How To Choose A Prom Dress

Posted on July 28th, 2009 by Elaine

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It seems like when prom season come, girls are not just on the lookout for the best prom date, but also for the best dress to wear to the event. Among all the hassle brought on by the event, this is probably the one they spend much time on. Wearing the perfect prom dress can determine how fabulous your night will turn out, so here are a few tips to remember when faced with this dilemma.

What You’ll Need:

Money
Teen magazines
Chic flicks and teen movies

Determine Your Budget

Prom dresses can be quite expensive. The more stylish they are, the more money you need to shell out. It’s a practical move to have a budget you can stick to. Having a budget not only helps you make a wise purchase, but also narrows down the choices, and the places where you’re going to shop. Just remember this fact: prom dresses are available at all prices; just because one is expensive already means that it’s chic and will suit you immediately.

Look In Advance

Last minute shopping for a dress is a no-no. Remember, hundreds, even thousands, of girls are searching around, just like yourself. What if the store where you want to buy a dress only stocks a number of dresses at a time? You’ll find yourself out of luck and without anything to wear. Four to six weeks before the event, buy the prom dress. Not only do you get the perfect choice, you’ll also have time to do alterations, if necessary. Remember not to purchase the dress too advanced, though, or your body might change a lot before the big day.

Do Some Research

If you enter a boutique without any clue as to what kind of prom dress you’re going to buy, then expect to shop for a very long time. Before you even start looking at dresses on stores, do your own research on popular styles and trends today. Being familiar with different styles gives you inspiration on what you want for yourself. If you’ve decided to have a seamstress design a dress for you, this is very important.

Watch celebrity red carpet events, and take note of your favorite styles.
Leaf through magazine issues. Most publications have prom issues of fashion mags that will be helpful for you.
Check out prom planning sites and online stores for ideas.
Watch chic flicks, like Mean Girls, Clueless and The Hot Chick, and see if you can find ideas in them.

Know Your Body Type

Unfortunately, not all prom dresses are guaranteed to fit and look good on any girl. The beauty of the dress depends on how it looks with your body type. You should know your body type and which type of dress looks best with it. Here are a few ideas.

Curvy figure - An A-line dress is great, to minimize hips and thighs and highlight the waist.
Full hips - To flatten your curves and camouflage the bottom line, opt for a strapless and form-fitting bodice complete with a full-layered skirt
Slim - Try on a sheath style dress that shows your silhouette.
Petite - A body hugging slim sheath with a slit at the side will do. Don’t choose dresses that are too long, or they will overwhelm your figure.

Once you’ve found a style that suits you and your figure, try it in different colors. You’ll want the dress color to look good on your skin, too.

Accessorize

Never underestimate the power of accessories. They can enhance and improve your looks. Shop for shoes that look great with your clothes, with sufficient and manageable heels, so you won’t trip. Choose makeup that looks great with your skin tone and a hairdo that complements your dress and facial shape. Wear jewelry, but don’t overdo it.

A week or two before the prom, try on your dress and how it looks like with your accessories. See if anything needs to be toned down or removed. Walk and move around, to see if you feel comfortable.

Choosing the perfect prom dress doesn’t have to be a tiring and mind-boggling task. Follow these easy tips, and you’ll end up looking fabulous and beautiful on that special night.