14 Homecoming Prep Tips to Help You Have an Unforgettable Night

The hoco dance will be here before you know it–and we know the anticipation is killing you. With the first big event of the school year, there’s a lot to be excited about–and a lot of decisions to make. (We’re not just talking about homecoming dresses either, though that is top of the list, of course).

What Is Homecoming, Anyway?

Both high schools and colleges hold homecoming events, usually during the early part of the fall semester. Homecoming is a distinctly American tradition and began in the late 1900s/early 1910s as a celebration of the first football game of the season. Alumni would come back to visit their former campus, see their old friends, and celebrate their school spirit. 

Today, both high schools and colleges have homecoming traditions. High school homecomings are often more of a celebration of school spirit and traditions, like the famous Texas homecoming mums. They often last an entire school week, culminating in a Friday night football game and dance. 

University homecomings still celebrate school spirit, but there’s more of an alumni focus. Like high school homecomings, they often heavily feature a football game or other sporting event. School songs like fight songs and alma maters fill the air, and you are virtually guaranteed to see some grown adults in the dining hall. Most colleges host social dances for homecoming– sometimes there may be several, as dorms and Greek organizations may hold their own.

Homecoming vs. Prom

Both homecoming and prom are a big deal, and while the two events both involve a dance, they are actually pretty different. For starters, homecoming is a fall semester event, while prom happens at the end of the academic year. Here are some other key differences between homecoming and prom.

• Homecoming (also called hoco for short) is a celebration of school spirit and is typically centered around celebrating school pride and spirit.
• Prom is a formal event that celebrates students, rather than school spirit.
• Homecoming is an event at colleges and high schools.
• Prom is only held by high schools.
• Homecoming often includes multiple events, such as sports events, parades, pep rallies, and spirit days. The highlight is frequently a football game.
• Prom is usually a standalone event, typically taking place in the evening and lasting several hours. There may be a post-prom afterparty.
• Homecoming often involves alumni returning to their alma mater to reconnect with former classmates and participate in festivities, especially at college homecoming events.
• Prom is only open to high school students and their dates. Usually only juniors and seniors are invited, and younger students can only attend as a date.
• Homecoming is less formal than prom– students usually wear semi-formal attire and some hocos are even less dressy.
• Prom is known for its formal dress code, with attendees wearing tuxedos, suits, and elegant gowns and dresses.
• Homecoming usually has a royalty court and includes the election of a king, queen, prince, and princess, who are usually students from different grades.
• Prom is similar, usually electing a king and queen from the senior class and a prince and princess from the junior class.
• Homecoming events and associated expenses, such as tickets and attire, are generally less than prom.
• Prom expenses, including tickets, attire, transportation, and additional costs like hair, makeup, and photography, can be more expensive compared to homecoming.

What Do You Do At Hoco?

So what do people do at homecoming? It varies depending on whether you’re celebrating a high school hoco or a college hoco. Both high school and college homecomings celebrate school pride and community, but college homecomings are larger and more diverse in their events, with a greater focus on alumni and socializing. High school homecomings are more student-centric, typically featuring events geared toward fostering a sense of togetherness among current students. 

Another key factor in what you do at hoco is whether or not your school has a football team. If your school doesn’t, you may still have a homecoming celebration… it just won’t feature a football game, for obvious reasons! At these schools, the centerpiece event is usually a banquet to honor alumni instead of a game. And sometimes schools without football may move the event to feature their major sport; for example, some schools hold “hoopcoming” events for the basketball team in winter, or events in the spring for baseball. 

While every hoco is different, generally during the school week leading up to homecoming weekend, there might be spirit events, pep rallies, themed dress days, special menus, and other school events. Then there’s the football game– that’s held on Friday night for high school games and Saturday for college homecoming. The dance timing depends on the football schedule.

Does The Homecoming Dance Happen Before The Game?

This depends on the schedule. High school football games are usually on Friday, so the dance might happen on Friday night after the game or the Saturday after the game. But college ball is usually played on Saturdays, so college hoco dances often happen on Friday night before the game, since college football games often go pretty late.

How To Get Ready for Homecoming

To help ensure your night goes off without a hitch, we’ve rounded up all the key things to remember in advance. Read on for our homecoming how-tos that will have you totally prepared and ready to party.

1. Know your school rules before you get to the Homecoming dance.

Your school may have guidelines on everything from the homecoming dress code to dance rules, so review them in advance. Whether you agree with the policies or not, there’s no denying that getting sent home will put a real damper on the evening. If you aren’t sure if your dress falls within the parameters, bring a light jacket or cardigan to wear over the top. (This is more likely to be relevant for high school hocos!)

2. Know your budget, too.

Ask your parents if and how much they are willing to contribute, look at what you have set aside for special occasions, and plan out what you are comfortable spending, not just on the dress, but for the whole night. While homecoming dances don’t usually have the same expenses as prom– you probably won’t want a limo, for instance– there are still some expenses you’ll incur, like the dance tickets and your outfit.  Finding affordable homecoming dresses is totally doable (hello, Lulus.com!) and if you shop for your dress online, you can usually set price limits so you don’t even have to see something out of your budget.

