Shop by Prom Dress Style

Prom girls usually start their shopping one of three ways...by designer, color or style of dress. Some girls know which styles look good on their particular figures while others are shopping for a style they've seen in a magazine, tv or online. The style of your dress is oh so important! A girl who is pear shaped should never wear a mermaid or trumpet skirted dress unless she is wanting to parade her shape.

Let's start this with the different styles and what shapes they look best on.

A-line dresses hide many flaws and look great on any size or shape. They are usually only fitted at the bust line and flow loosely to the floor. The skirt is not enhance with any netting or tulle to create more fullness like a ballgown. The bustline is usually beaded but not always and often ruched. You can find any style of neckline with this dress type. Strapless, one shoulder, spaghetti straps, halter or even sleeves. Any fabric looks great with this style but you will most often find it in chiffon. The 2012 prom seasons offers thousands of gowns in this style, so you shouldn't have any problem if this is your pick for prom.

Ballgowns were the original prom dress adapted from debutante balls many years ago. This style has seen a recent comeback and the 2012 prom season will not be any different! Ballgowns are beautiful and timeless. You will look back on your prom pictures 20 years later and still love the dress you wore. Ballgowns get their fullness from netting or tulle underneath the skirt. There are usually at least three layers. You can cut some out for less fullness or steam and stretch for more. Ballgowns come in every color and fabric and often have a beaded or jeweled bodice. Ballgowns are great for high school, local and state pageants for high school aged girls. Ballgowns look great on any shape or size just like the a-line styles.

The hottest new style is the cocktail dress. We just love this style! It is comfortable to wear to prom and will never go out of style. This style is really great for the prom girl that loves to dance. They have gotten shorter than they use to be and we call these babydolls. You can wear what is called hot pants underneath to keep from exposing your goods! These are the dancer type short shorts and can be made in any color to match your dress. As far as design goes, the sky is the limit on these styles. This style looks best on LEGS! If you love how your legs look, then this is your go to style! Some girls love accessories and want to show them off. With prom shoes getting edgier every year cocktails are becoming a great way to flaunt them. Cocktail dresses are mostly flirty and fun with a few sweet ones thrown in for good measure.

The halter style refers to the type of neckline this one has. It has straps that start at the top of the bust or farther out and clasps or ties around the back of the neck. It can be designed with any body style of dress but we think it looks really great on a-line and mermaid styles. We like this prom dress style on girls with beautiful shoulders and often look great for minimizing a heavier bust.

As in the main stream, the 80s are coming in style for prom dresses too! The high low hem line was popular mid to late 80s and has been making a splash on the prom market for two years now. They are hip yet comfortable. They are funky and great for showing off your fabulous shoes. This style comes in any fabric and color. We see a lot of designers put prints on this prom style. You will often find these ruched at the waistline which is great for hiding a few minor flaws. We like this style on thin to hour glass body types.

Lace up backs were super popular about five years ago but have faded now and are usually found on ballgowns. Lace ups are great when it comes to fit. A size six could fit into a four or eight and it would still look great. The drawback however is how long it takes to get the bodice laced and getting it even and then sometimes girls do not like how the bow looks at the bottom. We have been telling girls to tie it in a knot and let it hang inside if she doesn't like it. Also, girls should think about all of this before she buys a lace up back for her pageant. Depending on how much time you have to change, it could be stressful trying to get the laces just right for stage.

Low backs have been popular since the roaring twenties. Movie stars made this style popular and it hasn't fallen from its lofty perch yet! It is so beautiful and sexy yet classic. Of course this style looks best on someone that has a longer torso and pretty skin. A low back is often on a haltered neckline or very highly placed straps. Low backs are most often found on long slinky gowns in any fabric or color.

Mermaid styles are very popular! They look great on thinner to hourglass figures but are sold in any size. You can find this style in very simple fabrics with no embellishments to super bold fabrics or fully beaded. This is another style that is great for pageants because it lengthens the body. You do need to be tall for this style because otherwise you would have to hem the trumpet bottom and lose the effect of the dress. The mermaid style is great for prom and if dancing is your favorite part of your prom experience, you may want to keep in mind that this style isn't the easiest to bust a move in!

One shouldered is such a pretty prom dress style and it is so versatile when it comes to fashion. It can be chic and funky or simple and classy. Depending on the dress style this neckline is attached to will determine which body type it looks best on. One shouldered necklines are on all body styles of dresses. One shouldered doesn't always look good on a very large bust line. Often, without the support of another strap, spillage occurs!

Plus size prom dresses have really changed in the last two to three years. Designers are taking styles that every girl loves no matter what size she is and just cutting them to the plus size chart. Girls are not as shy as they use to be about their body size which we think is great! We want everyone to love who they are inside and out. So if you are a plus size prom girl, you will not have any trouble finding that dream dress this year! We do however suggest that you start very early with your search. Designers do not cut as many of these sizes so they usually have to be specially ordered which can take up to twelve weeks!!!

Straight prom dresses are probably still the most popular prom dress. It is the most offered style by every designer. If they want a funkier neckline or back, they usually want to put it with the simplest body style so that is will not be overwhelming. Most prom girls can't pull off the Lady Gaga look! This style can be modified for any height and looks great on most body styles. They only shape we feel should steer away from this style is the apple shaped girl. It is hard to hide the muffin top in a slinky straight dress.

Strapless prom dresses are one of the most beautiful gowns we sell. They come on every body style except a low back. Most of these dresses come with straps now so a girl can have a strapless dress for her pictures then attach the straps for dancing if she needs to. Strapless dresses can be converted into any other neckline with the proper fabric by a seamstress, so never shy away from buying one. Strapless can be short or long and look great on every body type except an extremely busty girl. As stated above however, that can be easily adjusted.v

Not popular in our area because our local schools don't allow for the belly button to show, two piece gowns were very popular around 2k along with belly button piercing but disappeared from the scene since schools had such a fit about them. They are reemerging now and are cuter than ever. Designers have learned to cover the button so girls can get away with it.

Since many girls can't wear two piece dresses to their prom, designers made many dresses for the 2012 prom season with cutouts. Cutouts can be on one side or both sides and are oh so cute! If you are a fashionista, prom diva or just looking to show off your gorgeous bod to that girl who hates you...this is your dress style! Of course this style looks best on thin and lanky girls but do not be afraid to rock it if it feels right to you. Longer waist lines are best also because the fabric or straps will buckle or gap on shorter waists.