Start Thinking About the Dress, Ladies!

I realize this is months in advance. Fine. The industry doesn't realize that. I've been receiving dress catalogues since early December. Seventeen Prom hit the shelves before Christmas. Google turns up 10 800 000 results for "prom dress".

The Dress is widely considered to be quintessential to a girl's perfect prom night (heaven forbid someone else have the same one). I disagree with that - you can have a wonderful time even if someone else has your dress or it rips. But it sure helps to be comfortable and feel beautiful in your gown. A little advance research online, in catalogues and teen magazines, your friend's closest, helps you get an idea of what you want. Plus, starting ahead of time lets your shopping experience with a family member, friend or by yourself truly be relaxing, magical and an experience - which it should be.

Dress Types

http://www.promgirl.com/shop/body_types

http://www.bestpromdresses.com/prom/2007/06/prom_dress_types.html

"Hot Prom Dresses for $100 or Less" Seventeen Magazine Mar. 2006: 74-75. Print.

When you go into a shop to look for a prom dress, you may want a particular style. Some sites, like the first one listed above, will recommend specific dress shapes based on your body type. Here, as the second site does, I will endeavor to provide an image and description of each of the dress shapes. Additionally, Seventeen Magazine in March 2006 featured a spread called "Hot Prom Dresses for $100 or Less" in which it suggested certain dress designs to suit the reader's style. These designations are also added here.

A Line/Princess-Cut Gown

Form fitted bodice flares out from your natural waist, typically to a full skirt. Recently, however, A-Lines have developed into bubble s

kirts. These dresses tend to stop just above or below the knee. These dresses are CLASSIC according to Seventeen.

Ball Gown

Its main feature is a very full, floor length skirt originating at the waist. The bodice may be cut and decorated in a variety of fashions. Visually, it slices the body in half. These dresses are very stunning but they can be very heavy. The hemming is often floor length or longer. Scientists are still trying to figure out how Cinderella waltzed in hers!

Bouffant Gown

The Bouffant is very similar to the ball gown. The main difference is that the skirt is usually made of a sheer fabric such as stiffened rayon or silk. Furthermore, it usually involves lots of tulle - the stuff from which Ballerina tutus are often made. It can be itchy (see rash comment below).

Empire Gown

Empires have a very high waistline, just beneath the bust. The skirt flows straight down from this waistline. Length can vary from above the knees to trailing on the floor. These kinds of dresses tend to add height to a person.

Audrey Hepburn was known for her Empire line gowns.

High-Low Gown

The front of the dress stops just above the knees. Meanwhile, the hem in the back may trail along the floor or cease at the ankles. These asymmetric lines have become very popular in recent years. Variations include dresses cut diagonally across the front. They can be ECLECTIC, FLIRTY or even ROMANTIC depending on the feel of the dress. These dresses also present a balance between long and short dresses.

Tea Length Gown

Hemmed to end between the knee and the ankle, these dresses are more laid back, fun and flirty. It's often easier to dance in this sort of dress because it is shorter. According to several sources, you're guaranteed to rock a tea length if you're tall, thin and have great calves.

Sheath Gown

Slim, fabric-mininal dresses that hug your curves. They outline the shape of your body. Many sheaths are sleeveless. Depending on the length and cut of the hem, these are considered ECLECTIC, GIRLY, FLIRTY, BOHO, GLAMOUROUS or ROMANTIC.

Mermaid Gown

A variation of the sheath gown. Instead of falling straight all the way down along your curves, these dresses fan out around your knees or mid-calf, like a fishtail. While beautiful, they can be movement restricting. This 2010 season, this design is VERY abundant. These are often considered to be very GLAMOUROUS gowns while their short counterparts are WILD.

Some dresses are composites of A-line, empire, sheath, tea length, and/or mermaids. It's a good idea to consider how you want to move and to explore dresses of a variety of lengths and designs. Only ball and bouffant gowns are more set in their shape.

Other Considerations when Selecting a Dress

• Check locally!! For vintage-y dresses - explore local consignment shops. It really works! You can find GOLD there. Boutique shops will pamper and be sweet to you, allowing you to have a personalized experience. Besides, return trips will be extra special because they will remember you and want pictures from the previous event.
• Are you a big dancer? Consider a shorter dress - you don't want to destroy the hem as you twirl up a storm. Also, try out your best moves in the dressing room. You want to make sure you can perform them.
• Beading, while elegant, adds POUNDS to weight of a dress and could make you feel sluggish or tired
• Are you comfortable? That pesky piece that pokes you in the changing room will bug you all night at Prom. It may even bruise or mark up your skin. One person I know got a rash once. Eek!!!
• Complexion: don't pick a colour that makes you all one colour or washes you out.
• Can I go to the bathroom? My mum is obsessed with this question... She's right though - you should make sure that you can use the facilities without assistance - because otherwise, that's just awkward.

Other Resources

http://www.cosmogirl.com/fashion/prom/

http://seventeen.com/prom

Hope this is helpful!

the prom chair