Parenting

50 Prom Dresses No Teen Should Be Wearing

ParentingPublished Feb 28, 2018
By Suzee Skwiot
featured-img-of-post-184065Jaz Couture

To a teenager, there's nothing more iconic than prom. The night lets youngins dress up and act like swanky adults until curfew -- or at least that's what every teen movie from the '90s and early aughts taught us. So it's no wonder that choosing an outfit for this evening is kind of a big deal. Prom dress shopping is a rite of passage in itself for any teenager, and trying on magical gowns and flowing skirts is a dream -- but some of the gowns out there are more like a nightmare. 

We all know what it's like to look back at old photos of ourselves going through puberty when we thought we were all that, only to ask ourselves, "What were we thinking?!"

It seems like prom dress styles haven't changed in that respect. Only these days, some are way too risqué and just totally out-there. Others are also just downright impractical. It's a wonder how some of these frocks even made it past product and design. All in the name of looking unique and having the most memorable night as possible, I suppose. 

Unfortunately, unlike with celebrities on the red carpet, teens at prom don't have a magical entourage that knows all the tricks and tips to avoid wardrobe malfunctions. Prom should be a fun time when a teen can just be a teen; it doesn't have to be like the Oscars.

So in the spirit of all of that, we rounded up 50 of the wildest, most over-the-top dresses that should never leave the rack.

1/50
Cleavage on Cleavage-placeholder
Cleavage on Cleavage
PromGirl

Cleavage on Cleavage

There's no way this one fits in with the school's dress code. Guaranteed. Don't think it's that bad? Don't worry, we're just getting started.

2/50
Cutouts for Days-placeholder
Cutouts for Days
PromGirl

Cutouts for Days

Ah, parents. Ready for the phone calls?

3/50
Barely There-placeholder
Barely There
Peaches Boutique

Barely There

Not much is left to the imagination with this one.

4/50
One Step at a Time-placeholder
One Step at a Time
PeachesBoutique

One Step at a Time

At least she opted for the longer sleeve here, right? That's a different take.

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5/50
The Trio-placeholder
The Trio
Rissy Roo's

The Trio

A prom dress doesn't have to have both bondage and bustier qualities.

6/50
Asymmetrical Look-placeholder
Asymmetrical Look
Taylor Prom

Asymmetrical Look

While this dress looks stunning on an adult woman, it's a little bit creepy to picture a 17-year-old in it.

7/50
Get It Yet?-placeholder
Get It Yet?
Taylor Prom

Get It Yet?

That's no joke. Companies must assume that teens really like ruffles, slits, and thigh-high cuts.

8/50
Feeling Leggy-placeholder
Feeling Leggy
Taylor Prom

Feeling Leggy

She could definitely pull an Angelina Jolie moment with this one.

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9/50
Short & (Not So) Sweet-placeholder
Short & (Not So) Sweet
Taylor Prom

Short & (Not So) Sweet

So many comments to make about such a little dress. Don't. Know. Where. To. Start.

10/50
What the WHAT?!-placeholder
What the WHAT?!
Jasz Couture

What the WHAT?!

We have the chiffon, we have the cutouts, we have the bikini-style top. What else could we ask for?

11/50
Work the Camera-placeholder
Work the Camera
Jasz Couture

Work the Camera

If the beading, cut, and sheerness of the dress isn't convincing enough, then how about the dangerously high slit?

12/50
Is This Even a Dress?-placeholder
Is This Even a Dress?
Jasz Couture

Is This Even a Dress?

No, that's a real question. Is that really a dress? Can someone confirm?

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13/50
Opposite of Boring-placeholder
Opposite of Boring
Jasz Couture

Opposite of Boring

It has a beaded bodice and a feathered skirt. Sign us up, please!

14/50
Dress or Lingerie?-placeholder
Dress or Lingerie?
Jasz Couture

Dress or Lingerie?

Once we agree on the fact that this model is easily several years past high school, let's just acknowledge one thing: This is lingerie.

15/50
Must Need: Tape-placeholder
Must Need: Tape
PromGirl

Must Need: Tape

Truly ... that just looks like a nip slip waiting to happen.

16/50
Madonna?-placeholder
Madonna?
xciteprom

Madonna?

Remind anyone else of the Queen of Pop? We're getting some cone bra flashbacks.

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17/50
And Again...-placeholder
And Again...
xciteprom

And Again...

But this one has a very mermaid feel, doesn't it?

18/50
Our Eyes! Our Eyes!-placeholder
Our Eyes! Our Eyes!
GoldenAsp

Our Eyes! Our Eyes!

Let's play a game: Prom dress or nightclub outfit?

19/50
Not a Dress-placeholder
Not a Dress
GoldenAsp

Not a Dress

Honestly, it's just two pieces of bedazzled fabric. A dress? Absolutely not.

20/50
Indecent-placeholder
Indecent
Jasz Couture

Indecent

That looks like a little too much exposure, right? But take a look at the front. One bad move and people will get a much-too-close peek.

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21/50
Fur Trim-placeholder
Fur Trim
Soho Girl

Fur Trim

This dress has a lot of components, including being see-through, having sequins, and having a fur trim. At least the fur will keep her warm?

22/50
Cartoon-Inspired-placeholder
Cartoon-Inspired
fuck off dumbass humans/Pinterest

Cartoon-Inspired

We're getting serious Sesame Street vibes with this dress. Points for originality, at least?

