Prom is in the air

By SDTC Intern Whitney Hanmer

So there are three weeks left until my prom.  I have my dress and shoes and I've booked my hair appointment...but I am still dealing with two issues that seem to stir up a lot of social drama in high school. I haven't got a prom date and I haven't made pre/post party plans.  Since the beginning of grade nine, my closest [male] friend and I had planned to go together, but he has just started dating another girl so she will be going with him.  I'm not upset because the girl happens to be one of my dearest friends as well, so I'm happy for the two of them.  But since they only met at my birthday three weeks ago, I was not prepared to go stag. I've relied on that back up date for four years... 

So what are the rules in regards to 'asking'?  Is it awkward for a girl to step up and ask the guy?  Will it embarrass him?  Since we’re in 2008, I'm hoping that there are no longer sexist social stigmas for dating.   But to be completely honest, as a female, I don't want to do the 'asking' part.  Call me an essentialist, but I think that the guy-asking-the girl is classic and traditional, and I like it like that.  

I’m not shy, so lets say I hypothetically gave in and decided I would ask a guy.  Who would I even want to ask?  I have a few options.  There is my ex-boyfriend (from another school), a guy who I have been flirting with but don't know very well (also from another school), or I could randomly pick one of my completely platonic male friends (from another school.)  Note that none of these boys attend my school so the fact that I asked them to prom would remain our little secret.  Prom is so stressful!  I mean, other than your wedding, high-school prom is the most exciting formal event you anticipate.  I have high hopes for my prom experience - I think that everyone does.  

There are a million movies that involve prom, glamourizing the experience or on the contrary, showing the absolute worst experience possible.

Common themes of the cliché prom experience:

1. The moment where the girl walks down the flight of stairs in her dress, as her date gazes at her romantically.  
2. The limo scene with the characters and their closest friends, screaming out the roof and taking pictures.
3. The crowning ceremony for prom queen and king, when the most popular couple steps up to make an annoying speech.  
4. The drunken after party, with every single person jammed into one house / hotel.  
5.  Of course, as every teen movie must include: the scene where the main character losses their virginity.   

Reasons why my prom will be NOTHING like these movies:

1. Because I don't have a date yet.  
2. Because I don't have limo plans yet  
3. Because, fortunately, our school doesn't do the whole prom queen/king ceremony.  
4. Because I don't have plans for the after party yet. 
5.  Welllll...because my  older sister once told me, "anyone who puts pressure on themselves to make prom night, the night...is kind of lame..."  

In conclusion, at this point in my prom making plans I have no idea what to expect. 

At least I have my dress - my absolutely gorgeous, dream prom dress.  I was fortunate enough to find my dress at the beginning of March.  Two of my friends who had prom last year, came with me to be my personal shoppers.  We went to Queen Street, Fashion Crimes, and I spent about four hours trying on every dress in the store - or at least all the short dresses.   When we reached a point of complete exhaustion, we decided to call it a day.  But as we got ready to go I had a thought.  Why didn't I try on anything other than short dresses?  I had originally imagined a long dress...I shared my epiphany with the girls, and they ran off to go browse, returning with one random long dress off the rack.   I am SO glad they found one for me to try on because I loved it, and bought it on the spot.  One of my closest girl friends has yet to find her dress.  She said "even if I have to wait until the day of prom, I want to wait until I find the perfect dress."  I support her in this daring statement.  When you have imagined your dress for so many years, you shouldn't settle on just any dress.  You really have to love it.  So I have done some research that can hopefully assist those in their last minute prom rush. 

1. Anne Hathaway  "Not-so-Mellow Yellow"

This dress is a safe style choice for this year as its short, strapless, and empire waisted - very popular.  So in one respect, the dress is safe.  However, the bright yellow is bold and takes lots of confidence to wear.

We love: the cant-go-wrong style and the colour.

Advice: have fun with your hair and accessories.  This dress is like blank canvas so your hair or your accessories (you don't want to over do it with both) are very flexible.  Have fun with it.

