bettercloset.com

Whether you’ve bought a Alberto Makali prom dress, Janique prom dress, Faviana prom dress, Jovani prom dress, Terani prom dress, Cassandra Stone prom dress, Morrell Maxie prom dress, ABS prom dress, or another prom gown, you want to capture your dress – and prom night itself – in pictures. Here’s how to make sure your prom photos are picture-perfect:

• Test your dress. Take pictures of your dress in dim lighting. What color does the dress look? Some fabrics look very different in different lighting conditions, so check before prom. Be especially carefully with metallic or shiny fabrics – they sometimes photograph differently than they look. If your prom dress doesn’t seem to photograph well, change the settings on your camera until you get the effect you’re after.
• Test your overall look. Do your hair and makeup the way you plan to have them at prom and slip into your prom dress. Take pictures of yourself in different lighting. Does the hair and makeup work? Does it look good with the dress?
• Bring your own camera. Candids at prom usually end up looking much better than the professional pictures.
• Consider creating your own photo opportunities. Consider getting dolled up in your prom dress and heading to a local park to take pictures (you can do this with friends or hire a professional photographer). This is the best way to ensure you’ll have pictures you love, especially if your prom dress looks different in dim lighting.
• Don’t overlook the power of Photoshop. The most beautiful women in the world have their photos touched up, so why shouldn’t you?

Most of us don’t exactly walk around in formal wear every day. On that big prom night, you’ll want to look your very best and most sophisticated. Here are some easy ways you can look poised and confident on the big night:

1) Get the little helpers that mean less fussing and less embarrassment. Get some Spanx underwear so that you look sleek under clingy dresses and look for lingerie that will mean no slips. If you’re wearing heels, get little no-slip stickers for the bottom of the shoes so that you can walk with confidence.

2) Give everything a test run. At least a few times, put on all your accessories, your shoes and your prom dress. Walk around your room. Can you walk, sit, and dance with comfort? If anything tugs, pulls, or comes loose, get it fixed right away.

3) Practice those things you know will be a problem. Have you never walked in high heels before? Get a pair of heels as high as your prom shoes and practice walking, sitting, and dancing. You may feel silly, but you don’t want to be hobbling around the dance floor. Practice getting in and out of a car if you’re wearing a short prom dress and you usually don’t wear skirts.

4) Remember your Ps and Qs. Do you know how to dance, how to use the correct fork, how to introduce people? Brush up on good manners and your dance skills before the big night. Nothing complements that Jovani prom dress, Alberto Makali prom dress or other designer dress like poise.

Matching your makeup to your prom dress is very important. Your usual daily makeup won’t likely work with the glamorous prom dress you’re wearing, and if you don’t usually wear makeup, some bold makeup can really make you look your best.

Prom makeup is usually more defined than daytime makeup. You will generally want to wear more makeup for prom and you will likely wear a darker lip color. You may choose to define your eyes with more color or a darker colors. If you like, you can even add some sparkle or shine to define your features for the big night. Since lighting at prom will be dimmer, more makeup and darker makeup is important.

There are lots of ways to get the right makeup look. You might want to simply experiment on your own or with a few friends to get a look you like. If you do this, make sure that you try on your prom dress with your makeup look to get a sense of the final effect. Just cover up your dress with a towel to avoid a big smear of blush or mascara on your gown.

You can also get tips online or through magazines. Trying out these tips can be a great way to experiment with a whole new look. If you’re experimenting with lots of looks, consider buying travel- or trial-sized blushes, lipsticks, and other makeup. This is a very inexpensive and practical way to try lots of new products without paying a fortune.

Finally, don’t overlook professional help. Many salons and beauty schools offer makeup lessons or makeup applications. You can learn a lot from this. Just shop around for the right price and bring a picture of you in your prom dress and your prom hairstyle so that the makeup artist can come up with a great look. Department stores also sometimes offer free makeovers or makeup lessons. These can be a great way to learn how to put together a great new look.

Sure, it’s easy to flip through the pages of a magazine or to glance through a website and fall in love with a designer prom dress. Buying that dress on a small budget, though, is much harder. There are ways you can have that great Jovani prom dress, Terani prom dress, or Janique prom dress, though. You just need a plan. Here are some tips:

