Dressing to the nines: Young Star’s style guide to prom

If there’s one day in your adolescent years when you must dress to impress, it’s prom. Allow us to lift the pressure and up the style game — Young Star has consulted editors, designers, stylists, and bloggers to give you tips and tricks to getting that look right.

I guess I can always trace my formal wear philosophy to my junior prom. Many thanks to The OC, Marissa Cooper in Chanel became my ultimate prom peg: a creamy, below-the-knee, shapeless dress that gathered at the top and bottom, creating giant blooms — the poor little rich girl alternative to the corsage (plus points if you’re going stag!). Minus the laced-up sandals and the douche-y boyfriend, I have since then fantasized about wearing that dress — but because I was neither Mischa Barton nor delusional, I wanted something similar instead.

I got the length all right — but I didn’t get something similar instead. What I got was a decent enough eggshell white tube dress made out of taffeta in that perennial, pa-Hollywood cut: the serpentina. It didn’t look bad at all, but as the years went by, in retrospect, I realized more and more that that look was so. Not. Me. Prom was an education, because it equipped me with my formal requirements today: no body-con, no embellishment, a sensible smokey eye, and always and all ways, messy unkempt hair. Back then, when the hair stylist couldn’t get the disheveled Marissa bun, I removed it and DIY’d with my hair scrunchie — a thing I still do up till now. Ain’t nothing wrong with getting proactive about it.

So, boys and girls, though I’m no authority, here’s something I will tell you about prom: it’s okay to have the misses. Take it. This is not where you should peak sartorially. This is your formative, baptism-by-fire experience: because going formal for maybe the first time will eliminate a lot of the things you don’t like and help you figure out what you do like — and more importantly, what works for you. But because my word carries little weight, I’ll let you have it from the experts instead. Young Star has asked designers, editors, stylists and bloggers to share a piece or two of prom fashion wisdom — so take their word for it. They know what they’re talking about.

“I noticed that sometimes you get carried away with the theme — like ‘60s or Prohibition — so they dress like it’s a costume ball. The modern way to do it is to dress with a little bit of irony. Put a little bit of today with the way you style yourself, so you look like you belong to the here and now.” —Pauline Juan, editor-in-chief, Preview magazine

“There’s nothing wrong with going as a group. Group dates are fun!” — Michealle Torres, editor-in-chief, Metro magazine

“Be distinctly feminine in dress-to-enchant gowns and dresses with an old glamour austerity. The lesson is dress with your heart!” —Patrick Galang, fashion editor, Mega magazine

“Let your date shine. Stick to a white shirt and a suit in black or the darkest blue. Resist the urge to make a spectacle out of yourself at prom; I think Filipino men look best in clean, well-cut non-color. Add a subtle flourish with an heirloom watch, a clever pin, or irreverent shoes.”  â€”Izzy Tuason, international fashion blogger (thedandyproject.com)

“A well-fitting suit will spare you from cringing at the memory of prom in the future. Think classic and timeless.” —Adrianne Concepcion, fashion editor, Garage magazine

“Why not go the minimalist route? Everyone will go for embellishment or beading for sure. Go for a dramatic cut instead — like a moderate slit or a low back. Think Halston or present-day Martin Bautista.” —Anna Canlas, beauty and fashion editor, Preview magazine

“Dress according to your age. Do not wear anything too revealing. You can wear cleavage-baring and thigh-high slits 10 years from now.” —Sidney Yap, celebrity stylist

“Wear one thing you really love. Be it the color red, sparkly new stilettos, or bold lipstick. This stamps your personal style on whichever look you go for. I personally like to throw tousled, messed-up hair into a sleek formal look.” —Pam Quinones, stylist

“Consider your date because photos last a lifetime. Fit is important. Whatever design or trend you decide to wear, make sure it fits perfectly, from the blazer to the pants.” —Vince Uy, creative director, Preview magazine

“I spent most of the late ’90s (high school) wearing black — because it’s basic. And it makes a great uniform (see: Michael Kors, Louis CK and every villain I admired). I always thought, ‘At least, I’ll never regret wearing black.’ My prom dress was black with hints of blood red.

“The problem with wearing shit you don’t regret is that shit gets boring. I spent more time laughing over my early ’90s wardrobe — oversized shirts with crazy prints, awkward denim cutoffs (over the knee, anyone?) and tennis shoes — than admiring my more ‘grown up’ high school garb. So when dressing for prom, go for it. Go crazy, tease the shit out of your hair, wear the crap out of that dress.

“Cool is overrated, anyway.” —Bea Ledesma, YStyle editor

“Prom dresses should always be fun, age-appropriate, and comfortable. Wear something you’d still pick out five years from now and you can’t go wrong.” —Sassa Jimenez, designer

“Stand out by wearing a modern blazer or tuxedo. It doesn’t always have to be black. If you’re going for the classic look, make sure you put your own twist to it. Make sure you wear it with confidence!” —David Guison, fashion blogger (davidguison.com)

“Go bespoke rather than off the rack. That way it’s a perfect fit and you have an input in the design.” — Andre Chang, stylist and contributing fashion editor

“Try your best to merge comfort and fashion. Prom is about making memories and you wouldn’t be making any good ones if you’re afraid someone might step on your train.” —Camille Co, fashion blogger and designer

“Dress appropriately. This means to dress your age and have fun with fashion. Proms happen only once or twice in your life so make sure you enjoy what you wear!” —Vania Romoff, designer

“Prom is one of the most photographed nights and something you’ll look back on so make sure you look your best. When getting your hair and makeup done, bring pegs. It’s a good idea to have more than one so you have choices and if so, bring a shot of your dress so the hair stylist can help you pick.” —Patricia Prieto, fashion blogger (itspatriciaprieto.com)

“The right fitting suit and picking out the most appropriate style for the occasion is really the key to having a memorable prom. Know your body and know where you’re going!” —Ziggy Savella, designer

Photos from style.com