Proms symbolized the participants' coming-of-age.
Though proms have existed since the 1890s, they did not rise to their lofty status until the 1950s. The prom then became a more elaborate affair, marking one of the most important events on a high school student's calendar. After World War II concluded and the U.S. economy strengthened, ordinary people had enough money to dress in celebrity-worthy finery, allowing them to go to the prom in style.
Women's Attire
Ladies at this time began selecting a fancy dress just for the night out, and shopping for the perfect gown became a social event shared with friends. Tea-length dresses and ballgown skirts were the most common silhouettes, while the bodices were fitted to accentuate the wearer's hourglass figure. Both strapless and spaghetti strap gowns were common. Almond-toe pumps displayed a chic style, and ladies finished off their looks with white gloves and a small string of pearls.
Men's Attire
Men wore black tie dress to proms, featuring tuxedos with black or white jackets. However, the 1950s gradually gave rise to a nonconformist subculture among young people. As the decade passed, men began swapping their white shirts for brightly colored hues and rolling up their trouser legs to expose matching socks. Some even traded the black ensemble for a colored one to complement their date's attire or wore plaid jackets to express their own individual tastes.
The Dance
In the '50s, students danced to the music of live bands who played the latest hits. The events were no longer held in school gyms, as their elegance had surpassed that realm. Proms were held in hotels or country clubs, and the dances often followed a provided tea or meal. Proms were often a night of firsts for the attendants: first time out after dark and the first time taking the car out alone. Therefore, they were seen as an important rite of passage for students.
Prom Traditions
Many prom traditions that began in the 1950s are still used in high schools today. The prom court tradition began at that time, and votes were either taken at school during the preceding week or at the prom itself. The senior year winners would be the king and queen, while the junior winners would be the prince and princess. Additionally, engagement announcements were occasionally made after the members of the prom court had their moment. After the dance concluded, the school would host a post-prom party to help keep the attendants out of trouble.
