Prom-N-Aid

I have regretted many things in my life. My choice of some men, a few unwisely dispensed words, and of course, a couple of fashion faux pas. However, in an area that’s a hit or miss, as many who were once juniors and seniors in high school would agree, I’m happy to say that I absolutely love my prom dress. It is a white, satin tube dress that falls down to my ankles with a naughty slit that the nuns in my school would have surely noticed and cringed at. To this day, I still wear it and as I get older, it becomes shorter and shorter (it’s now a mini!). My boyfriend has been witness to its climb on my thighs that he jokes that sooner or later, it will cease to be a dress and become a bra!

It’s easy to fall somewhere in the fork path of prom fashion: There is to have a fight designer make it, to go pret-a-porter (ready to wear), or to salvage something old and fab in your closet (or your mother’s!). Either way it’s all win-win if you know your style very well. When thinking of a dress and whatta do with myself on a special night, I always imagine the color I want to be swathed in as I charm away. After that, I take note of the form and shape that flatter my figure. For example, I know tubes are great, but wraparounds make me look like a man-boy gone wrong. Since it’s a special evening, no matter how simple my dress may be, I can always jazz it up with a few accessories. With every clever Jane making baubles and bags, it’s easy to score something cool for an equally cool price. However, the most important thing to remember is to be comfortable. Never leave home with a pinching shoe, a tight bodice or waist and an odd seam. No matter how great your outfit is, you’ll never look good with that Datung Puti look of pain in your face. Plus – think of the after party, too, honey!

Your face is now in the spotlight. A great gaffe is to mistake the Chinese opera look (i.e. heavy makeup) as appropriate for a formal affair. Jeoffrey Moran of Emphasis, who did the makeup for Isabel and Tanya, used a lot of dimensional color to add subtle color, shine and polish. Dimensional colors are iridescent tones that reflect light without being too jarring. The face is then framed with simply styled tresses. The problem with elaborately styled hair is that it has a tendency to be, well, baduy and is very high maintenance. Instead of enjoying the evening, you’ll be worrying whether your hair looks like a rat’s nest. You think Nicole Kidman or Gwyneth Paltrow survive the Oscars on their own? They have stylists following them from Oscar ceremony to Vanity Fair party!

And no matter what, wash your face after.

Little extras to consider are also your corsage and, of course, what your date will wear. I’ve seen one too many prom style disasters with colors that blend as well as oil and vinegar. A safe bet for your date is a black (not navy!) suit. If he’s more adventurous, he can go as Dicky Greeleaf and wear a cream suit with a light shirt and tie, and the shoes have got to follow suit as well. A safe corsage would be a white tulip, lily or rose one. Just let him know, don’t worry, he won’t mind. Unless he’s for hire as a professional prom escort, this boy won’t know a thing about arm ornaments. Whack him in the head if he gets you a pinned one – tell him it makes you look like a ninang in a wedding.

So enjoy the evening and take lots of pictures – after all, if you take all the right steps, you’ll look good in all of them!