Saying YES to the prom dress :)

Prom time has come! That glorious moment at the end of May that also marks the end of months long preparations and the beginning of weeks long celebrations. I have to admit I’ve seen a lot of people overdoing themselves and overestimating the high school graduation (because let’s face it, you’ll probably have way bigger achievements later in life) but since proms has become these massive Hollywood-like parties that consume a lifetime of your parents’ savings, let’s find a way to make it worth the efforts and expenditure. Today we’ll talk about silhouettes, materials, colors and how to say yes to the perfect prom dress for you.

Step number 1 and the key to an outfit planning (and not just for prom but for every occasion) is getting to know your body shape. Don’t buy a dress you love and try to shape your body around it. There is no certainty that you will achieve the results you want and in addition to being risky it’s also terribly wrong because you deserve to love you body just the way it is.

So lets check the vasic body shapes and dress silhouettes that fit them best:

1.       An Inverted Triangle Body Shape (or the Apple body shape)

This type of figure is described by a heavier upper body, broad shoulders (much broader than your hips) and bigger bust line. If you have this line than your arms and shoulders need to be enhanced. The focus should be on your hips in order to create a balance. A-line dresses or or empire cuts are your best friends. Your upper body doesn’t need any accents so don’t focus there. V-necklines work well and create an illusion of narrow shoulders. Avoid any off-shoulder variations, they make unnessecary accent to your shoulders. Full or 3/4th sleeves dresses are OK. Monochrome and dark colors are your perfect choice. Floral tops also look great. Avoid ant stripes! Wearing the right bra is also crucial.

2.       A Curvy Shape (or the Hourglass Body Shape)

This body type is the most balanced of all. The top and bottom part of the body are well proportioned and the waistline is very well-defined. Balance is the key to flaunting this body type the right way. Dresses that cinch at the waist are perfect. V-line or sweetheart neckline is the perfect choice for your upper body. A belt at the waistline or below the belly button looks perfect because that’s where the accent should be. A-line dresses fit great on this body type. Mermais silhouette might also do the trick since it shows all you curves. Body-hugging dresses and wrap-style tops are defeinately your thing. High-waisted skirts can also be very flattering. Go for sioette with straps (particularly spaghetti straps can look really cool on you). Bandeau tops can look great if paired with ruffled bottoms. Avoid loose tops and/or bottoms – they do your body no favour.

3.       A triangle Shape (A Pear Body Shape)

If you have this body type your butt and thighs are visually bigger than your upper body. The best you can do with this sillhouette is to create an illusion of an hourglass figure with the correct styling. Your shoulders are narrow so you have to put an accent on them to make them look broader. The other option is to wear outfits that enhance your lower body. A-line dresses with patterned or ruffled tops look great. Off-shoulder cuts and necklines and loose tops suits you perfectly. Sweetheart, V or deep-V or boat necklines are you perfect choices because they balance your bottom. Avoid skin fitting tops or loose bottoms and don’t accessorise with belts. Forget about ruffled and layered bottoms! Floral skirts are perfectly OK and so are bandeau tops that add this much needed volume to your shoulders.

4.       The rectangular Shape (The Athletic Body Type)

Rectangle shaped body is usually well balanced from the shoulders to the hips. Your arms and legs are your greatest assets. Unlike the hourglass figure the waistline is not that well-defined here. You can choose A-line skirts and pair them with ruffled and layered tops. Dresses that add volume to your bottom are also a great option. Sleeveless and strapless dresses look OK, sweetheart neckline is your thing. Off the shoulder, boat neck and V- line also suit you. If you want to add sleeves princess or flutter are the best options. Belted waists can also do the trick for you but do not go for under the belly button belts. Find skirts with details to add the illusion of curves to your hips. Ruffled or embellished tops and bottoms are fine as long as you balance them.

5.       The Oval or Diamond Body Shape

Your waist is wide and undefined. If you have larger bust and narrow hips you have the oval body shape. In this case your legs are your best asset. Diamond body shape, on the other side, is the silhouette when the hips are broader than the bust and shoulders. Square or scoop necklines and nipped-in at the waist tops will help create an illusion of well-defined waist - they are the best option for both types. Oval shape pairs well with belted tops, wrap tops with wide, deep V-necks. Simple sleeves can also do the trick. Flowing skirts will help fill out your hips and straight skirts look good on your figure. An empire waist is preferable. As for the diamond body shape, princess or flutter sleeves will balance the figure. Tailored wrap tops or tunics with belted waists, wide necklines, full sleeves and draped fabric with a low, banded waist – all of them are perfect options for you. Strapless or off-shoulder tops with an empire waist and are perfectly OK. Straight skirts that fall from the widest part of your hips look great. For slimming effect choose vertical designs. Strapless ruffled tops are welcome.

Additional things you need to consider:

If you are BUSTY – No matter the body type if you have bigger bossom find a way to flare it. The key to dressing a busty body type is to draw attention up to your face. Balancing the broader upper body with the narrower lower body is crucial. This can be achieved by dresses that add curves to the hips and create a well-defined waist.

