Prom Spot - Prom Dresses: Shopping Basics

Nervous about finding the right dress for your big night? Never fear, you will find it. And don't even think about settling. Just use our list of tried-and-true tips to zap dress stress and help find the one.

Get a Jump Start
Unless you want to get caught in a shopping stampede, don't wait until the last minute to start looking. If you're not ready to hit the stores, check out some fashion mags to get an idea of what's out there and what you like, and clip out your top frocks. Or get started now by looking through our dress finder.

Where to Go
Malls, online stores, specialty shops -- too many options, right? So which way will you go? Well, that depends. If you're big on personal attention (come on, we've all had our high maintenance days), a specialty store may be perfect for you: You'll get sized, fitted, and fussed over. But if you know what you want and don't need the red-carpet treatment, try a department store. And when it comes to online shopping, we suggest doing your research on the web and then hitting the shops to do your purchasing. That way, its easy to make returns and choose the right size.

The Buddy System
What are friends for? Well, since you asked, to help pick out a party dress. Going solo isn't smart. (It's not much fun either.) A second pair of eyes never hurts. So go ahead and recruit a friend, your mom, or an older sis. PS: You know that old saying, "Too many cooks..." So remember we said to bring a friend, not the entire cast of Friends.

The Total Package
You know the drill: The right jewelry, shoes, and underwear can make or break a dress. If you have a favorite necklace or accessory you just can't live without, wear it out so you can try it on along with any prospective dresses. You should also bring a pair of shoes in the heel height you plan on wearing for prom (just don't wear them all day -- serious shopping is a sneaker affair!). It will help you see that dresses really will look like. And finally, don't leave home without a strapless bra.

Smile for the Camera
Quick stat: One girl will try on an average of 20 dresses before finding the perfect one. That's right -- you'll be zipping through dress after dress. After a while, you'll be lucky to remember your name, let alone what that two-piece number you tried on hours ago looked like. So unless you've got a photographic memory, you'll need an actual camera to take snaps of your favorite frocks.

A final bit of wisdom: Don't buy a dress you're not totally in love with, and don't let anyone talk you into a gown that's not right for you. Remember, it's your big night -- no one else's.

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--Elina Furman