August 5, 2009
A History of Quinceanera Gowns
One of the most significant events for a young girl in the Hispanic community is the Quinceanera celebration, which is a coming of age ceremony for fifteen year old girls. This is a very important celebration and although there are different ways of celebrating, most have a common theme that includes a religious ceremony, a party and Quinceanera gowns. Once this rite of passage is over, a girl is allowed to perform volunteer work, work for pay and even to marry, so it is only natural that the young woman wants to be noticed and stand out from the crowd.
At one time the Quinceanera dresses were only in white or perhaps pink, which was a tradition that stood for many, many years. However, it has become a little more acceptable to have a more modern gown and some young ladies really go for the more trendy looks and colors.
It has only been a short time since many of the well known designers of formal dresses and formal prom gowns have begun to include Quinceanera dresses in their lines. Some of the designers will stick with the basic formal gown and then spice it up with different, often vibrant colors. Traditionally, pink and white were the two favored colors for Quinceanera gowns, however that has changed in a big way with yellows, purples and blues now competing with the traditional hues, yet many still sport yards and yards of crinoline or tulle.
Naturally, there are several different designs and styles for Quinceanera dresses and finding one that fits your needs and makes you look amazing is not that difficult. There are certain styles that look good on some people, yet do not look appropriate on others. Understanding this will make it much easier for you to choose a dress. Of course, the major item to remember is to be sure the dress fits and that you feel comfortable walking around in it.
One style of a formal dress is the Empire, which has a waistline that falls directly under the bust. As well, the Sheath style follows the line of the body. The traditional ball gown style is fitted from the waist up and has a full skirt, which makes it great for most body types. Quinceanera gowns also come in an A-line or Princess style that is narrow at the shoulders and then gradually flares out.
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August 1, 2009
Prom Dress Shopping Is Fun
One of the most important events for teenagers is their high school prom. To them it equates to walking on the red carpet, modeling on a fashion runway or being at the Oscar’s. Since a prom dress is the main “must have” for the girls, they normally start shopping around fairly early for the perfect one, which usually includes trying on countless prom gowns, checking every store in the mall and in the town and maybe even getting ideas from the internet before making their decision.
For many girls black is the color of choice for their prom dress; however, you do not have to limit yourself to just that color, as there are some beautiful dresses in all colors and you should choose one that fits your personal taste, as well as your body. You have many different choices when it comes to selecting the prom dress. You can choose one of the traditional, long formal prom gowns, one of the short prom dresses or even separate pieces.
There are other ways that you can take a basic prom gown and turn it into something that is truly you. You can add stunning details that will make your dress stand out, such as adding a sash with a splash of print or an extra long scarf in a contrasting color that you can toss over both shoulders in a mock train style. As well, don’t forget to consider your prom shoes, makeup, hairdo and jewelry.
Once you have found your perfect dress you can use accessories to really add to the style. Gloves make a great addition, as they can be used with most styles. For example, if your prom dress is a long formal gown, then find a pair of long gloves that elegantly match your dress. Or if you opted for a shorter dress in a jazzy color such as watermelon, then slip on a pair of bright lemon colored gloves. Other bright colors that really do look good with each other are raspberry and lemon, banana yellow with apple red and even lime with tangerine.
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July 28, 2009
Pointers When Selecting Your Evening Dresses
If you are somewhat intimidated by the phrase “evening dresses” and are not sure what to look for, then don’t panic. There are a few tips that may help you out. First you need to figure out how formal the event will be, as black-tie affairs normally mean a long formal gown. For a cocktail event think something along the lines of a “little black dress.”
Once you have found out how formal the event is going to be you will be able to start considering the different styles and colors of dresses that are available. Of course, not every style or color works with all body types so you need to keep that in mind. Not all choices have to keep with the traditional designs of formal dresses either, if that style is not good for you. Cocktail dresses are considered by some to be the easiest to find as there seems to be a little more leeway than with formal events. Meaning, it is ok to wear something bright and vibrant or short and flirty.
Remember that the term evening dresses does not necessarily mean formal and cocktail dresses are a good example of being perfect for evening, yet not formal. And, just because the phrase is “little black dress” do not think that it is relegated to strictly black. Many of these dresses are designed to grab attention and having a little blue or red dress is going to fit the bill, if not better, than the black dress. Try on some that are more vibrant in color and possibly a more daring style than you are used to and you may just find your perfect dress.
For simplicity, nothing beats a sheath dress as they are flattering with clean lines that keep the dress from overwhelming your figure. The sheath dress can be dressed down or up into a more formal gown look if necessary. If you are looking for something a little sexier, then consider a halter dress as they come in several different designs. They are great if you feel that you need to draw unwanted attention away from the legs or hips as they draw attention to the upper half of the body, including the face, shoulders and bust.
Not every figure looks best in a one piece dress, which may seem a little disheartening when looking for evening, plus size dresses. However, dressy separates can be just what is needed for the hard to fit bodies. You can always pick one favorite piece, perhaps in a solid color and then mix it with a different colored or patterned piece. This works especially well when looking for alternatives to evening dresses. Consider something with an off the shoulder top because it shows skin but not in areas that make you uncomfortable. They can also be accessorized and dressed up for more formal occasions.
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