Sorority formals are different depending on what particular sorority you are in, where you go to school and what the theme of the sorority formal is. Sometimes they are semi-formal where you can get away with wearing a fun party dress like this short dress by La Femme.

Short Dress La Femme 17042

Other times, they are traditional sorority formals where an evening gown or formal dress is more appropriate. Some formal dresses are below including a popular coral dress.

Formal Dress Alyce 2104

Formal Dress La Femme 16802

Some sorority formals will have a theme where you will need a dress to match. We have seen simple themes like “all white” parties where it is easy to find a stunning white dress to wear, to a Hollywood theme where you can wear a more glamorous formal dress or ball gown. The dress below by Night Moves is perfect for the Hollywood glamour look.

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For many sorority formals, wearing the always classic little black dress is the way to go. Little black dresses can range from sexy dresses to sleek and stylish mermaid dresses like the dress below by Jovani.

Mermaid Dress Jovani 17283

One popular style of sorority formal dresses is the one shoulder dress. For girls that want to look dressed up but modern and trendy at the same time, one shoulder dresses are perfect choices. You can get one shoulder dresses as both short dresses and long dresses to suit every style and formality. We love these one shoulder dresses by Blush and Evenings by Allure.

One Shoulder Dress Blush 9357

One Shoulder Dress Evenings by Allure A467

Here are some good graduation dress and dark gown color combinations:

Red graduation dresses are perfect for black graduation gowns with red accents.

A green graduation dress is great for an emerald green graduation gown.

Gold graduation dresses are perfect with brown graduation gowns or any color gown with gold accents.

If your graduation gown is a light color, that means that it may be easy to see your dress through the fabric. In this case, it is important to have the right graduation dress color that will not show through and look “tacky”.

Here are some graduation dress ideas for light colored graduation gowns:

If you have a light blue or light yellow graduation gown, a white graduation dress is perfect to wear underneath.

A white graduation gown pairs perfectly with a silver graduation dress or a graduation dress with sequins!

Graduation is most certainly a milestone that you want to remember for the rest of your life, so why not make sure you look at feel the best? Our wide selection of graduation dresses for 2012 at Prom Dress Shop will make finding your perfect graduation dress easy… just make sure you pick out the right color!

Take a look at some of these great party dress and shoe combinations!

Every party dress at Prom Dress Shop has it’s own unique style developed by each designer. Sherri Hill’s most famous attributes in her party dresses are the intricate hand-beading, sexy silhouettes, and modern edgy looks. Designer party dresses by Sherri Hill can be worn to any event or party, not only to Prom– Sherri Hill makes sure all of her dresses can be worn comfortably by every young woman. Check out the Sherri Hill collection of versatile dresses and find your perfect dress for any party or event!

Short Dresses

Short print dresses are always popular because of their versatility. Short dresses like the Evenings by Allure dress shown below are fun and allow you to easily be able to move around and dance in. This print dress would make both a perfect prom dress or a cocktail dress for a night out on the town!

Print Dress Evenings by Allure A3808S-Short Dress

A-Line Dresses

This gorgeous strapless dress by Night Moves is made of charmeuse and satin and features a beaded sweetheart neckline. The bright colors of this printed prom dress will brighten up anyone’s day but what we love most is how flattering the dress is. A-line dresses are dresses with slightly flared skirts and look great on everyone. Because of the beading and style of the dress, this is one print dress that would be perfect to wear again as a formal dress for another special occasion.

Print Dress Night Moves 6406- A-line Dress

Peacock Dresses

Peacock print dresses are hot this year! The peacock is know for their beautiful tail feathers and, over the past couple of years especially, the peacock feather has been a popular accessory showing up in earrings and worn as hair extensions. Peacock prints are daring but perfect for those wanting to make an entrance. This peacock print dress by Evenings by Allure mixes beautiful colors and has a flowing skirt in a softly pleated fabric. The darker colors and intricate bead work around the empire waist make this print prom dress a perfect evening gown for your future formal events.

Peacock Print Dress Evenings by Allure A401

Plus Size Prom Dresses

If you wear a plus size, don’t be afraid of wearing a print prom dress. Wearing a print prom dress shows confidence and print prom dresses look good on everyone! Look for flattering styles like strapless dresses and A-line dresses. Many dress designers like Fabulouss make great plus size prom dresses in prints and many can be worn for future special occasions like this dress by Faviana. Wear this fun dress as a party dress at a future special event!

Print Dress-Faviana 9283 Plus Size Dress

High Low Prom Dresses 

Wearing a high low prom dress by itself will capture attention but print high low prom dresses allow you to really make an entrance! High low prom dresses are nice because they are a little more formal than your average short prom dress yet they are comfortable enough to allow room for dancing. High low prom dresses in pretty prints like this dress by La Femme will leave you feel sexy and glamorous but ready to have fun! You can easily wear this dress as a dress to wear to a wedding or a cocktail dress.

