36 Best Prom Dresses to Shop in 2023: Amazon, Sherri Hill, Lulus
Whether you’re attending your actual prom or coming back as a date to someone else’s, finding the best prom dress is probably the first thing on your to-do list.
From classic long mermaid gowns, romantic cottagecore looks, sleek prom suits, trendy black slip dresses that could have come straight out of the Euphoria set, and gothic gowns inspired by Wednesday Addams, there’s no shortage of options.
But, a word to the wise: Since prom dress shopping happens mostly online, styles can go quickly. If you see something you like, you’ll want to snag it — and maybe even in a few sizes in case you run out of time for alterations. We’ve scoured the top prom dress websites to bring you unique designs for every style and budget. Now all you have to do is try them on, and then find the perfect heels (or prom sneakers) to go with it.
Our Top Picks:
Best Black Prom Dresses
You can never go wrong with the color black. It’s timeless, oh-so versatile, and easy to wear (you don’t need to worry about accidental stains showing!). Pair it with any subtle pop of color (like a neon-colored handbag or shoes), and you’ll have the winning look of the night. Whether you prefer to go full-on glitz and glam with sequins and rhinestones (the fringe-trimmed dress is everything) or rather keep your look more subtle and chic, we’ve got some gorgeous black prom dress ideas for you.
Best Cottagecore Prom Dresses
From Regency-era ruffles to empire-waist silhouettes, you’d make Bridgerton‘s Kate Sharma proud if you go for one of these dresses. You can opt for a full-on-floral mini dress from investment brands like For Love and Lemons or shop for more casual frocks that don’t skimp on ruffles and design. Whatever you do, hold the corsage. Extravagant gloves are not included but are highly encouraged.
Best Long Prom Dresses
Ah, the classics! Evening gowns and occasion dresses are the go-to for prom night for a reason. If you have the coin for splurge-worthy options, we love Sherri Hill. But you can also find plenty of stunning picks at more affordable retailers like Windsor and David’s Bridal. (Pro tip: don’t rule out wedding or bridesmaid dresses as viable prom options, either — the sparkle lace dress below is actually a bridesmaid dress in burgundy!)
Best Short Prom Dresses
Take note from Cassie’s winter formal look from season 1 of Euphoria: Just because you’re in the market for evening dresses doesn’t mean you can’t go with micro mini styles. There are so many cute cocktail dresses out there — including sequin dresses, bodycon styles, and even a sequin feather trim mini that you can absolutely wear again after prom — that would surely make you stand out.
Best Barbiecore Prom Dresses
If you’re living for the Barbiecore trend like we are (can’t wait to see you on screens, Margot Robbie), this is the prom dress category for you. Think pink in all shades, fabrics, and designs. If you have the extra coins and can splurge, we suggest going for the Mac Duggal ruffle tiered cross-over gown — the high-low skirt adds a dramatic flair. If you’re looking for a dress with a slit to show off your heels, we’ve got some cute options for that, too! You can coordinate your accessories to match with the silver strap detail in the Diamante dress from Showpo.
Best Goth Prom Dresses
If you are a Jenna Ortega fan, you already know how iconic her character’s style is in Wednesday. Tiktoker’s went crazy recreating her iconic looks, so we took note and applied the same goth-y aesthetic to our prom dress selects. The House of CB velvet gown features cold shoulder lace sleeves that give off a dark and alluring appeal. We also love the mesh lace train in the back of the Lucille dress — Morticia Addams would be very proud.
Best Prom Suits
Who says the perfect prom dress is actually a dress? Prom suits are ideal for the dance floor and (more importantly) waiting in line for post-prom fast food. They may not be prom gowns, but you definitely don’t have to worry about losing ruffles, sequins, or rhinestones — just look at the molded velvet suit or the shiny satin option. The best part? You can split up any of these and wear them as separates post-prom.
Best Plus-Size Prom Dresses
From strapless ball gowns to off-the-shoulder minis, there are so many plus-size dresses that are truly fun this year. Spaghetti Strap dresses like the emerald one below are great if you are after that sleek vibe. But if you want something that gives off more prom queen vibes, we can’t get enough of the corset ball gown that we’re almost certain Cinderella would choose in today’s world.
Best Cut-Out Dresses
Want to show a little skin while still feeling formal? There are plenty of ways to do so. The Jules and Cleo Charmeuse halter dress features an illusion-cut-out waist that looks stunning. There are also plenty of classic evening gown styles that feature cutouts in the back for a fun surprise every time you twist and twirl around.
Best Affordable Prom Dresses
You don’t have to spend triple digits to find your perfect pick — retailers like Nordstrom and Amazon have cheap prom dresses for under $100. Many fashion influencers have also shown off how amazing their Amazon dresses looked on the special night (like TikTok user _annamiller). From unique styles to extended size ranges, there are plenty of dress options to choose from, especially if you’re in a time crunch (hello, two-day Prime shipping!)
Best Two-Piece Prom Dresses
You’ll need to make sure your school dress code doesn’t have any prom-specific rules, but if you’re in the clear to wear a two-piece, look no further than the below dress styles. These two pieces let you have fun with the neckline and length and we’re certain Maddy Perez would approve of the plunging v-neck dress and the corset a-line silhouette.
