Your senior prom will be one of the major highlights of your high school career. That's why you'll want to make that special night absolutely perfect. One way to do that is to make sure your prom dress is just the right one for you - one that flatters your coloring, style, face, and figure so perfectly that it looks as if it were made especially for you.
As you shop, you'll want to avoid the following seven pitfalls of choosing a prom dress:
1. Choosing a style that doesn't flatter your figure
Select a style that accentuates the positive and minimizes the negative. Use a discerning eye, and be honest with yourself about necklines, waistlines, silhouettes, etc., choosing a style that flatters your body type. Certain styles, such as A-lines and empire-waist designs flatter nearly every figure.
One universally flattering style is the shimmering silver one-shoulder gown with shirred bust and empire waist. This floor-length beauty, with soft, flowing, glittery jersey skirt, conveys elegance and sophistication. Its lovely shirred bust and single strap with rhinestone accent create an aura of richness that will make the most of any figure.
2. Choosing a style that simply isn't you
Deciding which prom dress to buy can seem overwhelming. Some designs appear especially extravagant, creating the temptation to choose such a dress for the sensational impression it makes when it catches your eye. But, resist the temptation. Such styles only work when they mesh with your own natural style. If you don't feel totally at home in a dress you try on in the dressing room, you won't feel any more at home in it at the prom.
One design that may just flatter your personal style is the long mesh dress with empire waist, ruched bodice, and halter-style, Y-shaped neckline. Decorative mesh fabric gives this darling neckline the appearance of a necklace, complete with lovely square pendant-look accent in the center of the bodice.
3. Choosing colors that are incompatible with your natural coloring
Many factors affect the suitability of a dress for a given individual, and an important one is color. If a dress makes your skin look washed out or pasty, that's a sign that it isn't the color for you. When you've found a color that's complementary to your natural coloring, it will put a glow in your cheeks and provide the right level of color contrast to make you look naturally gorgeous.
Dresses, such as the long chiffon strapless dress with beaded bodice, and the strapless ball gown with sweetheart neckline and full tulle skirt, offer enchanting styles and color choices that you can match to your own skin tone and hair color.
4. Choosing the wrong dress length
Depending on your body type, you'll need to decide which dress length will look best on you. Be ruthless as you cast a critical eye on the overall impression of the dress you're modeling, and choose the one that's most flattering to your natural body characteristics.
One lovely gown for those who look best in longer styles is the black and ivory illusion halter gown, which features ruched waist and brooch accents on the fitted bodice along with a silky flowing black skirt.
5. Choosing a dress that doesn't fit properly
Proper fit is critical to the look and impression you'll want to convey on prom night, so be sure the dress you select fits well. If it doesn't, make sure you'll be able to have it altered and made to appear as if it were custom-tailored for you.
The knee-length illusion halter dress with Charmeuse trim and beaded brooch can make it easier to create a proper fit, since the sheer halter overlay ties in back and may be tightened or loosened as needed.
6. Ignoring your own intuition about which dress feels right
If the dress you choose doesn't make you feel as if you're totally in your element, it probably isn't the dress that will make your prom-night dreams come true. So, don't rush the process. Wait to buy until you're absolutely certain this is the one.
One dress that should make you feel just right is the strapless satin ball gown with side split A-line skirt and delicate organza inset, featuring a sweep of beaded accents and matching organza wrap.
7. Forgetting to accessorize
Completing the look with the right accessories can help personalize your stylistic statement, making you look uniquely beautiful. By carefully choosing items such as purse, shoes, jewelry, and hair accessories, you'll make your outfit truly your own. A style that lends itself well to added accessories is the basic black spaghetti strap short jersey dress, which you can dress up or down by using bright or subdued accessories, including a matching black or contrasting color sash.
One final thought about choosing your prom dress: Always remember that the dress doesn't make the girl; the girl makes the dress. So, relax, take your time, and choose the dress that makes you look and feel gorgeous. Then, let your personality shine through so you'll bring out the beauty of the dress as it brings out the beauty in you.
