Prom… a night that some girls look forward to fervently and others loathe. Prom night isn’t for everyone. The less enthusiastic might prefer a sleepover with close friends which can be just as rewarding, watching a great movie with a plentiful amount of less than nutritional friendly foods. In contrast, prom attendees may have spent months deliberating on which particular gown and accessories will compliment their sense of style. Whichever choice of entertainment you decide for this particular evening, let us take a look at what is considered fashion forward for Prom 2015 according to some prominent sources.

This prom season there is a plethora of exciting looks evoking a sense of glam and elegance. There also seems to be a direct correlation between the Oscars and what is stylish for prom. After observing numerous prom dresses online it appears that designers take their cues from what was successful on the red carpet when creating their designs and colors for prom. Eternal classics ranging in silhouettes created from diverse fabrics with design elements are the flavor of this year’s prom season. As far as Oscar indication of what will be fashion forward for the coming prom season worn by prominent celebrities, the majority wore lighter hues of fabrics such as Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, and Oprah, who wore Champagne or blush. White also appears to be a season favorite worn by Lady Gaga with her red gloves and Faith Hill’s beaded gown. The more traditional jeweled tones were worn by Rita Ora in navy, Emma Stone in gold, and Scarlett Johansson in emerald. Classic black was worn by Cate Blanchett, Kelly Osborne, and Meryl Streep, to name a few. This event demonstrated that halter-top gowns, lace fabrics adorned with appliqués and embellishments to ball gowns are dominating the season.

According to teenvogue.com style director Elle Strauss, one choice that should be considered is the nontraditional jumpsuit for prom. “Stand out from the crowd by trading in your gown for a jumpsuit. The one-piece will keep you comfortable so you can really break it down on the dance floor all night long. Keep it sleek in black, but dress it up with a metallic heel and dramatic earring.” Strauss also proposes the idea of a shorter dress as an alternative to the customary gown to display a fabulous pair of heels, which also alleviates the fear of tripping on a longer hemline. Another idea she suggests, which allows you to put a personal stamp on your look, is to “mix and match separates…this also saves you from everyone’s worst nightmare – showing up in the same outfit as someone else.” Boho chic is another big look this year with “a one-shouldered, tiered gown…Pair it with a long necklace and chunky cuff.”

Utilizing accessories really depends on your style of dress, long or short, your hair, makeup; whatever vibe you are trying to portray. If you are going for a more minimalist look costume designer Meredith Markworth-Pollack says, “Opt for understated accents, like a dainty pendant necklace and a simple bracelet.” If you are trying to glam up your look “then feel free to choose elaborate adornments like a chunky statement necklace and a bejeweled cuff.” One thing that is for certain between the adornments in your hair and your accessories, “You don’t have to be matchy-matchy, but make sure your metals and jewels complement each other.”

Hair and makeup are as essential to your overall appearance as your expensive garment and accessories. Make up artist Jenn Streicher urges to prep your face with a rich moisturizing cream, then apply a good foundation.  She believes “adding some major drama with an ultra black cat eye…liquid liner works best to create a winged effect…finishing the look with multiple coats of lengthening, thickening mascara” for a dramatic effect. Streicher also says to “skip the powder…Finally, give your lips a subtle pop of pink to match those rosy cheeks. Try a lip pencil with a satin finish.” To solidify your appearance, “pair the entire look with a sleek updo to keep your hair off your face”.

Prom is an event where looking fabulous and fashion forward is more important than trendy. The trick is to choose a dress, not based on what everyone else is wearing or is “in” but rather what fits your sense of style and body type. By now we inherently know what flatters us in terms of color, cut, and style of garment. Find a dress that speaks to you, flatters your body type, facilitates movement, and lastly, makes you feel special, allowing you to attend your prom with the confidence that can only come with great style!

 Quote of the day:

“I’m a nerd. Total geek. I never went to homecoming or prom or anything.”
-Hunter Hayes, American country music singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.

 Affordable accessory alert:

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