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You were pumped when that glitter-coated prom invitation came in the mail (so retro) but now that it's *actually* time to start planning your prom night ensemble, you're sweating over that Great Gatsby theme. A '20s (or '50s, or '70s, 0r '90s) look sounds chic in theory, but where do you even begin to start looking for a vintage-inspired dress to go along with the theme? Blink away those visions of digging through mothball-filled boxes in your grandma's basem*nt — a lot of current prom trends are actually based on past decades, so you'll be able to score a vintage prom dress online without breaking a sweat.
Even if you don't typically go for flapper fringe or over-the-top '80s sequins, you can still wear a retro dress that feels authentic to your style thanks to the huge range of throwback trends available for your styling needs. The 'fit is guaranteed to be vintage-inspired, but if you prefer, you can keep your hair, jewelry, and accessories totally modern to make even the most authentically vintage prom dress feel straight out of 2023. Ahead, browse the cutest vintage-inspired and legit vintage prom dresses from your favorite fashion eras.
Euphoria High meets disco daze! Those little round, flat sequins are called paillettes, and they were everyyyywhere in the late '70s and early '80s.
Lulus Fleur of Dreams Green and Pink Floral Print Organza Maxi Dress
Lulus Fleur of Dreams Green and Pink Floral Print Organza Maxi Dress
Puffy organza printed with bold florals serves ultimate drama. It's giving the energy of your grandmother's favorite dress from back when she was young, only chicer.
The poplin fabric and drop-waist give a vintage feel to a simple strapless dress. Think of the look as a blank canvas to style with lace gloves, a thrifted bag, or your mom's pearls.
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Shades of green for everything from fashion to furniture were hugely popular in the '70s. This shimmering chartreuse plunge gown is right on the money.
Elegant metallic sequins will make any girl feel like an old school movie star from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
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This metallic silver midi is the best of both worlds. You've got the '20s flapper-style fringe, with '60s Space Age-inspired bling.
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Now that's what we call a '90s slay. Dig deep to find your inner young Winona Ryder, and add a touch of dark lipstick to complete the vampy vibe.
Kelsey Stiegman
Senior Style Editor
Kelsey is Seventeen.com's fashion expert and resident Harry Potter nerd. At the office, she spends her day writing about style, beauty, and literally every move Kylie Jenner makes. On the weekends, you can find her sifting through vintage shops and hunting for the perfect burger. Follow her on Instagram at @klstieg.
Hannah Oh
Assistant Shopping Editor
Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.