Tips To Make Prom Perfect (2)

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Looking Your Best:

With the hair question settled, or at least being worked on, let's talk about the second most important aspect of the prom look: your dress. It’s probably the first thing a young woman thinks about with regard to prom and is the one thing that most young women do wrong.

Whatever you do, do NOT get tricked into buying the "new style" that is going to be the trendiest look for prom season. These are trends that will move out of fashion as quickly as they came in. Keep in mind that you are preparing for a night that you hopefully will want to look back on fondly in years to come. It ruins the effect if every time you see your prom photos you cringe at the sight of the "hottest look" from that period of your life. If you don't believe me, just ask my friend "Bonnie" (not her real name, or she'd kill me) about the photos of the "powder blue wedding cake" that was her at her senior prom.

Go with a classic-style evening dress. Something that looks like a dress you would normally wear, otherwise, you're going to be uncomfortable, and you may live to regret the decision. Make sure the dress fits your personality and sense of taste. This is not the time to pretend to be something you're not, especially if you have a distinct look and sense of style. Besides, none of your friends are going to believe the look you're going for if you try to project an image that isn't you.

And make sure your date doesn't fall for the "trendy" look either. Tuxedos should always be classic cut, with simple, elegant shirt and collar designs. Don't let him get talked into a crazy new tuxedo look or, heaven forbid, a non-traditional color. Again, remember the photos. (Just ask "Bonnie's" husband, "Mike," and the lime-green horror he wore at his senior prom the year before her blue dress nightmare.)

Shopping for a dress for prom — Photo: Mart Production/Pexels

And don't forget to accessorize appropriately. There's no need to "gild the lily" if you're wearing an eye-catching dress that will surely turn heads, but if your dress is more conservative, then a few well-chosen accessories can really add some spice to the look. And don’t spend a lot of money on expensive jewelry that could get lost. You can get some really nice costume jewelry that will let you compliment your outfit without breaking your budget (or your heart if something happens to it).

Keep an eye on your date's accessories too. Don't let him wear his casual watch, or that dangling earring he likes to wear. A simple dressy watch and a stud earring are a better look for a formal occasion. When he puts on his tux, these things will stand out dramatically, especially in the pictures.

More Tips:

Here are some more tips to help you make sure things go much smoother on Prom night. These tips aren't just limited to hair and dress-related issues, but will ensure that you have a good night and a memorable, enjoyable time.

Try things on before the big day. This is especially true of your shoes. The last thing you want is to discover 30 minutes into the dance that the great shoes you got to go with your dress hurt your feet so badly that you can’t dance in them. Make sure your date tries his shoes on as well, as shoe size can vary significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Choosing shoes for prom — Photo: Alexandra Maria/Pexels

Also, try on your dress periodically between the time you purchase it and Prom Night. Sometimes a woman's body weight and size can fluctuate depending on the stage of her menstrual cycle. If your dress is form-fitting, it's a good idea to make sure you can make any needed adjustments at the last minute to ensure you're comfortable on the big night.

Keep Prom gear together. Use a suitcase or travel bag to store all your prom-related accessories together until the big day. This includes your shoes, hosiery, undergarments, jewelry, special hair accessories, and even your Prom tickets. By keeping everything together in one place, and adding newly acquired items as you get them, you can avoid that day of panic at not being able to find something you wanted to have for the big night. It also allows you to keep track of things you may need to get beforehand.

Practice any special makeup techniques beforehand. Prom is a time when most young women want to do something extra special with their makeup. They like to go for a look that’s a little more glamorous. Try out the look you have in mind before the big day to see if it really suits you. Put on your makeup and wear it for a few hours and keep checking back to see how it holds up. You may realize that less is indeed more, and that you will be much happier with a different look.

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