Prom time is here again. You pay for your ticket, grab a dress, and go, right? Seems simple, right? Wrong! Prom can be a whirlwind experience that requires a lot of primping and preparation. Not every girl can just waltz in a store, run to the first rack they see, and come out with a fabulous prom dress right away. There are also some girls uneasy with the selection they see at some stores that don’t seem to cater to their personal sense of style. You can always look through prom magazines and celebrity pictures for inspiration but the real style inspiration starts with yourself! Just because prom is a glamorous event doesn’t mean that you have to compromise your own, unique sense of fashion to blend in with everyone else. Prom isn’t just for cheerleaders and beauty queens. Here’s how to make your look your own on prom night:
Rock Goddess
Prom may seem like the last place any punk rocker would be caught dead at, especially in a floor length pink gown. With a sense of style that some may already label as “anti-trendy”, it may cause a little bit of nervousness to think about being constricted to a girly dress that doesn’t speak to your own grungy sense of fashion. You don’t spend time lusting over the pages of VOGUE magazine and shopping at teen stores in the mall. You aren’t late for school in the morning dolling yourself up in the mirror with MAC makeup and curling every follicle of hair just right. You have instead sculpted your own, comfortable wardrobe consisting of jeans, rocker t-shirts, hoodies, and sneakers that were meant to get dirty. Prom should be about individuality and that has always come natural to you, so let your style speak for itself. Not every prom dress on the market is all about frills and bows. Try a short prom dress in a plaid or striped print or a cut glass sweetheart sequin bust with a tulle skirt, an essential rockstar look. If you’re not a fun of a full skirt there are plenty of options for fitted, short prom dress accented allover with beading, spikes, and studs that are perfect for any punk princess. If the dress is fine, but you’re not accustomed to wearing heels go outside the norm and wear flats or even Converse or flat, Doc Marten style boots instead. Check out Sherri Hill and Mac Duggal for sassy baby doll prom dresses. Avril Lavigne and Kristen Stewart have perfected this tomboy-chic look and have become known for the punk rock, red carpet style. Throw on a leather jacket for added pizazz and you’re ready to go!
Flower Child
Is your style more reminiscent of a more groovy time in life? If Woodstock photographs and The Beatles posters clutter your walls and you are never seen without your guitar and a flower in your hair (shoes optional) you may be a love child of the 60’s. Sure, you weren’t born in the 60’s but you’re style reflects that to a tee. You are all about recycling and world peace. Prom may just seem like a waste of time and money, world of superficial glamour while you’re just fine with your flowy sundresses and organic fabrics. But not every prom dress is fitted and constricting. There are plenty of options for a breezy dress that is not only comfortable but very chic. Try an A-line silhouette prom dress in a flower or butterfly print pattern with a one shouldered or strapless bust in a light, breezy fabric. You get many more choices for accessories and shoes with a multicolored prom dress. Heels are great for prom, but if you want to stick to your comfortable look, try flat gladiator sandals decorated with jewels. Adorn your hair with rosettes or feathers, and you’ll look like an earth angel, prom style! La Femme and Jovani carry many beautiful printed prom dresses. Celebrity wise, Kate Hudson and Nicole Richie always look polished, but add their own elements of boho-chic to their look whenever they’re on the scene.
Quirky Queen
What if your style can’t be merely defined in a few words? One day you may want to look like a disco diva in a metallic dress and platform boots and the next a child of the 80’s in a mismatched, highlighter ensemble with tights and piled on accessories? You love fashion you don’t necessarily follow trends, but rather create your own and most importantly you’re not afraid to try any style. Though your clothing choices may leave even your own parents scratching their head at times, whatever you wear, you OWN the look. Prom is no different. Leave them speechless in a floor length, column silhouette prom dress with a removable tulle breakaway skirt. So versatile that you can create your own magic trick by starting the night with the tulle overlay attached, run to the restroom near the end of the dance, remove the tulle skirt and viola, a whole new dress! This style also comes in the form of a short, baby doll dress too. Lattice style back designs and cut outs also add an interesting appeal to any dress. Tony Bowls and Terani are just noted examples of designers who constantly bring fresh and funky designs to the prom market. Wear a fun hairband or bow accessories in your hair with color contrasting, piled on bracelets and rings. Instead of basic heels, try out booties instead. Take a page from the style book of fearless fashionistas like Katy Perry and Rihanna who never play by the rules when it comes to their own unique sense of fashion.
Play up your best features with the prom dress of choice in your specific style of dress. Part of what makes a girl confident and sexy is always staying true to who she is, not what others want her to be. Keep these simple tips in mind and happy shopping!
