97
  • $$ BCBGMAXAZRIA "Nicola" Striped Dress @ Dillard's, $138
  • $$$ Coast Masquerade Dress @ ASOS, $295.44
  • $$$$ Versace Mixed-Stripe Knit Dress @ Bergdorf Goodman, $1295

Top Stripe Dresses & Accessories

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Orange Crush

WARNING: You'll look amazing.

Orange dresses from the Spring 2011 runways

Don't be afraid of orange this year! Fall in love with it, much like designers did for their spring/summer collections. This super-bright color may seem intimidating, but it looks great on all skin tones. It can work perfectly for your next formal event when paired with the right accessories, kept minimal so the focus isn't taken off your statement orange dress. Try shoes, jewelry, and shawls in nudes and neutrals like black, white, silver, and grey. And if you're not ready to take the orange plunge yet, try an off-shoot color like peach, coral, or just a lighter orange.

My Top Picks



Shop for more orange evening, cocktail, & junior dresses.
  • $ Mesh Tube Dress by Rare @ Topshop, $98
  • $$ Adrianna Papell Beaded Chiffon Gown @ Nordstrom, $218
  • $$$ Phoebe Couture Ruffle-Detail Dress @ Neiman Marcus, $222
  • $$$$ D&G Halter Dress with Contrast Trim @ Shopbop, $521.50

Top Orange Dresses & Accessories

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Little White Dress

A clean, exceedingly chic, slate.

White dress trends from the Spring 2011 runways

You've heard of the little black dress, and it's high time you supplied your closet with a new classic: the little white dress. White is perfect for any season and any occasion (except a wedding, unless you're the bride!). It works for warm weather because it's light, airy, and innocent. White also makes a great canvas for trying out new trends, like a pair of lemon-lime pumps, a statement necklace, or glittering sequined belt. So what are you waiting for?

My Top Picks



Shop for more white evening, cocktail, & junior's dresses.
  • $ Ruby Rox Strapless Sweetheart Sequin Bow Tie Ruffled Mini @ Macy's, $78.99
  • $$ Winterlynn Ivory White Dress @ Windsor, $159.90
  • $$$ Dalia McPhee Strapless Taffeta Mermaid Gown @ Nordstrom, $298
  • $$$$ Ali Ro One-Shoulder Rosette Dress @ Cusp, $550

Top White Dresses & Accessories

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Chartreuse Bubblegum Machine

You say it this way: SHAR-TRUCE

Chartreuse dresses from the Spring 2011 runways

One of the most unique new color trends for Spring/Summer 2011 is chartreuse. Think of it as a bright mix of yellow and green, lime with a bit of an edge. Like with any vibrant color, chartreuse can be intimidating at first. But paired with the right accessories in colors like black, white, and neutrals, you'll really turn heads with your bold and out-of-the-ordinary color choice.

My Top Picks



  • $ Trixxi Sweetheart Strapless A-Line Bow Colorblock Bubble Mini Dress @ Macy's, $40.99
  • $$ One Shoulder Belted Dress @ Jessica Simpson, $158
  • $$$ Faviana Couture Lime Celebrity Inspired Dress @ eDressMe, $278
  • $$$$ Temperley London Long Zoren silk-chiffon gown @ Net-a-Porter, $2700

Top Chartreuse Dresses & Accessories

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How Much Do You Usually Spend on a Formal Dress?

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Secret Garden

A new kind of floral.

Floral print dresses from the Spring 2011 runways

Floral prints make a comeback every spring/summer season, for obvious reasons. This year, the take on florals is a bit impressionist - think blurred watercolors and minute ditsy prints that seem abstract from far away. Ideal accessories for floral prints would be simple and keep in line with the color scheme of your dress. This trend meshes very well with another trend: sheer fabrics. As per Julien MacDonald and Alberta Ferretti above, floral plus sheer equals a very romantic, ethereal ensemble for you to rock at your next formal event.

My Top Picks



Shop for more floral print evening, cocktail, & junior's dresses.
  • $ Trixxi Strapless Floral Layered Satin Party Dress @ Macy's, $58.99
  • $$ Moschino Cheap & Chic Metallic silk-blend one-shoulder dress @ The Outnet, $132
  • $$$ Kai Printed Jacquard Gown @ BCBG Max Azria, $378
  • $$$$ Jason Wu Persimmon One-Shoulder Dress @ Shopbop, $3120

Top Floral Print Dresses & Accessories

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Ocean Blue

Swimming on land.

