dress down a black dress

50 TEENS WHO WORE THEIR MOMS VINTAGE PROM DRESSES, AND ABSOLUTELY NAILED IT

Choosing the perfect prom dress can be quite stressful—unless your mom has an amazing one tucked away in her closet! More and more teens are opting to wear their moms’ vintage dresses for the big night, and you know what? They look incredible.

Who can blame them for borrowing? According to PromGirl, a leading online prom dress retailer in the U.S., the total cost of a prom night in 2017 could exceed $2,000! That’s if you go all out on limo rentals, a fancy dinner, and a professional photoshoot. Prom tickets alone often cost over $100, and a trendy dress can be four times that amount. By reaching for your mom’s vintage gems, you’re not only reviving chic retro styles but also saving a ton of money and stress—and you might just fill your mom’s heart with pride.

Recently, a high school senior named Ally Johnson from Hilliard, Ohio, chose to wear her mom’s stunning gown from 1995 to her own prom. “People were shocked; they didn’t believe it was my mom’s senior prom dress,” she told TODAY Style. “It’s a vintage, old Hollywood look.” Scroll down to see more beauties who looked picture-perfect for prom in their moms’ old outfits!

Who Wore It Better?

My Daughter Wore My Senior Prom Dress To Her Junior Prom (left: Mom 1990 / Right: Daughter 2014)

I Wore My Mom’s Wedding Dress!

My Daughter Wearing My Prom Dress

My Daughter Wore My Re-purposed Prom Dress From 1987 And Loved It!

Me In 2015, My Mom In 1986

Prom 2017, Prom 1992… The Same Dress

Saved Money On Prom By Going Vintage – I Wore My Momma’s Prom Dress

My Senior Prom Dress 1996, My Daughter’s Prom In 2017

My Daughter Wore My Prom Dress From 1990

I Dont Have A Picture Of My Mom In It But I Algered The Top To Make It Fit Me For Prom After My Mom Passed Away

1998 Vs 2017

Me And My Mom Our Junior Prom In The Same Exact Dres

My Mom Had Been Saving Her Old Prom Dress For All These Years Just So Her Future Daughter Could Try It On

Mother And Daughter Wearing The Same Prom Dress

She Didn’t Wear It To Prom But I At Least Got Her To Try It On And Stand In The Same Spot The Morning Of Her Prom Day At My Parents House….20 Years Later

My Oldest Daughter Trying On My Prom Dress A Couple Of Years Ago

My Daughter Wore The Same Dress I Wore In 1988 To My Senior Military Ball

Proud To Wear My Moms Prom Dress 22 Years Later

My Little Sister Decided To Wear My Mom’s Prom Dress For Her Prom This Year

Love That My Daughter Is Wearing My 17 Year Old Dress

My Daughters Prom Was This Past Weekend And She Wore My Prom Dress From 20 Years Ago. Black Dresses Are Never Out Of Style

Sharing As My Daughter Wore Mine Just This Past Sat! My Prom 1996, Hers 2017

My Wife And I 1997 Prom Our Daughter 2017 Prom Same Dress!

Me At Prom On The Left In 1990. My Daughter In My Dress Going To Her Prom In 2014

Mother And Daughter Wearing The Same Prom Dress

Mom’s Prom Dress

 I Think It’s The Most Beautiful, But I’m A Little Biased Toward My Own Family….1987 And 2017

Revamped My Mom’s Old Prom Dress And Wore It To My Senior Prom

My Daughter Has Always Said She Wanted To Wear Mom’s Dress For Her Senior Prom, Mission Complete

I Wore A Dress (Green) Passed From My Grandmother To My Aunt And Down To Me For My Sorority Formal And It Was Perfect!!

