Back in Time - Prom

Evelyn
ready for Prom
approximately 1958 or 1959

Traditionally, most high school proms in this area are held from mid-April to early May. In the fifties, the gowns were mostly strapless with a net shawl attached with snaps. The skirt had layers of netting to create the full skirt.

If I remember correctly, my sister's dress was a pale, mint green and very scratchy.

Prom dresses as well as wedding dresses were ordered from the Sears Roebuck, Montgomery Ward, and JC Penney catalogs well into the 1960s. I don't remember seeing a local bridal shop until I was in high school.

The corsage of choice (until the late 60s) was a large, single orchid. In order to keep the memories of that special night alive, the orchid were stored in the refrigerator until the petals turned brown. Wrist corsages made with roses and/or carnations were also popular. These flowers were often dried by hanging them upside down.

Roy Sargeant and Peggy Vaughn
DODDS teachers
Robert D. Edgren High School
Misawa, Japan
April 1980

I've attended more Proms in my life than I care to count; most as a chaperone or class advisor. The first Prom I chaperoned in Japan was held at the Officer's Club, and the second at the Club House at the golf course. Roy and Peggy (pictured above) were both from the South: Roy from Arkansas; Peggy, Mississippi. Peggy's lovely, silk dress was custom-made in Hong Kong over Christmas vacation. Peggy taught English; Roy, math at Robert D. Edgren High School.

Please share a Prom memory or describe a special dress that you wore to your high school Prom.