Showing posts with label prom dress. Show all posts

Arranging A Prom On A Budget

If you have teenage kids you may know all about the pressure of prom night. In my day we just had a disco and that was that. There wasn't the pressure that we have today with social media, and many teens wanting the perfect outfit for Instagram.

Often there is the added pressure of trying to outdo each other as well. We can see that in the US especially. If you have a girlfriend there is the 'promposal' according to the New York Post. where the proposer has to have a level of creativity and thoughtfulness!

So if you are a parent of teens what can you do to take the pressure out of the prom? Here are some ideas you can try.

1. Have a heart to heart


This is especially important if you are on a limited budget. Talk to your child about prom night. Explore the fact that you have a limited budget to prepare for the prom or why not encourage them to contribute themselves financially if they work. Realistic expectations are important. Ask them what their plans are and get creative to limit the cost. Getting in the right mindset is important, it can be a perfect prom without everything costing a fortune.

2. Getting to the prom

If they are looking for a limo to get to the prom, can they get together with friends to split the cost? You can get them to ask around parents to see if anyone has a classic or sports car to use to get to the prom, and would be willing to use it for petrol money. If you don't live far away you can always walk to the prom and show off your outfit on the way.

3. Prom dress


If they, you, or a friend are a whizz on the sewing machine you could make them a dress. Another option would be to get a prom dress second hand from an auction site, charity or vintage store. Alternatively, choose your prom dress or suit from a budget online or high street store. You don't have to spend hundreds to get that perfect dress. When in doubt go for something that looks classic, don't forget you will look back on the photos in years to come. Then use accessories to make them look unique.

4. Accessories

Accessories like a bag and shoes can be picked up relatively cheaply if you know where to look. Browse charity or vintage shops for that bag or jewellery no one else will have. Look for shoes in the sales or go for a classic pair of courts you can wear again. Accessories can really make a look but don't spend a fortune on them, it's not worth it. No one will remember what bag you had in 20 years time.

5. Hair and makeup

Having your hair and makeup done obviously costs money, so maybe you can help to style their hair and do their makeup for them or get them to practice beforehand and do it themselves. There are a lot of YouTube hairstyling videos out there as well as makeup videos. Alternatively maybe one of their friends is great with hair or makeup.

6. Photos



Don't forget to take photos of the prom girl or boy and their partner if they have one. Some natural photos of them getting ready as well as more posed photos will be great for them to look back on. Do you have a garden to take some photos, as the lighting may be better? If you are not great with a camera maybe a friend or family member is better and will come to take some photos for your child.

7. Build their confidence

Don't forget to tell them how amazing they look. It can be a nerve-wracking time for your child. Sometimes confidence comes in numbers so ask if they want to invite their friends or prom date over to all go from one place.  As you wave your child goodbye tell them to take a deep breath and enjoy!


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Finding The Perfect Petite Prom Dress

Women were created differently each with their own unique set of features. In this article, we will focus on the petite woman and how she should pick a prom dress that will perfectly fit her small frame.

Copyright Luba V Nel Shutterstock

For a girl, High School prom is a day for not only looking absolutely stunning, it will most likely also be the last day she will have all her fellow classmates and teachers in the same room together. It sounds cliché but the prom is more than just a dress, however it’s a good place to start!

This is why we have written this article especially aimed at petite women who want to find the perfect dress for their sleek, slim and slender figure which will make heads turn as she walks through the door. So, here goes…

What To Look Out For When Dress Shopping 


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Choosing The Right Style

If you take care to look at the proportion and fit of a dress, you will have a better chance of the garment complementing your curves and you cannot go wrong! From elegant cocktail dresses to glamorous maxi numbers, if you are a petite woman you should know that there is plenty of choice out there when searching for that perfect prom dress.

For example, when you are hunting for the prom dress of your dreams remember to look for V-necks as these accentuate your upper body and make you look taller. Also, be careful if your dress goes in at the waistline. Making sure that the proportion is correct and ensuring the taper lines up with your waist will either make or break the dress.

Feel free to rock shorter dresses too! Who said that prom dresses had to be long, pink and puffy? Actually, petite women often look dressier when the hemline is above the knee and it’s also good to stay clear of anything with too much material. However, be careful when it comes to dresses that stop at calf-length as this can drastically reduce the length of your legs.

