Top Tips on how to look like a star on your prom night

1. Consider Fashion

You might want to look completely on-trend in your prom dress, but stick to shapes and colours that suit your body and complexion. The main thing is to aim for a dress that suits you, not one that is this seasons’ must have, which, if it doesn’t suit, will haunt you forever! Use this season’s trends or look at what celebrities are wearing for inspiration and you won’t go wrong.

2. Budget

Some prom dresses run to hundreds of pounds and when you add on accessories, hair and make-up and transport, the whole thing can become very expensive! Consider your budget carefully. Would a simple, cheaper dress with expensive accessories and great hair and make-up look better than an expensive dress with cheap accessories? Think about what will make you feel better on the night to help you make your decision on where your budget should be blown.

3. Vintage

If your budget is very limited consider vintage. Glasgow has some of Europe’s best vintage stores where you can get a truly original dress fairly cheaply, which you can have altered to your exact specifications by a tailor or dress maker. This is a fool proof way of ensuring that no one else will be wearing the same dress and a great way to establish yourself as a sophisticated fashionista. People will be asking where you got your dress all night!

4. Accessories

Accessories are pivotal in individualizing your look for the prom. One of the biggest trends this summer is the corsage, which can be worn anywhere from your shoulder to your waist, but you should use your own style as a guide to what accessories to wear. The important thing with accessories is to use them to express yourself. Maybe you’ll be wearing a plain black dress - add loads of chunky gold accessories to toughen it up, or some statement shoes and an interesting bag for a real red carpet look.


5. Simple

Sometimes something really simple is the most eye-catching thing of all. If you’re not entirely convinced by the furore surrounding what to wear to your prom, go for something very simple. A classic shape in block colour with some muted accessories will make you the belle of the ball and ensure that your photos stand the test of time! Think Jackie Onassis, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn for this look, chic and timeless.

6. Footloose

If you’ve spent weeks investing time in your dress and you’re now looking for shoes too, my advice is to go for comfort. It might not be very exciting, but the one sure thing to ruin your night is crippled feet, and nothing is more unattractive in photos than bleeding toes! Use things like gel inserts to make sure the soles of your feet aren’t crushed and make sure when buying strappy sandals that don’t cut into your feet (this will make them swell and bulge, not attractive!). If you’re not comfortable in very high heels, try wedges with a platform which will give you height without wobbling about all night trying to stay upright.

7. Hair and make-up

If you’re doing your own hair and make-up, try out lots of different looks before your prom and take pictures to see which you prefer. Once again, I would emphasize that you should stick to what suits you. Don’t go to the hairdressers on the day and have your hair dramatically changed, stick to what suits. Preparation is key for this, so make sure you try different things and see what goes best with your dress. Find a celebrity you resemble and see how they have their hair and make-up done for big events; this is a great way to be inspired for your own look.

8. Suit or Kilt?

The prom can be a minefield for boys. Deciding whether to wear a suit or a kilt can be agonizing, but as with the girls, I’d recommend you go with what you find most comfortable. A kilt is a very classic look and will endure in photos for many years to come, but you might not feel comfortable! If you’ve chosen to wear a suit, however, it is absolutely crucial that it fits perfectly. Make sure it sits properly at the shoulders and that it isn’t too long in the sleeves or trousers. There are loads of different styles of suit, and it is certainly making a comeback. Think Marc Ronson, whose extravagant suits are the epitome of cool at the moment, or go with old school inspiration and look at the Mods and the Teddy Boys who completely reinvented the suit in the 50s and 60s.

9. Be prepared!

Leave plenty of time on the day to pamper yourself and relax before the big night. You want to arrive looking gorgeous and fresh, not panicked and stressed. Make sure everything is organized the night before; so have your outfit ready and your hair and make-up organized. Make sure you take essentials with you; as well as things like money and your phone, take safety pins for any wardrobe malfunctions (someone will need one at some point, it’s guaranteed!) mints, make-up for touch-ups, spare Kirby grips and a camera.

10. Be confident!

The most important ingredient to looking good for your prom is confidence! A big, genuine smile is the perfect accessory for any outfit, so plaster on one and go and have an amazing night.

The Dresser will work with you to find the perfect dress and accessories and make sure you look like a true star on the night. Your session includes a one hour consultation to discuss your personal style and how you want to look for the prom, a day of shopping with lunch and on-the-night styling to make sure you look perfect. Contact Jade by email at style@the-dresser.com or call on 07980 969 954 to book your styling session. See www.the-dresser.com for a full list of services and to learn more about The Dresser.