Blue dresses from the Spring 2011 runways

The first color you probably think of when it comes to warm weather is blue: your favorite dye for Easter eggs, the first cloudless sky of summer, the glimmer of the ocean as you step in to cool off. Maybe these are the thoughts the designers had when they let loose a myriad of dresses in colors inspired by the sea and the sky. These hues of blue look great paired with accessories in a shade or two darker or white and silver.

My Top Picks



Shop for more blue evening, cocktail, & junior's dresses.
  • $ Grass Strapless Straight Printed Tiered Ruffle Pleated Mini @ Macy's, $43.99
  • $$ Adrianna Papell Beaded Tulle Strapless Dress @ Nordstrom, $238
  • $$$ Tony Bowls Light Blue Prom Gown @ eDressMe, $398
  • $$$$ Badgley Mischka Chiffon Tiered Halter Gown @ Neiman Marcus, $990

Top Blue Dresses & Accessories

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Sheer Delight

Sexy, not trampy.

Sheer dresses from the Spring 2011 runways

Sheer fabrics showed up a few seasons ago, and since they don't look to be leaving anytime soon, why not embrace the trend? You're probably thinking, "I'm not wearing anything sheer outside of my bedroom!", but see-through doesn't have to be lewd. Try a dress like Georges Chakra's with a sheer layer over a solid skirt or, like Dolce & Gabbana above, a dress with a sheer/lace yoke (the top part of the dress above the breasts that covers the upper chest and shoulders). These styles look incredibly romantic & ethereal, not to mention peek-a-boo sexy.

My Top Picks



  • $ Once Upon A Time Corset Detail Prom Dress @ ASOS, $35.08
  • $$ JS Collections Drop Waist Shirred Mesh Gown @ Nordstrom, $198
  • $$$ Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon Illusion-Top Printed Dress @ Neiman Marcus, $352
  • $$$$ Just Cavalli Beaded mesh mini dress @ Net-a-Porter, $1155

Top Sheer Dresses & Accessories

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Best Online Prom Stores.

The Jovani dress featured here is available @ PromGirl.net
Cinderella's Gowns
Cinderella's Gowns features over 3,500 unique 2010 prom dresses and pageant dresses with prices starting at $149.
eDress Me.
See the trends, shop popular designers, and check out the clearance prom dresses!
Dresses Life
We have a wide variety of Prom Dress, Evening Dresses,Celebrity Dresses, Cocktail Dresses,Graduation Dresses, Sexy Dresses.Top quality, best price, complete package, quick response, safe and fast shipping, professional service.
Prom Dress Shop.
The finest quality DeBora Rachelle prom dresses are right here on Prom Dress Shop! We design our dresses with teenagers in mind.
Prom Girl.com
Shop at PromGirl for the hottest prom and plus size dresses. Browse the top styles in prom dresses by designer or view all the dresses!
Prom Girl.net
Prom Dresses: dresses for prom 2010, formals, homecoming and quinceanera gowns from top USA prom designers as Jovani.

Tickle Me Pink

Cute with an edge.

Pink dresses from the Spring 2011 runways

Whether you're a girly girl or a rebel at heart, there's a shade of pink for you. Pink is one of the most popular colors for warm weather because it easily invokes innocence and liveliness. The colors stay the same, but every season, designers reinvent the little pink dress with new styles, shapes, and embellishments. This year is about mixing the dual personalities of the perky shade with hot pink ballerina-style dresses, ruched pastel minis, and blazing pink added to a classic ladylike shape, all perfect for rocking your sweet, feminine side and your bad girl side at once.

My Top Picks



Shop for more pink evening, cocktail, and junior dresses.
  • $ BLACK Dress With Leather Insert Peplum @ ASOS, $86.79
  • $$ Alyce Designs Beaded Bust Bow Short Prom Dress @ eDressMe, $144
  • $$$ Evng. Pow! Poof! Strapless Dress @ Betsey Johnson, $398
  • $$$$ Redux Charles Chang-Lima Strapless Bow-Front Silk Dress @ Bergdorf Goodman, $1885

Top Pink Dresses & Accessories

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How Much Do You Spend on Formal Accessories?

Choose the option that best fits your accessories budget (jewelry, shoes, bags) for a typical formal event.

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Wild Thing

Zebra print makes my heart sing.

Animal print dresses from the Spring 2011 runways

My Top Picks



Shop for more animal print evening and cocktail & junior dresses.
  • $ Lipsy Dalmatian Print Frill Front Dress @ ASOS, $101.56
  • $$ Alice + Olivia One-Shoulder Animal-Print Dress @ Saks Fifth Avenue, $206.99
  • $$$ David Meister Crisscross Animal-Print Dress @ Neiman Marcus, $253
  • $$$$ Roberto Cavalli Python Print One Shoulder Jersey Dress @ Nordstrom, $895

Top Animal-Print Dresses & Accessories

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Banana-rama

When life gives you lemons, make a fashion statement.