Print Dress La Femme 16611 High Low Dress

If you have already had your 2012 prom and are wondering what to do with that fabulous dress you bought or if you are still searching through the 2012 prom dresses that are available and want to know if you can wear the dress again, read on.

Mermaid Prom Dresses

These sexy prom dresses are tight and have a flared skirt that starts at the calf. Most mermaid dresses are strapless and many feature details such as beading or ruching. Since mermaid prom dresses are usually a little dramatic, they are best worn as formal dresses for special occasions such as black-tie events.

Short Prom Dresses

These are probably the easiest type of prom dress to get wear from again. Short prom dresses range from sexy dresses that are tight to sweet, flirty short dresses with flared skirts. Sexy prom dresses are best worn again as cocktail dresses or even saved to wear as a New Years 2012 dress. Short prom dresses that are less sexy and more flirty and feminine do well as party dresses or worn as a wedding guest dress.

Print Prom Dresses

Print dresses can be a little tougher to find other occasions to wear at since they are so bold and require an event where you don’t mind standing out. One idea is to save to wear as a dress to wear on a cruise where bright colors would look perfect at a formal dinner while heading to a tropical destination.  Print prom dresses can also be worn as cocktail dresses or party dresses if the occasion and setting is appropriate.

Colored Prom Dresses

If you are concerned that the color of prom dress that you chose will not fit with other occasions, don’t worry! Even many trendy prom dress colors like coral prom dresses and turquoise prom dresses can easily be worn at various special occasions depending on the season.

Got a black prom dress? Consider yourself lucky as the little black dress is perfect for all occasions and never goes out of style!

If you don’t think you will wear your prom dress again, consider donating it. Some girl out there would love to wear your prom dress as her sweet sixteen dress or 2013 prom dress!

YOUR PROM DRESS

The first step of preparing for the big event is of course the Prom dress. We believe the perfect Prom dress for 2012 should be a reflection of your personality and compliment your style and physique. There are an overwhelming amount of Prom dress styles available, so searching for your new dress might seem like a daunting task. The Prom Dress Shop website has a helpful advanced search option that helps narrow down your search by style, designer, color and price–making it easy for you to find what fits!

PROM 2012 SHOES AND ACCESSORIES

Prom 2012 accessories can really change the look of a dress, either by “dressing it up” or “dressing it down”.  Some Prom dresses don’t need much accessorizing as they tend to sparkle and shine on their own. You want to choose the right accessories for Prom 2012… don’t over-do it! This fabulous 2012 Prom outfit is an example of a combination where no necklace is needed, as it has a fully beaded top. The perfect accessories would be a rhinestone bracelet and matching chandelier earrings.

Shoes are very important, as they are the finishing touch to your 2012 Prom ensemble! It is even more important to find the right shoes that look great with your Prom dress and shoes that fit right. Prom is a long and eventful night full of dancing and partying, and a long night with shoes that hurt is no fun! So first things first– make sure your 2012 Prom shoes are comfortable! When picking the right Prom 2012 shoes, you should make sure that they always match your accessories. So which ever you choose first, the shoes or jewelry, make sure everything else corresponds. If you can pull off something fun, strappy, and sexy… DO IT!

PROM HAIR & MAKEUP

The hottest trends for Prom 2012 makeup is the smokey eye, bold lips or a natural and simple look. Whatever look you decide to go with make sure not to over-do it. So if you go with a bold lip, do subtle eye makeup or if you do a smokey eye go with a natural look on the lips. The hottest hairstyles for Prom 2012 include long curls and braids. If your 2012 Prom dress has a nice open back or back detailing make sure to put your hair in a Prom up-do so you can show off that stunning back. Prom 2012 is YOUR big night and everything should be perfect– Prom Dress Shop is here to help you make your 2012 Prom night go smoothly and ensure you look and feel your best!

While prom is sure to be a great time to have fun with your friends and the memories will last a lifetime, your graduation day will bring on so many more emotions as you prepare to enter the next stage in your life.

Many girls take their search for the perfect graduation dress as seriously as they do when searching for their prom dresses. Most graduation dresses are short and flirty but some girls also need more formal dresses for a night out or a formal graduation party. Many schools require white dresses for graduation while others do not set a specific color allowing the freedom to wear bold colors like coral dresses which are popular for summer. No matter what you decide, you will always treasure this special memory so be sure to wear a graduation dress that makes you feel your best! Here are our top picks for 2012 graduation dresses including our most popular Blush dresses.

