With spring comes warm weather, storms, the end of the school year, and so much more. But what’s right around the corner, and an integral part of many high school students’ careers, is prom. With prom, everyone wants to dress the best and find the dress and look that they can look back on and love.
The most important aspect is obviously the dress, usually long, and with various colors, designs, and styles. But beyond the dress, there is so much more that you need to think about in order to have your perfect prom look. So, as I prepare for my first prom, my goal is to find these things in the next few weeks to match my dress and not spend a fortune.
Firstly, shoes are absolutely a necessity. I’m personally an avid appreciator of heels, but they can become uncomfortable throughout the night. Finding heels with a sort of cushion on the sole can add support to your feet as you’re walking, dancing, and whatever else the night will bring. Also, adjustable straps can help the shoes fit your feet and can be changed throughout the night. In terms of color, sometimes it can be hard to find a shade that perfectly matches your dress. I tend to opt for a simpler, classic color that can match the dress, and possibly be reworn for other dances. For example, a light pink or nude color can be paired with a multitude of designs and colors. I will commonly pair my light pink shoes with a brighter or darker dress, like a dark green or a vibrant pink. My favorite shoes I’ve worn were gold, and I’ve now paired them with white, black, and soon, a pink dress. Gold and silver are a great go-to because you can match them to your jewelry, and so it ties in with the outfit. If you’re looking for somewhere to buy shoes, Amazon is great for cheap shoes that can usually come relatively fast, depending on the pair. There are so many options, and it is easily accessible.
Next is jewelry. This is definitely my favorite part of dances. The first thing that should be taken into account is whether you are a silver or gold type of person. From there, what jewelry you choose and wear is completely dependent upon you. In a few circumstances, there are certain styles and things that I think work better for the overall design. For example, with a higher neck dress, I think necklaces are not necessary, or should be kept to light and simple, but with an off-the-shoulders dress, stacking necklaces can give more to the style on your upper body. Also, finding jewelry that possibly has a tie to your dress can add more spin. If a necklace or bracelet, or earrings have jewels the same color or shade as your dress, it can pull the outfit together, but simple gold and silver are satisfactory. I also love the use of pearls in jewelry and think that it makes it more noticeable and stands out stronger. They are a timeless piece, along with usually matching most colors. When searching for jewelry, my favorite store is Kendra Scott, but that’s not always budget-friendly or accessible. Stores such as Lovisa at Woodland Mall, and with many other locations, carry wide selections of affordable jewelry, and every time I’m in, they have some sort of discounts or sales for select items. Other places, such as Target and T.J. Maxx, commonly have a decent selection of jewelry, with Target even carrying certain Kendra Scott items. If you’d prefer to order pieces online, Amazon, once again, has a good selection, along with Evry Jewels and even Shein if you have more time to spare.
Then, you have the decision of how to wear your hair. I personally think that straight, simple hair is a clean and cute power move for dances, but I also think that sometimes something else like curls can feel more dance-worthy since my hair is always straight. If you prefer your hair to be fully up and out of the way, a curled pony in the middle of the back of your head or a loose bun with a few pieces pulled out front are cute, logical, and prom-appropriate hairstyles. I usually like my hair down, but with a few pieces pulled back. In that case, a braided, half-back with either straight or curled hair is a simple look that you can easily do yourself. Similarly, pinning the front behind your ears and letting the rest of your hair fall over is another look that is simple but effective in keeping it out of your face. You can also braid the pieces that you are pinning under if you want something slightly more extravagant. Or, you can always choose to reside in a simple curled or straight style. If you literally want something extra in your hair, you could add a bow or a headband to match the style you are looking for.
Last but not least, I will always suggest bouquets. My sophomore year, my friends and I decided to make our own, and not only did it give us a fun activity of assembling our own, personal array, but also an adorable prop for our pictures. To get the supplies, my mom went to Horrocks and bought a variety of different colors and types of flowers, along with greenery to plush the bouquets. Other places, such as Trader Joe’s or any place that sells flowers by type, would also work. We also found some old ribbon and green flower tape to hold them together fashionably. Although bouquets are not the cheapest or always the most budget-friendly, when you split the price of the flowers between people, it is more reasonable and keeps everyone busy when getting ready.
With all of this, your outfits can easily be elevated and stylish for all of your photos, posts, and transitions, as long as you remember to finish them.