Yellow dresses from the Spring 2011 runways

No summer would be complete without a bright pop of yellow and designers this season thought so too as they worked it into just about every dress style & silhouette. This shade (from its brightest to its lightest) looks great on all skin tones and is easily complimented by coordinating brights (like green and orange) and soft neutrals (like white and silver). So just pick the silhouette that suits you best and have at it!

My Top Picks



Shop for more yellow evening, cocktail, & junior dresses.
  • $ As U Wish Rose Trimmed Strapless Dress @ Nordstrom, $28.90
  • $$ Alyce Designs High Slitted Strapless Gown @ eDressMe, $196
  • $$$ La Femme Fashions Strapless Chiffon Dress @ Nordstrom, $258
  • $$$$ Temperley London Long Zoren silk-chiffon gown @ Net-a-Porter, $2700

Top Yellow Dresses & Accessories

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Weigh in on the Trends

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Best Reviewed Formal Dresses on Amazon

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Was This Lens Helpful?

Choose the answer that best suits your experience. Leave any further comments down below, please.

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Feedback.

  • Tolovaj May 4, 2012 @ 11:05 pm | delete
    Impressive selection of prom dresses. Thanks for the list!
  • Loveboncyboutique Feb 26, 2012 @ 10:37 pm | delete
    Wow, so many beautiful dresses. http://www.squidoo.com/2012-sag-awards-top-10-sag-red-carpet-celebrity-dresses
  • lastlittlebird Feb 7, 2012 @ 11:01 pm | delete
    I love the orange dresses!
  • stockysister Nov 9, 2011 @ 9:44 pm | delete
    Interesting! I'm fashion-challenged, so this is really interesting and useful to me! I love the Tracy Reese dresses!
  • jessaccvv Oct 5, 2011 @ 2:14 am | delete
    well done ! FASHION !
  • debnet Aug 15, 2011 @ 10:25 am | delete
    Blessed by a Squid Angel ;)
  • firebabby Aug 9, 2011 @ 5:33 am | delete
    dreamed about owning the blue one I like it, I'm thinking that's my birthday dress..More beautiful dresses check out ‘Homecoming Dresses for Juniors’ website: http://homecomingdressesforjuniors.com
  • jovanifashion Jul 13, 2011 @ 12:04 pm | delete
    Go to Jovani's official website at www.jovani.com to view more beautiful dresses for prom, homecoming, and formal wear!
  • sunita May 21, 2011 @ 7:20 am | delete
    Beautiful ,trendy and latest dresses are liked by all.
  • Aisha Morris May 10, 2011 @ 11:43 am | delete
    Great dresses collection.

    I wanna order ocean blue and banana rama.
  • Load More

Fall 2010 Prom Trends

Black & White Terani Prom Dress T95230This page features the top nine trends for Fall/Winter 2010 with stunning, beautifully crafted gowns from designers like Zac Posen, Badgley Mischka, and Oscar de la Renta.

This season's hottest trends take inspiration from the dark & the glamorous with deep, breathtaking colors and tons of texture from velvet to sequins to lace. So dream up a fantasy & create a showstopping look this fall, whether it be a blood red velvet gown or a glittering sequined white mini dress, it's time to turn heads!

A Lady in (Very Dark) Red

Dark red dresses from the Fall 2010 runways

Velvet Underground

Velvet dresses from the Fall 2010 runways

Winter White

White dresses from the Fall 2010 runways

Dresses Inspired by Fall 2010 Trends

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Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Sequined dresses from the Fall 2010 runways

3D Floral

Floral dresses from the Fall 2010 runways

Electric Blue

Blue dresses from the Fall 2010 runways

More Dresses Inspired by Fall 2010 Trends

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Lady Loves Lace

Lace dresses from the Fall 2010 runways

Geometry Class

Geometric print dresses from the Fall 2010 runways

Call of the Wild

Animal print dresses from the Fall 2010 runways

Weigh in on the Trends

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Anything to say about Fall 2010 trends?

Spring 2010 Prom Trends

Jovani Ruffled Yellow One Shoulder Prom Dress #158934This page features the top ten trends for Spring 2010 with amazing designer gowns from the likes of Lanvin, Viktor & Rolf, and the late great Alexander McQueen.

This season's hottest trends take inspiration from the light-hearted, hopeful mood of spring & summer with lots of traditional colors in lighter hues and tons of fun and innovative takes on the classic formal dress. So pick your favorite or two & don't be afraid to fuse trends, whether it be a bright white gown with sheer overlay or a two-tone gunmetal grey & baby blue mini. Have fun with it!

