My fabulous friend, Colleen turned 40 on Saturday and threw herself an 80’s-style prom party. It was an absolute blast!!
Everyone dressed up! There was lots of neon, lace, big bows, arms full of bracelets, skinny ties, flipped up collars, leg warmers and pearls. Even the 80’s cover band, that provided enough dance music to last a lifetime, Orange County’s own, Tijuana Dogs got into the spirit.
All of my girlfriends and I have been fretting about our “prom” attire for months and it turned out for many, Ebay was the way to go. Who knew?
I, on the other hand, being the pack rat that I am still have my ACTUAL Jessica McClintock prom dress! With a little alteration to the bust line, I wore it! Crazy, huh?! I couldn’t believe it still fit either. Or that I even kept it!
I tried to mimic my 80’s hair style: big and curly and make-up: blue eyeliner and mascara. Although naturally curly, my hair doesn’t quite take a curl like it used to. Even with half a canister of mousse.
The cast of characters may have changed, hopefully we are all a little wiser. There were way more beer bellies, wedding rings and crow’s feet this time around, but the music is still the same, my friends make the world a better place and I found myself wishing the party would last All Night Long, just like I did at my high school Senior prom.
THEN
My prom date was my boyfriend at the time. He had just given me the watch I’m wearing as a graduation present. Lovely gift, but looks so out of place now.
NOW
Colleen and I and our rad dates.
The birthday girl and Matt, the Tijuana Dogs lead singer.
Does this pose look familiar?
Feels just like 1988!
I must admit, I had WAY more fun at this prom than at my own back in ’91. Maybe it was the alcohol or the music, the company or the pure nostalgia of it all, but everyone had a permanent grin on their face the entire night and my legs still hurt from dancing!
One of the best parts of the whole evening was being dropped off by Todd’s mother, who was in town visiting us for the weekend.
She waited up for us too!
This post was originally for Wordful Wednesdays and if you want to link up or see some really beautiful photographs, please visit Alicia at A Beautiful Mess and see how she effortlessly turns ordinary photos into a works of art.
This post was reposted for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, Prompt 4.) My prom dress.
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A couple of years ago I went to a Bachelorette weekend in Chicago and we all dressed up and went to the Awesome 80's Prom – and it was the best girls night ever!
All kinds of impressed that you fit into your dress, and let me be the first to tell you, you wear it even better now!
I miss the 80's!
Hilarious! Two things: One: I would like to fit into my prom dress again. I could a few years ago. Now? Anyway. Two: Your dress isn't all 80's awful at all!
Looks like a fun party!
This. is. AWESOME! I think I might have to do this myself one day! I love a good party 🙂
I love it!!! I had a 80's themed party a few years ago for my bff… Yea. only me and 3 other girls dressed up… out of 25 people. and we had no 80's music. cuz the bff was supposed to handle that. and forgot! lol.
I love the pictures and your dress. That looks like a rockin party!
So totally awesome. Like for sure!
I love and hate that you could a)fit into your dress and b) that you still had it!
Thanks for sharing!
This is so totally awesome! And I would say that even if you didn't have an 80s theme going! LOL
Really, how cool is that theme, that everyone went along with it, and that your dress STILL FIT?! What an awesome party and what must have been just an awesome night!
What a blast you had! Look at all that neon. Can't believe you fit into your dress. So freakin' wicked.
That looks like SO MUCH FUN!!!! And, I am so impressed that you fit into that dress. Go, you!!
Looks like you had a blast. I can't believe you fit into your prom dress – you rock!
OMG, not only is that exactly the party I'm planning for my 40th bday, but you're wearing my prom dress! I totally wore that Gunne Sax (I think it was) navy sequinned strapless number to prom and unfortunately so did Shannon Culver. Sigh… Looks like you had so much fun! Makes me sure this is a good idea… 🙂
You look amazing! There is no way I'd fit into my old prom dress. I'm seriously impressed.
