If you’ve ever wanted to get an early taste of what it’s like to pick out a wedding dress, prom night will certainly give it to you. Finding that one perfect dress usually involves painstakingly scouring through magazines or Pinterest boards, hoping that the garment you settle for is still available, somewhere.
Being in the digital age, a common question that pops up around prom season is whether you should buy your dress online. After all, it’s much more convenient, there’s a wider range of options, and it’s usually more affordable. On the other hand, you’re forgoing the opportunity to see exactly how the dress would look on you before buying it.
The good news is that you can comfortably buy a prom dress with just a few clicks of your mouse. All you need is a bit of online shopping know-how. Here are 10 tips that’ll help you find the perfect piece for a perfect night.
Measure Up
Save some time, money and effort by getting yourself properly measured from head to toe. By having an exact idea of your bodily dimensions, you won’t run the risk of buying something that rips, sags or otherwise results in an uncomfortable fit. You should have measurements of your height, bust, waist and hips.
Don’t Skimp on Quality
We all know of at least one website where you can buy just about anything for less than what it costs to get the item shipped to your door. You know, those stores that make you wait months, only for you to receive something that looks nothing like the pictures? Even when it comes to prom dresses, there are more than enough websites that fit the bill.
Of course, you’re better off avoiding them. A wiser option is to choose an online store that not only provides detailed descriptions of their dress sizes, but also allows you to have the dress fitted before putting any money down. Take a look at the Jovani Prom Collection for 2020 to get an idea of what a quality prom dress looks like.
They have retail locations around the world, which means you can choose the dress you want online and try it on at a nearby store to get the perfect fit. There’s also a handy size chart to further help you with fitting. Given their wide range of options, chances are that you’ll be able to invest in a high-quality dress that you can wear for future occasions, too.
Return/Exchange Policies
This is another reason to stick to reputable, high-quality websites. In case you end up finding another dress that you like more, or the one you bought doesn’t fit as expected, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the store you bought it from will facilitate a return or exchange with minimum hassle.
Shoes
Your choice of shoes will determine how far down your dress extends over your body, as well as how it drapes and accentuates your figure. Flats will call for a shorter length dress that works harder to flatter your hips. If you’re comfortable with wearing heels, you can choose a longer dress that doesn’t necessarily offer an absolutely perfect fit.
Choosing the Right Accessories
There are countless ways to accessorize your prom outfit. As for what will work best, it largely depends on the look you’re aiming to achieve. If your dress has any embellishments, be sure to stick to the same color for your accessories. The most important consideration to make is whether you want the dress or the accessories to grab the attention.
For example, when it comes to earrings, dresses with heavy embroidery around the neck and shoulder area are better paired with something more subtle. If your dress features a strapless or otherwise more minimal design, feel free to go for a more noticeable pair of earrings. Take a similar approach to choosing your necklace.
Bonus Tips
Here are some bonus tips that will come in handy when you’re getting your dress fitted:
- Feel the fabric of the dress. How does it drape over your body? Does it suit your figure?
- Take a look at the neckline. Experiment with different styles to determine what suits you best.
- Consider how the color of the dress works with your skin tone, eye and hair color.
- These days, you don’t necessarily have to stick to a traditional long length dress. Mini and midi sizes are also considerable options, depending on the theme and predicted weather on your prom night. Perhaps a jumpsuit might be a considerable option.
- Don’t forget about your date – ask them about their outfit and let them know what you’re wearing in advance.
Once you’ve picked out the perfect dress, slipped on a pair of shoes, and adorned yourself in the right accessories, all that’s really left is your hair and makeup, which shouldn’t be a major challenge. Now that you’re primed for success, here’s to hoping that your date also has their ducks in a row.
