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When the leaves start turning, it’s time to start thinking of winter – especially of those winter formals and parties. Before you know it, it will be Thanksgiving and then the holidays. Now is the perfect time to shop for a formal dress for all the parties and special events of the next few months.

Start by checking out your favorite stores. Then, look at what your favorite designers are cooking up for the next few months. If you want to save cash by ordering your formal dresses online, order now for the best selection and to give yourself plenty of time for delivery.

For the winter season, little black dresses are always in style. Jewel tone dresses also look spectacular against the paler months of winter. Metallic formal dresses are another popular choice and look fabulous with all the decorations and festivities of the winter months. As for fabrics, think thicker fabrics than your winter dresses. Rich satins and velvets not only look fabulous in the winter months, but they can be worn in colder weather without making you wilt.

Look for designs that are simple and classic and consider buying a wrap, formal coat, or cover up to go with your formal dress for winter. If you opt for a sleeveless design, you may want to cover up in warmer months.

If you’ve got a formal event coming up, you’re likely intimately familiar with this issue. You pick up one fashion magazine and read about all the outrageous “must-have” dresses the celebrities are wearing to film openings this week. You see the same styles in stores. Then, you read other articles that tell you to dress classic and simple for formal events.

So, who’s right?

Celebrities are paid big bucks (and are usually given or loaned free designer formal dresses) to stand out at big events. That’s why they wear what is hottest and trendiest. They are out there to get seen and to make a statement. The average woman who goes to two or three special events a year probably does not have a celebrity budget and needs a formal dress that takes her to several events. A little black dress or a classic formal dress will look timeless through plenty of seasons, so that’s the obvious choice.

What about you? Well, that depends on your budget and your formal dress needs. If you can afford it and you only go to one formal event (or less) a year, there’s no harm in getting something trendy for a formal dress and really having fun with it. For ultra-special events like the prom, it is also fun to get a once-in-a-lifetime trendy dress you love. If you want a dress that will see you through more than one event, however, you will need a classic formal dress. Something in a classic color and flattering shape will see you through several events and will always be ready in your closet when a special evening comes along.

Supermodels and actresses look amazing on the red carpet, and by using the same tricks you, too, can look amazing in your formal dress:

1) Wear shapewear under a formal dress. While celebrities clocks serious time with personal trainers, they also rely on supportive lingerie to look their best. Under a clingy formal dress, especially shapewear instead of your usual lingerie keeps things looking smooth and perfect.

2) Check your posture. If you don’t tend to wear dresses, especially, consider putting on your dress before the big event and watching yourself in the mirror. Do you slouch? How gracefully do you sit down? If possible, get someone to make a video of you walking, sitting, and standing in your dress, and use this video evidence to correct subtle mistakes – like that slouch – before you wear your dress out. Virtually all formal dresses look better if you have a poised, confident posture and that is something you can learn.

3) Use special double-sided tape from your favorite lingerie store if you have a low-cut or strapless dress. This tape will absolutely ensure no accidents with your formal dress. Also, pop some extra tape into your purse – it’s a great quick fix for hemlines or problems at your event.

4) Wear high heels if you can. High heels always look elegant and make your legs look longer.

5) Choose your dress color carefully. The little black dress is a classic, but if you are very pale it can make you look washed out. Instead, take a look at your closet. What colors make you feel most confident? If you’re cool-toned, try rich blues or greens. If you look best with warm colors, opt for fiery reds or even stand-out oranges.

It’s inevitable: that big summer event that requires you to wear a formal dress falls on an incredibly hot day. If you need to dress formal, you don’t have to wilt in that formal dress. Here’s how to stay cool and look fabulous:

1) Wear an upswept hairstyle. Getting the hair off your face and neck will help with the heat and will keep your hair from wilting as well.

2) Look for a dress that does not hug your curves too tight. A tight dress clinging to your skin will not feel great. Look for a dress that gives you some wiggle room.

3) Look for light, breezy fabrics. A light summer formal dress will keep you coolest, especially if it is also backless, above the knee, and has thin straps. The less fabric, the better. Also, look for lighter colors, since black and other dark colors absorb heat and can make you feel warmer. If you have a choice, opt for natural fabrics such as silks or linens, which let your skin breathe and therefore keep you cooler.

4) Choose the rest of your clothes carefully. Even if you don’t have a choice (and you’re stuck in a bridesmaids dress that has yards of heavy fabric, for example) you can still make other choices. Choose tiny lingerie that will give you some air and choose either over-the-knee pantyhose or spray-on pantyhose (yes, it does exist!) rather than covering the entire leg area. Look for tiny strappy sandals that will keep your feet cooler.