Tonya, this looked like so much fun! Like you, I still have not only my senior prom dress but junior prom, too….mine were 10 years before yours, though! The styles were long and slinky…pre-Spanx!
What an awesome idea for a b-day party, too! Glad you had fun..loved the pics!
Omg I love all the pics. I love the original one of you in the 80's wearing nylons- gah! I love the look on your boyfriend's face too.
How awesome are you for still fitting into your prom dress? I'm giving you a virtual high five right now.
So funny! I love the way you all look so happy! It looks like you had a blast and I think you look really good in your prom dress! The photos are excellent! xoxo
How fun. Aww… the good ol' 80s. I'm shocked when I shop now how easy it is to find some of those said items. lol. But the hair will NEVER go back!
That is so cool that you guys did this! What a fun idea. Love that cake.
That is rad!!! We are so from the same era. I was thinking a trip for my 40th, I may reconsider. You are a hottie. I wonder if I could fit in mine? Naww 🙂
Try it on and have Hank take a picture. I wanna see!
Wow. Just wow. I would totally do this if I had my junior and senior prom dress (I could just sew them together and voila)
Loos like a great party!
Thanks. I was shocked as well, but as I said last night on Twitter, it’s all about the A-line.
Okay I have to admit I was born in the 80’s but I remember the music because my mother listened to it. I love the idea of an 80’s party! Looks like it really was a blast!
My friends and I and especially the birthday girl had a blast!!
One of the best things about the 80’s was the music.
You ROCKED that dress BOTH times!! What a fun party idea!!
Thanks so much. It was an awesome party!
OMG Tonya, you look beautiful and rad! How great you were able to wear the SAME dress, and can I just say that I hate you for still fitting into it? I’m kidding, sort of. *ahem*
Sounds like a TON of fun! I think that is what I’m going to do for my 40th!
Thanks, it’s all about the A-line skirt. 🙂
My friends and I had a blast!
That party looks like so much fun! Although Im an 80s baby–I love all things 80s! Go you for still fitting into your prom dress, and looking HAWT!
Thanks, I was very impressed with myself.
Mommy dropped you off? Then picked you up again? That’s perfect.
You are just as cute now – in fact, cuter!
But wait, there were beer bellies and wedding rings at the first prom?
We still laugh about my mother-in-law dropping us off. We cabbed it home because she was watching our son for the night. Good times!
That looks like a blast. I’ve got my Jessica McClintock dress up as well. I couldn’t keep it though because all the glitter stained the blue satin. Love how you can still wear it–fabulous!
Cheers to you!
Love that party idea! You guys look like you had a blast!
So much fun. The line about the permagrins is 100% true.
That is just way too much fun! Such a fabulous idea.
And wow- still fitting in your prom dress!!!
I know, can you believe it?! Shocking. With a minor alternation to the bust line.
Wonder if I’ll get to wear it again?
Nah… twice is enough.
Love it 🙂
Thanks, it was a super fun night. Both times. 🙂
That looks like an AWESOME party!!
She went all out! The balloon arch is the same kind we stole from our Prom!
And the cake looks amazing!
GREAT pictures!
Thanks. It was an awesome night, full of memories and nostalgia. There are 100’s of photos. So hard to choose just a few for this post.
That looks like so much fun. I don’t have my prom dress, but I’d just go grab a dress at Savers and do the same thing! Maybe I’ll do that for the ten year anniversary of my 21st birthday! 😉 Ha!
That would work! Also, eBay! Tons of 80’s style prom dresses.
Seriously so much fun! Love!
Thanks, Galit. It was a blast… both times. 🙂
’91 rocks! That cake = awesome (can I just tell you we recently found an entire bag of cassette tapes). And OMG YOU HAD A RIDE! FROM HIS MOM? How cool is that?
Still, then or now, you’d be so jealous of my prom dress. So jealous. I feel your envious eyes upon your viewage of its orangeness.
I did not get to go to my senior prom (junior prom was at a rival high school) so I think this is doubly awesome. What a great idea for a 40th birthday. Stopping by from Mama Kat’s…