Anatomy of a Prom Outfit

I remember the discussion. I was standing in the aisle of the department store with an armload of poufy dresses, arguing with my mom.

“You know, Emily,” she said,  “when I was younger, I’m pretty sure I made my prom dress. It wasn’t that big of a deal! I was lucky to have a date.”

Well, mom, times have changed, and, by the way, my date is the least of my worries right now.

These days, you’ve barely had a chance to breathe from the after-Christmas sales before you see those shiny, glittery, cupcake-like dresses gracing every department store around town.  This. Is. Serious. Business.

Inspired by debutante balls and stemming from the 19th century tradition, “Promenade,” or “The Prom” has evolved from a dance held for post-secondary graduating seniors to an end-of-the-year party for high school juniors and seniors. While the outfits used to be less important, now ensembles are often planned well before the snow even melts from the ground.

1. The Dress. Poufy or slinky, long or short, sparkly or shiny, straps or no straps. These are all very important decisions to make. Priced up to hundreds of dollars, the dress must be well researched and selected with care. Consider your body shape when searching for the best fit. Bigger-busted women might actually benefit from a strapless gown, while smaller frames might enjoy a halter neck or spaghetti straps.

Taller women should opt for longer lines and stay away from large volume towards the bottom of the dress. Call attention to your frame by adding some sparkle and shine to your design. Curvier women will likely do better with a solid color (stay away from busy patterns) that hugs her curves. If you’ve got ‘em, flaunt ‘em.

2. The Shoes. Once the dress is secured, move on to footwear. If your dress happens to be a solid color, grab a pair of shoes that sparkles. If it happens to be a color such as black, white or gray, grab a pair of really bright heels that will pop against the neutral color.

3. The Jewelry. Select jewelry that will complement and not compete with your outfit. Try to balance things out. For example, if your dress has lots of shimmer, opt for plain or silver accessories. Also, don’t feel the need to have a complete set of earrings, a necklace, a bracelet and a ring. I’m a big fan of choosing one piece of jewelry that really stands out, like a statement ring, and letting that be the focal point. Also, please, please, please don’t wear a tiara. Unless someone is placing it on your head at the end of the dance, steer clear of this cheesy accessory.

And there you have it, the anatomy of a prom outfit and the preparation that goes into it. It’s amazing to see with the passing of each generation how much this age-old tradition has changed.

Tell us, what is your favorite prom memory?