Over recent weeks Fairfax Media’s Australian Community Media network of websites and newspapers in every state and territory has published hundreds and hundreds of photos of high school formals held in country towns, regional centres and city suburbs across this wide, fake-tanned nation.
We have now deciphered for you the significant “fashion trends” in high school formal photos that have emerged in 2016.
As the proud parent of two beautiful young ladies, I'm the survivor of not two but four high school formals (Year 10 AND Year 12) so I know things.
And, yes, deciphering fashion trends from high school formal photos is most definitely a thing.
1. Young ladies looking glamorous in gorgeous gowns
The group shot is your staple high school formal photo - like this fab image from one of the galleries published by The Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga.
Note that everyone’s clutch bags are aligned at the front. Nice.
One rebel also has her iPhone at the ready for the next selfie. #alwaysinstaready
2. Cool kids and cool cars
Like Beaudesert Times journalist Jocelyn Garcia’s photo below, you can’t go past shiny couples posing next to shinier gleam machines hired to ensure a dramatic and/or stylish entrance. Something vintage, or hotted up, and loud is preferred. Yes, we’re talking about the cars.
3. Her Dad’s ute
There will always be a father who insists on driving his daughter and his daughter’s nervous beau to the ball in his massive and menacing pick-up truck.
Sometimes he might even stay parked outside the venue all night.
Watching.
4. Her dad’s big rig
Or maybe Dad drops his princess out the front of the venue in his Kenworth.
5. Forget the dresses, just show us the cars!
Yes, for some in our ever-growing online audience, a photo of glammed-up teens posing in front of cool cars is just a way to spoil a perfectly good photo of a sweet, sweet ride.
Thumbs up to journalist Tim Schaefer for catering to this overlooked segment of the audience in his coverage of the Boonah High parade.
6. Seriously, how cool are classic Mustangs
If only these two dashing young blokes from Victoria Point State High School in south-east Queensland had moved a little more to the left we might have seen more of the car.
Yep, that’s it, a bit more to the left. Yep, keeeeep going. A little more. OK, just two more steps.
Ahhhhh, that’s better.
Man, that is one sweet Mustang!
7. The newer Mustang models are pretty damn sexy, too
Snaps for these sensible chaps on their way to the Dapto High formal in NSW who step behind the vehicle and cleverly allow a late-model Mustang convertible - in what Ford helpful calls “shadow black” - do all the heavy lifting, style-wise.
OK, so it’s possible these three amigos were merely walking to the formal and Mum took a photo of them next to a Mustang parked in the street.
But who wouldn’t?!
It’s such a show pony, the Mustang. I want one.
8. If you don’t have a date for the formal, you bring a greyhound, of course
Yes, greyhounds really are the new black.
This handsome trio arrived at the Scone High School Year 12 formal in the NSW Hunter Valley with a greyhound on a leash.
As you do.
As furry, four-legged fashion accessories for the modern young gent go, this one makes quite the up-to-the-minute political statement. Yes, we’re looking at you, NSW Premier Mike Baird!
9. Jealousy is curse. But so is NOT going to Catholic College Wodonga
Somehow, Catholic College Wodonga’s Year 10 formal jagged guest appearances and performances by Hamish and Andy, Ruby Rose and The Veronicas.
I know, right. It totally sucks not to have finished Year 10 this year at Catholic College Wodonga.
Border Mail photographer Mark Jesser was there to capture the star-studded action.
And kudos to the guy in the bow tie who snapped a selfie with Ruby Rose without even putting down his pizza slice.
Those there are skills for life, my friend. #alwaysinstaready