A-line and trumpet prom dresses can also look beautiful on petite women as these dresses tend to have waistlines above your actual waist which will create a longer body and added height.

Choosing The Right Colour

If you want to keep on the safe side when it comes to colours, we have some invaluable advice for you. When shopping around at the vast selection of 2015 homecoming dresses either online or in-store it is important to think carefully not only about the shape but the colour of the dress.

If you are 5’4 or below it’s good to stick to only a couple of colour variations. Something monochrome will be beautiful as it lengthens your figure and will help you look taller if this is what you are hoping to achieve with a prom dress.

Choosing The Right Shape

If you want to get the perfect shape dress to complement your figure, it’s safe to choose a homecoming gown that has a slightly tighter fit which means you won’t get lost in a dress with too much material. This way you can easily make a statement as your overall look will have more of an impact on the eye.

Choosing The Right Fabric
If there are any daring readers out there, we want to urge you to be cautious with patterns! Keep your style cool and different if you wish but remember that it’s best to keep things plain and simple to bring out the best of your shape. The fabric doesn’t really matter too much but the detail should be simplistic and elegant, so nothing too involved. If you want detail, it should be on the bodice only to draw the focus upwards.

By taking away some of our tips and using them as shopping guidelines when you are prom dress hunting, you can steal the show on your special day and achieve an absolutely stunning look!

* This post was contributed by Media Buzzer
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Top Tips For Saving On Prom Dresses

As prom season approaches, here are 7 tips for saving on prom dresses in 2015.



Copyright Sean McGrath - Flickr

It’s coming up to that time of year: limos, flowers, snazzy dinners, and of course, the dress. As teens across the country start getting ready for prom time, parents are bracing for the shock of the costs involved.

The good news is buying prom dresses for 2015 doesn’t have to completely leave you out of pocket. There are actually a number of ways you can offset the cost of prom night clothing without having to sacrifice style, even for the most elaborate of dresses.

Check out these top dress-shopping tips so you can start saving right away.


Go For Something Classic

The first thing to learn about saving on prom dresses is you need to be versatile. The more wear the dress gets, the better the value. Look for basic gowns in classic colours like navy, black or gray.  They can be worn on other occasions too. The dress can be tailored and jazzed up for prom night with the help of killer heels, statement jewellery, and bolder shades of accessories.

Get Your Dress Made By A Friend Or Relative 

If you know someone who has the skills, it can be cheaper to buy the material and have the dress made for you by a friend or relative.  As well getting the perfect dress to fit you can save a fortune this way, and they may not even charge to make it too.

Get Your Creative Thinking Cap On

So you’ve figured out it’s a good idea to search through the sales racks at the big department stores, but have you ever thought of entering clothing and voucher competitions to win a gift card or even the actual prom dress? Many people win competitions every day and as they say you have to be in it to win it.

Visit Bridal Shops

Of course, we’re not saying go for an all out wedding gown for the prom night, but bridal stores do carry great ranges of colourful bridesmaid dresses that can double as the perfect prom dresses 2015. Check out the sales rack at the bigger chain stores and do consider the floor-length gowns too. You could always have them altered for a shorter style and still save some serious cash.

Rent Designer Throw-Aways

If designer prices are crushing your daughter’s dreams of the most incredible frock, why not rent one? There are various rental stores that offer designer dresses and even accessories and you could save as much as 90 percent off the usual retail prices. Best of all, rentals often include alterations to make sure it's  a perfect fit at no additional costs. You could choose from floor length gowns and cocktail styles for next to nothing.

Try Employee Discounts

If you’re currently looking for a job, why not apply to department stores that have formal clothing ranges. That way you may just qualify for a significant employee discount off your child’s dream dress. There may even be specialty stores that are happy to offer up a free prom dress in return for some part-time assistance. You can only but ask.

Charity Shops

You can pick up a bargain dress at a charity shop. You can find wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses and designer clothes at charity shops these days and even the accessories to match. 

It is also worth considering a car journey to go to the shops in the more affluent areas too as they may have more designer dresses available. 

 Did you or your daughter have a prom dress? What do you think of the tips to saving money?

* This post was contributed by Media Buzzer
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