TREND: Neutral Colors

Last year, big bold colors and prints were in, but this year we’re seeing more and more soft neutrals, colors like white, gold, ivory, nude, champagne and light blush pink. These colors have the frosty, elegant feel of pearls and lace and add a little more feminine flair to this year’s prom style!

Prom Night Emergency Kit

Your evening bag may not be very big, but see if you can fit a few of these items in anyway, just in case:

1. Safety pin: Can repair a broken strap, hold a hem or broken bustle in place, hold a jacket closed for pictures, or keep your dates tie in place.

2. Tampon: Even if you don’t need one, somebody might!

3. Cell Phone: Don’t text through this special night, but do call parents in case of a problem with your car, or your date!

4. Double stick tape (Sticky Straps dress tape is available at Mestads): This can do a lot of the same things as a safety pin.

5. Bandaids: Keep you dancing even if your shoes give you blisters!

6. Cash: In case you need to pay for your dinner (hopefully this has been worked out with your date beforehand).

7. Hair Pins: If your ‘do falls down, you can put it back up!

What to Put in Your Prom Purse

1. Tickets
2. Driver’s License and Student ID
3. Lipstick or Lip Gloss
4. Cell Phone
5. Camera
6. Hair Pins and Dress Tape
7. Mints or Gum

HOW TO - Choose Accessories for your Gown

Once you’ve found your dream gown, it’s time to choose the perfect accessories! Usually, the neckline of your gown is a good place to start in deciding what jewelry to put near your face. Here are some examples:

Strapless – With a strapless gown, you have lots of choices! You can wear large earrings and no necklace, a necklace with small to medium earrings, or a matching jewelry set! You can add a bracelet, but you certainly don’t need to.



Halter – When wearing a halter dress, you want to make sure of two things: That your earrings aren’t so long that they drag on your dress’s neck strap, and that if you wear a necklace, it fits into your neckline. Other than that, it’s up to you!



One Shoulder – For a one shoulder dress, don’t wear a necklace. It will “compete” with the neckline, and not compliment the style of gown. Wear large earrings (but not so long that they drag on your shoulder). Also, a bracelet on the wrist opposite your strap creates a balanced look.



Spaghetti Straps – When you have spaghetti straps on your gown, just make sure that your necklace compliments the shape of the neckline. Or, skip the necklace and just wear earrings!


High Neck – If your gown has a high neck, don’t wear a necklace. Just some earrings and maybe a bracelet.


Overall, be sure to keep your accessories in balance with the style of your gown. If your gown has rhinestones, wear rhinestones. If it has crystals, wear crystals. Pearls are classic and go with almost anything, but only when they compliment what you’re pairing them with.

Shoes and evening bags don’t necessarily have to MATCH, but they do need to coordinate. Metallics are neutral, they go with anything, and are a good choice to re-wear for future dances!

Short Dresses = Embellished Shoes!

If you're going short for homecoming this fall, then your shoes matter. How will you flaunt your footwear? Ruffles? Bows? Roses? Sparkle? The possibilities are endless, and can be found in any price range. Here are a few of my favorites:

Forever 21 $28.80

Paris Hilton $99

Kate Spade (I know... But they're soooo pretty) $325



Homecoming Headgear

No, not braces... I'm talking about headbands! What better way to embellish a DIY hairstyle than to top it off with a fab headband. There are many to choose from, from feathers and flowers to glitter and bows. Here are a few of our favorites, all from Etsy sellers - click the titles to visit each link! All featured headbands are under $30!

Feather Headband

Flower Headband

Glittery Headband

Bow Headband



How are you planning to do your hair for homecoming?

Your Look - Classic or Edgy?

Here are two of this season's hottest short dresses, each accessorized two different ways. Classic on the left, edgy on the right! Which do you prefer?


Dresses from Mestad's, Accessories from Forever21.

What to Wear Over Your Gown if it's Chilly

Instead of taking your date’s tux jacket and making him cold, why not bring your own stylish wrap, jacket or cardigan? Here are some ideas from Forever 21, all under $50, for those of you with early proms:

Your Look - Classic or Edgy?

Here are two of this season's hottest printed dresses, each accessorized two different ways. Classic on the left, edgy on the right! Which do you prefer?

Dresses from Mestad's Cool Collection, Accessories from Forever21.

HOW TO - Have a Bella Swan Prom Look

Want to look like Bella for your big night? Here's how!



Start with the dress! Here are two that are available at Mestads!





These videos show you how to have her hair and makeup look!

Your Look - Classic or Edgy?

Here are two of this season's hottest ballgowns, each accessorized two different ways. Classic on the left, edgy on the right! Which do you prefer?

Dresses from Mestad's, Accessories from Forever21.

Prom Trend - Flashy Jewelry

Huge earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings are hot right now, but be sure to pick only one or two ultra-glamorous accessories. You want to wear the jewelry, not have IT wear YOU!

Some advice from Coco Chanel, "Get dressed, look in the mirror and remove one item." Her statement is simple, but the meaning is true here - don't pile on too many large pieces at once.

Here are some examples from Heidi Klum, Rihanna, and Hilary Duff:

Top 5 Must Have Prom Accessories

1. Shoes
Heels or sneakers, sandals or boots – shoes are a great way to create a unique look for Prom 2010. Under a fluffy ball gown, no one will see your shoes anyway, so why not wear cute ballet flats? If your gown has a slit in the front, people WILL see your shoes – and here is where you get creative! Show your style in something OTHER than the expected high heel silver sandal. A bold color? Flower embellishment or a bow? Printed fabric? The sky is the limit, and you might even find something that you’ll wear again!





2. Hand Bag
For prom, its best to keep the bag small. What do you need to carry to prom? Cell phone, makeup, prom tickets, money, double sided tape. In other words – not much. Keep it cute but take your style cue from your shoes. They don’t have to match exactly, but they should coordinate, or compliment, each other.





3. Jewelry
Rhinestones, crystals, beads? Depending on what your dress looks like, you can decide what the best style of jewelry will be. The more bling you have on your dress, the smaller your jewelry should be. If you have a plain, simple dress, go for the big earrings, bracelet, or pile on the necklaces.





4. Garter
Some schools do this, some don’t. Find a garter that matches or coordinates with your dress, take pictur5es with it, and then give it to your date!



5. Wrap, Jacket, Shawl
If your prom is early, it might be cold out! Consider a (faux) fur wrap, satin shawl, or a cropped cardigan sweater, just for the time that you’re outside.