A dance, a date, the shoes, the hair, but nothing compares to the dress.

Personal style is an important aspect of a Prom dress. For some, this means incorporating aspects of their cultures into their dresses.

“Since it is my senior year, I want to take this opportunity to represent Filipino culture, I chose Filipiñiana modern design. The Filipiñiana dress started in the 1800s, and I hold it dearly in my heart as a Filipino. So by blending traditional craftsmanship with modern elegance, I aim to honor my heritage while showcasing the beauty of Filipino creations,” senior Dianne Sergi said.

Personal details added into a dress can create sentimental value.

“This dress is going to be more than just an attire. It is going to be a tribute to the rich artistry from Filipiñiana fashion. It is going to be a celebration of my culture, my identity, and the enduring legacy of Filipino design,” Sergi said.

Senior Ryleigh Canfield travels out-of-state to get her formal dresses.

“When I go Prom dress shopping, I go to Miss Priss in Lexington, Kentucky. I was there close by for a college visit. We decided to go look at dresses, and we found the store. They were very welcoming and kind so we decided to keep going back. For my dress this year, I spent $600,” Canfield said.

While having a plan going into Prom dress shopping can be efficient, having no plan at all sometimes works in a student’s favor as well.

“I honestly did not go in with inspiration. I knew I wanted my dress to be fitted with a corset back, but other than that, I went in with an open mind. I always end up getting something completely different than I originally wanted,” Canfield said.

Falling in love with the dress on the hanger makes it easier to fall in love with it when trying it on.

“I was also thinking of doing a colorful dress, but my dress ended up being black with floral patterns. Surprisingly, the dress I chose was the first dress I tried on. I put it on and instantly fell in love with it. It fit me perfectly and was very flattering, and I knew right away that it was my dress. I tried on a few dresses after just to make sure, but every dress I tried on was not like the first dress, and I knew my choice,” Canfield said.

Sometimes the color of a dress changes everything.

“I was orginally thinking of doing green this year. I thought it would match the theme well. I went to Prom and Bridal Glam Boutique, and I fell in love with my dress. I ended up going with purple because I could not pass up how stunning and inexpensive it was,” junior Brianna Miller said.