That’s Me On The Left In 1993 And On The Right – My Daughter In 2017, Wearing My Prom Dress. I’m Happy She Likes My Style

Mom And I Shared Several Dresses, 24 Years Apart

Since I Was Wearing My Mom’s Senior Prom Dress From The ’70s, We Had To Recreate This Gem

Wore My Mama’s Dress To Prom

Me (2017) In My Mom’s Junior Prom Dress (1996)

Wearing My Mother’s Prom Dress From 1983

I Wore The Same Dress My Mom Wore For Her Prom

My Daughter Wore My Prom Dress 19 Years Later ..!! 1998/2017

1989 Is Like, Super In Right Now

Wore The Dress My Mum Made When She Was 17. In 1987. And Wore It To My Senior Ball Last Weekend

My Daughter Wore My Gown To A Friends Senior Prom That I Wore For My Sister In Law’s Wedding 20 Years Ago

Me In 1996 And My Daughter, Zoe In 2016 Wearing The Same Prom Dress

Had The Privilege Of Wearing My Mom’s Dress To Prom Tonight

Prom 1980 Something And Prom 2016

My Daughter Did That. She Wore My Exact Prom Dress From My Prom

Wearing My Mom’s Prom Dress 25 Years Later!

The Mom On The Left Says Her Daughter Was Left Disappointed By A Dress She Ordered Online, So She Raided Her Closet And Found This Saucy Purple Number Instead

First Worn In 1962 – Last Worn In 2013. Mother, Two Daughters And One Grand Daughter

Tacky Prom Last Night!

HOW TO WEAR NAVY BLUE AND BLACK LIKE A PARISIAN, TOGETHER

If you asked most people whether they’d wear navy blue and black together, they’d likely say no. But for Parisians, it’s a different story. They tend to favor neutral tones like black, gray, brown, and navy blue. It’s puzzling why this pairing is considered a fashion faux pas by many, as when styled correctly, navy blue and black can look incredibly chic and sophisticated. Perhaps this is why Parisian women have embraced this combination for so long—they truly embody elegance and style. Scroll down to explore this intriguing color pairing; you might be surprised!

SOME STRIKING BLUE-BLACK OUTFITS

Here are some influential Parisians, including Inès de La Fressange and Caroline de Maigret, each showcasing their unique interpretations of navy blue and black. 

Their images are frequently spotted on Pinterest, effortlessly blending these two colors. One of my all-time favorite style icons, Emmanuelle Alt, is particularly skilled at pairing navy and black, making it look timeless and sophisticated.

Like black, navy blue exudes power, intelligence, and confidence. Personally, I love wearing colors that evoke this feeling.

Interestingly, this color combination isn’t commonly embraced in the States, and I’m not quite sure why. Perhaps it stems from a longstanding “rule” suggesting that these two colors shouldn’t be worn together. However, European designers have been championing this duo for years. Since the shades are quite similar, it’s essential to let one color stand out when styling them together.

THREE SIMPLE RULES FOR WEARING NAVY BLUE AND BLACK TOGETHER

MAKE THE COLOR STANDOUT

No matter how you choose to combine navy blue and black, ensure they contrast enough to stand out from one another. Otherwise, you risk creating a black-on-black look. Personally, I tend to wear black on the bottom and navy on top when pairing the two. However, it’s equally stylish to opt for navy pants with a black top or sweater.

ADD A CONTRASTING COLOR

Add a pop of color to your navy and black ensemble with accessories like brown boots; the contrast creates a sharp and polished look. You can also incorporate white for a crisp appearance, such as pairing a classic navy blazer with a white tee and black jeans. This fall, embrace bold colors by trying something unexpected, like a navy silk top paired with green trousers.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

If you’re not accustomed to pairing navy blue and black, start with something simple, like a navy blue dress with black pumps.

Alternatively, try a black sweater with a navy blue scarf. One of my favorite combinations is a navy coat—like my beloved Sézane Johnson or Sézane James coat—worn with black jeans.

A popular French style involves the classic navy Breton top paired with black jeans, seamlessly blending the two colors.

Navy Blue and Black Outfit Ideas

CONCLUSION

Embracing the timeless elegance of navy and black together is a sophisticated choice that echoes the Parisian aesthetic. By understanding the nuances of these colors and their harmonious interplay, you can create outfits that are both chic and effortless. Whether you opt for a monochromatic look or experiment with complementary accents, the combination of navy and black offers endless possibilities for expressing your personal style.