Seriously, trying to find a modest and yet noteworthy PROM DRESS is almost as difficult as finding a modest costume at HALLOWEEN! So while it may seem impossible, trying something new or going your own route just might make you the bell of the ball.
Prom is often associated with boys, make out sessions and after parties. There are plenty of magazines with an eyeful of content such as that to read. Our plan, however, is simply to give you some tips on where to find fun prom dresses so you may enjoy your evening in a way that honors your body and your values.
The question is, where DOES a young lady go to find the perfect prom dress these days? Ebay, a local boutique, renttherunway.com, online style magazines, or a department store? Most young women will spend hours, days, and maybe even weeks trying to find the dress that best suits her style. Maybe She'll virtually try on dresses from Seventeen's Prom Dress Gallery. Hoping to complete the look, girls then search for Prom Hair Styles, sparkle pumps, and makeup tutorials! It's too much to fit in one post, but we're aiming to get you on the right track and find THE look that represents YOU. A look that lets your lovely inner self shine through.
BORROW A PROM DRESS FROM A FRIEND
If you're not wanting to break your piggy bank, why pay money for a prom dress at all? Ask your sisters, your friends, your sister's friends, cousins, even your grandmother may have a little vintage number awaiting you. By asking around you might find a number of dress options to borrow for your special night. Aarika pulled together the Prom looks you see in this photo shoot. These dresses were from their own closets or borrowed from a friend.
A little side note to keep in mind: Height matters when you borrow a dress from a friend. If it's a short friend with a short dress, a taller girl might have to refrain. Unfortunately, even though these girls are super close friends, Amelia and Katie can't do much clothes swapping between each other because of the height difference.
You want to know where Amelia's gown is from, right??? It was actually worn on Glee last season. They took off the belt and buttons, chopped the tool off a bit, but it was THIS Betsy Johnson dress that was seen on the program. Betsy Johnson is known for the fun, flashy, and feminine kinda looks. Not all would be Top Buttons recommended, but this one is stunning. We found several dresses on Ebay just like this one.
TRY PURCHASING A PROM DRESS STYLE THAT CAN BE WORN MORE THAN ONCE
Katie on the right (in the picture above) loves classic, preppy styles. This gold dress could be worn after prom is over to a wedding, church event, or even a fancy dinner. We are ALL ABOUT buying PRACTICAL. Being able to wear a dress more than once is always a good thing when spending lots of bucks.
RENT YOUR PERFECT PROM DRESS
What if your friends don't have fancy dresses in your size or their taste isn't similar to yours? Try RENTING A DRESS! This trend is for ladies who want to wear high end fashions at low cost, and who would NOT BE CAUGHT DEAD in the same Evening Gown MORE THAN ONCE! We looked into this NEW TREND of RENTING Luxurious Dresses Online. There are several websites that offer this option. Online rental sites offer dresses at a fraction of the cost + free shipping. Would you ever rent a dress?
A TOP BUTTONS TIP FOR ONLINE PROM DRESS SHOPPING
When searching ONLINE for a fancy dress and a modest style that suits your body type, consider looking for a neckline that cuts straight across the front like the dresses on Ahna and Kenady. A straight, square or box neckline provides coverage for girls with more curves. The one shoulder dress often sweeps elegantly upwards to one side and in doing so lays flat across the chest. Enjoy your evening without a wardrobe malfunction, by securing the right dress for your body type.
Finding the right length can be challenging as well. Dresses are either long or super short. This Dress length hits just above the knee and is very flattering for all body types, especially on Kenady seen below.
FIND LAST SEASON'S DRESSES ON EBAY
The dresses featured in this post are fun, beautiful, and perfect for a fancy evening depending on your personal preference of course! You won't find these particular dresses in the store because they have been worn and passed around within this circle of friends for years. You know it's a good dress, when your friends want to borrow it! With that in mind, if there is a particular dress featured in this post that you like, try searching Ebay for one similar... It is the place to shop for used Prom Dresses! Search for brand, color, and size. Have patience when bidding, though. If you try and outbid too quickly, you will likely pay more for the dress than you originally intended.
BE BRAVE: TRY SOME "OUT OF THE BOX" ELEGANT STYLES
OUT OF THE 5 STYLES LISTED ABOVE, WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE BEST? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!
THE PROM DRESS STEAL: Grab this FLOOR LENGTH, ONE SHOULDER Dress in TEAL OR ANTIQUE ROSE from H&M for only 59.95! You could trade in the belt for something more sparkly to fancify the look even more.
We have created a Top Buttons Pinterest Board for Prom 2013. Check it out and let us know what you think about our recommendations. We would love to hear the details about your Prom Dress Search experience!
Now we didn't offer you makeup tips or hair tutorials yet... KEEP CHECKING back this week and Next for some more helpful tips to make your Prom 2013 better than ever!
Written by: Sarah Powers
Photo Credit: Beth Carter Photography
