There are some girls who have had their prom dress chosen since December. There are those who have no idea where to start. Hopefully this Prom Special will help you find the best and most flattering dress for you!

Before picking a dress, I recommend doing some thinking and research. This is so that you don’t spend endless hours shopping and come home empty handed.

Have no idea what you’re looking for? Research current prom dress trends. Clothing trends shift every season but dress trends tend to stay around a bit longer. If you’re lucky, you can find a dress that you can wear not only for prom, but other occasions in the future. However, finding a dress that is versatile enough to be used more than once, should not be a main priority unless the dress is ridiculously expensive. Also, prom dresses are usually different in the fact that they are “prom dresses” and they usually end up hanging in your closet, only to serve as a souvenir of high school.

Where do you go research? Where else, but Oscars, Emmys, and other red carpet events? The prom dress industry does its research as well, keeping an eye on what couture designers make so that you, the prom attendee, can wear fabulous dresses like the stars.

Here are some prom dress trends for 2008.
– Ruffles
– Black and white
– Feathers
– Sequins
– Chiffon
– Red
– Bondage
– Floral
– Technicolor
– One shouldered

Be careful that you do not go overboard on the feathers, ruffles, and sequins or just in general, any kind of trend. Choose wisely because you might be following a trend so that you fit in, but end up standing out as a faux pas. See the pictures at the end of this article to see examples of the trends.

Learn how to flatter your figure. Not all trends flatter everyone. One of the most important things that you should keep into consideration is your body. Although it may look good on the model in the catalog or in the picture, it may not look good on you. My recommendation is “Work with what you’ve got- Flaunt it if you have it (but in a classy way)”.

Try to try on the dress and make sure it fits comfortably and accentuates your good points and hides your bad points.

Determine how much you want to spend. As much as we all want to wear the dress the model is wearing in Vogue Magazine, the thought isn’t very realistic. “You don’t have to sacrifice your wallet for a great dress and you don’t have to sacrifice style for price”. Use a little creativity or just keep looking for the dress that is at the best price for the best style.

Start shopping online. Do a little pre-shopping online so you can see what you do and don’t like. Also doing a little eye shopping online lets you see what to expect in terms of style and prices when you do go shopping. And you never know, you could come across a dress that you are in love with and cannot find in stores. In that case, you can buy it online and not even have to go out.

Just remember, that you don’t have to follow trends if you don’t want to. Be yourself and have your own style. Good luck and have fun shopping!

Fashion For Thought:
“Make it work.”
– Tim Gunn, Project Runway