Prom: A dance with formal attire worn by its participants.

The history of Prom begins with the debutante balls and college formal dances, where it was customary to wear elegant gowns and tuxedos. The debutante ball was a "coming of age ceremony" which signified to the community that a young lady was able to begin dating. Prom sprang from these balls as a formal dance in which all classes of society would be able to participate.

In 1951 Christian Dior's New Look inspired this full-skirted gown with a strapless bodice. It became the style to wear for prom after Elizabeth Taylor popularized it in the movie "A Place in the Sun." (center)

Hattie Carnegie designed this navy blue strapless evening gown in 1945. Carnegie's designs were extremely popular in the 1940's and 1950's. She created both custom-made and ready-to-wear gowns. (left)

Janelle Kopp wore this sequin dress for her high school prom in Bismarck, North Dakota . During the early 1990's she wore it for her sorority's formal parties while a student at NDSU. (right)