The Top Prom Dress Trends of 2021

Prom night is a big event in any young adult’s life. Choosing the right dress is an essential part of the preparation process and is often the centerpiece that makes the night so special. Choosing the right dress, however, comes down to knowing what the top prom dress trends of 2021 are. With a little flair and confidence in your personal taste, you can acquire the most gorgeous dress with little to no stress.

Ball Gowns

If elegance is the goal, then a ball gown is the ideal choice. These gorgeous full-length dresses will perfectly accentuate your form while lending a touch of color, texture, and glamor. Gowns come in many different designs and styles, so even if ballgowns are the standard style for a formal event, no two gowns will be exactly alike. To mix things up a bit, consider choosing a dress with a side slit for a more impressive and unique option. Effie’s Boutique carries a wide array of name-brand designer gowns that are sure to be showstoppers. Explore collections like our own Jovani prom dresses line.

Two-Piece Ball Gowns

One of the more exciting of the top prom dress trends of 2021 is two-piece gowns. Two-piece gowns are primarily floor-length; some also feature a side slit. The real takeaway, though, is the division between the two pieces, usually at the beltline. This precise cut often features space where some skin or an undershirt can show through and break up the visual continuity of the dress. Many gowns also feature a patterned shape to the division, adding a mysterious quality that’s much more complex than a simple straight cut.

High-Low Gowns

These dresses are an exciting take on the straightforward look of a ball gown. Like any gown, they come in a wide range of styles and materials. However, they rarely feature a side slit. This is because the focus is on the lower half of the dress. Many are not quite floor length, giving you ample room to choose the perfect shoes for the event. The bottom cut is uneven, with the front half typically higher than the back half. This looks similar to a dress being delicately lifted to allow easier movement—without requiring any hands, though! The look is a truly dramatic beauty that is only accentuated further with curls, frills, or dangling strands.

Open-Back Dresses

Another staple of virtually any formal event, open-back dresses are nothing new on the scene, but they never fail to be stunning. With flashy varieties of satin and glitter or subtle and sleek options such as velvet, you just can’t lose with this style. The sharp contrast of open skin on the back creates such a distinct visual shift that begs to be admired.

Off-Shoulder and Strapless Dresses

For those looking for a more straightforward style that has a touch more attitude, off-shoulder or strapless gowns are a great pick. These dresses can have all the bells and whistles of any other style—side slits, different lengths, one or two-piece, and so on. But the form-fitting design ensures the dress never hangs off the shoulders, so it is never at risk of look frumpy.

Instead, the unnecessary shoulder straps can hang at the side of the shoulders, creating an interesting visual line across the bust. The effect is stunning! Strapless dresses have a similar appeal, except there is more emphasis on the continuous form of the shoulders and arms, which causes the dress to appear as if pure art is holding it in place.