15+ Nostalgic Prom Photos That Made Us Take a Walk Down Memory Lane

Once upon a time, graduates used to dress up not for social media photos, but for themselves and for one of the most touching moments in their lives. These photos from the past are like small windows into an era where the fashion, expression and atmosphere of graduation were very different.

“Prom 1959 to 2022: Grandma is still serving looks.”

“Parents at my father’s graduation party in 1981.”

• When you both go to the same salon before prom. © RB25POWER / Reddit

“My wife and I at her graduation, 1991”

“My mom getting ready for prom. Grandma didn’t like my dad, can you tell?”

“My uncle and aunt at the prom, 1971. She still looks amazing.”

“My parents at the prom”

• They look like celebrities of the time! © Haunting_Present_387 / Reddit

“My grandmother posing in a self-made prom dress. It’s from the mid-1940s.”

“My prom in 1993. The helmet hair, the sequins, the black pumps, the press on nails... hardcore early 90s right there.”

“My grandparents at graduation and on the wedding day”

“My mom’s graduation, 1976”

“My grandmother’s graduation picture, it’s from around 1942. I got my beautiful red hair from her.”

“My grandmother in a prom dress that her mom made for her. This picture was taken around 1953.”

• Wow, your grandmother was clearly ahead of her time. Very cool! © fuzzydogpaws / Reddit

“That’s us at our prom in 1988. This photo still makes me laugh.”

• Did you try to tease your hair and just ended up pissing it off? © Binged_Kelvin / Reddit

“My mom and dad at the prom, 1986. I still dream about her dress.”

“Grandma became prom queen. This is May 1957.”

“My parents’ graduation picture, 1971”

“My parents at prom, 1970s”

• What is your mom’s hairdo doing? That’s some obscure corner of 70s weirdness right there? © earthhominid / Reddit

“My mom and her boyfriend at prom, 1974”

• That guy sure had strong neck muscles to hold up that hair! © quietflowsthedodder / Reddit

“My dad with his prom date (not my mom, she hates this picture), 1980”

• With the look on her face, I get why your mom hates it. © Dmon1Unlimited / Reddit

“I made the dress myself out of the cheap satin.”

• Still hella impressive. Even more so if it held up throughout the night! © Anamorsmordre / Reddit

And these prom dresses sparked conversations everywhere.