Prom Season: Don't Stress Over the Dress

Prom season can be a memorable month of fun activities or it can be a living nightmare. My best advice? Make this month about you... yes YOU! When it comes to the date, the dance, the dinner, there is a lot to prime and perfect for an event that is only one night long. You always hear the stories and you're always shown the pictures of your parents or your older friends prom experiences, and that is how you formulate your idea of the ideal prom. I'll admit that this year my stress was over my dress! I tried on over 50 dresses, at 6 malls, in 2 states... So admittedly I'm a little bit of a paranoid, perfectionist. But, now that it's all said and done I have my dream dress! My advice as you shop goes as follows:

1. Set a strict budget: If a dress exceeds your budget DO NOT try it on. The best and worst feeling is putting on a dress you dreamed of, and then finding out that the purchase of it would throw a semester of your college education down the drain.

2. Check everywhere that is local: Fortunately here in Cinci we have the Reading Bridal District, which is Ohio's priemere shopping district for formalwear. Including boutiques such as Bridal and Formal, Wendy's Cincinnati Bridal, and Splendid Bridal there is much to choose from.

3. Set a time limit on the search: Select one weekend or two school evenings to begin and conclude your search. Do not drag your search on until it has consumed days of your time. You will just be in over your head.

4. Character over color: Search for a dress with major character. Your gown should say something about you!

5. Alterations: DO NOT skip alterations simply to save $20. A hem or a strap tuck is an easy fix that any tailor can accomplish, and it will save you from a wardrobe malfunction.

Have fun and be safe on the night of prom!