What to Wear: Prom

Beware: Massive events call for massive posts!

‘Tis prom season, darlings! Junior proms, senior proms, balls, formals, and all that jazz. Also known as the time span between March and May when girls and mothers alike go crazy hunting for the dress, booking hair, makeup, nail appointments, and arguing with other mother-daughter pairs who happen to want the same dress for the same prom.

And I am hardly exaggerating. I breathe a rather loud sigh of relief, glad that I was able to get the actual dress shopping part over and done with quite early (and under half and hour too!). I’ve gotten quite a few emails requesting a what to wear post on, well, what to wear for prom – from the general to down the specifics. So here goes!

Find some inspiration.

The easiest place to look for such inspiration is through magazines or online forums/sites on what celebrities have worn on the red carpet. Runway shows featuring dresses are perfect too. From there, gather a few images and decide on what kind of a look you wish to go for. Classic & sophisticated? Sultry & sexy? Eclectic unconventional? Ethereal? Etc. Or think about who you want to be for the night – after all, prom is the one night when a high school student takes a peak into the glamorous life. You can be that someone you’ve always wanted to be – prom is simply a great (and expensive) night of dress-up, no? Marilyn Monroe? Natalie Portman? Nicole Richie? Christina Aguilera? Scarlett Jo? The list goes on.

There is a point to gathering inspiration. Because when you start shopping, you know what you want. Which ends the trying-on of oh, say, twenty or so useless dresses, wandering, panicking, and what not. You will know when you see the dress. And all that’s left to do is trying it on and whipping out dearest mother’s credit card.

And now where to shop?

It’s quite easy to pick out which stores everyone will buy their dress at. So to avoid that potentially awkward encounter where another girl is wearing the same dress, simply skip those places. Also try to skip those department stores; surely they have a large selection of dresses, but you’ll simply look like every other girl. All prom dresses are essentially the same, save a few sequins here and there. Shop at vintage stores or boutiques; eBay is your best friends; or various online stores (I absolutely love Nasty Gal Vintage!).

One night, only.

[cue Dreamgirls disco version, as sung by Beyonce] Prom is supposedly one of the best nights of our high school lives; it is the cliche, epitome and end of our high school careers. But do keep in mind that it is simply one night – if possible, try to find a dress that can be re-worn for some other black tie occasion, or one that can be shortened for future use. The same applies to shoes and jewelry! It is, of course, understandable that you want to look and feel your best. But looking for equally beautiful but less pricey – or simply versatile – dresses and accessories are much more satisfying. Allot that money saved in that Birkin savings fund! This is the perfect opportunity to invest in that staple LBD or LRD (the little red dress).

Some rules.

Rules, rules, rules. They dominate our everyday lives in every aspect (for better or for worse). The following are exactly rules, persay, but guidelines. Junior prom is generally less formal; so short dresses and cocktail dresses are perfectly fine, if not the norm! Senior prom is the big shebang. It is your moment to shine; pretend it is your red carpet moment, or your first attendance at a fabulous gala. Long dresses are preferable!

Be showstoppin’. And be you.

Find a dress or a shoe that leaves a lasting impression, or surprises people. You can go for a simple dress, but let it hug your figure. Or a conservative front, but a low-cut back. A typical LBD with unusual cutouts. Or perhaps an unexpected 20’s fringe, or hand-beaded embellishment. Let you shine.

♥

And now addressing the more specific questions:

I’ve written to you once before and this time I have two questions lingering in my mind. Prom is coming up really quickly and I only have until May 16 to have everything prepared and ready. I’m a senior and since this will be my first and last high school dance ever, I wanted to make it the most memorable one with all my friends and to add in; to be looking gossip girl-esque (haha) and just look as simple and elegant for that night. I was thinking of wearing a cropped cardigan over a strapless or one shoulder dress (haven’t settled with the dress just yet in either colors: navy blue, black, or dark purple) ’cause I know it’s gonna be a bit chilly out there at Universla Studios and bring it just in case.

So my first question is: Could I wear a cropped cardigan or some bolero or rather a short blazer of some sort over the dress without killing the appearance of the dress?

I also wanted to know if there were any mini dresses that weren’t too revealing in the front and back and yet a bit sexy. I was channeling for a blair waldorf sense of style. So my question is: Could you recommend any dresses for me that would be a bit on the conservative (meaning with short sleeves) and yet sexy and having that blair waldorf style?

I’m not so sure if that last question made much much sense, but I hope it works. LOL. Thank you so much for reading this and your blog has given me so much inspiration.

.   .   .

I absolutely ADORE your idea of a Gossip-girl inspired dress. Fabulous, tasteful, and different indeed!

On the question of cardigans and the likes over dresses…

Unconventional? Yes. But why not? It is much better to stay warm than be shivering the whole night, no? So I do love your practicality. Cardigans are cute; perhaps look for ones with embellishments or pretty buttons (pearls, rhinestones, etc.) if you think regular ones are too informal. The blazer is quite the fashionable idea as well! I do, however prefer shawls and wraps – much more sophisticated, in my opinion. And they serve as lovely blankets on the ride home!

Conservative yet sexy, à la Blair Waldorf:

(1) Natalia Bandage Dress (Nasty Gal Vintage): Although this dress is sleeveless, the neckline, color, and fabric is quite conservative. The puckered material may seem unusual, but looks much like lace from afar. But it is the form-fitting shape and open back that is makes it demurely sexy. I would love to see this dress with a lovely floral headpiece of some sort! (2) TFNC Lace Open Back Detail Frill Sleeve Dress (ASOS): It has sleeves! Simple, classic, and a bit unusual for prom. The girliness & lace overlay does remind me of Blair.

.   .   .

Hi! I am going to junior prom this year and am having trouble finding a dress! I want something classic, but also interesting… I am opting for something more fitted, although I am very open… Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

Some of my favorite picks, as shown via a collage! From left to right: Monica Bodycon Dress | Asymmetrical Feathered Dress (reminds me a bit of something Carrie Bradshaw would wear!) | Oasis Peplum Dress (a bit like the Alexander McQueen dress down the Fall 08 runway!) | Bodycon Knit dress, with paneling like Herve Leger | Asymmetrical Grecian dress with a chain detail | Kate Moss for Topshop Keyhole Bodycon dress | Stylestalker One Shoulder Bow Dress

.   .   .

Happy shopping, darlings!

Bisous,

La C.