A Fabulous
Prom is Easy as 1-2-3
By Rashida
Hiba
rashidahiba@excapethematrix.com
The 2007 Prom Season is officially on! Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to get ready for the greatest social event of your high school careers! Here are a few tips that will help you achieve the look, feel and experience that you’ve imagined. So if you want to turn heads for all the right reasons, follow these steps for a night to remember.
1) Avoid the impulse to “bring sexy back.” Instead, aim for a classic prom look.
In an attempt to achieve “sexy status,” too many of us end up looking ultra trashy. If you focus on being sexy for this occasion you run the risk of committing a fashion faux pas. Please don’t treat the prom like the Grammy’s where many stars don next to nothing on the red carpet. Remember, “sexy” is a state of mind that is best represented by assuredness and confidence. This can be only be achieved if you are comfortable with your prom attire, and moreover if you’re comfortable with yourself.
Try a “classic” look that
complements your style and sensibility. By “classic” I mean a timeless
look that will be just as chic today as it was 30 years ago (and will be
30 years from now). Think “old school Hollywood glamour” meets “basic
bridesmaid/
groomsmen.” There’s a lot of range between the two, but
essentially what I’m suggesting is that you shoot for something elegant,
understated, and flattering. Avoid the “in” style or trend for this
year’s prom season and stick with cuts that flatter your figure and
accentuate your best features. Also, don’t make the mistake of drawing
attention to only one feature. We’ve all been blessed with many
beautiful characteristics and we’d hate to miss them by only showcasing
the more obvious ones (e.g., a great bust line or long legs). When
styling your prom look, keep in mind how hair, make- up, accessories and
personality will all work together to help you achieve your desired
look.
Fellas, do yourselves a
favor and stick with a sharp tuxedo (but no tails guys). Although men
often complain that they have very few options when it comes to
expressing their personal style while wearing formal attire, a lot can
be said for a man in a shirt and tie. Take your cues from your Hollywood
compadres and try different variations of the bow tie or stick with a
traditional tie in a non- traditional color. When it comes to fabrics,
colors and patterns, your options are limitless. One hot look I really
dig is a tie and shirt of the same color, but with a modest pattern or
unusual texture in the tie (e.g., a ribbed tie or a soft colored plaid
or stripe that sets off the tuck).
Avoid the impulse to “bring sexy back.” Instead, aim for a classic prom
look.
Hint: To achieve the perfect classic look for the prom, look at pictures of vintage dresses/suits and old school stars whose fashion sense you admire. Check out old pictures of your grandparents or other elders in your family. Clothes worn by our elders were far better tailored than the clothes of today and the fashion of yesteryears was more about sophistication than “sex appeal.” The outcome: positively radiant looks that are more demure than outrageous and stylish than trendy.
2) Say Cheese!
Prepare for your modeling
debut by practicing your smile and stance. Remember, this is one of the
few occasions in your life where your family and friends will photograph
you like the paparazzi. Keep in mind that your future life partner may
see these pictures as will anyone else who steps foot into the room in
your parent’s house where your family’s finest photos are on display.
As silly as it sounds, practicing your smile is a good habit. My
mother used to tell me to practice my smile all the time (it was quite
annoying), however I’ve learned the value of a quality smile after years
of pictures featuring me and my deep dimples fashioned into a super
silly smile. If you want to avoid a dorky picture, practice various
looks in the mirror and watch a few episodes of America’s Next Top Model
(ANTM). Tyra’s advice on ANTM is priceless and offers insight into the
art of “pleasing the camera.”
Avoid the “in” style or trend for this year’s prom
season and stick with cuts that flatter your figure and accentuate your
best features.
Don’t make the same mistake that my homeboy made at his prom. He wore a Katt Williams/Snoop Dog-esque press and curl (but hardly as lustrous and poorly styled) pulled in a “snatch back” (ponytail). His date (we only wish the fashion police caught her before she stepped into the limo) appeared in a cheesy (and cheap) leopard print “skank” dress that mimicked something out of an old Married With Children episode (the “Peg Bundy” throwback was a bad look overall). He is so embarrassed by these pictures that he hides them from his fraternity brothers and friends for fear they will make someone’s Myspace page, a worst dressed website, or (worse) show up on a collage highlighting his life at his retirement party or at his wedding.
3) Don’t overdo it! Remember the age-old adage “KISS - Keep it simple, sweetie!” Extra high hair (remember those old beehives? NOT a good look), elaborate designs on your nails, lots of beading/ sequins, busy patterns and other flashy details are to be avoided at all costs. This doesn’t mean be a “Plain Jane.” It is important to keep all eyes on you and not your extra long (and curved) nails in hot pink or your “pimp hat and cane.” (And before you even think about it, leave your knock- off pimp cup at home!!!)