Being a high school student is one of the best periods in a person’s life, and it can include many struggles, laughs, and lots of drama. However, this experience can truly show who we are, which is why it bears significant importance, no matter our current age. Any high school surely organizes its own events, but two are the ones worth mentioning the most: prom and homecoming.
Prom and homecoming are two essential events in American culture. They offer students the chance to have a good time and create memories together. There, students can participate in fun activities such as games and dances while wearing the best attire they have planned a long time in advance.
For girls, finding the right dress can be even more challenging since there are so many beautiful alternatives from which they can choose. This is why parents have a great role and can guide their daughters in picking the best outfit. However, to select the right dresses, it is essential to know the differences between prom and homecoming. In this way, girls will be in the spotlight by wearing something suitable for the event that highlights their best features.
In this article, we will explore the differences between proms and homecomings and how parents can help their daughters in selecting the right dress for them.
Prom and Homecoming: Understanding these two events
Prom
Prom is one of the most important events during the whole high school experience. Usually, proms are held during spring, when the year is close to ending. Proms are formal events that are held off-campus in special and elegant venues, such as a banquet hall or a hotel ballroom. They celebrate the end of the school year and a special moment when all students can make new memories. This is why the majority of students wait for this event their entire teenage years.
Apparel is essential for proms, and usually, this event implies formal attire, such as tuxedos for boys and beautiful prom dresses for girls. This is why students can prepare for many months ahead to look fantastic on their big day. Additionally, during this night, many high schools decide to crown a prom king and queen, which is why it is even more critical to look flawless.
Homecoming
Homecoming is another significant event from the entire high school experience that typically occurs in the fall. It aims to celebrate the school’s spirit and pride, welcome back former students, and give them a good experience together and a chance to remember the school’s good days. Homecoming can have an entire week of activities to start the new school year in the best way possible.
The football game is crucial for homecoming when the current school football team plays against its rivals. After the football game, students can also attend the homecoming dance, which is usually more casual than the prom dance. During this time, students can have semi-formal attire: girls can wear short-length dresses, and boys can opt for simple yet stylish clothing articles.
So, what are the main differences between a prom and homecoming?
Although there are many similarities between these two events, there are also main discrepancies that set them apart. The first one is the timing of the events: proms are held during spring, while homecoming occurs in the fall. Additionally, more preparations are needed for proms, which happen in more formal ventures, while homecomings take place on school grounds.
The attire is also different between proms and homecoming. Proms usually require more preparation, and students, especially girls, spend more time searching for the best dress or how to complete the look with the right makeup and hairstyle. The attire for proms is formal, and it includes tuxedos and gowns. On the other hand, for a homecoming, things are a little different, and even though students still do their best to look stunning, they can also opt for semi-formal or casual attire.
Another comparison between the two events is their purpose. Homecoming celebrates the spirit of the school and welcomes back all students, including juniors, freshmen, sophomores, and seniors. Proms celebrate the end of the school year and only upperclassmen students can attend. One of the best parts of a prom is the dance, where boys can finally dance with the girl they have asked out to prom.
The role of parents: How can they help their daughters pick the right dress?
Prom and homecoming are essential events in the lives of girls, and at this moment, they can experience a little uncertainty as they might not know what dress to pick. This is why parents can help and be there when the girl is looking for the dress of her dreams. Parents should listen to their daughters when they say what their ideal dress looks like and then go with them to find it. Nowadays, there is already great inspiration online, where parents and daughters can look together to make the search for the perfect dress a little easier.
It is also great to think ahead about the color and details the dress should have, as this can prove very helpful. The dress a girl picks has to really show her unique style, so parents should let her wear whatever she wants rather than imposing what type of gown to opt for. Yes, it is good to offer guidance, but prom or homecoming is one of the best moments of her life, so she should have the final say.
It is crucial to have patience during this time and not stress girls, as they might already have a stressful period because this event is of massive importance. So, parents should be there and offer their honest opinion when their daughters are trying on dresses while also having fun. Proms are one of the first steps that a daughter takes into adulthood, which is why it is essential to see this experience as a bonding activity. In this way, parents can take part in one of the most important moments in the life of a daughter.