Start making plans for HOCO!
If you’re wondering what to expect at homecoming this year, it’s really fairly simple. You’ll make plans to go with a date or with friends, you’ll dress up, and you’ll head to your high school for a fun night out. If this year’s homecoming will be your first, read on for a rundown of how it’ll look!
- High School Homecoming is Usually on a Friday Early in the School Year. The first big high school dance of the year is usually the homecoming dance. It typically takes place at the end of spirit week (aka, the time of the year when everyone celebrates school pride and wears their school colors). Think of it as a week for everyone in your school to get excited about the year ahead. That week ends with a homecoming dance to cap off spirit week. Usually it takes place on a Friday night, but there are some schools that schedule it on a Saturday, so be sure to check your school calendar.
- It Will Probably Either Be a Semi-Formal Dance or Super Casual. Chances are good that you’ll end up going to plenty of formal dances throughout your high school years, but homecoming is not usually one of those. Some schools host homecoming on the night right after the big home football game and encourage everyone to arrive in casual clothes (as in jeans). That said, most high schools go a bit fancier with a semi-formal dress code. Translation: Instead of long formal gowns, you’ll want to look for a shorter fancy dress. Knee-length dresses, dresses with high-low hemlines, or even jumpsuits are all fair game! (Need ideas? We have 100s of super cute homecoming dresses right here at PromGirl.) Of course, that's not to say you can't wear a longer or more formal style! As long as it's not against the dress code, you could go formal with your look to stand out and really glam it up at hoco. Just check out PromGirl's long homecoming dresses and you'll see what we mean!
- All Grades are Usually Invited to Homecoming. Homecoming is typically open to all grades, freshmen through senior, but check with your homecoming committee to be sure it's not just for upper classman (or that there aren't separate dances for freshmen and upper classmen). So, if this is your first homecoming and your school holds one big dance for everyone, prepare to see everyone–not just the other kids your age. Worried about being around all those upperclassmen? Don’t be. Chances are good that you’ll either go to homecoming with a date, a friend, or a big group of friends.
- If It’s Semi-Formal, You Could Go with a Date. When a school’s homecoming is semi-formal, some students choose to go with a date. So if you’re going out with someone, you’ll probably plan to go together. If that’s not the case, you might want to ask someone. Or, do it the old-fashioned way and wait for them to ask you. Our big piece of advice here: Don’t freak out if you don’t end up with a date. Homecoming isn’t a huge formal situation like prom. Which leads us to our next point...
- You Could Just as Easily Go with Friends. The truth is that having fun at homecoming is about the people you’re with, so if the date thing isn’t for you, we think it’s more than okay (in fact, probably more fun!) to go with a group of friends. It could be all girls, all guys, or a mix of your favorite people. The point is that you spend the evening dancing with the friends you love (not stressing out over whether your date is having a good time).
- Even If It’s a Semi-Formal Attire, It Won’t Look Anything Like Prom. Yep, you read that right. Homecoming is not even close to the level of formality of prom. While you might wear a cute dress and you may even exchange corsages and boutonnières with your dates or friends, the dance itself probably won’t be as fancy as prom. Think DJ in the gym vs. live band at the nearby country club.
Okay, feel set on all the homecoming deets? Now, it’s time to get shopping! Check out our favorite PromGirl short dresses for homecoming and long hoco dresses right here!
