Homecoming Dresses

We don’t like to think about it, either, but we have to admit that autumn is just around the corner.  Back to school season is in full swing, and it’s time to start thinking about your fall formal dresses.  There are lots of fun trends out there, and Dress Prom is here to keep you on the cutting edge of all things formal (and semi formal, of course).

We know that you like to look pretty all of the time, so we’re going to talk about trends for casual everyday dresses, too.  For casual occasions like this, it’s smart not to go overboard.  Casual dresses can be a little shorter to show off your legs.  Or you could opt for a longer dress with a bigger pattern.  You can pair casual dresses with some subdued accessories.  The key is to look casual and chic— not overdone.

Cocktail dresses are an important part of your semi formal wardrobe.  These dresses bridge the gap between casual and formal, so it’s important to choose a style that fits your body type.  You could try a tight-fitting dress with a simple design.  Avoid too many embellishments, since they might make the dress a little too formal.  Feathers and fur (or faux fur) are hot accessories for this season.

A fall evening formal dress should have a sophisticated design.  Choose darker colors like black, blue, or copper.

Don’t worry… we’re not talking about your face!  We’re talking about your prom, homecoming, and pageant dresses.  You might find yourself in a position where you need to wear one of those dresses again, only to find that it’s all wrinkly.  If you have two proms to go to, and you wear the same dress— it might have gotten wrinkled when you packed it up for an after party.  Or perhaps your closet it just so full of pageant dresses that it’s impossible to keep them all neat and wrinkle-free.  So what do you do?  Don’t worry, Dress Prom has a few tips for getting those wrinkles out.

• Hang the dress up on a plastic hanger and hook it onto something in the bathroom.  The towel bar, the shower curtain rod, the towel bar… whatever you’ve got.  Just make sure the dress isn’t touching the ground.

• Start the shower up using hot water.  (Make sure the curtain is closed if you’ve decided to hang the dress on the shower rod!)  Shut the bathroom door and run the shower for about five minutes.  Let it get steamy.  (If it’s too steamy for you, just leave the room and wait the five minutes outside.)

• Shut the shower off, and let the dress hang in the steam-filled room for about a half hour.  The steam should loosen the wrinkles in the dress.

• Check the dress out.  If you think it’s necessary, repeat the process.

This won’t remove any really deep or set-in wrinkles, but it will certainly give new life to something that’s just a little bit crumpled!

Every girl wants to look beautiful when she walks into that big party.  It doesn’t matter if you’re toothpick thin or fabulously curvy— you should be able to look as pretty as you want to.  The average woman’s dress size is a 14.  Seriously, Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14.  So why do most high-end fashion houses cater to that small percentage of women that are a size two?  Lucky for you, DressProm.net has a full line of plus size prom gowns to make you feel like a princess.

Don’t hide it!  Pride it!
You can’t camouflage your waistline by covering it with layers and layers of fabric.  It’s actually going to have the opposite effect you want.  Find a dress with a cinched in waist or belt.  It will actually help create curves and make you look fabulous.

Boastfully bust-full
Accentuate your bust line with a dress that has an empire waist.  It’ll actually serve double-duty.  Your waist will be defined (like we talked about before), and your “girls” will look tastefully accented.

It’s hip to be hip
If your hips are a problem area for you, then you need to pull the attention elsewhere.  Don’t wear something form fitting on that spot.  A-line dresses are the perfect style for hiding problem hips.

We all know that your prom is a “formal” occasion.  Girls are supposed to wear gowns (or some other suitable fancy dress), and guys are supposed to wear tuxedos.  But what do you where to something that’s designated as “semi-formal”?

Many high schools have semi-formal dances in the beginning of the school year, so it’s not too early to start thinking about this now!

The basic rule of thumb is that semi-formal falls somewhere between “casual” and “formal.”  That means that guys can’t go in khaki pants and polo shirts, but they don’t have to wear tuxedos, either.  A suit with a nice button-down shirt is appropriate for something semi-formal.

But what about girls?

