This Teen Wore Her Mother's Prom Dress to Her Senior Prom

When 17-year-old Olivia Parker from Scottsdale, Arizona, was preparing for her senior prom, she had two dresses in mind: a dress that was being custom-made in China, and a backup one just in case. When her custom-made dress arrived she was pretty happy with it, so when a friend of hers had a dress crisis she was happy to give her the backup one. Then, on the day of prom, disaster struck.

"Prom day, I go get my hair and nails done and pick up my dress from the cleaners," Olivia told Seventeen.com. "As soon as I took the plastic off the hanger I knew something was wrong.  There was a big dark crease like it was burned when they pressed it.  It was right in front too, there was no way I could wear it.  It was totally ruined.  So I start freaking out because I gave my back up dress away!"

It's every teen girl's nightmare, but luckily mom swooped in to help. Rummaging through her closet, they found the dress that she wore to her prom in 1991 and decided to have Olivia try it on for fun. It fit perfectly!

"I put it on and I did love it!  It was a blast to dance in too!" Olivia said. "My friends all said I was lucky, their mom's dresses were typical '90s and not cool at all.  My mom has a great sense of style so I'm not surprised she would have a dress thats still wearable 25 years later.  She's just one of those people.  She was super happy I wore it and said it was worth dragging around all these years."

Indeed it was, look at that twirling action!

In the photos, the dress looks like the sparkles had all fallen off, but apparently that's just the lighting.

"I'm not quote sure why the rhinestones look more sparkly in my mom's picture," she said. "I think because her picture was taken at night they stood out more. A couple of the rhinestones have fallen off in 25 years but my mom replaced them with practically the same jewel."

And how adorably did she look with her date?

For Olivia's mother, Brande, the whole thing was obviously an emotional experience. Olivia recently graduated, which made her into even more of a wreck.

"It's midnight now, we're home and she's still crying!" she said.

Yes, Goddess! Every Look From the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards Red Carpet

Television is the new silver screen, and the Emmys red carpet is just as vital, if not more interesting, than the one at the Oscars. Who will buck trends? Who will wear couture? And what will our prodigal boyfriend Rami Malek wear?!?! Let’s find out on our continuously updating red carpet looks extravaganza!

America Ferrera, above, is looking like a boss in Jenny Packham. She just did a triathalon yesterday, according to her convo with my dreaded son Giuliana!


Transparent’s Emily Robinson is stunning in this starry tulle number; Randall Park went with a pretty standard tuxedo; Niecy Nash is gorgeous in white; Kate Linder is a clear sky at midnight.

Both my mom Kathryn Hahn and Tori Kelly, a terrific singer who needs better songs, are going for that super hot fall velvet situation; Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy, definitely top ten coolest couples in Hollywood, are looking just that; Shiri Appleby isn’t totally doing it for me in this cut-out gown, but I might like it in a different shade of blue.


Cute kids edition: Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, Jeremy Maguire (who vants to suck your blood) and Rico Rodriguez know how to work a red carpet, but none like Judith Light, lovely in this regal business-fancy gown.


Ariel Winter is going full chandelier; Cherry Jones has been to this shit and is over it and looks great; Reggie Watts is giving us the night’s best side-ponytail look; Sarah Hyland’s Monique Lhullier gown-pant is quite pretty, though I’m not sure the black trousers are congruous on the whole.


Alia Shawkat looks great in this easy, ‘70s-silhouette floral number; Jon Voight is doing a full mafia don silk scarf, which works for his on and offscreen character!; Lara Spencer’s wine and sequin gown is fine; Melora Hardin’s blue organza gown is fine.


Look, it’s your adopted children Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Millie Bobby Brown, who’s wearing Valentino Red! Just kidding, you can’t adopt them. They’re too famous now.

Constance Zimmer is extremely proper in this ready-for-tea column gown by Monique Lhullier; Gwendolyn Christie is always a little bit punk on the carpet, and here she looks like a vinyl record; Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld definitely don’t care about being here, but look good nonetheless; Trevor Jackson transposed the velvet trend onto a tux and I’m into it.

Here is a list of the top 7 styles available at the moment

All in all it is about how you feel about your figure and if a certain style shows more than you feel comfortable about, it would be better to go for a different style. Your whole appearance on the day will be affected by your level of confidence so choose a style that will flatter your body type and one you feel comfortable wearing, hold your head high and all of the attention will be on you.

1. Empire Prom Dresses - These dresses flatter any body type because of their raised waist line. The empire dresses have a fitted bust and then the fabric flows away from the body giving you an excellent silhouette. The fabric used in these dresses is normally satin which is more forgiving than the clingy jersey. Some design versions of these dresses can include some sexy long trains.