If you need to save money, try a DIY homecoming hairstyle or makeup look–or have a prep party with your friends where you glam each other up! You’d be amazed what you can do with some hot tools and some easy hair hacks.

3. Plan ahead with friends.

 Get organized and plan your homecoming experience in advance. Make a checklist of things you need to do, such as purchasing tickets, arranging transportation, and coordinating outfits with friends. Homecoming is all about socializing, so don’t be afraid to plan out some group activities. Getting ready together with your gal pals, taking pics as a group, hanging out together before or afterwards, and other group activities can make the event truly special.

4. Find a dress that shows off your best assets and feels comfy.

Figure out what vibe you’re going for when shopping for a homecoming dress: glam, romantic, edgy, boho? Or a mashup? Whatever your style, there’s an on-trend option that shows off your personality–and your best features!

Love your arms? Go for a halter neck dress, strapless, or one-shoulder style. Show off a beautiful back in something backless, cutout, or plunging, or go for a mini homecoming dress to flaunt your legs! Highlight curves in a form-fitting dress like a bodycon or emphasize your waist in a nipped-in skater dress. You get the idea!

5. Take your outfit for a test drive.

Try on your dress and shoes to make sure you can move around in them easily. Dance vigorously in your room (get low, jump high, shake it–whatever dance moves you think you’ll try), walk up and down a couple of stairs, practice getting in and out of the car, and sit down at the dining room table to make sure you can do everything you’ll need to do on homecoming night without a major wardrobe malfunction. If any of these movements make you feel awkward or exposed, practice moving strategically and take some preventative measures to ensure you’ll be able to dance and sit comfortably all night long.

The same goes for your shoes: If they look cute standing in the mirror but you can barely walk, it’s not actually that cute–nor fun. Test out your shoes in advance: Wear them for at least an hour each day of the week before and make sure to dance in them too!

6. Take care of your skin.

Avoid experimenting with new beauty treatments or products ahead of the big dance–you could set yourself up for unexpected breakouts. It’s best to keep your routine the same for the most part. (That said, if you do have a last-minute blemish, we’ve got some suggestions for quick fixes.) If you’re planning on hair removal or waxing, be sure to give yourself several days in case any redness or irritation needs to calm down.

Doing a trial of hair and makeup ideas will also save you from last-minute beauty disasters. Sometimes the look you picked for homecoming hair or makeup inspiration doesn’t suit you in real life. Practicing ahead of time is worth the extra effort.

7. Make sure you have the right undergarments.

As mentioned above for trying on your dress, make sure you have the right bra, underwear, and any shapewear you would like to wear to make sure everything stays in place and there are no visible lines or bumps. Pick undergarments in your skin tone so camera flashes don’t pick up a bright color underneath your dress.

Decide if you need a full-coverage bra, a strapless bra, backless bra, or nipple covers to keep your chest in check. Opt for fuller coverage underwear if you have a swingy short skirt, or pick a seamless pair for smooth lines in your bodycon. If it makes you more comfortable, look for shapewear to smooth your curves and create a flawless fit.

8. Don’t be afraid of traditions!

Some of your school’s traditions might seem a little silly or over the top– but remember that homecoming is all in good fun. It’s a celebration of the things that make your school special and unique, and hoco is a great place to make fond memories of your time as a student. If it’s your first year, go to that football game, watch that parade, or sing an alma mater with some excited alumni. Let yourself have fun. Homecoming isn’t just the hoco dance!

9. Remember: You don’t need a date.

Yes, it is absolutely ok to go to homecoming without a date. Find a group of friends who are riding solo, make a plan to get ready together, ride to the dance together, and live your best unattached life for the night!

10. If you do have a date, remember to buy a boutonniere or corsage.

In general, if your date is wearing a suit jacket, get them a boutonniere to pin to that suit jacket. If your date’s wearing a dress, go for a wrist corsage to coordinate with their gown. But the exact floral direction you go with is up to you and your date. Just be sure you’ve got something for your other half to wear!

11. Take pictures at the beginning of the night.

 

Maybe you’re the type who remembers to document every detail. If not, make sure to get a full-length shot of your whole look at the beginning of the evening. Let your parents take those sometimes annoying pics on your front porch. You’ll be happy you have them, especially if the night gets away from you and you’re too busy having fun or making TikToks to snap actual photos.

12. Stash an emergency style kit in your bag (if you have room).

Accidents do happen–even at homecoming! An emergency kit has you covered in the event of any mishap from deodorant stains to broken zippers to blisters and broken nails. A couple of safety pins, band-aids, a tiny nail file, a Tide pen, and fashion tape can solve all kinds of problems.

13. Just go for it!

Homecoming is about having fun: This isn’t a competition reality show. It’s not even a TikTok challenge. So just get out on the floor and do your thing, whatever that is. You’ll regret it if you don’t at least give it a try!

Were these homecoming tips helpful? Tell us in the comments and don’t forget to share your looks on Instagram or TikTok @lulus using #lovelulus! Still prepping for the big dance? Shop our selection of  Homecoming Dresses!