Prom Tips from Celebrities and Style Stars
Photo: Getty Images1/6Dree Hemingway
"I wore a Marc Jacobs dress to prom. It was jersey really simple black with an open back just below the knee and paired it with those super high ballet espadrilles in red that I'm obsessed with. Very Marilyn, but it was a young fresh take. I don't like when girls try to look too old. You want to look back and know you looked cute. Choose a timeless dress that's twirlable, add a pop of lipstick, and opt for simple hair instead of a complicated, clichéd updo."
Photo: Fairchild Archive2/6Prabal Gurung
"I think that the most important thing to keep in mind when selecting the right prom dress is if it's age appropriate and if you will be able to look back at your pictures thirty or forty years down the road and be proud of the way you looked. Of course girls like to express themselves and some prefer to stand out more than others, but there is a way to do that with a timeless approach. There really is not one ideal prom dress that I can recommend but rather to suggest dressing for yourself and choosing the gown that you feel the most beautiful and confident in."
Photo: WireImage.com3/6Kate Bosworth
"My prom dress was short for the very logical reason that it was much easier to dance in! I decided to play it slightly unconventional when it comes to the normal "prom fashion rules." I wore a simple silhouette- a light turquoise slip dress. No crazy ruffles or jazzy jewel embellishments for me! And I guess that's what is most important when choosing the right dress on this very special night: choose a dress that compliments your personality, and makes you feel super confident."
"For my prom night hair, I wanted a relad feel for my look - I did both my hair and make up myself! While most of my classmates went to the local hair salon and had to struggle with tight updos all night, I wore my hair down and wavy."
Photo: BryanBoy/ courtesy of fashiontoast.com4/6Rumi Neely
"When I went to prom, I'm lucky in that I didn't really go overboard on the whole cotton candy Kirby look but I could probably have toned down the colorful eye shadow. I think the best advice I can give is to just make sure your own instincts and style are the only thing influencing your look. You don't want to have to cringe when you look back at your photos but I think having fun with it is the most important thing. To avoid looking dated when looking back on pictures from the big night, a more minimalistic look will obviously retain relevance but if you want to take a risk it's not a huge deal to have slightly jarring photos on your parents piano. Don't get too many opinions on your options. The night should be all about your style!"
"While a strapless dress with frothy tulle is a classic prom look, I love the idea of going really simple. Gwyneth Paltrow's red carpet style in the '90s still looks so modern and beautiful so I would probably start out there for inspiration personally."
"When choosing a dress, going vintage is always a safe bet, if you plan ahead enough eBay could even be a great option. People underestimate the power of alterations - most things can be tailored to fit you perfectly. And while there is definitely a desire to go all out in the wrong way for prom, the best strategy is to choose one feature to emphasize to keep things sexy but classy."
"Finally, hair and makeup are definitely crucial to creating a complete look! I love the idea of a glamorous dress with undone hair, or a simple dress with statement makeup and an amazing clutch. It's all about finding the right balance."
Photo: Getty Images5/6Lea Michele
"When choosing a dress, I focus on finding something that makes me feel beautiful and that I feel gorgeous wearing. Confidence is the major factor in pulling off a look. You need to feel comfortable in your own skin and that will shine through. It's not about what anyone else thinks but you. If you go try on a gown with no makeup and your hair in a ponytail and still feel beautiful, then you know it's a good dress!"
Photo: FilmMagic.com6/6Georgina Chapman, Marchesa Designer
"While we don't have the tradition of Prom in London where I grew up, I can understand why this is such a special moment in a young woman's life. The dress should be memorable, but comfortable, and reflect your own personal sense of style. The most important thing to remember however is to have the best time of your life regardless of what you wear and make sure you can dance in it!"
"To ensure you'll always look back on your prom photos and smile, be daring with your look but still remain classic. Choose fabrics that are timeless, such as chiffon or silk. A good tip is to browse local vintage stores for inspiration or browse online for images of your favorite style icons to get ideas of what style you're looking for. Try not to be too matchy-matchy and don't stray far from your traditional beauty look. If you keep it soft and natural, it'll seem effortless and red-carpet ready versus looking like you're playing dress up."
"For classic attire, you can never go wrong with black. It's timeless and elegant. When going for a more classic choice, look for pieces that have a modern touch such as an embellished neckline, or lace details, to keep the look fresh and interesting. Stick to what you know, and don't dress too "old." You have your whole life to dress in "older" styles. Keep it youthful! Also, avoid too many accessories that will compete with you and the dress. Regardless of your look, it should feel and be effortless."
