Promtacular!

Disco Stu & Stoner O’Hara

Posted on June 15, 2010 by promtacular! in 1970s prom, Backdrop FAIL, Mullets, On The Plantation, Prom or Costume? | 2 Comments

Year: 1970s

This photo was originally posted here, submitted by Cheryl. She writes, “My husband’s prom picture, ‘John & Joan,’ isn’t too bad, but don’t you just LOVE that crushed velvet jacket???”

Oh, come now, Cheryl. “Isn’t too bad” doesn’t do this masterpiece justice.

The crushed velvet — in sexy, sexy brown — is a fabulous starting point, sure. But did you happen to notice that it’s been paired with a ruffled shirt and ruffled man-hair to match? Really? You have nothing to say about the state of your husband’s hair in this photo? It’s like he’s wearing man ringlets! RINGLETS!

And now that I’ve shouted RINGLETS! at you, may I draw your attention to Joan.

Joan! She has ringlets! Like, the real kind! To go with her Scarlet O’Hara dress. Because for no reason! But what I love the most about the dress is that it’s totally in the On The Plantation style, but toned down to be 70s-appropriate. BRILLIANT! And while she has created fantastic ringlet-y curls, she’s still letting her hair fall into her face.

As for the backdrop, well. You tell me: high school or someone’s house? Either way, I love that it’s not a plain brick wall: it’s a brick wall with candles. That makes it festive and totally prom-appropriate.

Right?

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On…The Carpet?

Posted on April 30, 2010 by promtacular! in 1970s prom, Bizarre Backdrops, Feathering As A Lifestyle Choice | 4 Comments

Year: 1978

I do what I can to give you all something special on Fridays, something you can savor over the weekend. And if this photo doesn’t qualify as something special, I don’t know what does.

I just…and then…with the blue and the…floral…so much orange…with…and then also the…are those pillars painted into the foreground? what on earth…and…but…

brown carpet. I can’t even find words to begin to express all the amazingness that’s going on here, but it’s the brown carpet that knocks this one out of the park.

Enjoy!

Weekend Special: The Big Top!

Posted on April 24, 2010 by promtacular! in 1970s prom, Bizarre Backdrops | 2 Comments

Year: 1970s, Redux

I hope you enjoyed the photo below, because here we have — I’m pretty sure — the same couple, a year later.

Sadly, the prom committee has abandoned the Red Brick Castle Casino theme, and apparently moved the prom into someone’s livingroom/Big Tent! I mean, there’s no two ways about it: this prom has a theme, and that theme is CIRCUS! BECAUSE FOR NO REASON!

I always get a kick out of proms with a theme, because it’s as though no one realizes that proms are already themed. You know, with PROM. Proms are supposed to celebrate students’ promotion to their next phase in life.

Or, in some cases, their next phase in life as it relates to trapeze artists.

Anyway. This couple apparently got the memo that “hair forward” was out of vogue, and so they both swept their locks back this year. She’s still sporting a tablecloth-inspired dress, but she’s found a far more risque tablecloth, what with it having no sleeves and being so short you can see the tops of her shoes. (Slut!)

I love that this year, our dapper fellow abandoned “accessorizing” with red and instead went full-on red shirt…and kept the ruffles! That’s pretty amazing. (Why red? Who cares?) And this year, his pants are the right length! Um, but his jacket sleeves aren’t.

Oh, well. They look happy. I just hope they appreciate their send-off into the world along side a clown car and bearded lady.

Full (Little) House (On The Prairie)!

Posted on April 24, 2010 by promtacular! in 1970s prom, Backdrop FAIL, Bizarre Backdrops | 2 Comments

Year: 1970s

At first glance, this is “just” a prom photo from the 70s. On closer inspection, though, it’s remarkable how much amazingness fit into this one shot.

Shall we start with their hair? That they’ve both got shags going — even though the results are TOTALLY different?

Her look is, as I think we’re learning around here, quintessential 70s. I think she’s wearing glasses. And there is definitely a fine assortment of lace/applique plus buttons and giant corsage that, along with the dress’s soft cotton and length and style gives it that somewhere-between-Little-House-on-the-Prairie-and-tablecloth effect that all the girls wanted for reasons I will never understand.

Meanwhile, this very handsome man has got the ruffles, the wide lapels, the giant red boutonniere, and…is that a racing stripe down the leg? Did he steal his pants from the marching band? Is that why they’re too short?

Lastly — but not leastly — we have the setting. I mean, this is really something. I sort of get the sense that the prom people thought the brick would look a little like a castle. Don’t you? Isn’t that what all the regal adornments (i.e., the throne, the houseplants in gothic urns) are about? Except, um, I don’t think too many castles were made out of red bricks. And can you explain to me why there are giant playing cards sitting on the throne?

Was this a themed prom? Do you think those cards suggest gambling? Or…um…Well, what else could cards mean? They mean casino night. In the dark, red brick castle. For no reason! HAPPY PROM!

Dazed And Confused: Prom Night

Posted on April 15, 2010 by promtacular! in 1970s prom, Where's Your Bra? | 1 Comment

Year: 1976

This Flickr contributor simply labels this post: “Butch’s Prom.”

I love this photo for about 900 millionteen reasons, but I think the main reason is because this couple looks great. They look happy, and happy to be together, and perfectly pleased with their prom outfits ZOMG AS WELL THEY SHOULD BE.

This is one of those rare photos where the couple — despite being all decked out — still look exactly like themselves.

Bow tie the size of Butch’s face? Dude, totally. Is his date wearing a bra? Who cares.

Did they stay clean and sober all night? AHAHAHAHA.

But would you? If you had to exist as a teenager in a world where faux wood paneling was celebrated, where brick and dried straw jutting out of vases was the height of home fashion, and where your TV weighed as much as your car? I think not.