Everyone looks forward to their prom, and choosing their prom dress. Choosing your prom dress can feel overwhelming with tight deadlines, high costs, accessories and dress codes.
You want to look your best on your prom night, so the decision of your prom dress and prom accessories is an important one, as we do only ever get one prom after all.
Why Formal Sizing Is Completely Different From Streetwear
Prom dresses, ball gowns or A-line dresses often follow bridal or vintage measurements, so the size you wear in jeans or a tee might not match a long prom dress size at all.
Depending on the dresses you’re looking at, the design and structure also changes the fit. Corset prom dresses have built-in shaping like boning, cups and heavy linings, which can make prom dresses feel smaller, when trying them on, even if the labeled size is your usual size.
The fabrics are also going to matter, as your usual everyday clothes will have stretch fabric that hides small size differences. Satin, tulle and sequins used in prom dresses, do not stretch the same way.
Like most clothing items, different brands use different size charts. So, one shop’s size 6 could be another shop’s size 10, so check the measurements (bust, waist and hips) rather than relying just on a dress size.
What To Wear To Your Fitting For The Best Results
When you go and try on some prom dresses, make sure you’re wearing your undergarments you plan to use on prom night. A strapless bra, shapewear or the exact panties you’ll wear will show you how the dress will sit and zip on the night.
Bring the shoes you’re planning on wearing with the dress, as heels change the hem length and your posture, so wearing them lets the fitter set the length properly.
Keep your jewelry at a minimum, and avoid bulky layers. Thin necklaces or wearing nothing at all will make it easier to assess the neckline fit.
Bring any hair accessories you’re wanting to wear, so the fitter can see how the dress works with your planned style.
You can always bring extras that might make a difference, like clear fashion tape, safety pins, a nude strapless bra, a thin camisole or slip to give you some modesty during fittings.
For the appointment, remember to wear easy-to-remove clothing like tight leggings and simple top, which lets you change quickly without wrinkling the dress.
If you’re allowed, take photos during the fitting, as the pictures will help you to compare changes and show the tailor what you did and didn’t like.
Truth About How Long Prom Dress Alterations Actually Take
Prom dress alterations can take from a few days to a few weeks depending on what you’re having done. Simple changes like hemming or tightening seams take around 3 to 7 days, whilst more complex alterations like adding boning can take 2 to 4 weeks.
You will likely need at least one fitting appointment, and many shops recommend 2 to 3 fittings for a perfect fit. The initial pinning, a mid-point check and your final try-on.
The cost of the alterations depend on the complexity. Adding straps, changing closures or altering embellishments can add days to the schedule, and even more in busy prom season.
Make sure you ask the shop for a timeline and written estimate, confirming pick-up dates and how many fitting are included. You can always ask about rush fees, as many shops offer a quick service for an extra charge.
Why Lighting In The Store Can Be Deceiving
The lighting in a prom dress shop will change how your prom dress looks on you. Bright and warm lights can make colors look richer, while cool or dim lights can wash out the color and hide details.
Prom dress shops usually have spotlights and warm bulbs, which makes their fabrics sparkle. You might love the color of a dress in the shop, but it can look different in daylight.
Take a screenshot of your planned makeup look or your prom shoes, so you can see how the dress color will pair with them in natural light.
Mirrors and glossy floors can make false highlights, and change how the shapes and textures of the dress reads. Walk around, sit down and look at your dress from other angles, to avoid any potential disappointment.