On April 26th, the most important dance in one’s high school career happened: prom! This year’s prom had many unique offerings, such as a Ferris wheel, casino tables, a taco cart, a live band and a DJ. The prom theme was “The Great Gatsby,” inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel and subsequent movies. The theme reflected a 1920s aesthetic known for long, loose gowns, fringe, sequins and loud statement pieces.  Though prom is only one night, the preparation started long before the event. In the weeks before, students start the search for the perfect outfit. 

Really bringing the theme to the party is Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) senior Elizabeth Volonte, who restored a vintage dress from the 1920s.

“In December of last year, I found the dress at a consignment store in Idaho Falls, it was being sold by the owner who received the dress as a donation from the original dress owner’s daughter,” Volonte said.

“The dress was in poor condition, torn in several places with much of the mesh suffering from dry rot, as most 1920s gowns are prone to… I resewed much of the sequins and fine lacework and affixed the mesh in a more stable fashion.”

She paired the dress with a few necklaces and open-toed dark blue high heels to really complete the “Great Gatsby” look.

Another dress inspired by the “Great Gatsby” theme is Bella Kovack’s, who is a junior at HBHS. She wore a long black gown from Windsor, which is a dress shop that has summer dresses to beautiful gowns for prom, while sticking to a reasonable price. The dress was covered in sequins that were arranged as if they were twisting all over the dress. The dress also had a low cut of mesh in the front and an open back. 

Kovack said, “I liked the cut and shape of it! I thought out of all the dresses I’ve seen and tried on that day, it was the most unique! I also liked that it was glittery and had unique embellishments on the back.”

She wore long dangling earrings and dark red nails to match her boyfriend’s tie.

Taking a different approach but giving off the perfect “Barbie” vibe is Peyton Trenda, an HBHS junior. The dress is a vibrant hot pink with a high slit that wraps around to the left side of her body. It features a beaded corset, adding a touch of elegance, from Lady Black Tie. Lady Black Tie is another dress shop that also has a wide range of dresses on the classier side.

Trenda said, “I liked it because of the color and the detail on the corset top.”

Sticking with the “Great Gatsby” theme is Geneva Longheyer. She got her dress from Babeyond, a dress shop that focuses on 1920s style pieces.

Longheyer said, “I really love the color and how flattering it looked on me… I initially was between two dresses, and I settled on this one because I felt that it was a little bit higher quality and the lines were cleaner.”

Longheyer had a half-up, half-down hairstyle to really show off the statement earrings and necklace to pair with the dress. They were silver and bejeweled, adding that extra amount of “Gatsby” glamour. 

Many teachers and staff members worked hard to make this night a success for the students of HBHS. So as the last dance fades and the memories linger, the prom dress becomes more than just a gown but a special memory that will last forever. Whether you choose to keep or donate the gown, the reminder of joy, friendship and unforgettable memories will never fade away.