PARTY QUEEN / Jul 20, 2021

5 STYLE TIPS FOR SHORT HOMECOMING DRESSES

Homecoming will be here before you know it—do you have the perfect dress picked out?

Homecoming is a semi-formal occasion. Therefore, homecoming dresses are typically shorter in length. (Save the longer gowns for prom!) But beyond that, there are many styles to choose from. So where do you start? Right here, of course!

When shopping for your short homecoming dress, consider these five style tips to find one that’s right for you. Ready to turn heads?

1. Fit-and-flare dress silhouette

The fit-and-flare dress is a classic choice for homecoming. The silhouette—a fitted bodice flowing into a subtle flare below the hips—is incredibly versatile and flatters many body types. Plus, it’s comfortable for dancing. No wonder we see so many short fit-and-flare dresses at homecoming!

We love that they come in just about every style and iteration you can imagine. With sleeves or without. Embellished or minimalist. With an exaggerated flare or a softer one. Traditional or modern. There are no rules with this silhouette!

💞 Style tip: When shopping for your own homecoming dress, make sure to try it on and aim for a length just above the knee—the perfect length for a semi-formal occasion like homecoming.

2. High Neckline

Because a short homecoming dress will show more leg than a prom dress, you may want to consider a dress that has a high neckline—this can help balance out your look.

Our personal favorite? A high-neck halter dress. Exposing the shoulders is a great way to create an hourglass shape.

💞 Style tip: If you buy a dress with a high neckline, we recommend throwing up your hair in a loose bun or a half updo. Keep some loosely curled strands out to frame your face. Effortlessly chic!

3. Simple Hair and Makeup

Speaking of your homecoming hairstyle, we encourage you to keep things simple—and save the intricate updos for prom.

In fact, many girls choose to keep their hair down and naturally styled. If you’d like to pull your hair away from your face and shoulders (say, if you choose a higher neckline) then a half updo or pinning your hair are great styling options.

A natural face has been on trend for a while and it’s perfectly suitable for homecoming. Some mascara, bronzer, and highlighter are all you need for bright eyes and a subtle glow.

However, at the end of the day, you should style your look the way you want to! If you’d like to rock some bolder makeup—we totally encourage you to. With that said, we recommend choosing a bolder eye or bolder lip, not both.

💞 Style Tip: There will be lots of dancing at homecoming, make sure to use some hairspray to lock your strands into place!

4. Add Embellishments

To dress up your homecoming look, we recommend choosing a dress that features embellishments, or adding some sparkle through your accessories.

Why not? When else can you get away with it?

There are many different types of embellishments: glitter, sequins, bows, jewels, embroidery, and more.

💞 Style tip: If you choose a fit-and-flare dress, a satin or bedazzled waistband is the perfect way to add some glam, while accentuating your figure. When accessorizing, you can add sparkle through jewelry, your purse, or even your footwear! A dazzling shoe is a great way to tie together your homecoming look.

5. Add Final Touches

To complete your look, you can go several routes: an eye-catching shoe, a bold purse, or a feminine hairpiece, to name a few.

What’s the homecoming shoe of choice? Strappy heels. Just like a short homecoming dress, a strappy heel offers the perfect balance for a semi-formal occasion. As we already mentioned, we encourage you to channel your inner Cinderella and pick a heel with some sparkle.

If heels aren’t comfortable for you, no problem! Choose a flat or block heel to give you more stability on the dance floor.

When shopping for your homecoming dress, don’t forget to consider your purse. You’ll need something to carry your things! It’s the worst when you’re scrambling to get ready for an event and realize you have nothing that matches your outfit.

💞 Styling Tip: Go for a bold clutch! It can be patterned or a totally different color than your dress if you’d like. Turn this staple into a statement piece.

Ready to stylize your short homecoming dress?

Alright ladies, are you ready to shop and stylize your short homecoming dress? We have a feeling you now have some ideas for creating the perfect look!

If you’re looking for more homecoming inspo, take a look at this blog post: Turn Heads with These 6 Homecoming Dresses Fit for a Queen