2. Short Prom Dresses - The demand for short hemlines is growing and with more and more girls preferring this style the designers have been creating more quirky and glamorous versions with many features from the longer dresses. When choosing this style remember your legs will be on show so make sure your comfortable with this before opting for this style.

3. Cinderella prom dresses - Everyone's favourite. These stunning ball gowns with their full tulle skirts make the wearer feel and look like a Princess. These prom dresses are mostly strapless but there are a few designers this season that have introduced halter designs. Each dress should come with detachable straps.

4. Hi-low Prom Dresses - Celebrity's are loving these dresses because the hemline is short at the front and the back finishes in a long glamorous train combining trendy and Hollywood glamor at the same time. If you choose this style, splash out on a pair of metallic chic heeled sandals. These sandals will be on display and will complete your whole look.

5. The Victorian Bustle Prom Dresses - These 'sort after' prom dresses are not so fairytale in appearance as the Cinderella prom dresses but they are as big. They give more of a grown up look to the wearer and can be very flattering because of their dropped waist and full shirt which starts from the hips rather than the waist.

6. Mermaid Prom Dresses - These styles of prom dresses take glamour to a new level with their figure hugging bodices and flared out skirts. They will exaggerate every curve making you feel ultra feminine. If you are confident with your figure and want to show it off then this is the style for you. These dresses can be strapless as well which gives you the opportunity to show off your shoulders.

7. Sexy Prom Dresses - These dresses are usually made from jersey which will emphasize every curve. Jersey is very clingy and heavy, which makes it hang perfectly but it will show certain undergarment lines. If you choose this style of prom dress think carefully about buying some seam free underwear it will be worth it. As far as embellishments are concerned, these dresses can be covered in sequins and the strap details can be heavily gemmed.

these tips will help you to be prepared when getting your prom dress altered for the perfect fit

When you're shopping for a dress for prom, consider these alteration tips! You'll know what to expect and be prepared to create a dress that fits your body perfectly on your special night.  

• Working with your dress: If your dress doesn’t fit you perfectly, try going up a size and having it taken in. This is recommended because it’s generally easier to take a dress in than to let it out. When you get a dress let out, you run the risk of having to choose a fabric that could mismatch your dress.  By purchasing a bigger dress, you don’t have to worry about a lack of fabric, and your tailor can work with the dress and your body. Similarly, if your dress is too long, you'll need to have the hem shortened to avoid tripping and fabric trailing. When you take your dress to get altered, try it on with the shoes you plan to wear, then have the tailor measure to make the hem work with your height.
• Where to go:  The first step to getting your dress altered is finding a place that is trustworthy and reliable. Bridal shops are great because seamstresses who have worked with wedding dresses are most likely comfortable altering any type of dress. Going to a private seamstress is a good option, but keep in mind that they may charge more for alterations. Even the dry cleaners can serve as a great and affordable place for minimal alterations. Another option that is extremely convenient is to have a family member with the right skills make the alterations for you.
• When to alter: Getting your dress altered should be planned in a way that will ensure your dress is done on time and fits properly. Going to get your dress altered about three weeks before your event is recommended because it allows enough time to make changes. If you get your dress altered too early, you run the risk of having it not fit properly, since our bodies are constantly changing with weight fluctuations. On the other hand, if you take the dress in too late, you run the risk of having a poorly done job or just not having time at all to have it altered.

most prom dresses offer more than enough support for your girls

so you don’t have to worry about them going anywhere. And, second off – your neckline will just look so much more flattering without a tight restricting bra. Not to mention, you won’t have to go through all the hassle of finding the perfect bra for your dress.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s discuss which necklines do the best job of showing off your cleavage. If you are looking to flaunt just a tiny bit of cleavage, aim for dresses featuring a sweetheart neckline. This is the neckline that kind of dips down into the bust forming half of a heart shape. It’s flattering for all busts, small and large – and yep, looks best without a bra. However, if you feel that you absolutely must wear a bra – look for something with padded cups and a shelf structure.

If your goal is to make your girls the star of the show, then your best bet is a gown with a v-neckline. This neckline can range anywhere from revealing just a bit of cleavage to dipping daringly low below the bust. Once again, the dress will most likely offer you all the support you need in the bust area, but if you really want to wear a bra there are choices. The best option for a v-neck gown is a silicone bra that supports the front of your cleavage with the help of adhesive cups (this is a great bra for backless dresses, as well) – but there are also strapped bras with plunging necklines that work just as great. Also, if your main concern isn’t really about bust support, but rather not having a bit of a nip-slip – there are adhesive silicone covers you can wear to ensure that you don’t experience any wardrobe malfunctions.

And, lastly – stop stressing out so much over your boobs! Whether you’re insecure and think that they’re too small or too big, they(and you, of course) are going to look great! Just relax, and remember that feeling beautiful is the #1 goal for prom night.