Baby Blues

Blue dresses from the Spring 2010 runways

High Contrast

Contrast dresses from the Spring 2010 runways

Birds of a Feather

Feather dresses from the Spring 2010 runways

Flower Girl

Floral dresses from the Spring 2010 runways

Dresses Inspired by Spring 2010 Trends

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Gunmetal Glam

Grey dresses from the Spring 2010 runways

Nude Awakening

Nude dresses from the Spring 2010 runways

Pretty in Pink

Pink dresses from the Spring 2010 runways

More Dresses Inspired by Spring 2010 Trends

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Sheer Madness

Sheer dresses from the Spring 2010 runways

White Lightning

White dresses from the Spring 2010 runways

Little Miss Sunshine

Yellow dresses from the Spring 2010 runways

Weigh in on the trends.

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Anything to say about the Spring 2010 trends?

Fall 2009 Prom Trends

Clarisse Black & White Prom Dress 1343This page features the top eleven trends for the Fall/Winter 2009 season with gorgeous, stylish dresses straight from the runways.

This season's hottest trends are about standing out: from rich colors to interesting patterns (plaid for formal wear? You bet!) to revamped little black dresses. So pick your favorite or two & don't be afraid to fuse trends, whether it be a black and white ombre gown or a short sequined gold number with a full skirt. Have fun with it!

Ebony & Ivory

Black & white dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

The Edgy LBD

Black dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

Revenge of the Fringe

Fringe dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

Ballerina Princess

Ballerina-style dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

Dresses Inspired by Fall 2009 Trends

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Gilded Goddess

Gold dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

Hot Pink Mama

Pink dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

To Dye For

Ombre dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

Mad for Plaid

Plaid dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

More Dresses Inspired by Fall 2009 Trends

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Purple Reign

Purple dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

Lady in Red

Red dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

Glitterati

Sequined dresses from the Fall 2009 runways

Weigh in on the trends.

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Anything to say about the Fall 2009 trends?

  • Loveboncyboutique Mar 31, 2012 @ 1:55 am | delete
    Wow, beautiful dresses, thought they're the 2009 fashion
    http://www.squidoo.com/2012-sag-awards-top-10-sag-red-carpet-celebrity-dresses
  • AnitaDollar Feb 15, 2012 @ 4:11 pm | delete
    Amazon can be good for finding prom dresses, but if you're kind of looking on a budget like i was during prom, Prom Dress Shop is a fairly inexpensive way to get a unique dress. and they don't let anyone else from your school get the same one!
  • moonlitta Jan 13, 2012 @ 10:22 pm | delete
    Really artistic and original!
  • seosmm Nov 26, 2011 @ 11:05 am | delete
    Wow, beautiful. Very nice lens!
  • compugraphd Sep 4, 2011 @ 2:25 am | delete
    ב"ה

    Oh, BTW, LOVED looking at these dresses -- did I spy one from a former Project:Runwayer????

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24-year old wannabe photographer, one-time freelance writer, and art student who's crazy about fashion, graphic design, traveling and everything in between. more »

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Shoes to Compliment Any Dress 

Celeste Women's Honey-05 Ankle-Strap Sandal

Amazon Price: (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Sweet and sassy is just how we like it. The Honey sandal features a radiant strappy style, thanks to shimmering crystals and a lustrous snake-embossed finish. What's more, a polished stiletto elevates every step.
Also available in Silver, Bronze, & Gold.

 

Chinese Laundry Women's Baldwin Dress Sandal,Ivory,10 M

Amazon Price: $42.55 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Get sexy and sassy in Chinese Laundry's Baldwin pump. This gorgeously dressy style has the shine of knotted satin and a rhinestone-buckled ankle strap, plus a hot heel and platform that demand attention.
Also available in Black, Brown, & Taupe.

 

La Regale 24476 Gathered Clutch,Black,One Size

Amazon Price: (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

This lustrous satin clutch from La Regale is pretty in the form of a handbag. Pleated and petite and easy to tuck under your arm or hold in the palm of your hand, this sweet clutch will hold everything you need for your special evenings out.
Also available in Champagne, Gold, & Silver.

Clutches to Compliment Any Dress 

Rosette Bag (Fuchsia)

Amazon Price: $29.50 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

A silk satin handbag with elegant hand crafted roses for evenings out or a weekend date. Must-have for your wardrobe to pair with dresses and jeans. It is sophisticated and classic, but not going to break your bank.
Available in 10 more colors.