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Getting the best look for prom

May 12, 2008

Let's face it, very few prom-going girls will have the luxury of getting a dress custom-made for them. But Gloria Baume, Teen Vogue's fashion director, doles out some very helpful tips for most shapes and sizes.

First, she advises girls to "try as many dresses as you can. You might have this amazing idea in your head, but once you try it, it's wrong." Here are some guidelines for four major size categories:

Short: Mini-dresses are great on short girls, says Baume. She advises accentuating the waist to get that hourglass shape. Jewel tones are the rage now -- "raspberry, electric blue -- the quintessential pastel bonbon moment is out for the girl who wants to stand out," she says. High heels are a must. Play up your legs, she says, and "believe me, no one will notice that you're short anymore."

Super Slim: "We've dealt with this quite a lot," says Baume, who recommends cool camouflage for the truly bony. To make the look cool and edgy, she suggests that tux jacket or blazers from the boy's department will have just the right fit in the shoulders and armholes. Other tricks include funky footwear such as a classic Ked that features colorful beading, studding or sparkle. "It creates a certain character that becomes powerful and strong."

Curvy: "A girl should never try to hide the fact that she's curvy," says Baume. She advises accentuating the waist with a shape that nips you in, emphasized by a ribbon or belt in jewel tones or dark colors. Baume recommends a '50s silhouette with a little volume at the bottom such as a flair or A-line -- not drop-waists or empire styles. "A lot of girls who are big love their upper body, neck bone and collarbone so emphasize that with a strapless or sweetheart neckline."

Tall: "The no-no is to wear a miniskirt with a high-heel shoe. Do the opposite," says Baume, who likes tall girls in Grecian style dresses -- pastels, off-white, pearl gray -- with asymmetrical tops in flowing jersey. Baume suggests a flat embellished sandal. "Go all out and get one with big beads or diamantes."

-- Anne Bratskeir