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The Hunt for a Plus Size Prom Dress Goes Online - Teen-Age Girls Quick to Click to Browse and Buy
March 1 2006
Size doesn't matter anymore for curvy teen-age girls who go online to hunt for the Prom dress of their dreams.
After a disastrous shopping trip failed to turn up a plus-size Prom dress that flattered her teen-age daughter, Phyllis Brasch Librach launched SydneysCloset.com, a Web site that sells plus size Prom dresses in hard-to-find sizes 14 to 44.
"Teen-age girls, weaned on a mouse, love to browse and buy Prom dresses online," says Librach, president and founder of Sydney's Closet. "On the Internet it doesn't matter where a girl lives, what time she shops or what size she wears, suddenly there's thousands more choices of trendy Prom dresses than she ever dreamed possible."
A former investigative reporter, Librach traded deadlines for hemlines. She shares these tips for buying a Prom dress online:
-- Shop early: hot styles sell out fast
-- Have a first, second and third choice to avoid disappointment
-- Measure carefully your bust, waist and hip; keep those numbers handy
-- Consult size charts; even same sizes vary among manufacturers
-- When in doubt go up a size
-- Never buy a dress too small planning to lose weight
-- Review carefully cancellation, exchange and return policies
-- Shop only at sites with secured transactions; look for a "lock" symbol
-- Avoid sites without phone numbers or addresses for customer service
-- Check for customer testimonials
-- Plan on alterations for a perfect fit
So what's hot for Prom 2006? Librach says girls shopping on the website and at Sydney's Closet boutique in St. Louis just love:
-- Curve hugging silhouettes like mermaids and sheaths that show off
curves
-- Bright jewel tone colors like purple and fuchsia plus black is back
big time
-- Sexy details like halter necklines, low backs or plunging V-necklines
-- Flowing feminine fabrics like chiffon, satin and organza
-- Details that dazzle: gem stones, pailletes and sequins
"For Prom 2006, girls want to look over-the-top gorgeous so they're guaranteed to be noticed," says Librach. "They want to be a star for the night wearing the prom dress that best reflects their style and personality."
Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060301/cgw028.html?.v=43
Cinderella project collecting dresses to clothe prom-goers
February 28, 2006
You can help make sure high school girls have a great prom by making a donation to the Cinderella project.
Dresses are being collected until around the first week of March at the following locations: the law firm of Sowell, Gray, Steppe and LaFitte on Gadsden Street, the Rose Law Firm on Hampton Street, "M" Boutique on Devine Street, and the Swanky Boutique on Two Notch Road.
Once collected, the dresses are made available to the girls during the Cinderella Boutique on the morning of March 11th at the USC law school.
The program is open to all girls.
Source: http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4566055
Prom Style 411; David's Bridal Announces Fashion Trends & Tips for the 2006 Prom Season
February 24
-- The prom, as important as the Academy Awards for teenagers -- is just around the corner and young women the country over will soon be scrambling to put together just the right look for that all-important night. The search for the dress trumps all other concerns, so to help girls achieve stellar style, David's Bridal -- the leading national prom retailer -- not only offers an unparalleled selection of affordable, on- trend dresses and accessories, but provides the latest prom trends and tips.
"Prom is an important time in a teen's life, so we try to honor that by creating unique styles in the season's hottest shades and silhouettes to make each prom-goer feel her best on that special night," says Liz Cascio, resident prom trend expert at David's Bridal. "This season's colorful prom offerings are so diverse that it's easier than ever for female high school students to find a dress that's perfect for them." Cascio offers an insider's perspective on what fashion trends to expect on Prom Night 2006:
* Short & Sweet: As the temperature rises this Spring, so will prom dress
hemlines. Trend-right hanky-hems are prominent, providing a forum to
show off shapely legs and allow shoes to make a major statement. For
the girl who seeks a unique style, an elegant knee-length or tea-length
dress provides a vintage prom look. A classic 50's style sea foam
tulle, tea-length dress embellished with beading and a three-dimensional
flower detail, is a fabulous example of this trend.
