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Homage To Chuck

Homage To Chuck

Posted on February 05, 2011 by 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.

In The Land Of Tulle And Fog. And Houseplants.

In The Land Of Tulle And Fog. And Houseplants.

Posted on January 10, 2011 by in 1980s Prom, Backdrop FAIL, Big Tulle For You, Blame the Photographer, Feathering As A Lifestyle Choice, Pairing With White, perms, Tacky Backdrops | 1 Comment

Year: 1989

Promtacular! needs to develop some sort of award system for backdrops because this is a winner of something.

First point: throwing tulle on the ground doesn’t make the ground look magical. It makes the ground look like you threw tulle on it. And then dropped some fake flowers.

Second: If you are going to go through the trouble of having something draped on your fake wood paneled wall to cover up the fake wood paneled wall, DON’T include the fake wood paneled wall in the photo. You’d think that if the photographer was going to go through the trouble of using a “soft” lens — to suggest fog? mystical prom? romance? — s/he might notice the fake wall popping over the top of the shot.

Third: Why have a giant white pillar if you’re going to top it with…um? Two roses? A handkerchief? A dirty napkin? I CAN’T TELL. But no.

Fourth and most mysteriously: Why houseplants? Why? WHY? And why SO MANY? It looks like maybe this prom took place in a plant shop.

But now that that’s out of the way, let us embrace the rest of this photo for the 80s glory that it is. Big, puffed sleeves paired with big, permed hair. A pink-mauve dress (anyone remember the dress Caroline wore in Sixteen Candles?) paired with bright white shoes. And you can be absolutely 100% certain she is wearing blue eyeliner. You don’t have to be able to see it to know. You KNOW.

His fashion is impeccable. White suit, white shirt, white bowtie. Feathered middle-parted hair. SUNGLASSES. And…is that the beginning of a mustache I see? Oh, there’s no doubt this couple was well dressed and popular.

It’s not their fault they look like they’re in a greenhouse.

(Click “See Larger” for a Sixteen Candles image. Clearly this prom-goer’s dress was inspired…)

Her Date Or Her Dad?

Her Date Or Her Dad?

Posted on January 07, 2011 by in 1950s Prom, Aquanet!, Big Tulle For You, Pairing With White | 3 Comments

Year: 1958

This gem was originally featured here, and is — to date — the only 1950s prom picture we’ve seen on Promtacular!

I’d like to start by discussing these fashions but I’m too distracted by the wallpaper. I mean, right? That is some WALL! PAPER! I also can’t tell if that’s the front door leading into to this 1950s living room. If so, I would think it’d be a little awkward to welcome people into your home only to have them walk head-first into your book shelves. But maybe that’s just me.

Anyway. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH HER TULLE? For one thing, I’d say that’s practically day-glo purple. But for another, is it supposed to look like it’s reaching skyward? Floating up a la The Seven Year Itch? To me, it kind of looks like Cinderella’s birds are still tending to it. Wouldn’t it be cool if her dress had birdie sound effects?

I’m pretty sure her hair and makeup have been done perfectly. Of course, I don’t know what would have been considered “cutting edge” in ’58. Is this the equivalent of crimping? Who’s to say?

And boy, her date sure looks fun, huh!? In an “I’m 18 but look 40 and stodgy” sort of way. What car do you think he’s driving?