Homecoming dress styles: Freshman year vs. Senior Year

(Photo Credit: Jackie Joyce)

“Sequins…so many sequins” recalls senior Jackie Joyce about the popular style dress of her freshmen year.

It’s that time of year again! Jesuit’s Homecoming is just around the corner and Academy’s girls are on the hunt for the perfect dress. The question is, what does the perfect dress look like? Dress styles change from year to year, so it is important to keep up with the trends. Typically, underclassman tend to go “all out” when picking their dresses. It’s common for freshman to lean towards glitter, sparkles, and sequins; a style that seems to have been a trend for 9th graders over the years. As the years go on, the glamour of the homecoming dress dies down and upperclassmen go for a more classic and simple look. At the homecoming dance this year, you will find all kinds of looks whether it’s a Ballerina dress from Sherri Hill or a Bodycon from Tobi.com.

Unlike years’ past, this freshman class is steering clear from the embellished first-year dresses and choosing dresses similar to ones upperclassman have chosen. Freshman, Molly Fleming, stated that “styles are changing and we have to keep up with the latest trends. I look at magazines like In Style and Glamour to get new ideas.” This is different than past years where girls dressed head to toe in glitter and sparkles.

Freshman Morgan Farrior said she “likes the long sleeve blue style of her dress.” and also mentioned that she “got a lot of ideas from Pinterest.”

Freshman Morgan Farrior's classic blue homecoming dress
Freshman Morgan Farrior’s classic blue homecoming dress. (Credit: Morgan Farrior)

 

Claudia Silver (freshman) chose her dress because of the open back: “I like how the front is very simple and classic. Then when I turn around, you can see the open back which gives the dress an edgy look.”

Freshman Claudia Silver's scrappy black homecoming dress
Freshman Claudia Silver’s strappy black homecoming dress. (Credit: Claudia Silver)

Senior, Pia Roca, commented that the glittered dresses were what was “popular at the time. Looking back, I dont know what I was thinking!”

Senior Pia Roca wearing a bedazzled dress at freshman homecoming
Senior Pia Roca wearing a bedazzled dress at freshman homecoming. (Credit: Pia Roca)

The seniors look back on their dresses from freshman year and all agree that dressing “all out” was suitable for freshman year, and freshman year only.

 

Jayne McLaughlin comments that “the one sleeve look was cute and flattering. The material was also very comfortable throughout the night. My style has changed over the years so I would never wear an outfit like this again.”

Senior Jayne McLaughlin at freshman year homecoming
(Credits: Jayne McLaughlin)
Senior Jayne McLaughlin at freshman year homecoming
Senior Jayne McLaughlin posing in her 2015 homecoming dress
(Credit: Jayne McLaughlin)
Senior Jayne McLaughlin posing in her 2015 homecoming dress

As senior homecoming approaches, Jayne mentions that she, “typically sticks to darker colors, so this year I wanted to go out of my comfort zone by doing a white lace halter dress. I like the simplicity of the color but I also like how it has a little bit of edge with the zig-zag edges.”

Looking back at her choice from The Look freshman year, Jackie Joyce (senior) comments, “I was into sequins freshmen year, because it was the popular trend. Now, I regret wearing it, because my style has changed completely since then.”

Senior Jackie Joyce, third from the left, wearing a strapless sparkle dress freshman year
(Credit: Jackie Joyce)
Senior Jackie Joyce, third from the left, wearing a strapless sparkle dress freshman year

Joyce’s choice for this year is a fun, but simple monochromatic style. “I don’t really like dresses that are really ‘out-there’. I prefer more casual dresses. Wearing this dress I feel a lot more comfortable; it’s not as itchy as my freshmen year dress. I love that the black compliments my body and I just feel good wearing it.”

Senior Jackie Joyce taking a selfie in her 2015 homecoming dress
(Credit: Jackie Joyce)
Senior Jackie Joyce taking a selfie in her 2015 homecoming dress