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Excess orised Lots of celebrities, and girls, have overindulged, spent way out of proportions, and not looked good. And lots of celebrities didn’t go to their formal, because they didn’t want to, or they didn’t have the money. Leighton Meester said, “...back then I didn’t have the money to get a dress or limo, or anything like that.” She didn’t have a date and she might not have gone, but we’re sure she still looked pretty then. At Kesha’s prom, she “...had way more fun than anyone else at a prom with their boyfriends. Everyone else was, like, crying and drama and breaking up, and me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m.” Kesha proved that you don’t need a date. If you go with just friends,
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e love all celebs and their clothing, but sometimes it can drag a huge price tag along with it. That doesn’t mean you have to as well, for your formal. Celebrities can look amazing using that money, but sometimes they don’t. Don’t have a super extravagant formal, you don’t need to. Have a You style formal. that’s fine. Don’t miss out on your formal just because you’re not going with anyone. If Vanessa Hudgens had gone to prom “.... it probably would have been with me and my girlfriends, dancing and being silly. I probably would have worn a fun, short, flirty dress. But nothing to short, because I would have been dancing.” You shouldn’t hold back from doing things like dancing, because you’re self conscious, or you don’t think you’re good at it. Be confident and have fun. Get great memories from prom! When celebrities went to their prom, they were just like all of us. Most of them didn’t have dates; and theirs probably wouldn’t have been perfect.
On the other hand Ashley Tisdale got a bit carried away. “My junior prom dress was really big – it could actually stand on its own. It was this big pink dress, and I could not dance in it.” Don’t overdo it, so you can’t dance in your dress. You won’t have as good memories as you otherwise would have had, if you had chosen a dress that you could dance and have fun in.
Your formal may be at a not so good venue, or you go to a small school, but you can still get great memories, and have the time of your life. Taylor Lautner’s prom “...was in Los Angeles at an art museum. It was a long night, finishing around one in the morning. I took a friend of mine from school.” If you don’t get a date, or don’t get to go with the person you want to, it doesn’t matter.
It can still be a really good experience, and they might even be a better date. This is what happened to Ne-Yo, and he was quoted as saying, “...but my second choice turned out to be the one I was supposed to be there with, so it turned out good.”
Whatever happens, you’ll have a great time at your formal, and you should definitely go. Take the lead from these celebs, when they didn’t have all that fame and money. Just go with the flow.
Taylor Lautner at his prom
Top left: Leighton Meester, Top right: Ashley Tisdale, Bottom left: Vanessa Hudgens, Bottom right: Ke$ha
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s s e r D p U it Social vs. Formal
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o, your formal is coming up soon, and you have absolutely zilch idea of what to wear; or you’ve actually found a gorgeous dress (or outfit!), but you don’t know if it’s too expensive, or if you should keep it in the closet for another occasion. You could even be sitting on a chair, waiting for the fashion fairy to breathe over you. For what occasion?
A lot of girls wonder what type of dress to wear. You want to be individual, but not quite as individual as Lady Gaga. There are some basic rules, but rules are made to be broken. So listen, then decide if you will use them or say goodbye. If you’re going to a sit-down dinner event, or a function that you will sit down to eat at, it might be appropriate to wear a longer (not necessarily full length), elegant dress. At a social, you will usually find bright colours. At an occasion that will generally not involve sitting down, it could be suitable to wear a dress fit for a party. Although, you can ignore these rules; what you dress in is usually just the type of girl you are. If you like, you can forget about the ‘long dress’ rule, because a lot of people like to show off their legs and that’s fine, for whatever event you’re at. And remember that these rules do not always apply; it will depend on the occasion, so use your common sense!
If you’re not sure what occasion to wear your dress to, think about those rules, and think about this. What to wear it to will depend on the event, and the importance of the occasion, in general, and the importance it holds to you. If you attend lots of events like this, and you regard it as ‘just another one of those’, then you will not need the most extravagant dress in the world. You could go for a cheaper, simpler option, but make sure it’s never ‘cheap and nasty’. If this is a ‘ ‘Wow’ once in a lifetime’ opportunity for you, dress it up and make it extraordinary. Make it the dress everyone wants to wear. Let everyone envy you. Be the brightest star in the night sky. If you’re in the middle, e.g. if you’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while, but you don’t think it will be the most important thing you will ever experience, go for something you feel is just right. Choose a dress that is a bit jazzed up, and wear it with style. But again, don’t be too extravagant. If you’re still not sure, go shopping and ask the assistants what dress they think will be suitable for your occasion.
What’s my budget? $$$$ Whoa! Don’t go crazy with that money. To have the perfect look you don’t have to spend a million bucks. If you’re wondering, and if you’re not, the absolute maximum is $1000. That should include limos, and other unnecessary necessities. Most girls will spend around $200 to $50. And you can you can still look amazing and get your hair done for that much. If you shop around, you can even get away with $50 to $100. On the $50 budget, for your hair, use equipment you already have, e.g. your own curler or straightener, or other cheaper things you’ll need to do your hair, like rollers. For makeup, also use your own, or get some good quality, cheaper products. Only buy a dress and shoes. You’ll have to hunt hard, but you can do it quite easily. You’ve just got to look in the right places. If you’re going to spend over $50, get your hair done professionally; professionals know the secrets of beautiful hair. Bring in a picture of how you want your hair done to your hairdresser, a couple of days before, and ask how much they would charge for it, so you don’t have to sort it out on the night. When you go shopping for a dress, set yourself a budget, and stick to it. If you find the perfect dress, and it’s over your limit, compromise with your parents, and offer to do some jobs, or to help out with something. If you really have to, use your own savings/money. But try to stay off those paths! Just remember, give yourself a budget, and stick to it!
