Fashion

12 Things That Made A Perfect Prom Outfit In 2005

by Rosie Narasaki

May 12, 2016

These days, there are very specific ingredients that will make a perfect prom outfit: On fleek brows, Stuart Weitzman-ish minimalist sandals, and maybe a choker, a la Taylor Swift. How about a decade ago, though? What kinds of things made for a perfect prom outfit circa 2005?

It's crazy how much things can change in a mere 11-odd years. Gone are the days of spaghetti straps, corset-style bodices, and super shiny materials — heck, if 2016's most popular prom dress — a blush tulle confection of a gown — is any indication, the collective teen taste has actually gotten pretty chic. In a lot of ways, beauty trends have gotten better too — 2005 saw a lot of young prom-goers taking traumatizing visits to overzealous brow aestheticians, whereas in the age of stars like Cara Delevingne and Emilia Clarke, a more natural look has become the go-to. Frosted MAC Lip Glasses have been swapped out for bolder pops of color, and boho braided beach waves have taken the place of the over-sprayed updos of the past... trends come and go, and we've certainly seen a lot over the last decade-plus.

So, with all that in mind, let's take a walk down memory lane, and look at 11 of the top prom outfit essentials of 2005.

1. A Meringue Skirt

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Lots of things could make a prom dress sing, but none of them made you feel more like a millennial version of Belle from Beauty and the Beast more than a trendy meringue skirt.

2. Lots of Sequins And/Or Rhinestones

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Taylor Swift was — as she is today — queen of all the dresses we wanted to wear.

3. A Matching Shawl

It may have been tough to find a shawl that perfectly matched your dress, but it was essential. My mom actually made me a shawl out of chiffon from Jo-Anns, because we couldn't find a shawl that went with my electric pink dress.

4. Body Glitter

Body glitter may be a famous late '90s/early 2000's mainstay, but in a lot of ways, it's sneaking its way back into style. After all, what are highlighters, if not the more subtle, more refined older sister of body glitter? Strobing is a gateway drug to full-on body glitter, and I mean that in the best way possible.

5. A Blinged-Out Cell Phone

Basically, anything sparkly was key — especially if it happened to be a Juicy Sidekick or a pink RAZR.

6. Lots of Mean Girls References

If you went to prom in 2005, chances are everyone made a ton of comments about how your outfit was "so fetch," and you know someone shouted "SHE DOESN'T EVEN GO HERE!" at some point during the proceedings.