One of the most special and memorable moments in any teenage girl’s life is when she’s given the opportunity to attend prom. Aside from perhaps a wedding, for many, it’s the first time that they are able to dress up in formal wear. For even more, it’s also the first time that they’re taken on a formal date. These are two very good reasons why her dress can’t just be nice. It must be perfect; the perfect color, the perfect style and the perfect fit. Yes, that can seem like a pretty tall order, but it’s possible with the right financial planning, a bit of keen fashion sense and a good dose of patience.
Save some money. What seems to be the source of a lot of stress during prom dress shopping season is that money was not set aside to get one; therefore, parents and daughters everywhere are scrounging around to find, not always or necessarily a great dress, but a cheap one. Putting aside $20-40 dollars for a year should add up to enough cash where your daughter will have enough options to get one that she really likes.
Find out your body type. Traditionally, a woman’s body comes in basically six different types: pear-shaped, apple-shaped, slender, hourglass and top-heavy. One of the best ways to look absolutely stunning in a gown is to find one that complements your personal type. If you don’t know which one you are, a local seamstress can assist you but honestly, you can Google body types to see images for each example. Once you know your type, that can narrow down the kind of dresses you’re looking for.
Consider having a makeover. If It’s your junior or senior prom, there probably isn’t a better time to get a new look to celebrate either going into your senior year of high school or your freshman year of college. The truth of the matter is that a great prom dress isn’t just about the dress but the hairstyle, make-up and accessories that you choose to complement it. Before making the dress purchase, think about getting a new haircut and/or color or a new color palate for your face. A different look from the neck up may change everything about what you’re wanting from the neck down.
Get a consultation. A lot of girls purchase dresses from the same place that bridesmaids get their gowns. Even if you decide to go a different route, it doesn’t hurt to stop by a local bridal shop to ask them about kind of style and color may be most complementary. A lot of the sales associates there are extensively trained to provide those kinds of answers as opposed to associates in the mall that may only be able to tell you if they think it’s cute on you or not. It’s usually best to call ahead to schedule a consultation. Spring is a busy time for proms and also for weddings.
Shop with friends. There are a couple of benefits to making a day of going shopping for 2012 prom dresses with your girlfriends. For one, it can take some of the pressure of the hunt off, but more importantly, it’s a surefire way to make sure that you and your best friend don’t show up to prom looking like the Bobbsey Twins.
Take a picture. In a few. Sometimes an impulsive purchase works out. It’s a really big gamble when it comes to your prom dress, though. For one thing, sometimes a dress that looks great on the rack doesn’t look so good once it’s on a body. It’s a good idea to take a digital camera (or use your cell phone) along and try on a few different dresses from a few different stores. Take the shots home and use a couple of days to look them over. The one that you gravitate to the most, chances are, that’s the one that’s your true favorite; the one you won’t regret buy, or wearing.
Forget trends. Consider fashion. A trend is basically something that is in style for that season. Fashion, however, is timeless. Your prom may only last for one night, but those pictures may last a lifetime. You want to look back and realize that you picked something that made you look your absolute best; not simply something that you saw on a red carpet awards show. Besides, if it complements your figure and suits your taste, then it’s a look, for you, that will never go out of style.
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