2. Gwen Stefani  "Dare to be Different”

This dress is for those who, like Ms. Stafani herself, are willing to take a fashion risk.  Chances are, no one will show up in the same dress as you.

We love: its uniqueness.

Advice:  wear this dress with confidence because it is much more daring than the average prom gown.  If you’re not sure – don’t do it. There’s nothing more unattractive than a girl who’s visibly uncomfortable in her clothes. 

3. Jessica Alba  "Reigning Queen of Prom"

With this dress, you are certain to receive compliments.  It is so incredibly classy, like a modern day princess dress!  The design, the fabric, the colour...simply beautiful.

We love:  its classiness.

Advice:  keep your hairstyle and accessories minimal.  Small diamond earrings and a bare neck would be best.  

4.  Sarah Jessica Parker  "80's Throwback"

As SJP so beautifully demonstrates, the structured silhouette of this dress will give you a sexy, feminine figure.  Yes, the graphic print on this dress is very different, but that's not what makes the dress so amazing.  

We love:  the way it shows off our hot female curves.

Advice:  wear your hair down, lose curls would look best.  With such a structured body, you want to avoid pulling your hair back and looking too overdone. 

5.  Scarlett Johansson  "Movie Star Glam"

This dress is a spin on the old Hollywood look.  The style and low cut neckline keep it classic, while the metallic sheen modernizes it immediately.

We love:  the showcase of the chest. If you’ve got it – flaunt it! (But keep it classy).

Advice:  this is a great choice for ladies who are on the busty side.  There is a lot of support, but still make sure that you use a good bra or an alternative such as tape (a wardrobe malfunction is the last thing you want on prom night...).

6.  Carrie Underwood  "Ultra Femme Flowerchild" 

The colours in this dress are amazing! A gown like this is perfect for prom and can easily be doubled as a dress for a spring/summer wedding.

We love:  the flirty quality of the draped fabric and playful floral pattern.

Advice:  when a print is what you’re after, make sure to keep your proportions right.  Its easy for a printed dress to overwhelm a smaller frame. Wear your dress, don’t let the dress wear you!!!

7. Rihanna  "Fuchsia Under My Umbrella" 

This dress screams "look at me!"  All eyes will be on you if you decide to go with a less-traditional style like this. Are you ready for the all the attention?

We love:  the HOT pink sheen.

Advice:  don't try to match the colour of your dress to your shoes or accessories or you will look too costumy.  Instead, opt for basic black or mix it up with a satin blue pump or yellow earrings for a funky look.

8.  Rihanna  "Dress to Impress"

This dress is formal enough for prom but it is also transitional if you plan on going out to a club afterwards and dancing the night away. 

We love:  the contrast of fabrics.

Advice:  this isn’t a dress for everyone.  If you’ve got a shorter torso, your top half may look too segmented with all the different colours and prints going on. 
 

9.  Kristen Bell  "Nearly Naked"

You need a lot of confidence [or an incredible body] in order to pull this dress off.  The colour is so natural that, at first glance, it almost appears you are wearing nothing at all.

We love:  how it only covers the essentials.

Advice:  wear underwear!!!

10.  Kristen Bell  "Sensual Shoulders"

Who knew shoulders could be so scandalous?  Unlike KB’s other dress this one shows little skin, yet remains beautiful and very sensual.

We love:  that such a simple dress can be so sexy.  

Advice:  don’t over-do it with a heavy shoe.  With a sleep column look like this, opt instead for an elegant strappy sandal or even (dare we say it) a non-rubber flip-flop if you’re feeling particularly casual.

11.  Natalie Portman  “Vintage Vixen”

This dress is a classic sexy choice.  A little black dress that will never go out of style, and will impress any fashionista, from any generation.

We love:  everything and anything Natalie Portman wears. This dress is no exception.

Advice:  if you are 'blessed in the chest', try and avoid dresses with a corseted top.  You want to be comfortable, which excludes readjusting yourself all evening.