Every attendee aspires for a spectacular, magical night at prom, and it all begins with the outfit. Countless hours are spent choosing a prom dress, pairing accessories, touching up your hair-do and perfecting winged eyeliner. Hopefully this article helps you find some inspiration whether it be to decide on that latest style of a flowy dress or to show some self-expression through bold colors.

THE DRESS

Short or Long

When choosing the perfect dress you first have to decide whether you want to go with a short one, a long one or a combination of both that is short in the front and long in the back.  With a short dress, you have the opportunity to move freely without worrying about stepping on your dress.  You are also more able to show off your legs and display your eye-catching shoes.  Long gowns allow you to put on an elegant dress that you probably haven’t had the opportunity to wear for other occasions.  They don’t show off your legs, but they come in a variety of different styles that allow you to show your personality.  A high-low dress that is short in the front and long in the back gives you the best of both worlds.  You can show off your shoes, but still have a train to give you the feeling of a long dress.  No matter what length dress you choose, you are sure to slay in a dress that makes you feel happy and beautiful.

Two Piece

This fun trend offers a new twist to the traditional prom dress.  You are able to show off a little more skin or those abs you’ve been working on for ages.  This trend transcends across every length dress, and will surely allow you to add a little bit of sassy flair to your prom look.  It’s totally up to you in deciding how much skin you want to be on display.  Whether the skirt sits higher than your waist offering more coverage, or if you want the skirt to sit lower than your waist to show a little more skin, it’s best to keep comfort in mind.  Because of the popularity of this trend, you can easily find a dress that accommodates how much skin you want revealed.

Ball Gown

If you want to feel like a real life princess then this is the style for you.  Ball gowns can seem like a scary thing to some, but if you’ve never tried a ball gown on you definitely should.  Don’t knock it until you try it!  This style is very flattering on all body types.  It accentuates your waist and gives you the illusion of gliding across the dance floor.  Although they are a little difficult to move around in, it is far from impossible to dance in a ball gown.  Another perk that ball gowns have is that if you don’t want to wear any fancy shoes you don’t have to.  No one can see your shoes under your skirt, so no one will know if you’re wearing heels or comfy Chacos under your dress!  Twirl around like the true princess you are in your show-stopping poofy ball gown!

Slit Up the Leg

Feeling sassy and want to show off those amazing legs of yours? Sounds like a dress with a slit up the leg is the right one for you!  When working with this style of dress, choose something that has soft flowing material.  If it’s flowy, then it will gracefully sway as you walk and draw the eye to your leg.  Because of the slit in the side of the dress, your shoes will be put on display too. Choose some shoes that are pleasing to the eye but don’t draw the attention away from your fantastic legs!

THE HAIR

Updo

Draw attention to your gorgeous makeup and the back of your dress with a fancy updo.  When you have your hair pulled back off your face it draws attention to your neck and shoulders.  An updo also allows you to show off your dazzling earrings if you choose so.  

Down

Just because your hair down doesn’t mean it has to be flat and boring.  When it’s down, you have the freedom to style it however you want.  You can straighten it, make soft loose curls, or pull some back to show off your face.

Braid

A braid hairstyle can shine on its own or even be incorporated in either of the two styles above. One popular hairdo is a tight braid across the crown of your face and from there you can style the rest of your hair up or down. Play around with some braids and see if it’s right for you and your desired look!

THE SHOES

Heels

For such a formal occasion it might seem like a necessity to wear fancy heels with your dress, but shoe preference is unique to everyone.  You have to keep in mind what is most comfortable for you.  In the store, you might think those six-inch stilettos will complete your look, but they won’t seem so perfect after you’ve walked around in them for a while.  You want to remember that you’ll be walking around taking pictures and dancing all night.  It will definitely dull the mood if your shoes are hurting your feet.  Break in those heels and practice walking in them to make sure you’re prepared to strut your stuff. Pre-prom dance parties in your room are a great time to practice your dance moves in your rocking heels, so blast that music and get your groove on!

Flats

Heels aren’t for everyone.  If you feel more comfortable in flats, don’t kill yourself trying to pretend your heels aren’t destroying your feet.  You can still serve looks in some fun sparkly sandals, Converse, or any other non-traditional shoes of your choice.  Dance all night with no pain in some comfy flats; you won’t regret it!

THE ACCESSORIES

Earrings

Jewelry offers so many different variations of bling for prom-goers to find the perfect combination! Dangled earrings will have you flipping your hair back as if a blowing fan was following you around; you’ll want to show them off! As for studs, they are simple and perfect for pairing with a dress that already has a lot of bling. Sometimes a traditional diamond stud does the trick and pulls the whole outfit together! Another great choice for dazzling up your ears are pearls. Pearls are an absolute classic! They go extremely well with a navy dress (to go for a nautical feel) or a dress with pearls already incorporated in design. Overall, earrings are great for bringing attention to your beautiful face!

Necklace

A flashy necklace or choker might be the perfect thing to finish off your prom night look.  If your dress is more simple in design and doesn’t have as much detailing, a necklace could add that special touch to catch everyone’s eye.  If you have extensive beading or sparkle on your dress, you might want to steer clear of neckwear.  Necklaces can draw attention away from your dress, so don’t feel obligated to wear a necklace.  Your dress should be at the center of attention, so don’t add unnecessary jewelry to steal the spotlight.

Bracelets

Bracelets work best when paired with a matching necklace to complete the look, but if you’re feeling adventurous, go for the mismatched look! As previously mentioned, make sure your jewelry doesn’t steal the show; you want the dress to be the main focal point. That being said, bracelets are best for simpler dresses.

Remember the most important thing is to feel comfortable and happy with what you’re wearing! Make the style your own! Add some sparkles, wear that bold orange, do that crazy hair braid! The night is young and yours, so let yourself have some fun!