Article by Manuel Tapia
Every teen girl dreams about her first prom in the same way a young woman dreams about her wedding. It’s a day of glamour and fantasy where it is just as much fun picking out the dress and getting dolled up as it is actually attending the event. No longer considered just another school dance, teens these days go all out for prom and the dresses reflect that.
Styles range from traditional princess-like ball gowns and fun, flirty, shorter numbers to slinky evening gowns that are sure to have fathers everywhere fretting about their little girl growing up. So no matter what kind of fashion sense a teen has, there are a wide variety of styles to suit everyone from the girliest girl to the tomboy that hasn’t worn a dress for the last decade. After all, every girl gets to play Cinderella on prom night so why not dress the part with an unforgettable gown for an unforgettable occasion?
Traditional Ball Gowns
Teens who favor a more traditional dress have many formal ball gown styles to choose from, and one that captures the princess vibe perfectly is the light pink Strapless Tulle Ball Gown with Beaded Bodice. With a full floor length skirt and delicate beading, this gorgeous dress sparkles in all the right places. Made of imported polyester, the dress is full lined and has a back zip. It is dry clean only.
For a bit of a funky update on a classic dress, the Ombre Ball Gown with Glitter Tulle Overlay adds a little zip to make this style more 2010. With a strapless bodice and ruched ombre waistband, this gown is very flattering for all body types. Available in a turquoise and royal blue combination, the Ombre ball gown has a glitter zebra print tulle overlay that adds an element of fun to the style. Fully lined with a back zip, this dress is made of imported polyester and is dry clean only.
Fun and Flirty
Girls that want a fun and flirty dress they can dance the night away in will absolutely adore the Short Taffeta Dress with Sequined Hanky Hem. Parents will channel the Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” era as their daughter dons this funky frock that only a teen could wear. Made of fuchsia polyester taffeta, this strapless number has sequins on the 2 tier wavy hem with a back tulle underlay. The dress is fully lined with an invisible back zip and is dry clean only.
A similarly youthful yet slightly more conservative dress is the Short Strapless Tiered Tulle Dress. Short and flirty, this black strapless design has a shirred bodice and a natural waist accented with a rhinestone band. The skirt is made of tiered tulle for a frilly look that is right out of the Gossip Girl fashion handbook.
Elegantly Understated
Girls who don’t like dresses covered in frills and beads have a good variety of elegant, understated, age appropriate dresses to choose from that their parents will also love. The Strapless Tulle Dress with Caviar Beading is the perfect example of how less can be more when it comes to fashion. This knee length dress has a strapless bodice that is ruched at the empire waist. The lining is made of champagne colored polyester and has black tulle overlay. Caviar beading dots the overlay for an astoundingly chic yet simple design. Due to the intricate beading and delicate tulle, this dress is hand wash only.
Another elegantly understated dress is the Spaghetti Strap Beaded Taffeta with Ribbon Tie Dress. Made of silver taffeta, this dress hits just above the knee and features spaghetti straps with a ribbon at the waist. The skirt has delicate embroidery and beading. It is fully lined with a back zip and must be dry cleaned only.
Evening Gowns
Girls who lean towards a slim cut evening gown style can channel their red carpet diva with a number of elegant styles that lend a more mature look. The Silky Knit Halter Gown with Beaded Brooch Detail is a slim cut style in navy polyester that will flatter any figure. It has a shirred halter bodice with a crystal brooch in the center that highlights the front cascade. The dress is fully lined with a back zip and must be hand washed.
For a more daring look, the Charmeuse Animal Print Gown with Beading is a fierce little number that is sure to stand out among the crowd. Made of sleek brown animal print charmeuse fabric, this dress is cut to cling in all the right places for a soft silhouette. The midriff of the gown is beaded illusion to give just a hint of skin through the sheer net fabric. The back of the dress is cut low with criss-cross thick supportive straps.
No matter what kind of fashion sense a girl has, there is a prom dress out there to fit her style. From ball gowns and flirty short numbers to elegant evening gowns and understated attire, the options are endless for teens to find that perfect unforgettable dress for their first prom.
