Chic And Affordable Prom Dresses
For lots of teenagers, the prom is one of the biggest nights of their lives. So The Early Show's "Chic on a Shoestring" challenge has prom dresses that are not only fashionable but affordable, too.
Amy Astley, editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue magazine, put Rene Syler, Hannah Storm and Dave Price to the test, and they tied.
"Prom is really a teenage girl's big Oscar night and they go all-out," Astley says. "What we're seeing at Teen Vogue is a shorter length, moving away from that puffy, princessy dress down to the floor into a shorter length, and a very '50s inspired silhouette."
And though some are calling a cutout Cher-style outfit the hot prom dress of the year, Astley says it is more about publicity and hype than reality.
According to the Texas company that makes the dress (for $495), during a preview fashion show it was modeled incorrectly, yet still became a big seller.
"It's obviously not an appropriate dress for a teenage girl to wear to prom, which is, after all, a school event," Asltley says. "At Teen Vogue, we find most girls take their cues from the red carpet and from how stars look at the Oscars."
The following are the dresses featured on The Early Show:
Style: Polka Dots
Graphic prints like polka dots, as well as fit-and-flare dresses with a more defined waist and shorter lengths are a huge trend this season. To accessorize black and white dresses, simply pair with a black shoe and white pearls and you're done.
Splurge
Dress: Drop-waist silk taffeta tea-length dress, '80s inspired look
Brand: Jennifer Nicholson (Jack Nicholson's daughter)
Where to buy: Intermix, NYC; Fred Segal Dept. Store in LA
Price: $2,000
Steal
Dress: Taffeta dress with bow belt, '80s inspired
Brand: Jessica McClintock
Where to buy: Macy's, Bloomingdale's
Price: $90
The Difference: The Jennifer Nicholson dress is more expensive because of the fabric, detailing and workmanship.
Style: Pattern (Dresses with Design)
For a more creative look, choose a dress with a special pattern, design and/or detail.
"Fit-and-flare" dresses with fitted bodices and shorter, fuller skirts are very feminine and flattering, especially in a '50s inspired look. Many of these dresses are strapless -- tasteful without revealing too much. Hemlines are also higher - worn to the knees, tea-length, or even mini. Accessorize with gumball pearls, gold, strappy sandals, and a cummerbund or bow belt.
Steal
Dress: White strapless fit-and-flare dress with blue stripes and matching sash. Voluminous skirt with lots of tulle and exposed crinoline echoes a very '50s look.
Brand: Betsey Johnson
Where to buy: Bloomingdale's, Dillard's and Betsey Johnson stores
Price: $337
Splurge
Dress: Beige strapless tulle dress with pink and green hand-painted detail. Also, '50s inspired.
Brand: J.Mendel
Where to buy: J Mendel Boutiques, Neiman Marcus
Price: $4,900
The Difference: The J. Mendel dress is hand-painted with a hand-pleated tulle skirt.
Style: Vibrant Color
Dresses with color add a lot of personality. For an updated prom look, add accessories like metallic shoes, rhinestone barrettes and pearl necklaces (can be found at vintage stores or bought at Claire's at reasonable prices).
Steal
Dress: Tangerine taffeta halter dress with tulle underlay and black bow belt (Marilyn Monroe style)
Brand: Masquerade
Where to buy: Macy's
Price: $99
Splurge
Dress: Blue/grey silk taffeta tulip dress
Brand: Oscar de la Renta
Where to buy: Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman
Price: $7,000
The Difference: The Oscar de la Renta dress uses a more expensive fabric and has workmanship around the bottom of the dress.
For more Prom dress ideas, pick up an April issue or go to teenvogue.com, for these and other Prom looks.