Prom is when high school students get to dress up and feel glamorous for one night. They can dance the night away in formal gowns and suits. Attendees look forward to making sure every detail is perfect, finding a limo, slow dancing, and getting the dress.
“On Prom night, I am with my friends partying and taking pictures. I love having an evening to have fun and feel elegant in my dress,” said senior Alivia Gibson.
The dress is the centerpiece of the night. It is the head-turning, eye-catching part of the outfit. However, getting the best dress for your skin tone and body shape is difficult. Many dresses can wash you out or fit awkwardly. To make the night memorable, it is important to find the right one, so here are some tips for preparing for your special night.
Do Your Research
Before purchasing a dress, do your research. It is important to decide where to go, what to look for, and what looks best on your body. Some students also set a budget for their dresses, shoes, hair, and accessories. Other students look at the popular fashion trends online and decide which trends they want to follow. This process can be very lengthy, so some students like to start looking long before Prom, which is on April 27 this year.
“I do research [for] months before I browse for a dress. I look at the latest trends in dresses online to see what most people will wear,” said FCHS senior Taylor Webber.
Plan What Looks Best for You
Look in your closet, and see what pieces you like to wear and why. Notice how the neckline lays on you, and what fit is the most flattering to your body. There are many body shapes, so determining which one you are will help you find the best fit. Some sites, such as this one, can help by taking information about your measurements and calculating your body type.
Then you can shop for a dress based on your body type. The Well Dressed Life is one site which offers helpful tips for dressing your body type. Of course, you do not have to limit yourself to these types of dresses, but if you are stuck, then it can be a good starting place.
Plan Where To Go
Shopping for a unique dress and finding something no one will match is difficult in a small county like Fluvanna, and can even be difficult when you add Richmond to the mix.
“I normally go to Windsor in Richmond, but I tend to see everyone getting dressed from there, so they end up with the same,” said junior Avery Abel.
Areas within 30 minutes of Fluvanna County include dress stores like Inspired By The Dress (located in Scottsville), Variedades Santa Cruz (Charlottesville), and Hisami’s Fashion (Charlottesville). These are closer options, but may not offer a large variety. However, traveling an hour or two can help you find something more unique and minimize your chance of walking into the dance and seeing someone else in the same dress. In Richmond, popular stores for finding prom dresses include Step N Style, Lex’s of Carytown, and David’s Bridal.
Ordering online is always risky because of sizing, fabric, and shipping time. Looking at the size guides the website offers is essential in getting the right fit. Websites for formal events that are time-sensitive include Princess Polly, Selfie Leslie, and Hello Molly. Websites with inclusive sizing for prom include David’s Bridal, Camile La Vie, and Macy’s.
Consider Cheaper Options
Money-saving options include thrift stores and department stores like JCPenney or Belk. Thrift stores are a hit-or-miss option; there are hidden gems, but it takes time to look for them. At Effort Church they offer an event called Glass Slipper, where people donate their gently-used dresses and accessories to sell at a cheaper price. JCPenny or Belk have a decent selection, but other students might get the same idea of shopping there, making it more likely you’ll someone else in your dress.
Another option is to ask a family member if they saved their dress from a past Prom or Homecoming and see if you could wear it. It would be vintage, a different style, and possibly the perfect option.
FInd the Perfect Fit
After you get your dress, consider getting a seamstress. They can ensure it is the perfect fit. Whether you have a problem with the dress being too long, too tight, too big, or too short, a seamstress can alter the dress so it fits perfectly.
“I am 5-foot-4 and I always have the issue of a dress being too long. It drapes on the floor when I attend a formal, [so] I hire a seamstress,” said FCHS senior Sophie Farley.
However, hiring a seamstress can be costly, so be prepared to spend a pretty penny. The benefits are that it would be worth it for the perfect dress to remember for a lifetime. It is important to hire a seamstress months beforehand in case they have a heavy workload, and altering the dress takes a bit to finish.
After the Dress
Once you acquire the dress, it is time to build the outfit. This includes more research regarding jewelry, accessories, shoes, hair, and makeup.
Jewelry will depend on your skin tone and the dress. If your skin is a warm tone, gold is a better choice. If your skin is a cool tone, silver is a better choice. Inner Island’s blog has a style guide to help you decide if gold or silver suits you.
Accessories include a shawl, gloves, and hair pins. Prom is in the evening, so when it gets cooler, a shawl will help keep warm and fashionable. Amazon is a great option for accessories for formal events that aren’t too expensive. Gloves are not for everyone, but they can add an elegant accent to the look. Etsy has unique gloves that are handmade by others on the site. Hair accessories and pins go with the dress, like flowers or pearls. Make your hair shine with gems and statement pins. Windsor has a nice selection of accessories that will make a great accent piece.
Shoes are often either going to be the same color as the dress, have a neutral tone, or even match your jewelry color with a gold or silver shoe. Finding the perfect shoes that will not hurt your feet on the dance floor is essential. Everyone wants to be comfortable, so the heel height and shape are important. A heel too high can be hard to walk in, plus you could twist your ankle. If you are less comfortable in heels, choose a lower kitten heel or a low wedge. Chunky heels allow more balance and stability, while thinner heels are risky and less stable. Still, if you know how to walk in them, the look can be quite fierce.
Hair and makeup depend on the dress. Different necklines of dresses may determine which hairstyle is best. Vogue has an article with detailed information about which hairstyles are better for the dress of their choice.
Makeup will accentuate the whole look, complementing the sparkle and colors. Makeup is a creative wide variety of designs someone can create. Looks are neutral, bold, pop of color, sparkles, or edgy. Pinterest is a great outlet to find makeup looks to recreate. Search for things that go with the idea you are looking for.
The 2024 prom theme for FCHS is Masquerade and will be held on April 27 in the cafeteria. Tickets will go on sale two weeks before the event during all lunches, and will be $20 each.
