11 of the Most Stylish Prom Moments in TV and Film

Date May 27, 2016

Prom. It’s kind of a big deal, and the focal point of almost every teen movie or television series ever made. Some of our favourite prom scenes tend to be the super embarrassing ones, like that time Brenda and Kelly showed up to their spring dance in the same hideous dress in Beverly Hills, 90210. Cringe! But our absolute fave on-screen prom moments? Well, they’re mostly stylish AF (obv). Here, we’re looking at the best-of-the-best prom outfits in film and TV. From Andie’s shoulder-baring frock in Pretty In Pink, to Janice Ian and Damian slaying in matching purple suits in Mean Girls, 11 of the most stylish prom moments in TV and film.

1/11

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

In true ’90s girl style, Kat Stratford (played by Julia Stiles) opted for a purple, spaghetti-strap gown, complete with matching shawl and a tight, curly updo in this iconic film (also starring the late-Heath Ledger). We literally can’t take our eyes off of her.

2/11

Saved by the Bell, “The Prom” (1990)

In this episode, Kelly’s dad loses his job, and in turn can’t afford to pay for her prom. Of course, the ever-charming (and resourceful) Zack Morris swoops in and saves the day, organizing their very own makeshift prom night outside of the gym. Kelly arrives in her off-the-shoulder Bayside Tigers sweatshirt (so good!) and the rest is history. Swoon.

3/11

Jawbreaker (1999)

Rose McGowan played the evil and manipulative Courtney Shayne in this cult classic. Here she is, in a powder blue gown and shawl combo, getting her Prom Queen status taken away from her after the whole school discovers she murdered her BFF. Ugh, please. Deal with it, Court.

4/11

Gossip Girl, “Valley Girls” (2009)

Leave it to the Upper East Side’s Blair Waldorf to roll up to prom decked out in a Marchesa gown straight off the runway (its Spring 2008 collection, to be precise).

5/11

21 Jump Street (2012)

If you haven’t seen this comedy then you’re missing out (no joke). Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum play a pair of rookie cops who go undercover as high school students in pursuit of taking down a internal drug ring. In addition to the brilliant cast (Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Dakota Johnson, Dave Franco, Johnny Depp), the prom scene goes down in history as one of the most hilarious. Also, Hill and Tatum in matching tuxes. Need we say more?

6/11

The Spectacular Now (2013)

Although not necessarily iconic, this coming-of-age film is definitely worth a shout out due to its realistic portrayal of high school. Case in point: the extra hair ties on Shailene Woodley’s wrist and her basic, yet adorable, dress that we’d like to think she picked up at her local mall.

7/11

Back to the Future (1985)

In this ’80s classic, Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) travels back to the ’50s and comes across his parents on their prom night. His mom in that pink, polka dot dress is everything.

8/11

Pretty Little Liars, “Last Dance” (2015)

Although they weren’t planning on going, the girls of Pretty Little Liars had a change of heart, and showed up at Rosewood’s prom in these Disney Princess-esque numbers.

9/11

Mean Girls (2004)

Like the true disruptor she is, Mean Girls’ Cady Heron destroys her Prom Queen tiara, while decked out in her Mathletes bomber jacket. And then there was Janice Ian and Damian, who slayed in their matching purple suits.

10/11

The O.C., “The O.Sea” (2005)

If this tropical-print halter dress on Summer Roberts is all sorts of wrong (hey, it was 2005), then we don’t want to be right.

11/11

Pretty in Pink (1986)

From embellished bombers that would give Alessandro Michele’s Gucci girl a run for her money to normcore high-top sneakers, Pretty In Pink‘s Andie Walsh (played by Molly Ringwald) slayed the fashion game before all of us. On prom night, she made an entrance in a number she repurposed and designed herself. #micdrop