How to Choose a Necklace for Your Dress

via Seventeen Magazine

Now that you’ve chosen the perfect dress it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to accessorize your gown with the perfect neck candy aka necklaces! Whether you’re thinking of a statement collar necklace or a subtle pendant, we’ve got 4 easy steps to help you find the perfect necklace to accentuate your prom look:

1. Think about neckline
Is your dress halter style, strapless, or a simple square neckline? Whatever style gown you’ve chosen will dictate which necklace is right for you look. For example, if you’ve chosen a halter gown, a collar necklace might not be the best fit. You want something that will give you a bit of an edge, but won’t take away from the beauty of the gown. In this case, a subtle pendant might be the best option. If you’ve chosen a strapless look, accentuate your collarbone with a statement collar necklace. That way the eye will be drawn upward and will add a bit of extra glam to your look.

2. Decide whether you want to make a statement
If you didn’t go bold with your gown choice, choosing a statement necklace is one way to up your look. On the other hand, if your gown has a lot going on in the beading, pattern department, you might want to go with a subtle necklace choice to balance out your look.

3. Make sure the dress and necklace don’t compete with one another
When choosing a necklace, you want to keep in mind that you’re choosing styles that complement, not compete with each other. After all of your effort finding the perfect gown, you don’t want your bling to take away from your elegant look.

4. Think about finish
When searching for the perfect necklace, make sure to think about metals. Are you leaning towards gold, silver, or brass? What goes better with your shoes or clutch? While mixing metals is always an option, if you want a more classic look making sure your jewelry matches the hardware on your shoes and bag is always in.

5. Less is more
Remember the old saying, “take off one piece of jewelry before leaving the house.” When it comes to prom, you want to make sure your look is as “you” as possible, so don’t try and out-do yourself just because it’s prom.

Adult Guests: How to Dress for a Bat or Bar Mitzvah

Whether it’s your first Mitzvah or your fifteenth, deciding what to wear to a Bat or Bar Mitzvah can be tough: each party and family is different, and calls for a different level of formality. If you’re struggling to figure out what to wear to the party, here are a few cues that can help you decide what’s appropriate.

1. The time.
Where and when the celebration is taking place is perhaps the biggest cue as to what to wear. If it’s a lunchtime gathering at the family’s home directly following the ceremony, chances are good that you won’t have to dress to the nines. A simple shift dress or a pantsuit will work for these events, just make sure it is modest enough to wear to the synagogue, too. 

If the event is at a reception hall, hotel, or private space at a restaurant, opt for something a little fancier, like a cocktail dress and statement jewelry.

This Jovani cocktail dress would be a beautiful choice for a daytime Bar or Bat Mitzvah:

 2. The place. 
Though some Mitzvah receptions will directly follow the morning ceremony, many will take place later in the day. If the party is more than a couple hours after the ceremony ends, it’s advisable that you change for the second half of the celebration.

Like weddings, it’s a safe bet that if a bat or bar mitzvah is held in the evening (meaning a start time after 5 p.m.), it’s going to be more formal (and call for a matching manner of dress) than a party thrown during the day.

You can’t go wrong with a little black dress, and this one is both sophisticated and modest, since it’s neither too tight, nor too short.

3. The invitation.
Besides the obvious–that the invite may actually specify the dress code–looking at the invitation itself can also offer clarity about the formality of the function. A letterpress envelope with a formal reply card is almost certainly a sign of a fancy gathering, while a flat printed invitation and an email RSVP signals a less formal party.

Does the invitation call for black-tie? Feel free to go all out with a long gown.

4. The family.
How religious is the family? If the Bar Mitzvah is being thrown by a Orthodox or very traditional family (Orthodox families don’t typically throw Bat Mitzvahs), expect to get more dressed up. Ladies, that means opt for a dress, like the one below, instead of a pantsuit.

Remember: It’s a religious ceremony and a big event in the lives of the children being honored. If you’re stuck between two outfit choices, air on the side of formality and modesty.

 

What to Do When You Second Guess Your Dress?

