Terani Prom Fashion Show 2010

Send us YOUR Prom Stories!

We want to hear them all! Funny, embarrassing, how you were asked, we want to know! Email them to julie@mestads.com and we'll publish them in the blog. Include a photo if you want, and be sure to tell us if you want your story to be anonymous!

How to Dress for Your Body Type

First and foremost – this blog post has everything to do with the PROPORTION of one body measurement to the other, and how to best balance what you have to get the look you want. SIZE is a number, and the dress you choose doesn’t relate much to it. Wearing the right dress can create illusions to fix any body issue, real or perceived. Mestads sells dresses in size 0-30, and believes that EVERYONE should look beautiful on their special night! Consultants at Mestads can assist you in choosing something that will work to your best advantage – please let us know how we can help you!

Triangle: People who have this shape have a larger hip measurement than their bust measurement. To create balance, you should emphasize the top half of your body. Wearing something that’s fitted in the top and flowy in the skirt will minimize the hip area. A sweetheart neckline can really flatter a small bust line.

Triangle

Heart Shape: People who are heart shaped have larger bust measurements than their hips. You should ensure that the dress you purchase supports you in the top in a way that you feel comfortable. You might like that a more full skirt will balance your top and bottom, and create the illusion of an hourglass. A halter top can help give you comfortable support and coverage, while still being stylish.

Heart

Square: This person has measurements that are fairly similar in the bust, waist and hips. You may find that ruching or details at the waist or slightly higher will create the look of an hourglass shape. A full skirt can also create an hourglass illusion.

Square

Hourglass: People with this shape have similar measurements in the bust and hips, and a smaller waist. You can choose to emphasize what you have, or choose one area to focus on.

Hourglass

Tall: Tall girls who want to flaunt their height can choose a bold print, a curvy mermaid style, or any exaggerated details. At Mestads, you’ll find that the gowns will be long enough, and if you shop early, some may be orderable in extra length for girls over 6’ tall (subject to availability).

Tall

Petite: Petite girls can create the illusion of height by choosing vertical details such as a leg slit, halter neckline, a train, or beading in an up and down pattern. An empire waist, which is tightest right under the bust, can create the illusion of long legs. Petite girls can wear ball gowns, mermaid styles, and dropped waistlines, but should keep proportion in mind. Alterations can almost always shorten the length, or change the dress proportions to suit your body. My general rule of thumb is that you can take fabric away from a dress, but you can’t ever add it.

Petite

Making the Cool Book

Alterations

Alterations.

The first time you buy a formal gown; this topic can be a little confusing. Buying a prom dress isn’t like buying a sweater. It needs to fit perfectly, and stay where you want it – up! Here are some common alterations, and reasons for getting them!

Hem: This alteration shortens your dress so that you can walk. Ideally, someone should be able to brush their hand flat on the floor under your hem without touching the dress. This way as you’re walking and dancing, you won’t trip and fall, or trip and tear your gown! If you’re wearing a ball gown, sometimes it’s less expensive to add a crinoline under your gown to lift the hem higher – this may help you avoid an alteration.

Bustle: This is a simple fix for your glamorous train. Depending on your seamstress, it will be a button and loop, hook and eye, two ribbons, or a snap. This will hold your train up at the back of your dress, so your hem is even all around. There are a few different styles of bustles, you should discuss with your seamstress which will compliment your gown the best.

Strap Adjustment: Another simple fix. This will shorten the straps so your top stays where it belongs. It is essential for good fit and will help you feel more secure while you’re dancing. This will also help your gown look better in photos!

Take In Sides: This fix will help the top of your gown fit correctly, fix gaping, keep you covered, and help you avoid having to pull at your strapless gown all night! If your top fits correctly, you shouldn’t have to touch it all night.

Addition of Cups: Adding cups to your prom dress will help to fill the front if you need it! They can replace a strapless bra, so they’re much more comfortable!

Addition of Straps: Most strapless dresses come with straps that can be attached by your seamstress. If your school has a strict dress code requiring wide straps, we can suggest some options when you come in to shop!

What other questions do YOU have about alterations?

Just In Time for Holiday Parties!

Just in time for your holiday fete, Mestads has short sparkly cocktail dresses! Here are a few of my favorites:

Welcome!

Welcome to the Mestads Prom Shop blog!

We're getting ready for the Prom 2010 season, with new gowns arriving weekly!

Be sure to start your shopping early, since Mestads is the biggest gown retailer in Minnesota that REGISTERS your gown for your prom. We promise that we won't sell your dress, even in another color, to anyone attending your prom!

In addition, the gowns at Mestads Prom Shop aren't available in other stores. We scour the country to find our Cool Collection, the most exclusive styles available each season. Its important to us that you don't have a "twin" on your special night. Most of the gowns at Mestads aren't sold at any other store in Minnesota, or on the internet, so make sure to be registered early for your school!