5) Get prepared. If you are in formal wear on a hot day, look for shady areas – and the refreshment stand. Stay out of the sun when you can and make sure you hydrate with water so that you feel and look great at your event. Also, bring a pretty shawl or wrap if your event lasts into the evening – summer nights get chilly fast.

Sorority Competition:  Better your community with Better Closet and win a Spring Formal dress

Instructions:  Sisters are invited to write a one page essay on how they are working to better their community by lending a helping hand. Email the essay to stylist@bettercloset.com.  The deadline is March 31. Include on the one page, your name, email address, Sorority, the date of your Spring Formal and the essay.

Grand Prize: A free Spring Formal dress; or $300 towards a purchase of any style. The winning essay will be featured on the internationally recognized BC Style Source, bettercloset.com/blog.

Additional Prizes: Every Sister from the Sorority with the winning essay will receive a $25 gift card from Better Closet to use towards any Spring Formal dress purchase.  Additionally, all participants will receive free ground shipping on their Spring Formal dress purchase.

Selection Process: As essays are submitted they will be ranked and a winner will be contacted by email by midnight, 12:00AM EST, April 3.

* FAQ

Q: What classifies as a “Spring Formal” purchase?

A: Any dress that is recognized in the Shop More Styles tab, under any of the categories; designer prom dresses, evening dresses, formal dresses, formal gowns, pageant dresses, prom dresses, plus size evening dresses, and short prom dresses is applicable for the discount and the promotion applies.

Q:  Who can participate?

A: Any Sister in any Sorority may participate.

Q: Must the essay be submitted through email?

A: Yes, the only way to submit the essay is by emailing it to stylist@bettercloset.com

Q: What if the dress I want is more than $300?

A:  If the dress you want is more than $300, you are responsible to make up the difference in price.

Q: Can I check the status of my essay?

A: No, the winner will be notified by April 3, 12:00am EST.

Q: If I submit an essay, how long before I receive my free shipping on a Spring Fromal dress style?

A: Within 1 business day of submitting your essay you will receive a promotion code for free ground shipping on any prom dress purchase. The discount may not appear as free shipping but will deduct the amount of shipping costs from your total purchase.

Q: If the winning essay is selected from my Sorority, how long will it be before I receive my $25 gift card for a Spring Formal dress purchase?

A:  You will receive the $25 gift card towards any Spring Formal dress purchase by April 4, 12:00AM EST. *Remember to note your Sorority on the essay so we know to send you the discount.

Q:  How many entries can I submit?

A: Essays are limited to one entry per person. If someone is found to have submitted more than one entry, that person will be excluded from the contest.

*The Sorority noted on your essay may be contacted to confirm your participation. 

The Janique prom dresses for 2009 are featured on the Janique website and they are stunning! A few of the trends we noticed in this collection:

• Stunning, rich colors. Saffron, raspberry and vibrant blue are popular choices for the Janique prom dresses this year. There are some softer shades (soft greys and blues, for example, that look feminine without being too sweet and childish) but the general tone of the Janique prom dress is rich and vibrant stay-up-on-your-feet-all-night-and-dance color.
• Great prints. Although many of the Janique prom dresses this year say it all with color, some do have prints. Many of the prints are nature-inspired and soft. Irises, flowers, very subtle animal prints, and very soft, feminine abstract prints add some depth to the dresses.
• Length. While there are some cute short dresses among the Janique prom dresses of 2009, many of the dresses we liked best from this collection were long and sweeping. The drape of the fabric in the long dresses was perfect and designed to really flatter most body shapes. Some of the long dresses have a tight bodice or a backless style so that the long gowns are really not fuddy-duddy at all. In fact, they manage to look sizzling. A few of the long dresses feature a slim silhouette and slits up the side for an even more seductive look.

The Janique brand name is respected for its separates, bridal styles and eveningwear and prom dresses. Currently, the designer and creative director for Janique is Kourosh Babaian. Babaian was born in Iran, where he became interested in fashion early. Babaian’s mother had beautiful evening gowns that inspired him while his father ran a fabric store and a boutique that taught Babaian about fashion early.

When Babaian was eleven, his family moved to the US, where Babaian eventually studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He later traveled to France to study at Polimoda.

By 1988, Babaian had founded Janique. He chose the name “Janique” for the business because that word means “woman” in Persian. Since 1988, the Janique name brand has become famous with boutique owners, style-conscious buyers and celebrities looking for that perfect dress for the red carpet.

