TREND: The Carwash Skirt

In the last trend post we talked about ruffles.  One particular type of ruffle that we are seeing a lot of this year is the “car wash” skirt. In this particular type of dress the ruffles cascade down in twirls that resemble a car wash. The ruffles are often at varying lengths giving the skirt shape and definition creating a fun, flirty look that’s perfect for prom.

TREND: Feathers

Feathers are a fun accent that many designers are putting on their dresses this year. We’re seeing everything from fully feathered skirts to small feathery embellishments. The feathers create a light, floaty, feminine look that will make you feel like the belle of the ball.

TREND: Cocktail Dress with Removable Skirt

Just like the High-Low dress, a similar style that is popular for 2012 is the cocktail dress with removable skirt.  This dress has the same concept of a High-Low, being short in the front and long in the back, but with this style the skirt attaches around the waist and can be removed to create a whole new dress for your dance. The best part about this type of dress is that you can continue to wear the cocktail dress underneath for years to come, but still have the long look for prom. What’s even better is that you don’t even need to have a bustle hook added to the dress to keep it off the floor. You can simply remove the top layer and dance the night away!

Fun Post-Prom Plans

1. Bonfire – Do you or any of your friends have a bonfire pit in their yard? With parent’s permission, invite friends over for music, marshmallows, and fun!

2. Sleepover – Girls-only or co-ed, it depends on what your family and friends are comfortable with. Get parents involved and come up with games, activities, or just blast music into the wee hours, and then cook a big breakfast together before everyone heads home.

3. Early breakfast – Are there any 24 hour diners in your town? If so, go out for breakfast or a snack after the dance, and re-live the night all over again!

4. Bowling – Is there a bowling alley in your area that’s open late? Get a group together for the most glamorous game of bowling ever!

5. School event – Check to see if your school has an after school lock-in with games, prizes, and more dancing!

HOW TO - Go to Prom Solo

No date on the horizon? No problem! Plenty of glamorous fun can be had without someone by your side all night! Here’s how:

1. Find the most fabulous gown and accessories you can imagine. No worries about what your date wants to wear – it’s all about YOU!

2. See if any friends are going solo too. Have dinner together, ride together, and if your school has a grand march, walk together!

3. Get your friends together for photos before dinner, no need to separate daters from non-daters! My favorite prom photos are the ones taken with my best friends; we still talk to each other, but not to our dates!

4. When you get to prom, dance with who you want, talk to who you want, leave when you want and have FUN!

Take this opportunity to celebrate with your best friends - this may be the last time you're all together at the same time, except maybe graduation. Once everybody goes their separate ways, it could be 10 years bevore you're all together again! You deserve to celebrate your hard work over the last 3 or 4 years of high school - don't miss out over a date!

HOW TO - Feel Confident in Your Dress

Here are a couple of helpful tips to make you feel and look your best on prom night!

1. When you’re looking for a dress find something that you are comfortable in and not something you’re going to be pulling and tugging at all night. That never looks good and it can make your night less than perfect. If you’re set on a strapless gown use fashion tape and get the dress altered to fit in the waist so that you’re not constantly pulling up on the top. If it fits correctly, you should never have to touch it.

2. Feel good about what you’re wearing! If you don’t feel good in something, you won’t look good. You chose this dress for a reason, so embrace it! Recognize how beautiful and sassy you look!

3. No matter what you think, Size doesn’t matter! Don’t be hung up on the fact that you’re wearing a size 16 and not a size 8. FIT is more important than SIZE! It would be worse to show up to prom in something two sizes too small that you can’t sit in or dance in rather than the size that actually fits you! Size is nothing but a number!

4. If you feel like you have a few imperfections or you’re feeling a little nervous about things staying up, invest in shape wear (try Spanx) and some fashion tape. If you’re worried about an open back and what bra to wear, you can get cups sewn into your dress that work just as well as a bra.

Prom Transportation

How are you getting to prom this year? There is a world of options...traditional limos, stretch Hummers, party buses and more! As soon as you get your group together start exploring your price options, limo/party bus types and make sure to book as EARLY as possible (Companies book more quickly the closer to prom, so DON'T WAIT!)

When you are looking for transportation find out if any companies offer prom discounts or have promotions for prom. If you're going to bring beverages remember to stick to clear drinks in case there is a spill!

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!