What else can I wear? If you have a dream dress in mind and you can’t find it anywhere, you could get it tailor made. They will measure you up, so it will fit perfectly! But you have to make sure it’s value for money, in your budget - and an acceptable price. You could borrow somebody else’s, and a lot of people do that. Make it yourself! These dresses can look great, as long as you do it right. Find the material you’ll need, get a pattern, measure yourself up; then all you have to do is cut and sew! But be careful, because it’s not as easy as it sounds. It can be very hard, and time consuming, depending on how difficult and intricate your dress to be is. If you can’t pull off any of those or you can’t afford much; you could use a dress you already have, if it’s appropriate!
The Perfect Fit
Who do I go shopping with? When you go shopping for your dress, go with your mum and/or your friends. It might sound strange to go with your mum, but she knows really well what suits you, as she is your mother and she’s spent every year of your life with you. If your go with your mum, even if you’re not with her every second, you can buy a more expensive dress, which doesn’t mean it’s better, but gives you more freedom. If you go with your friends, you can have a lot of fun, and they know what’s ‘in’. Friends know how to bring out the best features of your personality. If you go with your friends, you’re guaranteed not to get the same dress if you don’t want to, which could be a disaster if you did! We suggest going on a combined shopping trip with your friends and their mother’s.
Make up Simple or statement? When it comes to makeup, you need to get it right. It’s the thing that will make it or break it. It’s a good idea to go to a place like Myer or David Jones, and asking them to give you a makeover, free, that will suit your dress, and your occasion. If you don’t thing you could get that style with the products you already have, you can buy them. Most stores do this on a regular basis, so you’ll get a professional look; if you have the same products, you can get that look at home. You can ask for something natural, to suit your skin colour, like soft brown, a light coffee colour, beige tones, and light pink or your natural colour for lips and cheeks; a bold look is in, you could get eye shadow the colour of your dress, or a lighter or darker shade of it, for a better effect. If your shoes aren’t the same colour as your dress, you could use eye shadow the colour of them, to accentuate them, or make them more noticeable. You don’t even have to have your eye shadow colour the same as your dress or shoes, it can be a different colour, but it has to compliment all the colours you’ll wear. You can choose to give your eyes or lips emphasis. To do this, apply strong colours to whatever area you’re focusing on, e.g. cherry red on your lips. You could always just choose tones, shades and colours that evenly flatter each other, if you don’t want to be to bold, or accentuate a certain part of your face. It can be a good idea to get your nails done professionally, but they can work just as well at home, you just have to have a steady hand. If you’re getting your nails done professionally, you can get more detailed, intricate designs.
Shoes Shoes, shoes, shoes. The thing we go crazy over; but don’t go crazy here! You need some sense, so keep your head! Your shoes, importantly, need to compliment your dress. Compliment doesn’t necessarily mean match, they can be a different colour, texture, or style to your dress, but still go with it. A lot of girls will wear heels at these events; so you can go with the flow, or break the chain. Some dresses will have matching shoes, come with them, or recommend them. Don’t be scared to go out of the box, but don’t get too far away from it. You can wear a light, lemon coloured dress, with light-ish blue, crocodile skin shoes, and it will look great; but don’t wear a puffy, green dress, with high, brown platform shoes, and stockings – you’ll look like a tree. So use your common sense, and you can be a stunner; if you don’t, you can be a walking catastrophe.
On The Night
Accessories Bling, bling; ka-ching, ka-ching! What do you match that amazing dress to? When you’re putting on the bling, don’t go over the top! Choose a little that looks and means a lot. Choose items that that compliment your dress, and look as if they came with it, they match so well. You definitely need a clutch, if your dress didn’t have a matching one, or didn’t come with one. In there put some make up, (small things) like lip gloss, mascara etc. a purse, and other important and emergency equipment. Ensure that you have a bracelet, a necklace and earrings (if you have your ears pierced) at the least. Remind yourself to have at least on piece with a gem in it. It will feature, and bring everything together. It is important not to over load; if you do, it will look messy, and ruin the effect. Your pieces have to be noticeable, a feature, but not huge and over the top. Accessorise yourself, but not in excess.
