Proms are getting younger…

You might have a year 6 prom or older kids might have a year 10 or 12 prom but the idea of the prom actually started in 19th-century American universities, where formal “promenades” were hosted to teach students proper manners and etiquette. These were elegant dances, not the glitzy high school events we know today – think gloves, classical music, and no limos in sight.

High School Proms Took Off in the 1930s

By the 1930s, high schools across the U.S. had adopted prom as a rite of passage for seniors. It quickly became a celebration of growing up, graduation, and (let’s be honest) dressing to impress. Its popularity exploded post-WW2 alongside the rise of teen culture.  It wouldn’t catch on in the UK for quite a while after that, with teenagers around that time only being allowed to attend rather tame tea dances.

Proms Don’t Have to Cost a Fortune!

In the U.S., the average prom-goer spends over $1,000, including outfits, transport, tickets, and beauty treatments. In the UK, the cost is lower but rising fast – with some families spending hundreds on dresses, makeup, fake tans, and even professional photographers. Savvy prom goers know that you really don’t need to spend that much – you can get amazing vintage or second hand outfits and after all the memories will last longer than makeovers!

Limos? Try Tractors and Tanks

While stretch limos are the classic prom transport, some students have arrived by fire engine, tractor, boat, and even military tanks. One teen in Yorkshire turned up in a hearse. If it’s road legal (or dramatic), it’s been used for a grand entrance.

Some Schools Ban Promposals

“Promposals” – elaborate invitations to prom often involving posters, costumes, and sometimes flash mobs – are now so extra that some schools ban them. They’ve been criticised for putting students under pressure, being disruptive, or showing off wealth.

Proms Were Once Segregated

Shockingly, racially segregated proms still existed in parts of the U.S. into the 2000s. In Georgia, one high school held its first integrated prom in 2013, organised by students themselves. The story made global headlines and inspired a documentary.

Prom King and Queen Are a (Relatively) New Tradition

The American tradition of crowning a Prom King and Queen didn’t become widespread until the 1950s, and it’s not something that’s been picked up as much in the UK. It evolved alongside Hollywood’s romanticised high school ideal. These days, many schools are replacing the titles with more inclusive awards like “Prom Royalty.”

Tuxedos 

Some people like to wear the super formal suit to a prom known as a “tuxedo” –  you might not know that it’s named after an area in New York known as Tuxedo Park, where American party goers adopted the look inspired by the British “Dinner Jacket” as favoured by Edward VII, Queen Victoria’s eldest son, who became King in 1901.

UK Proms Are New!

School proms are a relatively new phenomenon in the UK, gaining traction only in the 2000s, thanks in part to American teen movies like High School Musical. Before then, most UK schools had a low-key “leavers’ disco” – with far less glitter but just as much fun.

The Most Extravagant Prom Ever?

In 2014, one Canadian teen’s prom stunt went viral when he rented a helicopter and touched down in his school’s field. Not to be outdone, a Russian oligarch’s daughter allegedly spent £400,000 on her prom – including designer gowns and pop stars.