How Gen Z Got Sustainable For Prom & HOCO

After fast fashion’s long reign for homecoming dresses, Gen Z is now redefining sustainable HOCO style. Here’s how

By Diane Small

Homecoming season, lovingly known as HOCO, has long been a hallmark of American high school life. It’s more than just a dance, of course. It’s a celebration of school spirit, youthful glamour, and coming of age.

But in a world increasingly conscious of its environmental impact, the way Gen Z is approaching fashion for big nights like HOCO is shifting. Today’s teens are blending their love for style with sustainability, and redefining what it means to show up in formalwear.

Let’s take a closer look at the movement shaping the new formal.

Image below: Hurr Collective

What is HOCO?

For those who may be unfamiliar with the term, HOCO is short for homecoming. This is a fall tradition celebrated by high schools and colleges across the United States. It typically includes a football game, pep rallies, and of course, the iconic homecoming dance.

But as I mentioned, HOCO goes beyond dresses and dancing. It’s a rite of passage, an event where fashion, identity, and community collide. And increasingly, young people are realising that the clothing choices they make for a sustainable HOCO can also make a statement about their values.

Image below: Princess Ace

Fast Fashion At Formal Teen Events

The truth is that most young women will buy a dress for one night and never wear it again. And so they often turned to fast fashion brands for a cheap and easy solution for their HOCO dresses. Unfortunately, the cost to the planet of this caprice is enormous. Each year, millions of garments end up in landfills. And many of them were worn only once.

Synthetic fabrics, harsh dyes, and cheap labor contribute to an industry that prioritises profit over people and the environment.

For young fashion lovers who care about human rights, animals and the future of our planet, this poses a clear contradiction.

Image below: Hurr Collective

How Teens Are Doing A More Ethical HOCO

The good news? Gen Z is more environmentally conscious than any generation before them. And they’re pushing the formalwear industry to do better.

Here’s how teens are making more sustainable fashion choices for events like HOCO.

1. Thrifting & Vintage Finds

Vintage stores and thrift shops are becoming treasure troves for HOCO formalwear. A one-of-a-kind dress from a secondhand boutique not only saves money but also keeps clothing in circulation longer. It’s a win-win for the wallet and the planet.

2. Dress Rentals

Dress rental platforms are exploding in popularity. Companies like Rent the Runway or Hurr Collective, as well as local dress rental shops, let teens borrow high-end pieces for a fraction of the cost. It reduces waste and offers access to designer fashion without the carbon footprint of ownership.

3. Upcycling and DIY Customisation

Some more creative teens are turning old dresses into something new for a more sustainable HOCO. Whether it’s altering a hemline, dyeing a fabric, or adding embellishments, upcycling is a creative way to breathe life into pre-worn outfits. It turns the outfit into a more personalised, unique project with sustainable flair.

4. Supporting Ethical Brands

There’s growing interest in brands that focus on ethical production, organic materials, and transparent labor practices. While they may cost more upfront, these garments are designed to last and align with values teens care deeply about.

Even if the brand is generally ‘fast fashion’, but is doing a sustainable collection made of eco friendly materials, well, that still beats wearing something made of synthetic fabrics with toxic dyes.

5. Swapping With Friends or Siblings

Yay! The age-old concept of swapping is making a comeback. Hosting a dress swap party can turn sustainable HOCO prep into a fun, community-building event while promoting sustainability.

In addition, sisters are sharing dresses from previous HOCOs. Especially if you can change the look up with accessories or small sewing transformations.

The Role of Fashion in Identity and Activism

Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression, especially for teens navigating their identities. Choosing a sustainable HOCO outfit is more than just a style choice: it’s a personal stand.

With social media amplifying every outfit and statement, Gen Z is using platforms like TikTok and Instagram to share their sustainable fashion hauls, thrift flips, and upcycled pieces. It’s activism with flair, proving that you can look stunning and stand for something at the same time.

We often associate formal events with glitz, glamour, and brand-new outfits. But perhaps the new definition of glamour includes:

Confidence in being different
Creativity in styling old garments in new ways
Conscious choices that reflect personal values
Community-building through swaps and secondhand finds

Teens are challenging the idea that new equals better. Instead, they’re asking: Where did this come from? Who made it? What impact did it have? That awareness is the core of sustainable fashion.

Tips for Building a Sustainable HOCO Look

Plan Ahead: Last-minute shopping often leads to impulse fast-fashion buys. Give yourself time to explore secondhand options or ethical brands.
Make it Meaningful: Choose pieces that you can wear again, lend to friends, or style differently for future events.
Accessorise Wisely: Jewellery, shoes, and bags are great areas to thrift, borrow, or upcycle, too.
Think Beyond the Night: Ask yourself how you can extend the life of your outfit after HOCO. Can it be altered? Restyled? Passed on?

Sustainable Beauty and Event Prep

Sustainable fashion doesn’t stop at the dress. HOCO prep often includes beauty routines, hairstyling, and nail appointments. These are also all areas where teens can also make mindful choices.

Opting for clean beauty brands with eco-friendly packaging, using refillable makeup products, or visiting salons that embrace non-toxic products can reduce the environmental impact of getting ready. Even choosing reusable hair accessories or biodegradable glitter can make a difference.

Plus, pre-HOCO pampering doesn’t have to be consumer-driven. DIY face masks, at-home manis with friends, or reusing accessories from past events can create fun and meaningful rituals that align with sustainability values.

Conclusions

Homecoming, or HOCO, is a special night, and you deserve to feel amazing. But amazing doesn’t have to mean wasteful. Today’s teens are leading a fashion revolution rooted in values, creativity, and sustainability.

By embracing thrifting, upcycling, rentals, and ethical brands, they’re proving that the new formal is not only stylish—it’s conscious. And that makes for a sustainable HOCO look that truly shines.

Want to understand more about this cherished tradition? Learn more about what HOCO means and how it’s evolving alongside modern values.

Let your style speak—for yourself, your planet, and your generation.

Author
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Diane Small

Senior Features Writer at Eluxe Magazine

A University of Texas journalism graduate and serious chocolate enthusiast, Diane was a sub-editor at the Houston Chronicle before falling pregnant. Today, she is the proud mom of two kids under the age of three, and freelances for Eluxe in between nappy changes and feedings.