What to Wear to HOCO 2025: Homecoming Dress Ideas
Being the first dance of the year, homecoming is everyone’s first opportunity to dress up in beautiful formal attire and have a good time. This dance is an opportunity for self-expression via your hair, makeup, and of course, your dress!
What to Wear to HOCO
What should you wear to homecoming? Well, there really are no rules! You should wear whatever makes you feel amazing. However, if you’re looking for inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll share some homecoming dress ideas to help you figure out what style you’d like to wear to your upcoming HOCO dance.
Corset Dresses
Corset dresses have become quite popular, perhaps due to the virality of the cottagecore hashtag on social media, or perhaps because they snatch your waist and flatter your figure. Whatever the reason, we love corset dresses and think they’re elegant and gorgeous.
Some corset dresses are made with a real corset structure: they have a lace-up back and boning in the bodice. These types of corsets can be slightly less comfortable to wear, not because they’re tight (a well-fitting corset should be easy to breathe in), but because the structure makes you sit and stand up straight and prevents slouching.
There are also faux corset dresses that do not have any boning in them; instead, the corset is simply an illusion made by sewing on fabric boning that does not have any actual structure to it. These types of corset dresses are more comfortable and still beautiful, but may not snatch your waist quite as much.
Neon Dresses
If you want to stand out, consider wearing something bold, like a neon-colored dress. Sherri Hill has a neon dresses in gorgeous colors such as hot pink, bright orange, and lime green. These dresses are sure to be showstoppers.
Jumpsuits
Another bold option would be to wear a jumpsuit. Jumpsuits are certainly a less traditional choice, which makes them stand out. Some girls may also find them more comfortable for the modesty they can provide.
Sequin and Beaded Dresses
Sequins and beads, especially rhinestones or crystals, are a fun choice as they can catch the light and glitter when you move. Some dresses will use pearls instead of rhinestones, and though this style won’t sparkle as much, it does come across as very elegant and classy, and the texture the pearls provide creates interest.
Long Dresses
Long dresses come in many different styles — mermaid, A-line, ball gown — and can offer a bit more modesty to those who don’t want to worry about keeping things covered on the dance floor. Though homecoming has often been seen as less fancy than something like prom, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear a long, flowing dress.
Follow the Dress Code
Many schools have a dress code that also applies to their formal dances. They won’t allow students to wear dresses that are too short, show too much cleavage, or have too many cut-outs or mesh panels. Some schools also may not allow dresses with especially high slits cut into the skirt.
It’s important to check your school’s dress code when shopping for a homecoming dress. It would be a waste of money and a huge disappointment to get turned away at the door or told to go home in the middle of the dance because a teacher or supervisor feels your outfit is breaking the school rules.
What to Wear to HOCO: Find the Best Dress for You
The best dress for you is obviously the one that you feel the most amazing in! Trends are fun and can help you find inspiration for something you like, but never be afraid to ignore trends and choose something that feels like you. Just remember to follow your school’s dress code so that you can enjoy your homecoming dance without issue.