PromAdvice

Ask Fashion Girl - Prom Edition

Dear Fashion Girl,

I usually wear little black dresses, but I wore one to Winter Formal and I kind of want to wear a different color. I could really use your help!  I'm short, petite, and tan.  If you could help me find something cool and affordable I would totally be grateful!  Thanks!!!!

- Anonymous

Well, darling, of course I can help you find something!  Let's start with color - a white dress would look absolutely stunning against your tan skin or you can go for something brilliant, like orange, blue, yellow, or pink (look for brights, not pastels), which will also be gorgeous.  As far as silhouette, look for something short (above the knee) to give the illusion of longer legs. 

Now check out what I found for you:

This Raspberry Bubble Dress w/ Tie-Back from Windsor (left) is perfect for your body type because a) the V-neckline adds the illusion of length so you'll look a wee bit taller, b) it has a tie-back sash so you can make it as snug as you need to fit your frame, and c) the slightly drape-y silhouette is super-flattering for petite figures.  Plus the vibrant pink hue will look sensational with your skin tone and it's only $55!

An empire waist is a celebrity style secret that petite stars use to make themselves look taller when they're on the red carpet.  This Ruby Rox Sweetheart Tube Dress (above right) is a winning combo of fabulous cobalt color and a height-yielding empire waist with a mini hemline. It's just $68!

Here's another dress that's perfect for your frame and your budget.  The Teeze Me Satin Bubble Dress (right) is a mere $68 and it's got everything you need to look amazing: a drape-y silhouette to flatter your petite figure, gorgeous color (it also comes in yellow!), mini hemline to give you some height, and a tie-back to make it as tight as you need it.

This cream Tier Satin Dress from Forever 21 (left) is just to die for - looks like the slinky Herve Leger version seen on everyone from Alica Keys to V. Beckham! It's got a deep V-neckline and a short hemline, which will elongate your frame and the color will be flawless against your tan skin.  Plus, it's only $28!!!

Have an awesome Prom!  --Angel

Rock On with Urban Decay Heavy Metal

For deeply dramatic eyes, line your peepers with Urban Decay Heavy Metal, glitter liners that light up your eyes and add a dash of shimmering jewel tone. With eight sparkling colors to choose from, including Mullet (an arresting green) and Air Guitar (the dazzling blue shade you see here), you're sure to shine on your big night!  Check 'em out at Beauty.com. Rock on!  --Angel

Pearl Power

For an instant dose of ladylike glamour add a pearl necklace to your Prom outfit!  Celebs like Ashlee Simpson, Katherine Heigl, and SATC's Sarah Jessica Parker are rocking them all over Hollywood and the look is retro chic and utterly divine!  HINT: The look is especially gorgeous if you're wearing a black dress to Prom - c'est magnifique! --Angel

The double, black velvet ribbon makes this necklace look ultra-luxe!  Pair it with something strapless to show off the extra large pearls.
Forever 21 Velvet Pearl Necklace, $15


Multiple strands of pearls is so Breakfast at Tiffany's!  This necklace from Target is three strands in one - genius!
Adjustable 3-Row Pearl Necklace, $59.99

We love the look of pearls mixed with modern, gold resin discs - it's a stylish update on a classic that's hard to resist!
Kuo Ting Vintage Meets Modern Necklace, $154

Fairy Godmother Contest 2008 Winner

Congratulations to Rachel Aweau of Honolulu, Hawaii - our Prom Advice Fairy Godmother Contest 2008 winner! (That's her on the left - how gorgeous is she in her Windsor dress and accessories?!)

Rachel's so-cute Prom Fairy Tale essay about Blushing Beauty and her dream Prom dress won her a complete Prom look, including the gorgeous dress of her choice plus all the accessories to get her glamorous!  Here's an excerpt from her winning essay:

Blushing Beauty and the Prom Dress Disaster

Once upon a time, in the midst of the Twilight Couture City Senior Prom, a young girl by the name of Blushing Beauty had fallen into a deep fashion crisis.  Her perfect, Belle-of-the-Prom, taffeta gown was gracing the body of another, the notorious flirt, Aqua!

Thanks to everyone who entered this year's Fairy Godmother Contest!  Stay tuned for the fabulous Fashion Club Summer Contest coming soon!

Plus, there's still time to enter the Prom Advice Scholarship Contest - the deadline is May 31, 2008 so hurry and send your entry today!  You  could win a full-year scholarship to FIDM, worth $23,000!  --Angel

Celebrity Style Inspiration

We've given you plenty of inspiration for a stunning Prom look, but if you're still unsure about what to wear for the big night then check out these hot celebs at the Met Costume Institute's Gala for a dose of celebrity style inspiration! --Angel

Wild Child
A usually reserved Katie Holmes showed off her adventurous side in a vintage, red Giorgio Armani bustier and ball gown with shocking blue heels.