* Shapely Styles: Plunging necklines, low backs and form-fitting ruching
can turn any frazzled SAT-taker into a breathtaking beauty. Halter
necklines give a look that exudes confidence, and back detail -- such as
lacing -- makes a real fashion statement. An ivory halter gown with a
tiered, trumpet skirt and brooch embellishment is a great pick to
achieve this stunning look.
* The Belle of the Ball: To some girls, the only look for prom is a
Cinderella-like fantasy ballgown. For those who want to look and feel
like a princess, this classic silhouette is a solid choice that never
goes out of style. Not only are these gowns suitable for all body
types, but they also add a feminine flair with their delicate and "airy"
styling. A strapless pink tulle ballgown with pearl embellishments,
complete with a matching wrap embodies this timeless trend.
* Novelty Fabrics: This season unique fabrics such as charmeuse, shiny
knits and tie-dyed textiles join the ranks of already popular materials
such as heavy shimmer, glitter organza and ombre chiffon. These stylish
fabrics allow girls to showcase their individual style in a dress that
speaks to her personality. One flattering example from David's Bridal,
inspired by today's Hollywood celebrities, is a dazzling green charmeuse
halter with a glittering diamond shaped accent that's sure to make any
girl feel like a star.
* State of Embellishment: Embellishment remains important this season,
with new variations of sequin trim and medallion details, as well as
paillettes. In addition, new patterns of embroidery and beading take
center stage. An azure-colored charmeuse ruched dress, accented with
spectacular rock beading, is a truly exquisite example of this trend and
is guaranteed to "drive up the glam" on this special night.
* Color Cabaret: It's all about making a splash this season, and bright
jewel tones in blues, oranges, greens, yellows and pinks are at the top
of the class. Ombre -- the subtle transition from one color to another
-- will continue to have a big presence, offering unique designs for the
more fashion-forward prom-goer. For a more subtle look, think classic
white, red, black and ivory. A beautiful ombre chiffon twisted halter
dress with a hanky hem and beaded empire trim is sure to dazzle the
crowd.
Knowing which trends suit you is an important aspect in finding the perfect dress, but there are other simple steps to follow to ensure the shopping experience is as easy as 1-2-3. Cascio offers a few key tips to decrease the stress and guarantee an amazing ensemble:
* Do Your Homework: No, we don't mean trigonometry. Go online to review
your options and get a sense of the styles that appeal to you most.
Check out the website www.DavidsProm.com to better understand the
trends, and start to determine which dresses most interest you. In
addition, going online is a great way to coordinate an entire outfit
from shoes and handbags to jewelry and hair accessories. As an added
perk, the David's Prom website even allows you to see which color
combination is best for your date by viewing side-by-side images of your
top picks, alongside suit and tuxedo options -- compliments of After
Hours Formalwear -- with a "Dress my Date" feature.
* Hit the Road, Jackie: Once you know the trends, it's time to go to your
local store and check out your top picks. Trying on a dress in your
actual size is essential to understanding what styles flatter your body,
so select a store that carries styles in a wide selection of sizes. To
ensure that every girl can find the dress of their dreams -- and even
take it home that day if they want -- David's carries prom dresses in
sizes 2-24, as well as plus sizes 14W-22W.
* Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize: No one knows better than teens
that while a dress is important, accessories are a must to make the look
memorable. A good tip: save time and energy by shopping at a store that
offers both the hottest dresses and accompaniments. David's Bridal
offers a wide assortment of the latest prom accoutrements to showcase
your dazzling style, including chic handbags, wraps in an array of hot
colors, as well as sparkling jewelry and hair accessories. In addition,
since we all know that girls love shoes, the brand offers a wide
variety of options, including dyeables to match dress hues and fun and
flirty choices with ribbon and jewelry accents that are sure to keep
girls on the dance floor all night long.
* The Perfect Fit: Even if you've found a dress you love, sometimes a few
alterations are in order to achieve the best fit. To make the process as
easy as possible, check ahead of time to see if a store does alterations
on site and if so, opt to shop there for a more seamless experience. The
finished look? Picture perfect.
Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060224/nyf001.html?.v=24
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