The Prom! Probably one of the occasions in a woman's life where the dress must be perfect. It's an event that's enough to send many a teenage girl into alternating bouts of excited raptures and blind panic, with the latter owing to the pressure of doing everything - from picking the most divine of party dresses, to settling on one of a myriad of prom hairstyles - right. In fact, for some, deciding on a prom dress is a lot more stressful than making it to graduation! Well, if you're already starting to panic about prom night this early, fear not. Take heed of the following nifty tips, and you might just find your stress levels alleviated considerably:
1. Be early. Start shopping early, do not wait until the last moment, you know something will happen sooner or later, so have some ideas ready before the occasion presents itself. The prom is no different. By the time prom season rolls around, girls find themselves panic buying and drowning in a sea of prom dresses. It's always best to avoid the rush. Start looking around for a prom dress at least 4 months before the event, take your sweet time, and don't settle for the first half-decent frock you can find.
2. Be inspired. With so many styles available and even more trends that come and go, deciding on a prom dress can be harder than picking a college; hence, why you should look for inspiration wherever you can find it. Of course, celebrity-inspired designer dresses are the most logical choice, so keep an eye out for red carpet events in magazine spreads, fashion websites, and the entertainment channels on TV. Who knows? You might find yourself donning a glamour dress in the style of Kate Middleton, or a Carrie Bradshaw-ish Sex and the City style number come prom night.
3. Be open-minded. Try the dress on, it might look completely different on you and might be exactly what you are looking for. When shopping for prom dresses, it's always best to keep an open mind. Try on the dresses that you like and a few of the ones that you don't. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that a seemingly forlorn-looking frock on a hanger looks absolutely divine on you.
4. Be realistic. Be aware that not everybody is built like Halle Berry, so do take stock of your figure before you choose a prom dress. You have to accept that you can't dress in the style of Vanessa Williams if you're about 3 feet tall, nor will you look good in a chiffon dress with flower embellishment if you have bigger thighs and arms. You might be partial to cocktail dresses, but you may look better in full-length pageant dresses (or vice versa), so don't be stubborn. Take your size and shape into consideration, if you do, you can't go wrong.
5. Be different. Ignore the trends. Come Prom night, many girls just copy their summer dresses. Well, unless you're hell bent on being another pea from the pod, you obviously want to don a prom dress that you can be proud of calling your own and yours alone. With that in mind, why not go beyond the conventional prom dress and opt for something more adventurous, like a checkered black and white party dress, for instance? Better yet, why not hire a seamstress who can make a one-of-a-kind gown for you? Your dress will have you written in every seam, every section and every color. If that is not enough, you know it will fit you perfectly.
Prom dress shopping is an art, an exercise in very precise shopping skills. But with sheer focus, a clear perspective, and a fabulous sense of style, it's an exercise that's made easier - not a bad preparation for the real world at all!
Just about every girl dreams about Prom but, as the big day approaches, many start to suffer from nerves. This is almost always because they've left things to the last minute. Here are some tips about when to start looking, when to buy, when to find accessories, when to order flowers and when to plan all the other numerous details involved in getting your designer prom dress to look perfect for Prom.
3 Months Before Prom
You really need to start looking now for your designer prom dress; ideally you should have started sooner. It's important to have an idea of what designer you like best and what style will best complement your body shape: Are you a glamorous Jovani prom dress girl, or a modest Tiffany prom dress girl? Choosing the perfect gown is what should take the most time; so start thinking ahead early. Tip: try and find as many of the accessories at the same time you choose your dress. Many online retailers provide a pretty comprehensive list of suggested items that will beautifully accessorize a particular dress.
2 Months Before Prom
This is the time to actually buy the gown. You need to allow for delivery time - this can take several weeks. Also, don't assume that because you buy a designer prom dress online that the delivery will be quicker; it won't. You also need to buy now so that you'll have plenty of time to make any minor adjustments that are necessary.
1 Month Before Prom
If you've ordered as scheduled above, you should now have received your gown. You can now make any adjustments that are needed. If you haven't already got all the accessories you need, go out and find them now! Do not leave this to the last minute; finding tiaras, jewelry, gloves, handbags, shoes and the countless other items takes time. Decide on the hairstyle you want. If you're doing it yourself, now is the time to try out the style to see if it matches the overall theme. If you're going to a stylist, make an appointment now, again to test out the style, and book a second appointment just before Prom; don't forget that this is a busy time of year for hairdressers, so book early. Lastly, don't forget about makeup. Test out various lipsticks, mascaras etc, so you're sure which shades will complement your dress as well as your own coloring.
2 Weeks Before Prom
Call or visit a florist to order a boutonniere for your date that complements your dress. Make sure your date has ordered a corsage for you; don't assume that he'll have done this.
1 Week Before Prom
It's time for a final dress rehearsal. Put on your designer prom dress and accessories and do a final check that everything is as it should be. Tip: have a friend take some pictures of you from several angles; that way you can be really sure that everything looks perfect. It's important to test walking around in your new shoes; walk up and down the stairs for practice and to check on comfort. Make sure that you have all the makeup you need, if not, buy it now. Reconfirm your appointment with your hair stylist.
1 Day Before Prom
Check your camera is working. Pick up your date's boutonniere from the florist. Check that your handbag/purse has everything you need. You'll want breath freshener, lipstick, perfume, makeup compact for minor touch-ups, cell phone and anything else you might need.
Prom Day
It often helps to do a little bit of exercise in the morning to help you feel fresh and slimmer. Use a pore-refining mask in the morning so your skin looks and feels fresh. Make sure you turn up on time to your hair stylist. Wear a loose shirt that can be later removed without ruining your hair and makeup. Leave putting on your designer prom dress for as long as possible, until you're ready to leave home.
Prom Night
This is your special day so savor each and every moment of it.
Both Suzie Sweet & Robin Obrien are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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