Image via

When it comes to getting ready for an event, there’s nothing worse than second guessing your outfit. Even if you’ve tried it on a hundred times, you always have that moment of doubt that you’ve chosen the wrong color/shape/accessory. So what do you do if you start to second guess your prom dress? To help you through your doubt, we’ve got a few tips to make you feel 100% sure of your decision sure come prom night:

Take a Deep Breath:
It’s totally normal to have second thoughts about your dress, but take a deep breath and remember why you chose this dress in the first place. More than likely you’ve already gotten second and third opinions from your BFF/mother/sister/boyfriend, so take comfort in the fact that they’ve approved your decision and know that they wouldn’t steer you wrong.

Get the Facts Straight:
If you’re a list making type of person, make a list of all the reasons you chose your dress. You’ve been preparing for months before you went shopping, and unless you chose the first dress you tried on, more than likely you had a few options to choose from. Whether it was the amazing shape that drew you in, or the way the color brought out your eyes, write down all of the pros of your choice, and watch your doubts disappear. Remember, you chose your dress for a reason!

Dress It Up:
Sometimes when you second guess yourself, it’s because you’re not feeling your best. We’ve all had days where we try things on and just aren’t feeling 100% about our outfits. If you’re trying on your prom dress, make sure it’s on a day you’re feeling on top of your game. If it makes you feel better, do a practice run where you put your makeup on and do your hair by yourself, so you can see what the final outcome will look like. Once you’re glammed up, you’ll feel better about your choice in no time!

Re-evaluate:
While second guessing your dress is normal, disliking your choice even after you’ve calmed down and thought it out, isn’t. If you chose your dress based on your friend’s opinions or because someone else had your dream dress, remember it’s not too late to change it. If your dress isn’t worn, most places will gladly accept returns, so you can go in and pick out the one you really love. Remember, it’s your prom and your choice!

 

 

 

What to Pack in Your Purse for Prom

via http://www.fashionmagazine.com

The day you’ve been waiting for is almost here! While you probably have a thousand things on your mind before you head out into the glitz and glam of prom night, don’t forget to pack up all of the prom night essentials that you’re going to need after you’ve worked up a sweat on the dance floor. So to make your packing a little easier, we’ve broken down some of the things that you don’t want to leave home without:

The Essentials
Make sure to pick a bag that will fit all of the essentials, including: tickets, your license, some extra cash, and your cell phone.

Bobby Pins
While your hair stylist will probably put more bobby pins in your hair than you’ve used all year long, it’s never a bad idea to keep a few in your bag in case of a hair emergency. After all, you never know when a fly-away will pop up and you’ll need a few bobby pins to keep it down.

Breath Mints
Whether or not your prom night includes a dinner, breath mints are definitely a must. Just think, Cinderella wouldn’t have wanted to go into her midnight kiss without minty fresh breath… right?

Safety Pins
Stocking up on some safety pins and stowing them away in your bag in case of any dress mishaps will ensure that you’re 100% prepared for anything, because when you’re jumping around on the dance floor, you never know what may happen.

Makeup
While we’re not telling you to try and stuff all of the contents of your makeup bag into your purse, lip gloss, powder, and blotting papers will definitely come in handy for a mid-prom bathroom trip with your girlfriends.

Compact Mirror
Just in case you need to double check your lipstick quickly in the limo, you’ll be happy you brought along a mirror to save you from any lipstick-on-the-teeth moments.

Band-Aids
Trust us on this one, if you’ve been dancing all night, you’ll need a band-aid or two to keep your feet from screaming in pain every time you take a step.

Last-Minute Prom Dress Shopping Tips

Still haven’t found a prom dress? Whether you just recently decided to go to prom, or you simply haven’t found a dress you like yet, we can help! Here are some of our best tips for last-minute prom dress shopping, and a few of our favorite dresses this season to help you start finding the dress of your dreams.

1. Go in-person.
While it’s tempting to spend hours browsing the thousands of prom dresses you can find online, there are two complications with online shopping when you begin to run out of time. One, it can be a time-suck. If you have 200 pages of prom dresses to choose from, how do you decide? Two, if you order your prom dress online last-minute, you run the risk of the dress not shipping on time, or not liking the dress when it does arrive. At this point in the game, it’s a better idea to head to your nearest prom store instead.

We love the simplicity of this feminine gown by Jovani.

2. Bring a trusted advisor.
Whether it’s your mom, you aunt, your sister or your best friend, bring someone you trust with you when you shop for a dress. A second opinion can make committing to a big purchase easier.

You can’t go wrong with a streamlined black dress, like this Faviana gown, combined with statement jewelry.

