Short Prom Dresses vs. Long Prom Dresses

In the past, color, style, and price were the biggest considerations girls made when choosing their prom dresses. However, prom-goers now have another choice to make: short prom dresses vs. long prom dresses. Each style has its proponents, and there are good reasons to choose either length.

Short Prom Dresses

A short prom dress can be just as elegant and glamorous as a long gown. One main benefit is ease of movement. A short dress causes less worry on the dance floor, as long as the length is reasonably modest. Many schools regulate how short a short dress can be—not to mention, parents are bound to have opinions on the subject. Short dresses also tend to be less expensive. The price is lower not because the designers are less well-known, but simply because these dresses use less fabric. Plus, short dresses often seem more age-appropriate for high school-aged prom attendees.

Long Prom Dresses

The long prom dress is the classic, traditional choice. Prom is often the first opportunity for a girl to wear a floor-length gown. It’s hard to overstate the effect of a glamorous, full-length dress on a young lady’s self-esteem and confidence. Everyone feels beautiful and elegant in the right style of a floor-length, formal dress. However, a long prom dress can be difficult to manage on the dance floor. Alterations are often necessary to achieve the correct length to enable movement. Yet for most young women, the additional time and money spent on alterations is worth the feeling they get when wearing a gorgeous, full-length gown.

Designers also have more to work with when creating a long dress—sleeves, necklines, and back and skirt accents all come into play. There’s more room for ruffles, tiers, sequins, and beading as well as more opportunity to create various textures and effects with fabric in the bodice and the skirt. Of course, long dresses are more expensive because they use more fabric and usually have more decorative details.

The Internet makes shopping for the most elegant, glamorous, or fun boutique evening dresses from the comfort of your home a snap. Check out the wide selection of short and long prom dresses at Effie’s Boutique to make your special night the memorable occasion it should be.