One of the online gaming platform Roblox’s most popular pageantry games, “Dress to Impress,” has seen a sharp spike in popularity among Portola High students this year. Students across every grade level have demonstrated considerable interest in the game.
Since its debut in November 2023, the game has quickly become a staple for players looking to show off carefully curated outfits on a runway. Players are expected to mix and match clothes and other physical features such as hair and nails for themed competitions ranging from “Elements” to “Modern Royalty.” After putting together an outfit, the players’ avatars strut down the runway, pose at the end and are rated by their fellow competitors.
For some, “Dress to Impress’” appeal lies in its interactive elements, as players judge outfits and form online friends in real time, according to sophomore Claire Liu.
“I like playing the game with my friends and also just voting for only my friends and no one else,” senior Maariyah Arif said. “It’s a really fun way to show my ideas in terms of clothing.”
Dress to Impress’s meteoric popularity can further be attributed to the sense of innovation and competitiveness it fosters in its dedicated community, according to junior Manha Akhlaq. Users are able to let their imaginations run free and experiment with numerous items, such as garter belts and custom bodices, to put together their unique looks.
“It’s a community that has various servers, like pro servers, regular servers, free play, where [there are] different types of ways you could play it and that’s just developed [into] a larger community.” Akhlaq said.
An August “Dress to Impress” update modeled after Celebrity Charli XCX’s album “Brat” generated a new wave of interest in the game with its neon green palette and exclusive accessories.
“It has a lot of bright colors and stuff that makes it stand out and look appealing to Robloxians,” Liu said. “It’s a great feature to the game since it’s a big trend that everyone’s participating in.”
The addition of VIP rooms to Dress to Impress is another success factor of the game, according to Akhlaq. These rooms allow players to use premium items that cater to specific themes or aesthetics, which give VIP passholders an upper hand in competitions and enhances their playing experience.
“I really like the concept of being able to just dress up and have fun with my friends and imagine how I could dress in real life,” Akhlaq said. “Now it’s a bigger game, it’s really fun to just see what kind of combinations you can make and what kind of new aspects or new outfits that you can make.”