3. Set a budget.
To help narrow down your choices, set a budget and only look at dresses that fall within it. This will instantly streamline your selection and make the decision process easier.

This sophisticated dress by Sherri Hill is under $300.

4. Have fun.
If you’ve been looking at prom dresses for months and just can’t seem to settle on “the one,” it’s time to re-think how you’re going about your dress shopping. You’re looking for a dress to wear to a big, fun party, so take the pressure off of choosing the perfect dress, and know that there are dozens of options that would probably look gorgeous on you, but at the end of the day you can only wear one of them. Pick a dress that’s flattering, comfortable, and that suits your style, and then go enjoy yourself!

This La Femme gown is one of our favorite styles this season.

Are You Ready For Prom?

via

Okay girls, prom is less than a few weeks away, (or maybe even sooner for some of you) so to make sure you’re 100% ready for the big day, we’ve given you a last minute prom checklist. Whether you were born ready or need a few gentle reminders, here are the things you need to have all set before you walk out the door:

1. Is your hair appointment all set?
Even if you booked your hair appointment months in advance, call the salon and double check that your appointment is all set. It’s also a great idea to ask your hair dresser if you can do anything beforehand, i.e. a lot of times your hair dresser will prefer that you don’t wash your hair the day before you go in so as to have your natural oils set in. It’s also a good idea to wear something loose, that way once your hair is done you don’t have to worry about fitting a turtleneck over your head and messing up your hair.

2. Do you have the right undergarments?
Whether it’s a strapless bra or no-show panties, make sure that you’ve tried your undergarments on with your dress so you know it fits right and nothing will be showing in pictures. 

3. Do you have the right tape and pins to keep your dress in place?
If you’re planning on not wearing a bra because you have a low cut dress, make sure you have some double stick tape to keep your gown in place.

4. Have you broken in your shoes?
We can’t stress this one enough! There’s nothing worse than being in pain on prom night because it’s the first time you’ve worn your heels since getting them. We suggest wearing them around the house for half an hour a night the week before prom to break them in and have them shape to your feet.

5. Have you tried to pack your purse?
You’re going to want to do a purse test run a few days before prom to make sure you can fit all of your essentials in. Make sure your have a spare lipstick, concealer, wallet, and your phone before you leave the house.

6. Have you ordered the boutonniere?
Don’t forget your dates boutonniere. Make sure you order it in advance so you’re not stuck on prom night without one to give to your date.

7. Have you bought tickets?
This one might seem a bit obvious, but don’t forget about the tickets. With all of your prom prep, tickets might be the last thing on your mind, but make sure you get them in advance (and don’t forget to pack them in your bag) so you can get in without a hitch.

The Best Clutches for Prom 2015

When it comes to achieving your perfect prom look, the devil is in the details. Which means as you should put just as much thought into the accessories you wear, the undergarments you choose, and your shoes, as you did into your dress. As for your handbag, not just any old purse will do. The last thing you want is to carry an oversize, bulky bag to prom. Your evening bag should be formal, delicate, and small.

Need help choosing a style? We’ve compiled six of the best prom-perfect clutches we’ve seen this year, and paired them with the dress style they’ll work best with.

1. The Glam Gown
This bedazzled bag from Charming Charlie is just the right finishing touch for a glamorous prom look. If your dress is slim-fitting or a two-piece, and covered in sequins or metallic, this is the bag for you.

2. The Bright Spot
If you’re wearing a bright, bold color–think aqua blue, coral, or lime green–try this beaded white box clutch from Asos.

3.  The LBD (Long Black Dress)
Going for a chic, sophisticated look on prom night? If you’re rocking a black dress, we love this art deco-inspired clutch from Charming Charlie.

4. The Simple Stunner.
If you’re dress is simple: think, a slim silhouette without lots of beading or lace, you can rock a more intricate clutch, like this minaudière from Aldo.

 

 

 

5. The Princess Prom Dress
Wearing a classic ball gown or a dress covered in beads? Balance a dress with a full skirt, lots of tulle, or an abundance of detail with a toned-down bag, like this one from Charming Charlie, to ensure all eyes are focused on your dress.

 

6. The Pop of Color
If you’re wearing a white, black, or neutral dress, go bold and add a pop of color with your bag! This blue sequined versions from BCBG is a beautiful example.