Prom dresses from movies that make us feel like sweet 16 again
Prom, summer ball, leavers do, school disco whatever you call the giant celebration of leaving school, planning which prom dress to wear is terrifying.
So let's look back at the most famous prom dresses in film (thank you all American High School movies ever) - from Sandy in Grease to Andie's 80s look in Pretty In Pink - for inspiration. If nothing else, it'll show you what you definitely don't want to wear. And remember - even if it all goes tits up, and your strap breaks and you fall over in your heels - that life doesn't end after prom.
Alamy10 Things I Hate About You
Maybe it's just because we wish Heath Ledger had been our school prom date, but we are irrationally fond of Julia Styles' end-of-school evening look - it's nostalgia over style. It smacks of the Noughties - a silk mxi dress with a cowl-neck and spaghetti straps, worn with a pashmina (obviously) and scraped back hair.
Getty Images10 Things I Hate About You
Now this was an unusual look, although it does remind us of a similar look that Rihanna wore 2015 Grammys dress, all pink and louffa-like.
AlamyThe Virgin Suicides
Granted, Lux (played by Kirsten Dunst) didn't end up having the best prom (she has sex with her date on the school sports field and then the bastard runs off after she falls asleep), but she looked beautiful, like a 70s-inspired prairie angel in a demure floaty dress with a floral print.
AlamyNever Been Kissed
Drew Barrymore's 80s prom dress from Never Been Kissed reminds us of Saint Laurent's autumn/winter 2016 show - just look at that metallic sheen, ruffles and exaggerated sleeves. All she needs to do is cut off about five inches from the hem and she's a Hedi Slimane muse in the making.
AlamyThere's Something About Mary
Things took a decided downturn after this sweet looking meet-up (Ben Stiller's character gets his penis stuck in his zip in what is one of the most gruesome scenes in cinematic history), but didn't Cameron Diaz looks princess pretty? It's very 70s-inspired and ultimately very flattering in terms of shape and colour.
AlamyBack To The Future
Lea Thompson, who played Lorraine Baines in Back To The Future, still has the full-skirted, strapless prom dress she wore, even 30 years on. A classic prom style, it's form-fitting and super feminine.
Rex FeaturesPretty In Pink
Nothing says 80s fashion more than Molly Ringwald's polka dot pink dress in Pretty In Pink. We raise our hats to a teenager brave enough to wear an ugly pink sack to prom and still find her happy ending.
Rex FeaturesMean Girls
Cadey Heron (Lindsey Lohan) wasn't supposed to go to her prom , she was actually grounded after trashing her parents' house when they were away and for failing all her exams, but she's a badass so turned up anyway wearing a varsity jacket, jeans and a tiara.
Rex FeaturesFootloose
Another 80s classic, the dress Lori Singer wore to prom has distinctive new season Gucci vibes - ruffled, colourful and off-the-shoulder.
Rex FeaturesGrease
We've long since given up on mastering the hand-jive dance as well as Sandy and Danny from Grease, but there is still hope of mimicking Sandy's pretty little white dress. We're also into her corsage - another Gucci nod.