White Graduation Dress- Blush C021

Graduation Dress- Blush 9353

Graduation Dresses- Night Moves 6480

Graduation Dress- Sherri Hill 2785

Play Up One Feature:

Don’t go overboard on your prom makeup just because it is a special event. Try accentuating one feature like wear a brightly colored lipstick or do a sexy, smoky eye.  Then, make the rest of your prom makeup more natural. Trust us, you will look amazing by just playing up one feature!

Looking for the perfect prom dress to wear with this season’s popular bright coral lipstick trend? Check out this fun, coral prom dress by Sherri Hill.

Prom Dress Night Moves 6410

Metallic

A trend we love for 2012 prom makeup is metallic makeup.  Take a break from the typical smoky eye and go bold by applying a metallic hue to the eyes. Popular shades are always gold and bronze but silver and white metallic colors were seen all over the runway for spring.  Be sure to use an eyeshadow primer for this look to keep your eye makeup fresh all night. Use a shimmery powder eye shadow or a cream eye shadow in a lighter metallic shade all over the eye and then a darker metallic color in the inner creases and blend. Finish with liner and mascara and use a shimmery rose, nude or peach brush depending on the metallic shade you choose.

If you are wearing the silver or white metallic eye color trend, Sherri Hill prom dresses like this fun and flirty strapless prom dress in light pink would make the perfect match!

Prom Dresses Sherri Hill 8434

Do a Cat Eye:

Want to go a little more dramatic for your prom makeup? Do a sexy cat eye! Brush your eyes with a white shimmery eyeshadow and get out the eyeliner of your choice (we prefer a gel liner). Use those art skills you learned in school and draw a line from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner and make a small flick to make the liner look like a wing. Tip: rest your arm on a table so it is steady and start light. You want to get the line right first. You can always go back and add more liner on top of this to darker it up later! Keep the rest of your makeup minimal. Wear a light nude or pink color lipstick or lip gloss and a soft pink blush and let your eyes do the talking!

Want a sexy prom dress that matches your dramatic cat eyes? Try this glamorous but sexy fitted prom dress by Night Moves.

Prom Dresses Night Moves 6239

Bronze and peach:

Be a bronzed goddess on your prom night with a pretty bronzed face and flushed cheeks. Don’t think that you have to go outside and sun before prom. Stay safe and ensure an even glow (no sunburn) by going faux! Get a spray tan a few days before the prom and complete the look on prom day with a bronze powder on your cheekbones and décolletage. Remember, don’t choose a bronzer that is too strong.  A bronzer should be no darker than two shades from your skin stone. Finish your bronzed face with a peach or apricot blush. For the eye, wear a gold shadow, dark eyeliner and lots of mascara! You are sure to look like you just had a tropical vacation!

Wear a white prom dress to make your bronzed skin really stand out like this gorgeous white dress by Sherri Hill with a keyhole cutout and ruched bust. Just be sure to not overdo and don’t wear your dress while applying makeup!

Prom Dresses Sherri Hill 2845

Dewy Skin:

Make your gorgeous skin the focus on your prom night. Play up your skin by using a highlighter on the highest points on your face to create dimension or all over to brighten up your complexion. Put on a rose colored blush or pale pink blush over the highlighter. On the eyes, put a little highlighter on the browbones and inner corner of the eyes. Use a light, shimmery eyeshadow, a little eyeliner on the tops of your eyes only and mascara. A bright pink gloss would complete the look and make you fabulous!

Wear a strapless prom dress like this short prom dress by Mori Lee Sticks & Stones in a light hue to look so sweet and pretty! Put some highlighter on your collarbone to really make your skin glow!

Prom Dresses Mori Lee Sticks and Stones 9101

Short Prom dresses pair well with shoes that have a higher than average heel and a closed toe or peep-toe, also called “pumps”. A-line dresses look great with strappy heels, show a little skin girls! Remember, it is very important to try your dress on with your new Prom 2012 shoes in advance so any length adjustments can be made to your dress. Express your style and attitude with the perfect Prom shoes, and let us find the right ones to put that finishing touch on your outfit for Prom 2012!

Take a look at some of these great Prom shoe and dress combination ideas:

As stated in our recent blog about the most popular colors for 2012 prom dresses, brightly colored dresses like yellow prom dresses and coral prom dresses are hot this season. Blush prom dresses come in a wide variety of stunning colors. We especially love the Blush turquoise prom dresses and the hot pink prom dresses.

Another aspect that make Blush prom dresses so popular for prom 2012 are the sweet and flirty details. Many dresses have amazing details like beaded sweetheart necklines and fun accents like colorful rosettes. This stunning dress even has peacock feathers at the neckline!

Blush Prom Dresses 5105

No matter what your style is, you can’t go wrong with Blush prom dresses! Check out some of our favorite Blush prom dresses below or check out our site for the entire 2012 Blush prom dress collection!

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