• Find stores selling last year’s designer gowns. Consignment shops and other stores selling last year’s stock often sell for far less. If you are willing to buy a gown from the 2008 collection, you can get a great deal on that Cassandra Stone prom dress, Morrell Maxie prom dress, or other designer gown.
• Buy online. Online stores don’t have to hire sales staff or pay for the decor for a store. The savings can often be passed on to you. Also, some online stores buy in bulk so that they are able to get a good deal from the designer and pass the bargain to you.
• Target designers that sell for less. Some collections and designers, such as ABS prom dresses, are known for being priced reasonably. Focus on these designers and you will get a great prom dress without the huge price tag.
• Figure out exactly what you want for prom. Look at the whole cost of prom and the fun things you want – a day at the salon, limo service, new shoes, new accessories. Decide which prom dress you want. Once you know what you will be paying for you will have an easier time seeing how much cash you will really need.
• Set a budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend on prom in total and how much you can spend on things like a dress and accessories. This will ensure you don’t spend everything on the dress and wind up with no shoes!
• Find ways to save or make money. Maybe you can share a limo with another couple or borrow some accessories for your dress from a friend. Maybe you can work extra shifts for one week to put aside some extra money. Get creative and get started now so that you can enjoy the type of prom you deserve.
• Learn all you can about the designer. Once you have decided on a specific prom dress, find out all you can about the designer. Does the designer have trunk shows or sales in your area? How much do the designer’s dresses usually retail for. Talk to department or boutique store employees about the designer. When do the dresses get delivered and go on sale? The more you know, the more likely you are to find a way to secure a good bargain.

Dresses are generally very flattering for a woman’s body, but in order to get the most impact, you need to dress for your body type. A long ball gown may look fabulous on a tall, willowy model, but that does not mean it will look great on you. Here are some tips for choosing dresses that look right on your frame:

• If you’re petite, you are under 5′3″ and have a slim, small-boned frame. Huge, billowy dresses will be too overwhelming for your figure. Your best bets are dresses with vertical lines and v-necks. These make you look taller. Wrap dresses can look really good.
• If you are over 5’8” you are tall and look bets with bias-cut that feature straight skirts. These dresses play up your figure and make you look glamorous. Long boots and long lines make you look wonderful. Look for dresses that end just around the knee, since very long or very short dresses will make you look towering.
• If your hips, stomach, thighs and lower body are larger and your shoulders and bust line are smaller, you are pear-shaped. When choosing dresses, look for styles that will fill out the top and restore balance to your body. Scoop necks and boat necks on dresses are flattering styles for you. Look for dresses that are a-line to disguise the hips and lower body.
• If you have a boxy, slender, boy-like shape, you can add some curves by looking for dresses with cinched waists and some shape. Stay away from clingy fabrics and severe styles. Dresses with soft, feminine details are also a good option.
• If you have an hour-glass shape, you have a small waist and a well-proportioned and balanced upper and lower body. Your body shape does not need any correcting, but you might want to play up your great shaped with dresses that hug your curves and your small waist.

At this time of year, we are all thinking about formal dresses and party dresses for the holidays. Most of us are also thinking about upcoming events in the spring that will require some form of formal dress or semi-formal attire. The problem is that it is easy to spend your entire budget on one outfit that you will only wear once.

If you have a budget, you want to make sure that you get your money’s worth from your formal clothes. Here’s how:

1) Budget the most for clothes you wear most often. If you work in an office every day, you want to make sure that you spend plenty of your budget on work clothes. If you rarely go to formal events, you may want to spend less on your formal dresses so that you have more cash left over for the items you actually wear.

2) Shop your own closet. Pull out the items in your closet that you have worn to semi-formal or formal events before. Could you wear them differently or change them slightly so that they suit your current holiday needs?

3) Don’t buy. Consider borrowing an outfit from a friend (be sure to return the favor). It’s an easy way to get a good dress for free. Just remember to take very good care of the dress and have it professionally cleaned (ask your friend where she gets her clothes cleaned) before you return it. Also, consider renting a formal dress from the same rental stores where men rent tuxes. For a fraction of the price of a new dress, you can gave a great gown to wear to that special event.

4) Refuse to pay retail. Check out sales racks, local consignment stores, second-hand clothes stores (such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill) and online stores. All can mean great bargains. However, if you do decide to go this route, give yourself lots of time, since you will have to sift through lots of stuff you don’t want to find the gems. Also, remember that you may have to spring for dry cleaning and some altering before you wear your dress.

You have the perfect dress for prom 2009. You have the perfect accessories and an idea for the makeup and hair that will best complement your look. Before you congratulate yourself on having everything taken care of, consider that there are still a few glitches that can make your prom dress less than ideal. Consider:

• Shoes. Avoid slipping and sliding all over prom night by ensuring that your shoes fit well. Also, make sure that the bottom of your shoes are not so slippery that they will cause you to lose fitting. Buy special no-slip adhesives for the bottom of your shoes (available anywhere you buy shoes) to keep you on firm ground.
• Tears and rips. When you’re having a great time at prom time, your dress is getting a lot of stress while you move. When you head into the bathroom to check your hair and makeup, check your dress over. Buy a tiny emergency repair kit (available at many fabric stores and through tailors) so that you can fix any embarrassing problems fast.
• Stains. All proms include food and drink, and that means the possibility of stains. When buying your dress, make sure you understand what fabric your dress is made from. Then, visit a fabric store, dry cleaner or do online research to find out which stain fighters can help you on prom dress. Tuck a stain fighter for your dress’s fabric only (make double sure) into your purse.
• Hems. Sometimes, hems on prom dresses come apart after a long night. Check the sewing on your dress before you buy to ensure that quality is good. And bring some double-sided tape with you for spot emergency treatment.
• Visible panty lines (and bra lines). Try on your dress with the underwear and bra you plan to wear on prom night. Do you need new lingerie that will be invisible under your special dress?
• Smooth skin. Prom dresses often reveal skin that is usually covered, so take note of the areas your dress uncovers and get some help before the big day. That backless dress will be a cause of stress for you if you have a breakout all over your back. It’s a good idea to book an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist a week or two before the big event to take care of any skin concerns you have. It’s also a good idea to book a wax session a few days before prom to keep your skin silky smooth.

Cocktail prom dresses are becoming more and more popular, since these dresses are not only fabulous they are also very practical. You can splurge on a classic designer cocktail prom dress for prom and wear it to other events. That makes a lot more sense than buying one prom dress that you can only wear once. Many prom dresses – with their pastel or bright colors and their ruffles or frills – can really only be worn to prom and so don’t get a lot of mileage, unless you plan on entering a pageant.

Cocktail prom dresses are also very versatile and offer lots of options. From halter styles to strapless options to slip dresses to classic a-line dresses, you can find a dress that flatters you. Cocktail prom dresses also come in lots of colors and fabrics – even prints – and in every size. Many of these dresses come with lovely detailing at the hem or neckline while some are simple and look outstanding with bold jewelry and accessories. Cocktail prom dresses also come in a variety of fabrics, from chiffon to silk to lace and other textiles. Your imagination is really the only limit with these great gowns.

There’s another advantage to opting for cocktail prom dresses: comfort. Everyone looks and feels a little funny in a long dress, especially when fast dance music comes on. A cocktail prom dress offers you lots of movement and comfort. And you don’t have to worry about someone stepping on your dress or tripping over your dress yourself.

Think of dresses as a prescription for your body woes. The right women’s dresses not only feel great and look nice, but they can hide small imperfections on your body while making you look your best. Here’s the guide you need to follow:

Problem: You’re not tall.
Dress solution: Look for dresses that are not huge and not too long or too short (aim for knee length and a slim shape). Look for styles such as the wrap dress, the shirtdress or the empire waist. Vertical lines or seams make you look taller while a slit in the skirt can add length to your legs. A higher-than-usual waistline makes your legs look longer while a solid color keeps your look one unified (and taller) line.
Dresses to avoid: Anything with too much detailing or froufrou and anything with very full skirts will just make you look tinier.
Bonus Tip: Sky-high heels and an upsweep add inches.

Problem: You have no curves “up top”
Dress solution: Look for empire waistlines and a-line, coat or shirt dresses. Any dress that has gathering or a little fullness at the bust line is a good choice, as is a deep v-neck.
Dresses to avoid: Anything that has a built-in bra that doesn’t fit is a disaster. Anything too large just draws attention to your petite frame.
Bonus Tip: A padded bra adds bulk.

Problem: Your belly is a little too generous.
Dress solution: Coat dresses, empire waists, and gentle a-lines call attention away from the stomach. Lots of details at the hem or neckline draw attention away from the middle. Look for dresses that are straight-cut or tapered at the hem to slim you down.
Dresses to avoid:  Dresses with a belt or a cut at the waist are not for you. Anything with bulk, gathering or detailing at the waistline, stiffness, tight fit, bias cut or a wrap style is not flattering.
Bonus Tip: Consider buying Spanx. They create a slim silhouette and help you look several pounds slimmer in the stomach and thigh area.

Your significant other may be able to change a tire, run a marathon, trade stocks, or even perform brain surgery. When an invitation to a formal party arrives, though, even the most debonair man can feel a little out of place. If your partner needs some help shopping, here are some tips you can use to keep him looking his best:

1) If a suit is appropriate, a single-breasted suit in a classic color such as black, navy, or charcoal always look nice. Look at fabric carefully, as it will not only affect the look and feel of the suit, but also the drape of the material. Wool is a classic choice. Worsted wools are lightweight and good for warmer climate. Gabardine wools will keep your significant other warm. Wool Crepes are very soft looking and lightweight.

2) Select a shirt with a wide collar if your significant other has a narrow face and a shirt with a narrower collar if your partner has a wider face. Look for a shirt in a contrasting color to the suit.

3) Look for a tie in a simple design that matches at least one color in the suit. Leave the novelty ties for more casual events. A silk tie is always a nice touch and often has a luster that is very flattering to the face. The tie should just tough top of the belt buckle.

4) Think of the tie, shirt, and suit as a unit. They should work together for a pleasing whole.