Blushing Beauty
The always gorgeous Beyonce was an absolute knock-out in this ultra-feminine, pale pink, Armani Prive gown and sparkling jewels to match!

Tiny Dancer
Scarlett Johansson (seen here with the designers of her dress) was a vision in this ballerina-inspired, corseted gown from Dolce & Gabbana.

Plumed Perfection
Gossip Girl's Blake Lively was the epitome of uptown chic in a feathered Ralph Lauren gown, cropped black gloves, and perfectly "undone" hair.

20% Off At Accessory Bug 'Til May 8th

Here's a great site for Prom bags, and you can get a discount if you order by Thursday! I love the rhinestones on this clutch.

Most, if not all, of their bags are designer-inspired, but at a fraction of the price. Many of them are vegetarian/vegan as well. --Belissa

Hair Raisers

Wanna jazz up your hair in a flash? These accessories will enhance any 'do, whether straight, curly, up or in a bob.

Handmade of silk and available in a pin or clip, Michelle Roy's Plain Magnolia ($28) is a simply beautiful.

If you're doing a vintage look, then L.A.-based Pluma's "Jessica" Headband ($40), made of pheasant feathers, might be just what you're looking for!

Made of soft silk in a beautiful olive-gold shade, FlowerClip's Elegant Rose Pin ($24) is a pretty addition to numerous Prom looks. -- Victoria

Ask Fashion Girl - Prom Edition

Dear Fashion Girl,

I need help!  I have medium-length hair and I want to wear it curly.  How do you think I should put it up for Prom?

Thanks,
Charmaine

Dear Charmaine,

You are so in luck!  The messy updo is a) insanely chic, b) a red carpet fave for stars like Eva Mendes, Alicia Keys, and Vanessa Hudgens, and c) super-easy to achieve.

There are tons of variations for this style, but they all start with a simple ponytail.  If you've already got curly hair then you're ready to start, if not, use a medium-barreled curling iron to create spirals or waves (whichever you prefer).  Here are the simple steps:

1. Pull your hair into a loose ponytail.  And don't worry about getting every single strand into the ponytail holder - a few stray tendrils are what make the look so stunning!
2. Use bobby pins to randomly pin sections of hair into a chignon and you're done!

Now here's where the variation comes in:

• Leave as much or as little of your hair out of the ponytail as you want.  You can always pin back pieces if you feel you've left too much out.

• You can part your hair one either side, right down the middle, or just pull it straight back into the ponytail.

• Your ponytail can be as low or as high as you want.  You can even pull it to one side.

• Add a sparkly headband, colorful flower, sequined hair pins or anything else you want to make the look even more festive.

• Add braids or twists to the front (just one or two) for a more textured look.

Try different variations before the big night to see which one you love best.  And for more gorgeous Prom updos go here.  Have a great Prom!  --Angel

Prom Advice Exclusive! Theme #5: Miss Pretty

We've shown you everything from English tea party-inspired frocks to red carpet-worth looks to earth-friendly, eco-couture gowns, and for our fifth and final Prom Advice theme we present to you, quite simply, some of the loveliest Prom dresses we've ever laid eyes on.  If there's one night you'll want to look sublimely pretty, it's Prom night, so get inspired by the deeply fetching looks we've found for you!  --Angel

Pretty Baby
The little black dress gets a particularly pretty update with lovely lace, a satin ribbon, and a sweet, scalloped hem.

Necessary Objects Lace Babydoll Dress, $62

A Rose By Any Other Name...
The sweet rosebud print on this full-length, black and white number give the gown an air of delicious romance!

'Rose' Dress from Windsor, $150

Sparkling Personality
The combination of iridescent sequins, pink taffeta sash, and flirty ruffles at the hem and neckline is positively enchanting!

Betsey Johnson Strapless Sequin Dress, $425

Pretty as a Print-cess
We can't get enough of anything with an ombre print, so naturally we were smitten with this wildly gorgeous gown!

Kay Unger Long Strapless Silk Chiffon Ombre Dress, $480

Head to Fashion Club now for the prettiest makeup looks, plus learn how to create your own, custom-made purse for Prom!

And don't forget to go back and check out all of our fabulous Prom themes for divine inspiration!  Have an amazing Prom!

Love,
Prom Advice 

Linked In

Guys: If you want to shake things up a bit without donning jewelry or a crazy bright suit, consider a French cuff shirt and a cool pair of cufflinks. Here are a few pairs that are sure to create conversation on Prom night.

A bit punk rock? Don a pair of Ukiyo Skull Cufflinks, $20.

Be playful! Custom Silver-Plated Scrabble Cufflinks, $11.99.

Star Wars fan? Vader Cufflinks, $16.25.

-- Victoria