Despite the long and complicated history of prom (dating all the way back to the 1850s!), one thing has remained true: the event is not just a dance; it’s a moment to remember. Especially for seniors, it’s a special night to commemorate all the hard work you’ve put in. Throughout its nearly two centuries of iterations, trends and cultural norms have shifted drastically, especially in fashion and technology. But for the class of 2026 and 2027, the idea of prom as a marker of accomplishment, a time to celebrate friendship, and, of course, show off your style, still rings true.

To celebrate the end of prom season, we invited 20 of the most fashionable teenagers from schools throughout the Northeast to wear their looks and tell us exactly what prom is like this year. And the result? Proof that prom is a celebration and a closure, filled with style, connection, and, of course, dancing.

“I think it’s nice to see how everybody, all the kids in the senior class that are going to prom, are planning to really just hang out before and after [rather] than just go to prom and be at prom. I feel like it’s what happens before and after [that’s] probably going to make the prom.” – Jonah

“Prom symbolic of like, ‘We did it!’ You know what I mean? I think it’s that celebration [where] finally we can have fun and look back and be like, ‘We did this, that, and the third for so long. Let’s just relax and let ourselves go and have a good night.’” – Rosa

Nyla wears a dress from Macy’s.

Luna Alatorre