• Fashions change, but some basic rules stay the same.  Generally, a semi-formal dress can range from a cocktail dress to something along the lines of a tea-length dress.  So you want the hemline somewhere between 1″ above the knee and 3″ above the ankle.
• Any silky fabric is appropriate.  For something semi-formal, it might be a little overboard to wear something overly-poofy or princess-like.  (Save that for prom!)
• There’s also some freedom as far as shoes are concerned.  Dress heels are appropriate, but you could also get away with something flat.  Just stay away from flip flops!

Winter formals, Queen of Hearts dances, or holiday balls – they’re all the same. Wintertime celebrations are often one of the best ways for you to experience that same magic of prom night, even before you’re eligible to attend your own high school’s celebration. Made to be nights of magic and wonder, winter formals can be a lot of fun to attend – but even more fun to dress for.

If you’re planning on attending a winter formal, it’s important to keep in mind the weather and the setting of the dance. These two factors, coupled with your own exceptional taste and style, will help you find the perfect dress for the occasion. First of all, consider the climate you live in. Will there be snow or sunshine? Dress for your climate first so that you can remain comfortable, however, also consider the setting. If your dance is going to be a drafty gym, you may want to consider adding a wrap, sweater, or shawl to your ensemble so that you won’t be cold. If your dance is being held in a warm hotel lobby or lodge, then a coat may be great for just getting you into the door.

Once you’ve sorted out these two details, it’s time to start shopping for the perfect dress! Winter formals are going to be all about luxurious fabrics and details so don’t be afraid to be daring. Now is the time to get bold. Check out the selection of Winter Formal Dresses at DressProm.net to find the dress that’s going to make your night unforgettable.

The day of your homecoming dance is going to be a busy one. You’ll be so excited for the dance, need to get your hair done, your makeup on, and dressed in that beautiful homecoming dress. Not to mention you’ll be coordinating with friends all day on what time you’re arriving at the dance, who’s going with who, and chatting about how pretty your hair and makeup looks. You’re bound to forget one of those homecoming “must-have’s”, and based on our own homecoming dance experience, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 most often forgotten essentials. Read on to make sure you don’t forget about any of these on your homecoming!

• Dinner Plans – Some homecoming dances include dinner, others are just the dance. Find out if yours includes dinner, and if not, make plans to get your friends together and go out for dinner before the dance or after. A hungry homecoming dance go-er is not a happy one!

• Shawl – It’s chilly out there! Once you’ve selected your homecoming dress, choose a coordinating shawl or wrap to ensure you’re warm and toasty (well, kinda…) on homecoming night.

• Tickets - You arrive at your homecoming dance only to find…you forgot the tickets! This is very common, so make sure they’re snug in your purse before you walk out the door.

• Flowers – Is your date picking up the flowers, or are you? Make sure you have this worked out in advance, as even the best-intentioned dates can forget this crucial detail.

• Camera – Taking photos is a must at your homecoming dance! You and your friends will all look so beautiful and be having so much fun that you absolutely must capture all the fun moments in snapshots. Slip your digital camera or a small disposable camera in your bag, too!

All of us at DressProm.net have forgotten one of the above, so learn from us so you’ll have all the homecoming essentials ready on the big day! Have fun!

A 16th birthday is a milestone. It celebrates growing up, while still being able to enjoy the fun days of high school. Sweet 16 birthday parties are growing in popularity, especially with MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16″. Your party budget may not be as elaborate as some of the girls on the show, but your party can be just as fun, with hopefully a lot less drama! Here’s some ways to make your Sweet 16 party an exciting time:

1. Theme It - Having a theme for your Sweet 16 party transforms a party from ordinary into AWESOME! Popular themes include tea parties, glamour and glitz, 80’s parties, spa party, and basically any theme you can think of!

2. Mini Cupcakes are a Must – Have you seen those tiny, pretty gourmet cupcakes? So cute, right? You can find tons of recipes for making your own, and you may even want to have the party go-ers decorate their cupcakes themselves for some extra fun!

3. It’s Fun To Dress Up – Like dressing up? Your Sweet 16 happens only once in your life, so look your best! Check out our Moonlight Homecoming Dresses for dresses that will have you looking so pretty at your Sweet 16.