23/50
Lime Green-placeholder
Lime Green
Jovani/French Novelty

Lime Green

From the ruffles to the neon lime green color, this dress is more reminiscent of a birthday cake -- but hey, more power to whoever rocks this frock!

24/50
Camo-placeholder
Camo
dhgate.com

Camo

With this camouflage dress on, no one will be able to see her! Maybe that's a good thing.

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25/50
Rainbow-Inspired-placeholder
Rainbow-Inspired
Stacey Rhoades/Pinterest

Rainbow-Inspired

This dress definitely caught all of the colors of the rainbow.

26/50
Two-Piece Set-placeholder
Two-Piece Set
Brittany Kendrick/Pinterest

Two-Piece Set

Yep, the wearer of this (can we call this a dress?) ensemble is sure to be cold at night.

27/50
V-Cut-placeholder
V-Cut
Windsor Store

V-Cut

This dress, with its low V-cut neckline and double thigh-high slit, is a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.

28/50
Barely There Bodice-placeholder
Barely There Bodice
Promgirl

Barely There Bodice

The top of this ensemble seems more fitting as a swimsuit top -- at least, a very pretty sequined swimsuit top.

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29/50
Snakeskin-placeholder
Snakeskin
Windsor Store

Snakeskin

This form-fitting snakeskin gown is more akin to something worn in a nightclub rather than prom.

30/50
Go Low-placeholder
Go Low
David's Bridal

Go Low

This pink prom dress has a V-cut that goes all the way down to her belly button. Maybe not necessary for prom?

31/50
Bond Girl–Like-placeholder
Bond Girl–Like
David's Bridal

Bond Girl–Like

This blue number has a thigh-high slit and deep, deep neckline that seems more fitting for a Bond girl than a teen's prom.

32/50
Is This a Red Carpet?-placeholder
Is This a Red Carpet?
Promgirl

Is This a Red Carpet?

From the look of the glamorous back of this dress, this number seems more fitting for a red carpet than a prom.

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33/50
Extra, Extra-placeholder
Extra, Extra
David's Bridal

Extra, Extra

From the flared mermaid-style fit to the very deep cut, this dress is teetering on the extra side of things.

34/50
More Like a Nightgown-placeholder
More Like a Nightgown
Windsor Store

More Like a Nightgown

This nude-colored frock reminds us more of a nightgown than a prom dress.

35/50
Tube Top-placeholder
Tube Top
Windsor Store

Tube Top

We're just not sure a sequined tube top counts as prom attire? Maybe any other day!

36/50
Plunging Neckline-placeholder
Plunging Neckline
Windsor Store

Plunging Neckline

This slinky dress that has a very plunging neckline maybe shouldn't make its first appearance at prom? Just a suggestion.

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37/50
Midriff Memo-placeholder
Midriff Memo
Promgirl

Midriff Memo

Okay, did we miss the memo that stated that dresses no longer have to have a midsection?

38/50
Celebrity-Inspired Perhaps-placeholder
Celebrity-Inspired Perhaps
Windsor Store

Celebrity-Inspired Perhaps

This sequined dress, with its thigh-high slit and off-the-shoulder style, is definitely an eye-catcher -- maybe because it seems like something a celeb would wear at a movie premiere?

39/50
Barely There Back-placeholder
Barely There Back
David's Bridal

Barely There Back

This dress features cut-outs and a barely there back. We're getting cold just looking at it.

40/50
Plunging Halter-placeholder
Plunging Halter
David's Bridal

Plunging Halter

This dress both has a plunging neckline and is a halter top, so the back is virtually fully exposed. 

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41/50
Sheer Top-placeholder
Sheer Top
David's Bridal

Sheer Top

The bodice of this pale pink dress is totally sheer, other than some padding over the boobs. One too-fast dance move and ...

42/50
Sequined Set-placeholder
Sequined Set
Simply Dresses

Sequined Set

This sequined set is definitely glamorous. It's also maybe a little too much for prom.

43/50
Super Sheer-placeholder
Super Sheer
Dillard's

Super Sheer

If the goal of this dress is to barely seem like it's there, then it's succeeding, especially with that netted feature over the midriff.

44/50
One-Shoulder Lace-placeholder
One-Shoulder Lace
Promgirl

One-Shoulder Lace

This lacy one-shoulder gown is totally sheer from the waist up, except for some pads over the boobs. 

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45/50
All Lace-placeholder
All Lace
Dillard's

All Lace

This lacy gown looks more like a piece of lingerie instead of a prom dress. But it's a nice piece of lingerie!

46/50
Old Hollywood-placeholder
Old Hollywood
David's Bridal

Old Hollywood

We're getting some serious old Hollywood–style glam from this outfit. Only, a prom might not be the best place to rock this racy outfit.

47/50
Sports Bra–Inspired-placeholder
Sports Bra–Inspired
Promgirl

Sports Bra–Inspired

Now this definitely just looks like a sports bra and a maxi skirt.

48/50
Black Lace-placeholder
Black Lace
Promgirl

Black Lace

This form-fitting black lace gown has a dangerously high thigh slit.

49/50
Bustier Bodice-placeholder
Bustier Bodice
Promgirl

Bustier Bodice

A strapless bustier-style bodice definitely is reminiscent of lingerie. 

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50/50
Low Back-placeholder
Low Back
Simply Dresses

Low Back

This back is dangerously low, and it doesn't look like the straps would do much either.

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