What is Homecoming?

Like a prom in the fall, right?

Homecoming is also much more inclusive than prom. At most schools, prom is open only to seniors and sometimes juniors, but homecoming is for all, even the underclassmen, meaning you can start enjoying the festivities as a freshman.

Finally, homecoming can be a lot more casual than prom. While some schools go all out and throw prom at an event space off campus, homecoming is usually held in the school’s gym. Some schools have a more casual dress code for their homecoming dances, where jean shorts and a cute top will suffice, while others require a dress or suit for the occasion. Even then, the dresses are usually short and the suits are more chill, compared to the gowns and tuxes some will rock for their big prom night.

What’s the history behind it?

According to Billboard, homecoming is an American tradition. That explains why Britain native Charli XCX was so thrilled to perform at a lucky school’s homecoming dance back in 2014.

Homecoming began at colleges as a celebration for the first football game of the season, where alumni would come back to visit their former campuses. According to Broadly, while no one is positive which college officially started the tradition, the University of Missouri, Baylor University, and the University of Illinois all claim to have began hosting homecoming events in 1911, 1909, and 1910, respectively. No matter who started it, the tradition spread quickly to other colleges and high schools around the country.

Now, pick out your favorite Hoco-Dress and enjoy the Homecoming Season!