Mama Style || Collaborative Post
I make no secret of the fact that I find clothes shopping difficult nowadays, especially when it comes to dresses. In the UK our sizes are all over the place, there is no 'standard' and there are so many shops and styles out there it can all be a bit kind boggling.
When I think back to my younger days and events like our school 'leavers disco', things were much simpler then and we simply headed to one of few shops locally, found a dress we liked, that fitted and voila, we had a dress.
Nowadays there seems to be a lot more pressure to find THE dress for the all American style proms, not just our weddings. Proms now are big, sparkly, formal events and a real chance to dress up beyond your years and impress your friends. Finding the perfect prom style dress whatever your age and whatever the occasion can be a nightmare, but there are some simple solutions and I thought I'd share some tips to help you find your perfect dress.
Find your perfect style
Start off by deciding on a style set that will narrow down your searches massively. When finding prom dresses that suit you, you first need to consider the length of the dress, the neckline, sleeve choices, colour and fabric preferences. Decide what's most important and stick to those with your searches. With so many shopping options available to us now, there's no need to compromise on finding the perfect dress, it will be out there.
Decide on your budget
People spend a lot of money on dresses now but we needn't give into that pressure when there are plenty of lower budget options available for what will probably be worn once anyway. Quite often, the look is boosted ten fold with great hair and banging accessories, so although we want a perfect dress, perfect doesn't need to mean breaking the bank. Work out what you can afford and stick to your budget. Don't taunt yourself by looking through designer clothes or big name brands you can't afford as it's you that makes the dress you, not the price tag. When it comes to the prom or Wedding Photo Swap after the event, you'll remember the fun and special moments in a dress you love, but it's the memories themselves you can't buy, so don't spend more than you need to.
Learn what suits you
As we already covered choosing the style of dress, now it's time to focus on what suits you. You need to consider your body shape, what cut would be best such as a classic retro prom style with a nipped in waist or something like an empire line or simple figure hugging gown. You may want to balance your body shape, with a larger skirt for wider shoulders or simple skirt section for wider hips. Some colours also work better with our skin tone and the main thing really is to find something that you like, that suits you and makes you feel comfortable and glam.
Plan your hair style
Knowing how you'll wear your hair can influence your dress choice and vice versa. Whilst long hair worn down can distract from more skin on show, if you're opting for something with a high neck, then a sophisticated up do could just give it an edge. Play with some styles, hit up Pinterest for some 'hairspiration' and get started. You may also want to do a DIY hair style or go to a professional, in which case you could have a trial in advance to see what works best for you and your hair type.
Find the perfect accessories
Accessories can make or break an outfit, and when it comes to dresses we need to pick carefully. If we have a glitzy glam dress, then you may want to go simpler with shoes and bags, with perhaps a little complimentary sparkle from the earrings or hair piece. Less is more sometimes and the last thing we want is to over accessorise and look like a Christmas tree! If your gown is simpler, you can afford to add a little more drama with sparkle or fluff on shoes, bags and jewellery.
Allow yourself lots of time
When it comes to dress shopping, it's a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to look for options. The last thing you want is to leave it too late and make do with something readily available. Also though, we don't want to get something too early that may go out of fashion or lose our interest before the day. Allow time for long shipping (six weeks is a good starting point) and get shopping!
I hope this helps you or your loved one find the perfect dress. Just remember to enjoy it, stick to your wish lists and don't give into the pressure of having designer names and big price tags. Sometimes, just standing out and being different can be best and this doesn't always mean spending the most money.