If you are SLENDER - Slender bodies look lovely in fitted dresses. You can also choose an empire waist, asymmetric neckline, belted waist to add further dimension to your look.

If you are PETITE - Choosing a short dress can do the trick or wearing an asymmetrical hemline - this will make your figure taller. Floor-length gowns and full skirts tend are not OK but high-low dresses can be fun. Fitting dresses with V-necklines are perfect option. Feminine dresses are a great compliment to your body type and the perfect pair of high heels is your best accessory. Mermaid gown will give you a dramatic effect and also make you look taller.

The materials are also very important. There are various fabrics when in comes to prom gowns and the one you choose can be quite important. Bare in mind that there are dresses that look cheap despite that they aren’t and dresses that don’t cost much but still look luxurious. It’s not necessarily about the fabric, but there are a few that can guarantee you stealing the spotlight. Also be aware when choosing that they can affect your comfort and different fabrics are suitable for different weather and temperatures.

So here are the top 10 fabrics used for prom gowns:

1. Satin

Satin can be made of other materials – usually silk, polyester or a blend of both. Satin is one of the most common fabrics out there. It has a smooth finish and is perfect for structured gowns. A very supportive fabric that works with every body type. Satin is perfect for ball gowns. Most girls choose this one for their prom dresses.

2. Charmeuse

Charmeuse is a light, rich fabric with a lovely drape and a glossy sheen. Usually made of silk, it has a gorgeous liquid effect. Often used in column dresses. Charmeuse is incredibly luxurious, but it does show every flaw, so be careful with this one.

3. Chiffon

Incredibly sheer and lightweight, chiffon is a light woven fabric. It's often used in layers or as an overlay for a more substantial fabric. This delicate fabric has a floaty, weightless look, but it does fray and snag easily. Better to use in combination with other fabrics.

4. Organza

Organza is a sheer, lightweight woven fabric traditionally made from silk. It is also much stiffer than chiffon. Whereas chiffon drapes, organza is more structured, though still light and ethereal. It, too, is a very delicate fabric, so watch out for snags and pulls.

5. Tulle

This fabric is sheer with on open weave that looks like netting. It can incorporate lace designs, as well. A gown style made of tulle will have a diaphanous, airy feeling. Incredibly delicate fabric, it is often used in combination with other materials and is often used for ball gown skirts.

6. Lace

Lace is one of the materials that is known to add as much grace as possible to any gown. Most often used as an overlay or detail, lace comes in a startling variety of styles. There are countless variaties to this one and it’s often used for applications and details. Most of the gowns’ tops are covered in lace.

7. Taffeta

Available in different styles, taffeta is made from silk or synthetic fibers. The stiffer the taffeta, the higher its quality. Rich for winter and light for summer, this versatile fabric can come in almost any color and sometimes appears iridescent due to the weaving process.

8. Crepe

Made of a soft silk or lightweight rayon, crepe is gauzy and crinkled, perfect for soft silhouettes.

9. Georgette

Sheer and lightweight, georgette is spun from polyester or silk and has a crepe surface. Its soft silhouette makes it a perfect top layer in formal gowns.

10. Polyester

Inexpensive and synthetic, polyester can be woven into almost any fabric. Polyester satin is a very common alternative to silk in that it's more wrinkle resistant and less delicate.

The shape – this is the most important thing. After you have figured out your body type you can proceed to pick a type of dress that is suitable for you. Bear in mind also your personal comfort and think carefully about every detail of the day. Will it be OK for you to get into a car with this dress? Will you be comfortable while using the bathroom? Also try a few different sillhouettes to be sure this is the one!

Here are the basic styles of prom dresses you can pick from:

1.       Empire dress

An empire waistline draws the attention to your waist, while also emphasising on your curves. A simple draped fabric of the skirt falls over your curves and tends to increase the confidence and comfort of the wearer. Empire waist can be easily combined with A-line, too.

2.       Sheath/ Fit and Flare

This style evening gown is designed to fit the body tightly. It can be belted or unbelted, with shoulder straps or be strapless. Fit and Flare dresses can be worn for a more simplistic less-is-more look.

3.       Princess

A princess style dress - the most traditional one - is perfect for all body types. Its accent on the waistline makes the sillhouette glow. It can be with or without sleeves, with or without stripes. Either way this style of dress can make anyone feel like royalty on their special night. Just watch out for your comfort in this one.

4.       A-line

The A-line style evening gown is fitting at the top and gradually widens at the bottom. A- line dresses are commonly simple but often attract attention with its all time elegantance. There is an A-line dress for every body shape and you bacically can't go wrong with this style.

5.       Dropped Waist

The waistline is dropped below the actual waistline. Generally worn to elongate the waist and create a slim look, the skirt can be either fitted or flared. This style can be worn by any body type and can be combined with the A-line sillhouette.

