Girls going to prom this year are lucky to have a lot of latitude and flexibility in choosing their prom outfits. Traditionally, we think of the prom dress as long and formal. However, this year, lengths can vary from floor length to tea-length all the way up to mini. Anything goes, so choose something that makes you feel comfortable. As for color, the LBD (little black dress) is out. Jazz up your prom look with any color of the rainbow. Keep in mind that not all colors work for every skin tone, so choose one that suits you. Dark skin tends to look better next to rich autumn colors where as fair skin would be better served by spring tones and pastels. Also, understatement is out. Go for the dress with shiny sequins and appliqués to spice up your appearance. Prom is not just a time for girls to strut their stuff. Men have an opportunity to make their own sartorial statement. We all know that men’s traditional uniform for prom is the tuxedo. But the tuxedo offers many opportunities for subtle expression. If you want the classic look, go for the black jacket and trousers with white shirt, vest and bow tie. For a contemporary look, keep the same black jacket, trousers and white shirt, but jazz it up with a patterned vest, cummerbund and matching bow-tie. There are many different patterns to choose from. If you’re a math person, you might want to go with an Escher design. If you’re into music, you might choose a pattern with musical notes. The possibilities are endless and the internet is a rich resource for ideas. A good website for finding unusual ties and cummerbunds is http://www.beautiesltd.com/. If you want to make a bold statement, again choose the black jacket and trousers, but instead of a white shirt, pick a black one. To add color to this ensemble, choose a bright vest and matching tie. To complete any of these looks, accessorize with tasteful cufflinks if the shirt requires it and dress shoes (rounded-toed dress shoes are in this year). Whatever you choose, be sure to wear it with confidence and you’ll make people stop and stare. Showing some skin is in. Choose a dress that is either strapless, spaghetti strapped, or, if you’re really feeling confident, one shoulder. If you can pull it off, this “Greek Goddess” look is really elegant and shows just the right amount of skin. Although prom takes place in the summer, the evenings can be cool and the air-conditioning, overwhelming. Make sure to buy a matching shrug, bolero jacket or shawl. Not only do they serve the purpose of keeping you warm, but they add another level of sophistication to your outfit. Prom hair this year can be described in one word: feminine. If you have the time and the money, it might be worthwhile to go to a hair salon and have a professional create an up-do for you. But, as time is precious and limited at Andover, this luxury might not be available for everyone. In this case, revert to plan B: choose curly, wavy half-up/half-down hairstyles, which have become increasingly popular. Those with straight hair have nothing to fear; make sure your hair is sleek and shiny for prom. If you’re feeling adventurous, French braids are in. If you have the skill or a friend who is willing to help out, then go for it! Accessorizing is always important; it gives any outfit a little extra flare. Shoes are always tricky to choose because you need to walk a fine line between comfort and style. When picking out shoes, keep in mind that you will be walking and dancing all night. You don’t want to spend your prom night with sore feet. However, that does not mean you have to compromise fashion; many shoe designers make beautiful, sensible shoes. It’s also a nice, unifying touch when a handbag matches shoes. Do not over accessorize with jewelry. If your dress is busy, then your jewelry should be understated and simple. Make-up should be dramatic, but not garish. As this is an evening event, darker, defining make-up is critical. Play up your eyes by creating a smoky-eye effect. Use black, navy or deep purple eye shadow with mascara to draw attention to the eyes. To accentuate your lips, find a lipstick that matches your skin-tone. It might be a wise idea to choose a lipstick or lip gloss that is long-lasting so that you don’t have to reapply your make-up throughout the night. If you choose to go with a bold lipstick, then your eye makeup needs to be more understated. Add a dash of blush or bronzer to your cheeks to bring out the structure of your check-bones, and you are good to go. Don’t forget to have fun!
