Sexy Prom Dresses

Schools may be making restrictive policies about appropriate dress codes for prom dresses, but that doesn't stop teenage girls (and their dates) from wanting sexy prom dresses for their proms. Schools may ban low-backed dresses, cutout midriffs and thigh-high slits, but these are exactly the types of trendy, red-carpet styles that high school prom-goers want to show up in at their dream proms. And what they are watching on television and reading about in fashion magazines.

Events to Emulate

Girls see the fabulous costumes on shows such as "Dancing with the Stars" and on celebrities at red-carpet events and want to wear the same spectacular style. Celebrities including Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce push the envelope for style and wow and set a new bar for beauty that is irresistible to teenagers and anathema to school administrations. It's teenagers versus adults when it comes to sexy prom dresses.

While the trend toward outrageously revealing dresses comes directly from Hollywood and the glossy pages of fashion magazines, school dress code trends come straight from administrators, parent/teacher organizations and school boards. Schools are issuing elaborate guidelines, including multi-page documents, posters in school hallways illustrating acceptable and unacceptable styles and even bans on casual boys' attire such as tennis shoes and saggy pants. Some schools are resorting to signed contracts with prom-goers so there are no sexy surprises at the big dance.

What About Retailers?

Retailers have a lot of influence on dress trends and dreams with their offerings and displays. While some retailers offer more modest formal prom dresses, most bow to the most popular styles on runways and Hollywood red-carpet events. Teenagers in some areas have problems finding anything but revealing dresses with sexy slits, low backs and sheer fabrics.

What is "In" Besides Bringing Sexy Back?

While sexy style will always attract teens, there are a lot of other attractive trends for prom dresses. Boom Babies retail employees say teen girls want to imitate celebrities' flashy dress styles. Syracuse retail stores Spy Baby and Off the Rack owner Marie Adornato says this year's prom dress colors have been beige, silver, and white, as well as bright solids, with fabric details such as beading, prints and textures. Girls can have flashy style without revealing too much with dresses that feature beads, rhinestones and ruffles.

As much as parents and school administrations try to keep proms conservative and under control, teens have their own ideas about what they want to wear for prom. They are influenced by media and celebrity, with flash and glamour, and that can be difficult to tone down for prom night. Published dress codes, illustrated posters, contracts and chaperones have their work cut out for them when it comes to sexy prom dresses and enforcing prom attire.