6.       Trumpet/Mermaid

Evening gown that are trumpet shaped are tight and fitting until they reache the mid thigh/knees, where they flare down. Mermaid gowns, as the name suggests, resembles a mermaid’s tale - form fitting around the top and body hugging all the way to the knees where the skirt flares out dramatically. Thess styles flatters slender body types as it shows off all the necessary curves.

7.       Short/ Cocktail

This one is perfect for petite girls! Great choice if you want to keep your options open for potential re-usage. But remember, to rock a gown like that your legs have to be your best asset.

And last but not least – the color. Pick the one that represents you best and flatters your skin ton and hair color. Also, always consider the bigger picture – your jewelry and accessories have to match with the color of the dress!

Here are the most popular color choices when it comes to prom dresses. You can also check out what they mean if you're curious:

Black - this color is wise, reserved, refined and elegant, but also edgy and with a mysterious side. It is known to make the woman who wears it stand out as unique. Black is a classic color that never goes out of style. It also flatters every body shape by slimming it. You can’t go wrong with black. This is one color that will always be both sophisticated and sensual . Huge plus is that can make your waist appear slimmer and your bust larger depending on the cut and fit.

White - pure, innocent, virginal and angelic. It can work to your advantage or your disadvantage, depending on the figure. The key is to not let the white dress wear you. Selecting a white dress with unique beading, detail work, or cutting is a good choice, because at least you will have a chance of being noticed. It float flawlessly between classic glamour and bolder, modern styles. It pairs well with black accessories, pops against richer skin tones, and looks great when bedazzled with gemstones. White, just like black, never goes out of style.

Champagne - a great alternative of the traditional white gown; champagne excels when it has some sparkle so combine it with blingy jewelry.

Red - vibrant, vivacious, confident, classy but with a trendy edge. Red is one of my personal favorite colors for prom gowns, because it complements almost any skin tone and hair color, and it emanates energy. Red is for energy, passion and determination. Red color will look elegant in any style. It’s sultry, sexy, sophisticated, royal, stunning. It also looks fabulous with every skin color.

Pink/Peach - soft, delicate, tranquil, kind. Pink or peach are great colors for those with fair skin. Cute and charming, these delicate colors make the wearer look beautiful and innocent and at the same time stunning and very elegant.

Blue - intelligent, precise, powerful. Blue is confidence and class, trust, peace and loyalty. Blue prom dress can give its wearer the illusion of nature (blue sky or blue sea). No doubt this has been one of the most popular prom dress colors for decades. Just like red, there is a shade of blue for everyone. 

Purple - regal, sophisticated, somewhat adventurous. It is rich and respectable, but you also with a bit of a wild side. Purple is mainly linked with royalty and therefore is always elegant and classy. And has the tendency to rule the hearts of everyone in prom.

Green - earthy, precious, fun, smart. It can also be very diplomatic and slightly quirky. Green color means balance and growth. It gives you calm and fresh look. Green brings out the natural beauty.

Yellow/Orange - sassy, fun, artistic. Yellow is cheerful and can light up the prom. Orange is joy and happiness. These two can be harder to match to your skin tone and/ or hair color, but ther sure is something whimsical about this hue.

Metallic colors - You might fall in love with a dress in a metallic hue - gold, silver, bronze, or even rose gold. Their luminosity can be inspiring and will surely highlight your figure and help you stand out. Sequins, beading, or metalic accesories (like a belt) can enlighten the look even if you choose different color.

Pastels - these are excessively feminine and have been gaining popularity over the last few years. From light purple and ice pink to mojito green and coral red, pastels are fun and flirty and will surely help you maintain a show stopping prom look.

Nude - nudee-tone dresses have been immensly popular over the past few years as well. They include champagne, eggshell, blush, taupe, ivory. You have to choose the color carefully so that it will complement your skin tone. Nude gowns can be elegant and classic, yet very sexy.

And what kind of prom dress did I pick for my big night? I’ll break it down for you:

Being petite, I choose an A-line gown with a dropped waist. I played safe with a V-neckline and a high-low skirt with simple details around the waistline. And as far as the color is concerned I just fell in love with the design and chose it spontaneously. It was electric green - fresh, fun and charming. The fabric was relief satin, sparklinding through its golden threat. Combined with gold jewelry, sandals and cluch it was picture perfect and totally made my night fabulous!

What kind of dress did you choose for your prom? What piece of advice would you give to a girl who has prom planning in the works next year? And what do you think about my prom dress? Let me know in the comments below!


Fill visual imagery on the topic can be seen in the following Pinterest boards:


https://www.pinterest.com/trendywardrobetales/prom-shapes/


https://www.pinterest.com/trendywardrobetales/prom-fabrics/



https://www.pinterest.com/trendywardrobetales/prom-styles/


https://www.pinterest.com/trendywardrobetales/prom-colors/



https://www.pinterest.com/trendywardrobetales/my-prom-style/

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https://www.instagram.com/trendywardrobetales/

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