Why Accessories Can Make or Break Your Prom Ensemble

A young lady does not survive on bread alone – or on just her prom dress. Take a cue from the stars that traverse the red-carpet runway: there’s a lot going on beyond the initial splash of the prom dress itself. The key to a complete ensemble (which is what you’re going for, after all) are accessories.

Proper Support

A prom dress needs to be literally and figuratively supported with proper undergarments. You want to look “smooth” under your dress, but you don’t want to choose support garments that hold “everything” in and up to the point of where you’re uncomfortable. Choose a great bra and some form of contemporary girdle, whether it be in “panty” style, corset, body-suit, long-line bra. You know your body, so choose one that works with your figure and, critically, is comfortable. Take a look at some cute prom dresses at PromDressShop.com and observe how the dresses – the style of dresses – fit the models.

You should have an idea of what you’re going to need. There are several brands designed specifically (i.e. Spanx and Yummie Mummie) to smooth and tuck your shape in. But traditional undergarment brands like Maidenform, Hanes, Bali, Jockey, Vanity Fair, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Wacoal, Miraclesuit, and Thalia by Leonisa Firm.

Before you embark on your prom adventure, you might want to learn about the history of prom night. It will give you some perspective of what to expect and how the event has changed.

Bling Bling

Jewelry is a critical element, but there are important issues to consider – if your dress is heavily embellished, if there is a lot of embroidery or sequin, then you want to tone the jewelry down and opt for just earrings. If the dress body is on the simpler side, you’ll have more choices for leeway and for wearing jewelry.

A big suggestion we can offer you is to please, please do not wear any valuable or family heirloom jewelry on prom night. You don’t want the pressure of worrying about, or even worse, losing it. There are so many beautiful, coordinating pieces of costume jewelry to choose from that will still look beautiful, fun or sophisticated (whichever you’re trying to achieve).

Feet First

You and your girlfriends may ooh and ah over the tiniest strapped sky-high heels, but remember this – despite “Sex & the City’s” frequent portrayal of the four principals parading (and even running!) around NYC in such stilettos, the minute the cameras were off, they were putting on sneakers and shearling boots.

No one – no one – walks the streets in Manhattan in killer shoes. That said, you may still want a long leg line and we can’t emphasize this enough, choose shoes you walk in, go up and down stairs in, walk on slippery bathroom and lobby floors without sliding or falling.

You’re going to be standing, and even dancing, and there’s little that sucks more in that situation than the soles of your feet burning and the straps bloodying your toes and instep! You may notice your shoes and your girlfriends may notice them. Your male friends will notice you look leggier, but then…they move on about their business and that business is to enjoy themselves.

Be sure you can comfortably tolerate your shoes for at least two hours. Bring a clutch or evening shoulder bag in which you can slip a pair of pretty foldable ballerina flats, so as the evening progresses and everyone’s arms are tired from selfies and group shots, you can put on those flats and sigh with relief.

Make sure that you won’t forget these must-have accessories. They will help you become more comfortable throughout the entire event. Have fun!

*This post was written in collaboration with Mediabuzzer.