When it comes to the night, if you’re not going to put your dress on before you get your hair done, because you don’t want anything to get on it, or anything to happen to it, you have to be careful when putting your dress on. You have to keep in mind your hair, and be careful that it doesn’t get flattened or fluffed up while you’re putting your dress on. Take it slow, and don’t rush; but then again, don’t take an hour. Leave plenty of time to do your makeup, if you’re not getting it done professionally. If you’re getting it done professionally, leave earlier than you have to, to account for things like traffic, and possible change of appointments. If you don’t get a limo, or don’t get the best limo, it’s not the end of the world! You can still have heaps of fun in another form of transport. It’s not too bad, not getting the best, because some other time in your life, you’ll get something better, and say wow. Just keep in mind your formal isn’t all about the trip there. When you are there, don’t overeat, don’t be shy, and don’t not dance! Be confident, and tell yourself its okay to laugh if something goes wrong. If you don’t have a date, it doesn’t matter. Going with just your friends is fine. Good Luck! Whatever happens, it’ll be great!
Jacqués Republic
Are you gorgeous enough?
Brianna Norman Brigita Vladica talks exclusively to Brianna Norman about her formal, and herself
a n n a i Br n a m r No
B
rigita Vladica interviews Brianna Norman about her Year 11 formal.
Tell us a bit about yourself... I am a 17 year old year 11 student attending Kilvington Grammar, which is a small school. I am currently studying Psychology, Health and Human Development, Maths, English, Geography and History. I aspire to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University. In my spare time I enjoy babysitting, yoga, hanging out with my friends, reading, walking my dog, and listening to music. One of the traits my friends admire in me is my sense of humour.
Top: Brianna with her dog Sadie, Bottom left: Brianna, her brother Liam, and Sadie on holiday, Bottom right: Brianna looking at the photos she had taken
What dress did you wear? I wore a vintage style, 1940s, Quick Brown Fox dress. It was a glimmering maroon, with black undertones. It had a sash below my bust tied in a bow at the back. The dress was knee length and fitted with a gathered, flowing skirt. The neck line is high but scooped, and it also has a high back. The straps are wide, but they thin toward my shoulders. I chose this dress because it fitted perfectly and it was the only one like it in the shop. Maroon suits my pale skin, although I don’t wear it often. The style suits my figure, was comfortable to wear and easy to move around in. It was light and didn’t make me too warm. The dress was $80 on sale. I just fell in love with it.
iI just fell in love with it What were your shoes like? My shoes were black patent leather, highly polished, with 4 inch heels. They have a thin strap buckled across the upper foot, and a closed toe. They looked elegant with my black sheer stockings. I had to put gel pads in the front of the shoe, but after four hours of wearing them, and one and a half hours of dancing, I could barely walk – I don’t often wear heels. I got them from ZU in Highpoint for $130. They were a good buy – I’ve worn them again since.
What make-up did you wear? I had a lot of my make-up beforehand, but the rest I purchased from my local AVON representative. I used liquid foundation which matched my skin tone, bronze eye shadow, a neutral blush, brown mascara, and ruby red glossy lipstick. I went for a natural look with an element that accentuated my lips. The lipstick rubbed off slightly, but not noticeably, and the rest of it wore well throughout the night. I wore Imari Seduction perfume, from AVON, which had a floral scent. My hair was done at home. It was partially clipped back and then curled.
What accessories did you choose? I wore gold, cubic, white zirconia studs, which reflected light well. As well as a gold, diamond, heart shaped pendant that had been given to me 4 years before by my gran. I matched a black lace shawl from Sportsgirl, which I wore on the way there and back, with a lace rectangular clutch that came with my perfume. My hair was fastened with a gold pin. All of these matched the shoes or complimented the dress. They were subtle, but all of them added to the effect.
Brianna, with her brother Liam om formal night
Top left: Brianna Taking photographs, Top right: Brianna at her formal, Bottom left: Brianna with her brother Liam, before her formal, Bottom right: Brianna with her dog Sadie
What was your formal like? It was Winter Wonderland themed, although it was only March. It was held at Caulfield Racecourse in a room that overlooked the track. There was a three course dinner, photographs, and dancing. We had a mushroom risotto for entree, roast beef and vegetables for main, and for dessert we had a fruit meringue. Although it was not the best food I have ever had, it did not ruin the night. We had professional photographs taken in groups of friends, and in our school houses.
Having our photos taken was lots of fun, and a good souvenir of the night. Dancing was slow to start, but by the end everyone had joined in and we didn’t want the night to end. I go to a girl’s school, so only about half of us had dates. Only one of my close friends had a partner, but I didn’t and it wasn’t that important to me to have one. Instead of dates, some people brought friends.
What was the best/most memorable part of it? The best part of the night was the dancing, but getting ready and shopping for it was also a large part of the fun. Most of the pleasure was in the preparation for the event, but it was still a fabulous night. It was all we could talk about for weeks before and weeks after. Shopping and picking out dresses and shoes with friends is a girl’s dream. Seeing everyone dressed up, excited and happy was what made it so special.
We didn’t have a limo, my friends and I figured that we’d leave them until year 12. We all went back to my place later to sleep over. On the night there were a few mishaps – when we miscommunicated where we needed to get picked up from after the formal, and as a result had to wait 15 minutes in the rain, with sore feet. Besides this the night was a success, and I’m looking forward to next year’s formal.
My advice for anyone going to a formal is to relax, have fun, and enjoy the night; and don’t be afraid to dance!
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DESIGNËR FRANCE
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