Backstage help

Homecoming Dresses How To Find The Ideal Fit For Your Shape

So, homecoming is on the way and youre wondering which homecoming dresses are going to make you look great and which to avoid.

In this article were going to look at homecoming dresses and how to find the ideal fit, which not only means fitting you well, but also helping you feel amazing!

As with any clothing the key to finding an appropriate homecoming dress lies in finding one that flatters your shape in both style and color. Its surprising, but many, many women from around the world have never really bought dresses according to their shape. This can lead to fashion disasters where theyre spilling out of dresses and generally look awful which no girl wants at homecoming!

So as I mentioned, its going to really help to have a grasp of your body shape before you start shopping, but dont worry if youre unsure as there are also some tips for you. For instance, it doesnt what your size or shape is ad there are dresses out there that will disguise or flatter parts that may be problematic or a source of pride. So you should definitely think about what your best feature, your strength if you like, is and then choose a dress that really shows it off!

Got great boobs for instance? Then perhaps choose a dress thats a little lower cut and show off those girls!

How Do I Know My Body Shape?

First off Id suggest researching online, as there are pages and pages committed to explaining the different body shapes and even videos. Then you need to ascertain what your shape.

A fun way is to stand in front of a mirror and look at your shape. Imagine that there are points at your shoulders, waist and hips. If you were to connect these what shape would you be?

In general your waistline and hips will have a large bearing on the type of dress you should choose and the three common shapes are apple, pear and hourglass.

Your shoulders will also have some importance, but this more with the neckline of the dress that you choose than the style of the dress itself.

OK, so now you know your body shape lets find your ideal homecoming dress!

Pear Shape Homecoming Dresses

If youre a pear-shaped girl then youre not alone as this is the most common shape! Your hips and thighs are the widest point so youll need to find a dress that balances your upper half and gives you good proportions.

A-line or Empiredresses will be the best choice as they flow down over your curves without hugging them, giving you a nice, straight profile. You can also add some extra volume upstairs by choosing a dress with a decorated bust, wearing a bolero or shawl or wearing your hair down.

Hourglass Homecoming Dresses

This is a killer shape, a real earth-mother look.Your waist is already defined, so by choosing a dress that has a corset it will further define your waist. A typical corset dress would be a princess style ball gown.

Because your shape is naturally in proportion you wont need to worry too much about extra accessories or decoration, so keep jewelry and hairstyles fairly simple.

Apple Shape Homecoming Dresses

A truly curvaceous girl with a full waist may think that her apple shape will hinder her finding a suitable and flattering homecoming dress, but think again! You need to draw the eye away from your waist, so choose A-line and Empire waist dresses which start the waist line above your natural waistline hence drawing the eye from any untoward curves. Drop waists will also be great for this. You can draw the eye up as well, so you could also wear some bright accessories or jewelry to do this.

How To Run A Fashion Show For Prom Dresses

A fashion show intended to showcase prom dresses is different from an ordinary high street fashion show. Not only will it take much longer for models to get into their outfits (which rules out quick changes) but the value and delicacy of the items means that a great deal of care needs to be taken.

Timing your show

You need to allow around two minutes per model. This is enough time to walk down the catwalk, pose and walk back down the catwalk.

In terms of back stage timing you need to allow ten minutes for a girl to get a dress on for which she will need at least one helper.

Boys

If you can, its great to have male models accompany your female models down the catwalk. A local hire company may be willing strapless summer dresses to lend you suits if you give them a call.

Announcer

Ask someone with good presenting skills to compere the show. Their role will be to announce the name of the model and give a commentary about the dress that they are wearing. For example 'This is Amy, she is wearing Bella, one of our pink prom dresses. This dress features stunning genuine crystal beading with a flowing tulle skirt'.

You should provide your compere with a script for each model/dress. This script should be organised in the same running order as the show.

Music

You should choose music which is both popular with the students in the show and appropriate for the occasion. Pay attention to the bpm (beats per minute) of the music. Your models will walk in time to the music and if the beat's too fast they may end up half jogging down the catwalk (ruining your timings!).

Vet all music before hand to ensure that it doesn contain expletives.

Walk Through

It a good idea to have a walk though of your fashion show. While it is common to do a full dress rehearsal (wearing all the outfits), you should think carefully about doing this. Every time a prom dress is handled it runs the risk of being damaged. It is therefore not advisable to do a full dress rehearsal.

Backstage help

You will need at least one person to help when a girl is trying to get into her dress. If you can stagger the girls putting on their dresses then you won't need as many helpers.

You also need a stage manager and an assistant stage manager. Both of these people should have a clipboard with details of the order in which the girls will go down the catwalk.

The stage manager stands in the wings and is responsible for ensuring that the right people go on stage at the right time.

It is there responsibility to make sure the girl starts putting the dress on in time and long red dress to make sure she is down in time. They need to be female so they can go into changing rooms.

Changing rooms

Ideally you need two rooms close to the stage. At least one needs to ensure privacy.

As prom dresses are worth hundreds of pounds each it is important to ensure they will not get damaged in the course of a fashion show.

One way to ensure that this doesn't happen is by ensuring that no food, drink or make up is allowed into the changing rooms. Only the girls themselves and people helping them to get ready should be allowed in the changing room.

Ask girls to take evening dresses girls responsibility for dresses

Begin by explaining to the girls involved that they will be personally responsible for taking care of their dresses. Each girl should formally 'sign out' the dress when she takes it off the rack. At the end of the show, someone needs to be appointed to check the dresses back on to the rail. A girl's name should only be checked off the list when they have brought their dress back.

Enjoy it!

Running a fashion show can be great fun so finally, have a great time!