
What’s Hot in the World of Prom Dresses for 2012?
Christina Gowns has the inside scoop on the newest fashion trends for the Prom 2012 season. Over the past few years teens have been demanding more chic, more elegance and better quality. Prom night is their time to shine and show individual styling, whether it is celebrity chic or gothic drama. The designers have been busy trying to come up with the “It” dress, the one that sells out quickly and appeals to the preferences of today’s teenage Prom Girl. Needless to say, these are not your Mother’s prom dresses.
Hemlines
Today’s prom girl likes hemlines that are short, long, or high-low. Drama is the the key in choosing a dress, and any hemline is now appropriate for Prom Night. Short cocktail dresses came into fashion several years ago with the introduction of the Sherri Hill short dress, and it has been here to stay. Long, formal hemlines are always in fashion and can be very exciting with touches of beadwork. The newest craze, high-low hems, were introduced over the last two prom seasons and are no longer a ruffled mess. The high-low hemline is graduated, elegant and tends to show a fabulous leg contour. We also love the spiral ruffle hemline that has such movement and grace. There is no rule for hemlines this year, so use your personal preference for style on this issue.
Sequins and Rhinestones Rule
We have seen so much glitz this coming prom year. Girls are demanding the sparkle and shine to stand out in the spotlight. Dresses this year range from chunky, geometric beadwork and mirror beads to fully sequined dresses that might weigh a ton but are so worth it. The Sherri Hill 1429 comes to mind as a sure winner. This amazing, sexy cocktail dress is fully detailed with the finest bead work in intricate patterns. Now it is available in a wide array of patterns, and other designers are taking note of the craftsmanship. We now see a more glamorous look similar to celebrity designs that bring to mind the movie stars of the 40′s and 50′s.
Feathers, Feathers Everywhere
Feathers are a gorgeous touch to any dress. They are being used sparingly and with great abandon on Prom Dresses for 2012. You can find them on straps, bodices, skirts and shoes. They come in a wide array of colors and sizes, and can take a simplet dress to glam-tastic. Designers have also been using them on shoes and accessories, but be careful to not overdo this trend. Too many feathers on you and your accessories can ruin an otherwise fabulous look.
Colors and Prints
Color is in and the ones we have seen are bold, exciting and show stopping. Bright blues, pinks and always elegant blacks can take you from every day OK to fabulous and exciting in a matter of hours. We are also seeing the animal prints mixed with lots of color from added drama. When you mix a cheetah print with fuchsia, it becomes more dramatic and bold. Don’t be afraid of color this year, it can make your style more memorable.
Dress Styling
The variety of styling for dresses this year is the best yet. We have seen simple A-line, strapless and full skirts along with one-shoulder, single-sleeve and plunging necklines. There is so much available it is best if you try on different styles to see what works for your body type. Remember, at some point you will want to sit down, so be sure your dress is well fitting and comfortable. The one-shoulder styles are excellent if you want to keep it sexy but not have to adjust every minute. We also like the cut-out dresses that show a bit of skin. So many options exist for this look, like open sides, open backs, and the illusion dress. The illusion dress has the look of skin using nude colors of tulle and fabric. This style has been used so well with Jovani and Sherri Hill.
How To Buy
Inventory levels have been low, so be sure to make your decision and purchase well before the height of the season. If you have your orders in by February, you should be able to get your favorite dress. Be on the lookout for “knock-off” prom website. These sites use designer pictures, but are actually Chinese factories that are making their version of the designer dress. This results in lesser quality, and the inability to contact anyone to make it right. If the price is too good to be true, or if they come in 20 different colors, that is a sure sign of a “knock-off” dress. Before making any purchases online, call the website to make sure they are legitimate.
We are so excited to present the new collections to you over the next coming months. Our favorite designers are Sherri Hill, Jovani, Terani, Blush, Tiffany Designs and Party Time Formals. Start watching these designers now as they give glimpses of their upcoming lines for Prom 2012. We are confident your style is out there waiting for you! Happy Prom Dress Shopping from Christina Gowns!