Finding the perfect prom dress can be the most challenging part of planning for prom. It is something that every girl dreams about, yet it can be incredibly stressful. There are so many styles, colors, and silhouettes out there to choose from that you would not know where to begin.

“The most important aspect of a prom dress is that a girl should feel right while wearing it. She should feel comfortable and happy  and not insecure. The fact that the girl is happy while wearing it is what makes it perfect. It should not be what everyone else wants, it should be what she wants to feel while wearing it on prom night,” junior Natalya Barbito said.

Set a Budget

When the time rolls in to decide where to go dress shopping, you must set a budget. It is not unreasonable at all for you to spend money on your desired dress that you would not usually spend on a regular shopping day. On the other hand, not all dresses that catch your eye have to be expensive. It can be overwhelming as you begin to try out a handful of dresses, each with a different price tag. Setting a budget will not only limit the overwhelming pool of options, but help you eliminate dresses that are way too expensive.

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A prom dress represents not only looking beautiful, but finding what makes you feel the best which I think is the most important part.

— sophomore Melody Cecilio

Style 

The main attention grabber for you when finding your prom dress is the style. You might already have a list filled with the main things you want your dream dress to have. Pick the dress that fits your style and complements you. Make sure you are content with what you are wearing. The color and style of your prom dress might also depend upon a theme, location, or the time of year that prom is held. You should feel comfortable since there will be a lot of walking and dancing during the night. If you like to dance a lot, you might want to choose an a-line prom dress that gives your legs plenty of room for movement and is styled with straps for support. If you are not much of a dancer, a mermaid dress can also give you an elegant look.

Accessories 

Jewelry can also add taste and style to your dress. Simple jewelry can be a nice addition if you are wearing a very detailed dress, while elaborate jewelry can be a good addition to a more simple dress. Depending upon your skin tone and hair color, some pastels, brights, or jewel tones might complement you better than others. This can also go hand in hand when you are buying your shoes.

Online Shopping 

The internet is a great way to search for new popular styles and get ideas. Online stores may sell the dress that you like at a way more affordable price and in different colors and sizes as well. The only downside to online shopping is that there is no way to try on the different dresses at your liking. With no procrastination and weeks of planning before hand, this could not be a worry and you won’t have to go through the stress of finding your dress on time.

“It has to be something that when you put it on it feels like it’s only meant for you, you know like when you look in the mirror you look like a queen. Finding that dress is just trying to look for something that’ll make you feel special that when you look at it you think that’s the one,” sophomore Esperanza Barrios said.