Homecoming dressing has been fully rewritten by the internet, and the result is shorter, shinier and far less formal than the version their parents wore. Everything is chosen for how it holds up in a phone camera in a badly lit gym. This edit keeps to the three shapes that actually get picked: sequins, structured bodices and the plain short dress.
Hoco Dresses: The Short Dress Shortlist

Sequins and metallics
Shine is the whole strategy, because a flash lit photo eats anything matte. Sequins and metallics are the most photographed category of the season and they need almost no styling to work.

Supergirl Crystal Logo Embroidered Halterneck Mini Dress
David Koma

Alchemy Beaded Mini Dress
Zimmermann

Maraya Sequin Mini Dress
Bronx Banco

Ibiza Sequin Maraya Strapless Mini Dress
Bronx Banco

Ariel Sequins Mini Dress
Mother of All

Holly Sequin Mini Dress
Lovers and Friends

Rossa Sequin Mini Dress
Lovers and Friends

Velli Sequin Mini Dress
L'Academie

Trish Sequin Mini Dress
MAJORELLE

Camelia Sequin Mini Dress
Elodie the Label

Julia Sequin Mini Dress
Elodie the Label

Cindi Sequin Mini Dress
superdown
Corsets and structured bodices
The structured bodice is what makes a short dress look formal enough for the occasion. Boning, halters and strapless necklines hold their own shape through a night of dancing, which matters more than any styling trick.

Raspberry Sequin Maraya Strapless Mini Dress
Bronx Banco

Taffeta Halterneck Mini Dress
self-portrait

Lumira Strapless Mini Dress
ELLIATT

Celeste Strapless Mini Dress
ELLIATT

Deserae Halter Neck Mini Dress
Bardot

Vega Strapless Mini Dress
Bardot

Allira Halter Mini Dress
superdown

Elkie Halter Mini Dress
superdown

Hartlen Strapless Mini Dress
MORE TO COME

Klaudia Strapless Mini Dress
MORE TO COME

x REVOLVE Halter Mini Dress
SNDYS

Galadirel Strapless Mini Dress
ELLIATT
Short and simple
Not every dance dress needs to compete. A plain short dress in one colour reads more grown up than the sequin option and gets worn again after the event, which is rarer than it should be.

One Shoulder Drape Sleeve Mini Dress
Alex Perry

Ascent Drape Mini Dress
Zimmermann

V Neck Mini Dress
Zimmermann

Posey Mini Feather Dress
SANS FAFF

Mini Dress
LaQuan Smith

Draped Mini Dress
THE ATTICO

Paillettes Mini Dress
CHIO

Frosted Silver Mini Dress
LA FUORI

Noelie Mini Dress
The New Arrivals by Ilkyaz Ozel

Tokyo Mini Dress
Bronx Banco

Xenia Lace Cape-effect Mini Dress
The Andamane

Mini Bubble Dress
Kate Barton
Our honest take
Comfort decides how the night actually goes, and a dress that needs constant adjusting ruins every photograph it appears in. Do the test where you sit, dance and raise both arms before committing. If you take one thing away, pick the one you forget you are wearing.
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