How to Choose the Perfect Homecoming Dress For You

By Nazy Rafaeil, Senior Content Writer.

Homecoming 2023 is fast approaching, and if it’s your first time attending, you may wonder what dress to wear. For those who don’t know, a Homecoming is usually a week-long event that ends with a semi-formal dance. Schools and universities hold it at the beginning of the academic year to welcome back their students.

Hoco activities include a football game, other sporting and fun events, and, most importantly, the dance. Many teens get excited about dressing up and celebrating this special occasion. It’s not quite as dressy or formal as your prom night, but there are still a few style rules you should follow.

To ensure you pick the perfect dress, we’re here to answer the most common questions surrounding homecoming dresses. We’ll also offer our top tips for choosing the right dress that best suits you. This means accounting for your body type and taste.

For 2023, homecoming dresses are now more stylish and fashion-forward. You can also find a wide range of styles and sizes. This ensures that every girl can look unique and beautiful for this fun night.

As well as considering the latest trends, you ultimately want a dress that you feel comfortable wearing. Many girls aren’t afraid to rock a sexy look, while others are more at home in a modest dress. Whatever you pick, you can shine bright in a dress style or color that makes your outfit unforgettable!

Trends in fashion are subjective and can vary from season to season. However, this year, some popular colors for homecoming dresses have included:

1. Jewel Tones: Deep, rich colors like emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red have been popular choices, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.
2. Pastels: Soft, delicate hues like blush pink, lavender, mint green, and powder blue have been in vogue, creating a romantic and feminine look.
3. Metallics: Shimmering metallic colors, such as gold, silver, and rose gold, have been on-trend, providing a glamorous and eye-catching appearance.
4. Bold and Vibrant Shades: Bright colors like fuchsia, royal purple, electric blue, and vibrant coral have been favored by those looking to make a bold statement and stand out from the crowd.

Here are some top tips for picking homecoming dresses to ensure you get the right look.

What is appropriate to wear for homecoming?

You’ll likely need a short semi-formal dress for your homecoming dance. This should be a party-style cocktail design. You can still choose the silhouette, neckline, and other details. The dress can include prints, embellishments, or other details to make you stand out. The fit and flare silhouette is a popular option that is comfortable to dance in. For a glamorous look, you could also try on a bodycon dress for homecoming. This could feature spaghetti straps or long sleeves and can be composed of jersey fabric to show off your figure. You could always re-wear this as a Quinceanera Dress.

How to Choose a Homecoming Dress

• Give yourself time! You don’t want to be in a rush when picking your dress. Give yourself several weeks before the dance to pick out a dress. The earlier you shop, the more choice will likely be in stores. You can take your time to decide between several different options and try on as many styles as you like.
• Understand your body shape. The best way to pick any dress is to focus on what best suits your shape. The easiest method to do this is to try on various silhouettes until you see which design features flatter you. For example, if you love to show off your shoulders, you’ll want to look for strapless dresses. If you’d prefer to cover your arms, narrow your search only to include long sleeve homecoming dresses.
• Pick a flattering color. The color is just as important as the style and fit. Make sure the shade is a good match for your skin tone and hair color. You will instinctively observe this as you try on dresses, but make sure you do pay attention to how well the shade suits you and influences your complexion.
• Coordinate with your date. You may want to coordinate your outfits subtly if you’re going on a date. This isn’t as important as prom, so there is no need to spend hours linking both outfits together. However, a little coordination looks great and photographs well. This can be as simple as matching a tie to a dress color.
• Consider your accessories and makeup. What you wear with the dress must be planned out in advance, so make sure you try on the whole outfit before the dance. See that every item coordinates well, and your makeup and hairstyling will be suitable too.

Homecoming Dresses – Your Questions – Answered! 

Here are the most common questions with simple answers to help you understand exactly what you should and shouldn’t wear to Homecoming.

What kind of dress do you wear to Homecoming?

You can wear any cocktail/party dress to Homecoming if it fits your school’s dress code! You are usually free to select any color or type of dress. This includes fit and flare, bodycon, and two-piece options.

Can Homecoming dresses be long?

Homecoming dresses are rarely long because this type of formal dress is reserved for prom night, which is a more formal event. Most often, homecoming dresses are short, above-the-knee length.

Are Homecoming dresses supposed to be short?

Yes! Short homecoming dresses are the most common, although you could also wear a romper, midi dress, or full-length jumpsuit. If in doubt, check with the organizing committee to determine the most appropriate.

Is Homecoming formal?

Homecoming is considered a semi-formal event. Think of it as attending a dressy party or special occasion. You want to wear a fancy dress that fits the night and looks right for the dress code.

How should I dress for Homecoming?

Wearing a short party dress you feel comfortable and flattered in is the best choice. Shop around and pick a dress that represents your style best. Everything from simple jersey styles to embellished and floral print designs is usually acceptable, so you have plenty of room to express yourself.

What should you not wear to Homecoming?

Anything too casual or formal. For example, sportswear or athletic items are too relaxed for the dress code. A long ballgown or prom dress is considered too formal for a homecoming dance.

Do you get a corsage for Homecoming?

Your date might decide to get you a corsage to mark homecoming. However, receiving a corsage before the event is less common than prom.

How can I look good at Homecoming?

To look good for your homecoming dance, feel confident, proud, and beautiful from the inside out. Your dress should be natural and comfortable; the same goes for your makeup, hair, and accessories.

The models appear stunning in Jovani’s homecoming dresses