Janique dresses are known for unusual styles, perfect fit, and outstanding workmanship. Janique prom dresses mean perfect details and an elegant, sophisticated look. A Janique prom dress is stylish without being trendy and sexy while also feminine. If you want a flirty look that’s stylish and elegant, a Janique prom dress might be what you have been looking for. If you local stores don’t carry these dresses, online retailers can often help you find one of these prom dresses for less. Now’s the time to shop!

Along with the inevitable holiday credit card bills, this time of year is also a time when wedding invitations for spring weddings and early summer weddings begin to arrive. This sends many of us into a panic, because after all the spending of the holiday season it can be hard to go out and spend more money on a dress to attend a wedding. Plus, it can be hard to determine what is appropriate to wear to a wedding. Which dresses are appropriate? How formal should the dresses be? What will everyone else be wearing? What dresses will allow you to fit in with other guests?

There’s no need to panic. Start with the invitation, which should tell you what sort of dress you can or should wear. For example, determine the dates and the place of the wedding. This will help you determine whether you need a dress that will keep you cool in hot temperatures, or warm in cooler temperatures. Also, the place of the wedding should give you a clue of whether the wedding will be very formal or a little more casual. The time of the wedding is also important. Weddings before 6 p.m. are generally less formal than those after six. If you’re still not sure and you know the couple, feel free to drop them a line and ask.

Once you determine how formal or informal the wedding is likely to be, make sure that you avoid any dresses that are black or have sequins – these are considered bad form for wedding guests. Also, wearing white is considered inappropriate at a wedding, as it competes with the bride’s dress and color scheme. If you will be a place of worship, be aware that bare legs and shoulders are sometimes not considered appropriate, so do bring along a shawl or pretty jacket that you can wear over your dress.

Although the holidays are often a very fun and rewarding time, they can also be very stressful, especially financially. In addition to gifts, cards, decorations, and other purchases, you may need to spend money on outfits for special events and occasions coming up during the holidays. If your budget is very small, though, you can often reduce your holiday wardrobe spending significantly and still get great outfits by:

1) Writing on paper. Sit down with a pen and paper and write down all the events that you will be attending in the upcoming weeks. Note whether each event is formal, casual, or semiformal. This will allow you to see what sorts of outfits you will need to plan for.

2) Considering your current clothes. Remove everything from your closets that may be in any way appropriate to wear to holiday events. Be sure to look in the back of your closet and in storage areas where rarely worn items may be lurking. Many people have more than enough items they need for holiday parties, with just a little ingenuity.

3) Trying on your clothes in new ways. Play around for while with the new items you have found, trying different combinations until you find some unique outfits that work. Don’t forget to try various accessories with your outfits well. Sometimes, about a necklace or different shoes can really transform a dress you were quite unsure about. Start noting down which outfit you can wear to what event and note what events you still need outfits for (if any).

4) Finding low-cost dress alternatives. Once you know what you own, make a list of what you still need in order to make it through the events that are coming up. See whether you can borrow, rent, or buy the pieces for very little and start looking at consignment stores and through sales racks to find what you need. Focus on the events that are coming up soonest.

If you’re hosting any events over the holidays, you need a fabulous dress that makes you look like the star of your part but you also need to be comfortable enough to take care of all the details of actually hosting a party. Worse, you may have already spent a ton of money on the party itself and may have a limited budget for your dress. In addition to these considerations, your dress needs to be simple so that you can toss it on after you’ve taken care of the food, cleaning, decorations, and other details before the party. While that’s a tall order, you can get the perfect hostessing dress by:

1) Considering appropriateness. If your party is for your office coworkers, make sure that you dress is formal and not too revealing. If your party is for group of friends, you may be able to get away with a dress that is sexier.

2) Playing with texture. Look for dress fabrics that are resilient, since you’ll likely be hugging, kissing, and moving around great deal as the hostess. You’ll want a fabric that can stand up to a lot and doesn’t stain easily when you’re preparing the meal or the appetizers. Fabrics such as velvet and silk are very touchable and make you look welcoming.

3) Going for short sleeves or sleeveless outfits. If you’re working over a hot stove or running around, you don’t want visible sweat stains. Look for breathable fabrics, and sleeves that won’t dangle over your food. Wear an apron over your dress when you’re preparing food, as well.

4) Looking for comfort. Avoid tight clothes, short hems, and low necklines. These will make it easy for you to get into embarrassing situations as you’re bending, serving, hugging, and moving around. A hostess moves around a great deal more than guests, so make sure that what you wear is comfortable and doesn’t reveal too much. Comfort should be the byword for shoes as well. Make sure you have shoes that are well broken in and have a low enough heel so that you won’t be in pain at the end of the night. As a hostess, you’ll spend most of the night on your feet, so think appropriate footwear.