The prom is steeped in history and is a time for the young students to celebrate the fact that they are almost at the end of their formal education and are soon to become young adults. Of course, this is an exciting time and you do want to look stunning when you arrive at the dance. With that in mind, here are some do’s and don’ts when shopping for a prom dress.
Don’t Shop With Friends
This is a time when you should not be influenced by others. You might be tempted to invite a few friends over and browse dress online, yet this is not a good idea, as you may end up wearing a dress that doesn’t really suit you. Online shopping can be done at your own pace, and there’s nothing wrong with sending a friend a few dress images to get a second opinion. It is natural to seek others’ approval when choosing a dress, but it should come from you, rather than a friend or family member.
Do Start Your Search Early
You don’t want to be pressured into choosing your prom dress as time is running out. The smart thing to do is start looking at trending prom dresses from top designers such as Sherri Hill and Jovani. Another thing to remember is the dress will need some minor alterations, so allow one week for a local dressmaker to tailor the garment to fit perfectly. There’s nothing like a bit of planning and preparation to make sure that you are ready on prom night.
Do Shop Around
Resist the temptation to buy the first nice dress that you see. There are quite a few online designer dress boutiques and some have dresses on special. Consider colors and styles that are new to you and always read the returns policy before ordering. You cannot return a garment that has been altered.
Don’t Overspend
You should decide on a budget at the very outset and have the discipline to not go above that figure. Perhaps mom has given you a ballpark figure that she is prepared to fork out for the dress and as long as it is reasonable, you should have no trouble finding the right garment at the right price.
Do Make Sure Your Measurements Are Correct
The worst mistake you can make is to mis-measure your vitals, as the dress will either be too big or small. Of course, you can easily return the garment for the right size, but you may not have the time if the prom is a couple of days away.
Don’t Over-Accessorize
It can be tempting to keep adding jewellery items to the list you’re going to wear, but you should draw the line at some point. Experiment with accessories and if you have run out of money, ask friends if you can borrow items, which is an easy fix.
If you allow adequate time to have the dress altered, there’s no reason you won’t be the belle of the ball.
