Your guide to finding the right prom dress

April 7, 2010
Filed under Features

With prom just around the corner, girls are frantically looking for the right prom dress.

The search for a dress can be a tricky one, but if you follow these steps, you can find a dress that’s just right for you.

When looking for a prom dress, you want to find one that will compliment you, but most importantly one that you feel comfortable in. One of the factors you use to determine what dress you will purchase to wear at prom is your body type. There are different dresses that look more flattering on these different body types:

The Hourglass. If you have an hour glass body type, you will look good in most any kind of dress; however, you may want to lean toward strapless or halter top dresses or ones with a cinched waist to show off your figure.

Straight. If you are long and lean, you may want to stray away from form-fitting dresses and gravitate more toward dresses with an A-line skirt. You may also want a dress that draws attention to your waist, or bust line such as a wrap dress or one with a belt.

The Pear. With the pear shaped body, if you are bold, you can go for a form-fitted dress. Other options are dresses with A-line skirts or empire waists. These types of dresses lengthen the appearance of your legs and torso.

Petite. If you are petite in size, you may want to lean toward cocktail dresses. Showing leg can make you appear taller while a longer dress could overwhelm your frame.

The Apple. The apple-shaped body is one with a wider torso. Dresses with empire waists, V-necks and full skirts will draw attention to your middle and make you look slimmer.

Busty. If you have a fuller bust, a dress with a scoop or square neckline will enhance your bust line. Strapless dresses are also another good choice; however, you must make sure you get enough support from your dress since you are to wear it throughout the night.

Another factor to consider when choosing the right prom dress is color. Choosing a color that will compliment your skin tone is important. The first thing you need to do is figure out whether you have a warm or cool undertone in your skin. A good way to figure out what skin tone you have is to hold a white piece of paper up to any part of your body in good light. If you see more yellow, beige, brown or olive undertones in your skin, then you are considered to have warm skin tones. If you notice more of blue, pink or purple undertones, you are considered to have cool skin tones.

If you think you have cool undertones, you may want to try prom dresses in black, pinks, blues, purples and greens. With warm undertones your skin would be best presented in yellows, reds, browns or golds.

These factors are significant in finding the right prom dress, but most importantly the dress you choose must be one that can be worn comfortably, with confidence.