TREND: Corset Style Bodice

One trend we’ve seen a lot of the past few years and is continuing to gain popularity is the corset style bodice. This look is characterized by exposed boning in the top of the dress to create the illusion of a corset. Some of these dresses have a lace up back, much like a real corset would, but many of them have a zipper back instead. This look is great for creating and defining an hourglass figure because the boning in the dress creates a structure that is flattering on everyone!

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!

TREND: Mermaid Dresses

We saw a lot of the mermaid shape last year and will be seeing even more of it this year.  A mermaid dress is set apart from other styles by its unique shape, a fitted dress that flairs out below the hips, anywhere between the mid-thigh and the knees. Mermaids are great for accenting or creating an hourglass figure and highlighting curves. Make sure to stop in and see a Mestads Stylist to find the right mermaid for you.

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: Ruffles

One of our favorite trends this year is ruffles. They are showing up on just about every shape and style of dress and we LOVE it! The great thing about ruffles is that they accentuate everyone’s best feature. For example:

A full skirt of ruffles helps accentuate the waist giving it a cinched corset look.

A ruffle mermaid accentuates the hips, helping them appear firm and sculpted

and a full ruffle skirt with a drop waist makes the torso appear longer, and the hips appear fuller.

Make sure to stop in to Mestads so we can help you find the best ruffle dress for your figure!

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!

TREND: Chiffon

Everyone’s favorite fabric this year is chiffon! Chiffon is a light, flowy fabric that creates a soft feminine look that smoothes and hides any imperfection. The great thing about the chiffon dresses Mestads has this year is that they look good on EVERYONE!

TREND: Bling

Bling is back! Rhinestones, sequins and glitter are back this year and hotter than ever. Here are some trends that will wow them on the dance floor.

Shattered Glass Stones

One trend we see picking up is shattered glass stones. They are large rhinestones shaped like glass shards and they’re showing up everywhere this year.

Sequins

Another trend we are seeing a lot of this year is sequins. There are several types of sequined gowns. The two most popular types of sequined dresses are “all over sequins,” where sequins cover an entire portion of fabric, and rows of sequins, where the sequins drip down the dress in rows.

Black A/B

A completely new trend we are seeing this year is Black A/B rhinestones. These stones are black with a shiny reflective coating to make them appear multicolored.



TREND: High-Low Dresses

One big trend we are seeing in prom this year is the High-low dress. High-low simply means these dresses are short in the front and long in the back, making them easy and fun to dance in. We’re loving this style because it works for anyone, any height without having to be hemmed!   Our favorite feature on select styles of High-lows is a zip off skirt. Some dresses, like the Jovani dress below, have a hidden zipper that hides under the skirt so that it can be removed for the dance.

The best thing about High-lows is that they come in many different styles, from a straight dress to a fluffy ball gown, so there’s something for everyone!

PROM 2012

2011 is quickly coming to an end, which means it's time to start thinking about Prom! All three Mestads locations already have prom gowns out, with new ones coming in every day, and don't forget that we register your dress so we won't sell it to anyone else at your school!

 Make sure to stay tuned to our blog and facebook page to find out all of the new trends and styles for 2012, makeup tips, events, our staff picks from our expert stylists here at Mestads and much more! Happy Holidays and we hope to see you in the new year!

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.

Mori Lee Trunk Show!

Back for a second time, Mestads is having a Mori Lee trunk show, this time in all three stores! March 18th-20th, all in stock Mori Lee prom gowns will be 20% off!

If you missed it a few weeks ago, don't pass up your last opportunity to get your Mori Lee gown at a great discount!

Remember, Mestad REGISTERS your gown, which means that we won't sell it to anyone else attending your prom!

Mestads REGISTERS Your Prom Gown!

Other stores may say that it's no big deal, but Mestads disagrees! We carry the most EXCLUSIVE dresses in the state of Minnesota, and they aren't sold in any other stores in the state! If you didn't get one in the mail, come to one of our stores and ask for a COOL BOOK, which is the greatest collection of unique gowns for Prom 2011! We know that it's a big deal if someone else has your dress, and we'd rather turn someone away than have two of the same Mestads gowns at your prom. Our registration happens at the point of sale when you purchase your gown, and it is linked through all three stores. We will NEVER sell the same gown to your school twice, we promise!

We said it last year, and we'll say it again: Don't let this happen to you!

Be EXCLUSIVE, wear MESTADS COOL COLLECTION!

Mestads REGISTERS Your Prom Dress!

Other stores may say that it's no big deal, but Mestads disagrees! We carry the most EXCLUSIVE dresses in the state of Minnesota, and they aren't sold in any other stores in the state! If you didn't get one in the mail, come to one of our stores and ask for a COOL BOOK, which is the greatest collection of unique gowns for Prom 2011! We know that it's a big deal if someone else has your dress, and we'd rather turn someone away than have two of the same Mestads gowns at your prom. Our registration happens at the point of sale when you purchase your gown, and it is linked through all three stores. We will NEVER sell the same gown to your school twice, we promise!

We said it last year, and we'll say it again: Don't let this happen to you!

Be EXCLUSIVE, wear MESTADS COOL COLLECTION!

TIFFANY Trunk Show

March 4th-6th, all three Mestads will have in stock Tiffany gowns 20% off!

Remember, Mestads REGISTERS your gown, so we'll never sell it to your prom twice!

Mestads REGISTERS Your Prom Gown!

Other stores may say that it's no big deal, but Mestads disagrees! We carry the most EXCLUSIVE dresses in the state of Minnesota, and they aren't sold in any other stores in the state! If you didn't get one in the mail, come to one of our stores and ask for a COOL BOOK, which is the greatest collection of unique gowns for Prom 2011! We know that it's a big deal if someone else has your dress, and we'd rather turn someone away than have two of the same Mestads gowns at your prom. Our registration happens at the point of sale when you purchase your gown, and it is linked through all three stores. We will NEVER sell the same gown to your school twice, we promise!

We said it last year, and we'll say it again: Don't let this happen to you!

Be EXCLUSIVE, wear MESTADS COOL COLLECTION!

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!