BALL GOWNS
A formal ball gown is a big investment for women who want to make an impression at a special occasion. A variety of sleek silhouettes on a bias cut emphasize the trends of the season while ensuring your potential to make an impression. Ball gowns come in a few different styles, and this season is all about classic beauty that calls to mind the gorgeous delicacy of the nineteen-thirties and forties - finding ways to indulge our taste for the decadent amidst an economic recovery.
CUTS, STYLES, AND ACCESSORIES
Bias cuts and sleek silhouettes give this season's trendiest ball gowns distinction. Evoking fluidity, movement, change, and hope, the cuts can be flirty or serious, but on the whole trend toward a classic appearance. Think of the great film icons and the current runway trends when selecting your ball gown, and remember that accessorizing is one of the most important ways in which you can show the world that this isn't just about the dress - it's about the occasion as well. Pick tasteful jewelery which compliments your attire and you're sure to make a lasting impression on everyone else in the room.
Couple your perfect dress with a signature shoe - this is where you can go a little wild, and if you happen to see the perfect heel on display before you find the dress don't be afraid of buying it - then finding a dress with the soul to match. Of course, you need to make sure you can dance in those shoes - what's the use of going to a ball in the perfect stilettos if all you do is stab your Prince Charming in the foot five minutes out?
DETAILS
There's nothing like good detail work to show the world the investment you've made in your ball gown, and while shimmery fabrics and well-designed tailoring can do the trick on a regular piece of clothing, when it comes to ball gowns every girl should be eager to pull out all the stops. This is the time to indulge in heavy beading, feathers, patterned lace, and formal elegance. These indulgent details will make you feel all the more elegant for having them, and you'll soon find that this elegance reflects itself in your bearing and manner while enjoying your ball.
LET THE DRESS FIT THE FIGURE...
A column-shaped gown will emphasize the beauty in those with fewer curves, while one of the new favorite shapes for the more flirtatious crowd is the cupcake dress. These playful ensembles let you show off how fun and playful you can be while still retaining the dignity of a formal occasion. Full skirts create a wide, sweeping path, perfect for the diva strutting her stuff in front of her friends (and frenemies - not that you have any!). If you have any doubt about whether a dress flatters your body or not, take a friend along to check them out and be sure to ask an impartial judge (like the tall, well-muscled cutie you passed at the record store and who just happened to turn up in the dress shop as well?) what he thinks of your latest find. You might be surprised at his opinion!
...AND THE OCCASION
When trying out ball gowns, think of the music, the company, and the impression you want to create. Be the princess at the top of the staircase, flash your best papparazzi smile, hear the clicks and shutters of the page-six photographers as you walk down the red carpet to the front of the ballroom. Your ball gown should bring out the best in your personality and your sense of style while showing you off to your best potential - after all, a ball doesn't come along every weekend! (Or at least not for most of us!)
For drama, bring out sparkles and blunt reds, blues, and blacks, while lighter colors such as pink can create a softer look that will have everyone staring, no matter what part of the ball you grace with your presence. A ball gown is the ultimate definition of romance and possibility, and by considering the options open to you with plenty of time to weigh the benefits of each, you'll soon find that you've narrowed your choices to that perfect ball gown - the one that makes you feel as light as a feather and as delicate as any heroine of a bodice-ripping romance novel. Throw in a little modern sass and you've got a winning combination of personality, style, drama and star quality.
COLORS
While most ball gowns are solid colors, texture comes into play here more than in any other category of styles. The feathers, sequins, and punky details are key in this year's most fashionable dresses, and while pinks and yellows are unusual, they can make for an eye-catching (and heart-stopping) introduction to the ballroom floor.
THE PERFECT FIT
No matter what the specifics, the perfect ball gowns will always make the wearer feel comfortable, sexy, classy, and gorgeous, and in general it's important that these qualities are what draw you to the garment you decide on. Some say fashion requires sacrificing comfort, but if a ball gown is a good fit for your form, taste and personality it will also make something in your heart flutter with anticipation, and once that happens, you'll know you've been hooked by the perfect gown.