4. The Invitations - Invitations are your guest’s first impression of the theme and style of your party, so choose with care. Choose invitations that reflect what the actual mood and tone of your party will be like, and of course make sure they have your great personality shining through.

5. Good Music, Great Night – If you’re known for having a great taste in music or have a friend who knows what a good party mix is, create a mix for the night of the party.  This way, you can just play the mix and won’t need to keep going over to your music player. Just be sure to choose songs that reflect the tone and mood of the party.

As long as you plan to have fun at your Sweet 16 party, we know you’ll have a great time. Happy Sweet 16, have an excellent party, and make a wish!

Unless you’re lucky enough to live in a year-round warm climate, you’re probably going to be a little chilly walking to and from your vehicle to your homecoming dance. There’s no need to wear a long-sleeve, floor-length homecoming dress – you can still look lovely in that strapless dress at your homecoming without shivering!

> Shalls and shrugs are your best friend this homecoming. You can find pretty, sparkly shalls and shrugs to compliment your dress, and we promise they’ll only add to how glam you look! Consult your local department store, they usually have a nice selection of shalls to wrap yourself in!

> Tights are another homecoming must. Now, we normally “just say no” to wearing tights with open-toe shoes, but if it’s chilly out, you can bet that everyone will be wearing tights and they’re completely acceptable in this situation. Skin-toned tights can really keep you warm at your homecoming dance, and no one will even know you’re wearing them.

> Save the photos for inside! Taking photos outside your home or the limousine may be tempting, but we urge you to make a hasty exit and entrance to warmer inside temperatures. Stick to indoor photo-taking, and save the outdoor scenes for prom night in the spring!

> Take your vitamins. I know, I sound like your Mom, but it’s true, especially since so many people get a cold a few days after homecoming. Start adding Vitamin C and Zinc in recommended dosages to your daily vitamin regimen about a month before homecoming to start building up your immune system. You’ll lessen the likelihood that you’ll have a cold during your homecoming or be one of the many who are sick after homecoming.

> Borrow his jacket. Guys luck out on homecoming, being able to wear long pants, socks, a long-sleeve dress shirt, and a suit jacket. After the dance, politely ask him to borrow his suit jacket for the walk to your vehicle and your after-homecoming festivities.

If the snowflakes are falling outside and it’s very cold, feel free to wear a jacket over your dress! After all, you want to be happy at your homecoming and look great, and shivering is never fun. Feel warm, cozy, and pretty this homecoming!

Purple homecoming dresses are such a fun color for your homecoming dress – they’re just as sophisticated as a little black dress, but have a vivid dash of color, too! Here’s a collage of ideas for wearing a pretty purple dress to your homecoming, and the shoes and jewelry to transform your dress from beautiful to a one-of-a-kind look!

Our Purple Dress Picks:

The Must-Have Shoes:

The Oh-So-Exquisite Jewelry:

We hope you’ll make your purple homecoming dress as unique as you are, with just a little help from us! Show off your vivacious self at your homecoming in that amazing dress!

I recently bought this dress that I absolutely adored – it was an A-line dress with a leopard print heart-shaped neckline, a satin deep pink bow on the side, and a black floaty bottom. The leopard print was a bit daring for my style, but the dress just looked so adorable.

But! About a week before the event, I started to have some doubts – what if the dress was a little too daring for my style, and was more of a miss than a hit? I kept questioning the dress, and nearly returned it for another. I then realized that a personal style isn’t meant to be stationary, and it’s fun to mix up my style and try different clothing personalities. Sure, there’s those famous figures who have such iconic style, but could you imagine dressing in the basically the same type of shirt and jewelry every day? Not for me.

If you’re on the fence between choosing the funky dress or going with a safer style, I urge you to be daring and go for that dashing dress! Sure, you’ll need to muster up some courage, but have confidence that it’ll look great and even if all eyes are on you, they’ll be saying how great you look. Make a splash and have confidence knowing that you’re embracing your adventurous side, and likely encouraging other girls to do the same!