Promtacular!

In The ’50s, Dance Cards Were Anti-Gravity

Posted on March 16, 2011 by promtacular! in 1950s Prom, Bizarre Backdrops | No Comments

Year: 1952

Gillian writes: “My grandparents at prom together. The white rectangle hanging from my grandmother’s wrist is a dance card (which I find adorable) and the gauzy shadows around her neck and shoulders are a tulle wrap, according to my mom. I am baffled as to what they’re standing next to, though it appears to be a stone wall? Grandma might be baffled too, judging from her expression.”

I LOVE this photo. I love the timelessness of the dress (which cannot be said of most of the get-ups around here, ahem) most of all.

I cannot explain the painted stone wall. Not even a little bit. Was it there specifically for prom? If so…um…because how come?

And yet again, we have teenagers from the ’50s looking like they’re old enough to have kids in middle school. Why was that? It’s just — does this couple look the same age as Justin Beiber? Absolutely not.

On the plus side, they DID have dance cards. We should bring that tradition back. Anyone?

Your Prom Theme: Ride A Motorcyle! Through NYC! And Arrive At The Balloon Jungle!

Posted on February 17, 2011 by promtacular! in 1990s Prom, Bizarre Backdrops, Shine On! | 1 Comment

Year: 1998

Becky writes: “1998 This is me and my twin sister Bonnie. They called us Becky and Bonnie=Bonkey! We had matching dresses that year but in different colors.”

Well, Bonkey, I frankly don’t have much to say about your dresses — you both look promtastic and I love how you complement each other’s looks, from head to toe. Beautiful.

But um, hi. WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND YOU??? What in God’s name is your prom theme? I don’t understand a single inch of it, and that is a LOT OF INCHES not to understand!

You have a city. At night. With lots of dangling stars. Painted, I mean. There is no question that this is a faux backdrop. No one is going to think you were actually IN a skyscraper looking out on the twinkling city lights. But, budget, resources, okay. We get it. You make do.

Except what is happening with this motorcycle? Why? I don’t…how is…prom?

But EVEN MORE BAFFLING Is what’s happening to the left of the city. The city suddenly exploded into being a jungle! With big jungle leaves and a very wild-looking houseplant. Next to the motorcycle.

Of all the backdrops we’ve ever seen, this one takes home the award for Least Obviously Related To Anything Especially High School Graduation.

Congratulations, Bonkey!

Homage To Chuck

Posted on February 05, 2011 by promtacular! in 2000s Prom, Big Tulle For You, Bizarre Backdrops, Mullets | No Comments

Year: 2009

Caitie — featured in our Thai +Sweater shoot below — write: “This was my second year at prom, and it was the year I actually got my hair done (which when photographed from the side appeared to be a curly mullet). Anyway, I wore a huge puffy periwinkle dress that spilled over any chair i sat in (picture a waterfall of fabric) and was ridiculous. Worse was it was 80 degrees that day, and add that the dress was 10 layers of fabric (not even joking) — I was so hot the entire night. To prove how overheated I felt, apparently I thought it would be a great idea to take a picture in the bathroom. To prove it.”

Caitie, I see why you’d choose this dress. It is absolutely gorgeous. TEN LAYERS IN THE HEAT BE DAMNED. Your hair looks like it was curled and then sprayed into submission, and that if you’d chosen to, you could have worn your (very pretty) hair in the exact same ‘do for the rest of the summer.

I hope you didn’t.

I find it curious that you didn’t mention why you opted to wear Chuck Taylors instead of something more traditional, but that’s okay. I’m sure everyone here applauds your decision whole-heartedly.

Lastly, though, I don’t entirely understand what’s happening here. This photo doesn’t so much say “look how hot and sweaty I am” as much as “HERE ARE MY KNEES! IN THE BATHROOM!” Regardless, I’m just glad you took this photo in the ladies’ room. If you ask me, not NEARLY enough prom photos are taken in bathrooms.