So you’re not a size 5.  Does that mean that you can’t have the perfect prom night in the perfect prom dress?  Of course not!

These days, clothing manufacturers recognize that there are very few people who look like the supermodels who walk the runway, and that those styles just don’t look right on the average figure.  So now you can benefit from what all of the major prom dress manufacturers have discovered, and look your very best in specially designed plus size prom dresses.

This means that you can find those very same gorgeous gowns that have been made for your straight-sized counterparts, and you can look just as hot on that special prom night.

So what’s out there for you for prom night 2004?  Primarily, the strapless dress.  This is going to be the biggest hit this year, so you shouldn’t shy away from this hip fashion trend.  There are tons of ways that your curvy body can look fabulous with the right dress for the right silhouette.  For one thing, strapless gowns allow you to show off your sexy shoulders, drawing the eye to some of your most striking features.   Moreover, bare necklines and shoulders make your face appear to be longer and slimmer.  Wear your hair up (if you have long hair) to maximize that sexy appearance.  If you’re a bit uncomfortable with your arms, you can add a stunning, flowing shawl to any strapless prom dress.  Simply wrap it loosely around your shoulders, and tie it in the back.  With this technique, you’ll still have the dazzling open neckline, and you’ll feel comfortable with the look. 

If this isn’t your style, or if you simply can’t imagine being comfortable in a strapless dress, consider a dress with an empire waist, as it’s the most flattering to a woman’s silhouette.  There’s a good reason for this; it elongates your body, drawing attention to the bust-line.  Since the seaming is directly below the bust-line, it accentuates the inward curve, before the long body, making you look slimmer and taller.  Best of all, this dress style isn’t just flattering, but it’s extremely comfortable.  You’ll have room to move, dance, and sit, unlike the girls who stuff themselves into something less forgiving.

No matter what dress style you choose for your perfect prom dress, you should keep the following tips in mind to be certain that it gives you the most beautiful shape:

¬     Never buy a dress that is too tight for you.  Buying something that fits will make sure that you look the way the dress was designed to look, instead of accentuate the “not-so-perfect” zones with pulls and taught patches.

¬     Simple shapes are often the best for streamlining your figure.  These include empire waists, A-line, and column styles.

¬     Try a full ball gown skirt to help accentuate a small waist, while hiding heavy hips, or to generally balance out your shape.

¬     If you’re looking for a shorter, cocktail-length dress for your Prom, try an asymmetrical hemline, so that you’ll look longer and slimmer, instead of looking shorter and “stumpy” with the straight-across hem that simply cuts you in half.

¬     Remember that dark colors are always more slimming than pastels or bright colors.  If you have a favorite color, get the most out of it, by wearing it in a shade that suits you the best.

Naturally there are many other options out there, all specialized to helping you look your very best for one of the most important nights of your life.  Have fun!

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