School Formal Dresses

Q: What should I wear to a school formal?

Whatever makes you feel amazing, within the dress code. Most school formals lean formal or black-tie, so think a floor-length maxi, a midi , or a dressy mini if that’s more your thing. Satin, lace, sequins and corset styles are all classic formal territory. Check whether your formal has a theme or a colour everyone’s steering clear of (looking at you, white), then pick something that fits the brief but still feels like your taste. When in doubt, a little more glam is never the wrong call.

Q: How formal is a school formal, exactly?

That comes down to the dress code on the invite. ‘Formal’ or ‘black tie’ means go all out, floor-length or a seriously dressy shorter style. ‘Semi-formal’ is a step down, so a cocktail-length dress or a smart mini works. A ‘winter formal’ is the same idea, just with cosier fabrics and maybe a jacket for the cold. If your invite doesn’t say, ask around, your year group will usually land on the same vibe. And when you’re unsure, slightly overdressed beats underdressed every time.

Q: Can you wear a short dress to a formal?

For sure, a short dress can absolutely be formal, it’s all in the fabric and the styling. A mini in satin, sequins or lace with heels reads just as dressy as a floor-length gown, and it’s a lot easier to dance in. Maxis bring the classic drama, midis sit somewhere in between. Go with whatever suits you and how you want to move on the night. Short and glam is a very valid formal choice.

Q: Where can I buy a school formal dress?

Online, and it’s a lot easier than trekking around shops. Showpo has school formal dresses in every style, length and colour, ready to ship, so no hire fees and no handing it back the next day, it’s yours to keep. Sizes 4 to 20 including plus size , with the Size Guide to nail your fit and easy Returns if it’s not right. Order early so you’ve got time to try it on (and change your mind twice), and with same-day dispatch across Australia, even a last-minute panic is fixable.

787 Products

Lizzy Maxi Dress

Backless Ruched Bodycon Dress in Navy

NZ$

98.00

NZ$~~169.95~~

You save 42%

4.8(12)

Heath Maxi Dress

Scoop Halter Neck With Drape Front Skirt Back Split Dress in Off White

NZ$

98.00

NZ$~~149.95~~

You save 35%

4.9(12)

Salome Midi Dress

Halter Neck Column Dress in Navy

NZ$

169.95

4.9(111)

Blaze Maxi Dress

Backless Sequin Dress in Wine

NZ$

169.95

5.0(2)

Sylvana Maxi Dress

Cowl Halter Neck Bodycon Dress in Baby Pink

NZ$

98.00

NZ$~~149.95~~

You save 35%

5.0(16)

Clara Maxi Dress

Scoop Neck Tie Back Fitted Sequin Dress in Pink

NZ$

146.00

NZ$~~229.95~~

You save 37%

4.6(5)

Miggy Midi Dress

Puff Sleeve Cut Out Split Dress in White

NZ$

88.00

NZ$~~129.95~~

You save 32%

4.8(31)

Indi Maxi Dress

Boat Neck Bodycon Dress in Black

NZ$

149.95

4.9(190)

Minnie Midi Dress

Drape Neck Satin Slip Dress in Purple

NZ$

113.00

NZ$~~149.95~~

You save 25%

4.9(74)

Cristle Midi Dress

One Shoulder Side Cut Out Thigh Split Dress in Steel Blue

NZ$

45.00

NZ$~~149.95~~

You save 70%

4.9(25)

Thelma Maxi Dress

Square Neck Bodycon Dress in Navy

NZ$

169.95

4.9(41)

Out Till Dawn Maxi Dress

Thigh Split Dress in Navy Sequin

NZ$

86.00

NZ$~~179.95~~

You save 52%

4.8(81)

Khalani Midi Dress

Deep V Neck Satin Slip Dress in Butter Yellow

NZ$

139.95

4.8(80)

Out Till Dawn Maxi Dress

Thigh Split Dress in Wine Sequin

NZ$

86.00

NZ$~~179.95~~

You save 52%

4.8(81)

Charlita Maxi Dress

Strapless Cowl Back Satin Dress in Chocolate

NZ$

149.95

4.8(109)

Oliver Maxi Dress

Satin Strapless Cut Out Dress in Lilac

NZ$

28.00

NZ$~~139.95~~

You save 80%

4.5(2)

Paula Midi Dress

Lace V Neck Long Sleeve Column Dress in White

NZ$

179.95

5.0(7)

Mandy Midi Dress

Knot Detail Cut Out Mesh Dress in Wine

NZ$

139.95

4.8(17)

Calvin Maxi Dress

Linen Look Contrast Georgette Skirt with Neck Scarf in White

NZ$

90.00

NZ$~~169.95~~

You save 47%

4.7(3)

Khalani Midi Dress

Deep V Neck Satin Slip Dress in Dark Olive

NZ$

113.00

NZ$~~139.95~~

You save 19%

4.8(80)

Khalani Midi Dress

Deep V Neck Satin Slip Dress in Sage

NZ$

65.00

NZ$~~139.95~~

You save 54%

4.8(80)

Courtney Midi Dress

Corset Panel Low Back Dress in Black

NZ$

103.00

NZ$~~189.95~~

You save 46%

4.7(30)

Charlita Maxi Dress

Strapless Cowl Back Satin Dress in Steel Blue

NZ$

149.95

4.8(109)

Calix Midi Dress

One Shoulder Slip Dress in Butter

NZ$

139.95

4.8(16)

Sonya Maxi Dress

Cowl Neck Asymmetric Fit And Flare Dress in Chocolate

NZ$

79.00

NZ$~~179.95~~

You save 56%

4.5(11)

Mabel Maxi Dress

Georgette Frill Sleeve Sweetheart Bias Cut Dress in Antique Florals

NZ$

149.95

4.8(13)

Rholie Midi Dress

Plunge Neck Fringe Hem Fixed Wrap Dress in Pink

NZ$

30.00

NZ$~~149.95~~

You save 80%

5.0(4)

Charlita Maxi Dress

Strapless Cowl Back Satin Dress in Pale Pink

NZ$

83.00

NZ$~~149.95~~

You save 45%

4.8(109)

Rhianne Midi Dress

Twist Halter Neck Open Back Satin Dress in Olive

NZ$

149.95

4.8(15)

Amalie The Label - Lana Halter Corset Midi Dress

Int

NZ$

40.00

NZ$~~199.95~~

You save 80%

Showing 331 - 360 of 787 Products

School Formal Dresses

Lizzy Maxi Dress

Heath Maxi Dress

Salome Midi Dress

Blaze Maxi Dress

Sylvana Maxi Dress

Clara Maxi Dress

Miggy Midi Dress

Indi Maxi Dress

Minnie Midi Dress

Cristle Midi Dress

Thelma Maxi Dress

Out Till Dawn Maxi Dress

Khalani Midi Dress

Out Till Dawn Maxi Dress

Charlita Maxi Dress

Oliver Maxi Dress

Paula Midi Dress

Mandy Midi Dress

Calvin Maxi Dress

Khalani Midi Dress

Khalani Midi Dress

Courtney Midi Dress

Charlita Maxi Dress

Calix Midi Dress

Sonya Maxi Dress

Mabel Maxi Dress

Rholie Midi Dress

Charlita Maxi Dress

Rhianne Midi Dress

Amalie The Label - Lana Halter Corset Midi Dress

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear to a school formal?

How formal is a school formal, exactly?

Can you wear a short dress to a formal?

Where can I buy a school formal dress?