Short prom dresses are elegant dresses that do not reach the ankles. Short prom dresses allow the wearer to show off their legs and their prom shoes. They are lighter, easier to dance in, and tend to be cheaper because they take less material to make. A shorter prom dress gives illusion of added height for shorter girls.eDressMe: Prom Dress Guide However, choosing a dress that is too short might compromise formality.

Short prom dresses generally come three lengths: Tea length, knee length and miniskirt.

• Tea length dresses extend to about mid-calf. This length effectively conceals the knees and thighs while allowing the wearer to show off their ankles and prom shoes.

• Knee length dresses extend to the knee. These dresses may conceal the hips, depending on the dress style and allows wearers to flaunt their knees and calves.

• Miniskirt dresses end just above the knee. Some feel that these short dresses are not formal enough for prom.

Short prom dresses also allow for more creative and playful skirt styles, including hi-low and ruffled hemlines, and high split and full skirts.

Hi-low hemlines are shorter in the front and longer in the back.

Ruffled hemlines, as the name implies, contain ruffles and can give the dress a touch of femininity.

High splits are splits in the skirt that go up to the mid thigh. They allow you to show off your legs without compromising formality.

Full skirts are layered for a fuller bell shaped look.