Sunshine Coast formal fashion: What to expect this season and looks from the past

If you attended a Sunshine Coast high school formal between 2002 and 2021, check out the photo gallery of local formal fashion over the years.

Double denim, halter necklines and embellishments are back in vogue as early-2000s fashion makes a comeback this formal season.

Fashion commentator Carlie Wacker said pretty much anything went for formal fashion these days and the fashion of 20 years ago was trending.

She said not many people had forgotten the Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears’ double denim moment at the 2001 American Music Awards.

“It’s that low-slung fashion that started with jeans and it transferred to formal wear,” she said.

The commentator said silk skirts, halter neck lines, strappy shoes, chokers and embellishments were all back.

Ben Holland and Katrina Rae at the Sunshine Coast Grammar School formal in 2002. Picture: Barry Leddicoat.

“More is more,” Ms Wacker said.

The fashion commentator said the 2010s heralded a more regal era as formal fashion was influenced by young British royals like the Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan Markle.

Samantha Dixon and Chelsea Babec at the 2011 Kawana State High School formal. Picture: Che Chapman

Ms Wacker said “royal” dressing was elegant and pared back.

“It’s a timeless look that can carry through all trends and all seasons,” she said.

The 2020s introduced a whole new era of loungewear as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold.

“Earrings were the star of the show, they were the statement item for the lockdown era,” Ms Wacker said.

70+ faces: Formal fashion over the decades

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The fashion commentator said diversity was now the norm in formal dressing.

She said formal shopping did not have to cost a bomb and advised people to consider hiring instead of buying formalwear, buy a fancy dress and then sell it online, clothes swap with friends or take an older dress to a seamstress for them to update.

“A glo-mesh bag is a fabulous way to dress up any outfit,” Ms Wacker said.

“You’re doing good by dressing up and wearing grandma’s glo-mesh.”

Special dress

In 2014, Catherine Thornton knew nobody else would have the same dress at the Maroochydore High formal as her.

Her dress was last worn by her grandmother in the Miss Australia Quest in Warwick in 1962.

Maroochydore High student Catherine Thornton wears her grandmother's formal dress to her own formal 52 years later. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

“My sister’s formal was a few years ago and before she was about to go, mum brought out the dress and was showing her,” Catherine told the Sunshine Coast Daily in 2014.

“It wasn’t really for her but I thought it would be great to wear.”

Special memory

In 2015, it was a mother’s dying wish to see her homeschooled daughter take part in a regular Year 12 formal.

Paige Keam’s family had been dancers for generations and, inspired by her mother, she had taken up a demanding schedule of ballet dancing and was homeschooled as a result.

Paige Keam in her formal dress as her grandparents, Jill and Stewart Myers proudly look on. Picture: John McCutcheon

Paige’s mother Donna, on her death bed, set about finding a school that would grant Paige’s formal wish.

Caloundra Christian College put its hand up, and Paige went to a formal just as her mum wished.

Paige’s dress was definitely on trend for the 2015 formal fashion, in a crop top and tulle skirt.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast formal fashion: What to expect this season and looks from the past