Have you already begun to search for your perfect prom dress? Seeking out the hottest 2012 trends? With so many dresses to choose from, finding the perfect dress can be confusing. Use these tips and the newest trends to help you reduce your selection and help you find the perfect dress without the stress.

1. Color

Choose a color that is right for your skin tone and complexion. Fair colored skin should wear blue, red, and dark greens. White complexion goes well with brown, pink, red, and blue; most colors are fine here. As for you fortunate tan skinned ladies, you may wear any color. Brown colored skin, slightly darker than tan, unique purples and oranges compliment your skin tone well. For more dark complexioned, black browns, and dark purples are gorgeous, along with light pinks, deep reds, and bright greens. And finally yellow completion goes well with pure whites, light colors, and black. Bright and solid colors of a wide range along with detailed prints are in for 2012. With fabrics such as satin, silk, and metallic chiffon bring the latest style into a dress and add a unique flair.

2. Necklines and Straps

The straps and neckline of your dress show off your personality and sense of style. Choosing the perfect neckline can be the icing on top of the cake.. For those you plan on doing lots of dancing, one shoulder and two straps are great for you! One shoulder is a fun and stylish look, while two straps provide a modest and classic yet timeless look. For those who have wider shoulders, a halter is a fabulous way to give the appearance of slimming them. The Halter is also a sophisticated appearance that can be obtained, especially accompanied by a mermaid style dress. Those who are bigger busted, strapless or another form of straps should be your first choice over the halter top. For a romantic feel to your dress, go for the elegant sweetheart neckline. Modern ladies strapless is a terrific look.

3. Lengths and Styles

An A-line style dress is a forever fashionable look, and is perfect for every body type. Mermaid and trumpet skirt silhouette will hug the contours of your body especially at the waist and hips, creating a sassy look. Ball gown styles are lovely, light, and flowing; which shows off your inner princess. The right dress for you may be a cocktail-dress or shorter length dress. Open back dresses are a popular 2012 trend. From fitted skirts to flowing the choice is yours.

4. Embellishments

From elaborate prints and colors to simple, solid colors, a dress is not complete without the embellishments. Crystals and sequins complement the vibrant glam of your dress, while rosettes, ribbons, and bows show your unique sense of taste. Ruffles and ruching are a compliment to every body type. However, for those who love the simplicity; look for a classier dress that will give you an elegant appearance.

5. 2012 Trends

Hot red carpet trends for 2012 prom dresses are all about glitz and glam. Elaborate, electric, and sleek looks have become the “in styles” alongside classic and elegant simple dresses.

Whether your taste in style is simplicity or all out glam, there is a gown out there for you. Now it’s your job to find your perfect dress. Think carefully about what you are looking for in a dress; style, skirt, embellishments, colors, print or solid, neckline, length, ect. Knowing what you wish for in a dress will help minimize being overwhelmed by all the dress sections. However keep your options open, you might be surprised by other styles.

The most influential factors of selecting a dress are:

1. “Is this you, and does this dress show who you are?”, and
2. “Does the dress compliment your figure and give you the image you were looking for?”

Remember, the dress will reflect you, the beautiful young woman that you are. Before purchasing a dress, check your school dress codes for their rules on strap width, and dress length.

So enjoy choosing the perfect dress, and feel gorgeous in it on your special night.

So whether you are planning for homecoming, prom, or a fun night out on the town, we have the latest trends and the enchanting accessories to have you turning heads and feeling fabulous at our downtown Milford store or see just a sample of the dresses we offer at: http://www.theclothingcove.com/Prom-Dresses/3192/3104-3192/dept.

What a lucky girl you are! Not only have you been blessed with more curves than the average young woman, but you have more options than ever before. Our full-figured mothers and grandmothers had to make do with limited styles or a frumpy handmade dress, but today you have choices. And oh, what choices! Don’t let shopping for a prom dress wear you down, even if some days it seems that no dress is right for you. The dream dress is out there, and not only will you find it, but you’ll find it in your size. Here are ten tips for finding the perfect plus-size prom dress for your night to shine.

1. Evaluate Your Wardrobe

If you wear a larger size, you know that there are some outfits that make you feel good about yourself, while others have you tugging at the uncomfortable waistbands all day. Check out your closet and pull out items from your everyday wardrobe that are your favorites, then try to determine what you love about them. What factors do they have in common? Do dark colors make you feel more secure? Or do bright ones cheer you up? Determine if your favorite blouses have fitted bustlines or tend to be more flowy. Once you’ve evaluated what makes you happy in your regular school clothes, translate that into formal wear. You’ll have a good idea of what’s most important to you, whether it’s comfort, color, style or something else entirely that’s uniquely you.

2. Hit the Mall

Don’t be afraid to start at the mall or a department store. It’s the best way to get a sense of what’s out there. Once you are in the formal section, don’t even worry about sizes yet. See what attracts your eye, and make note if you gravitate toward any colors or styles. You can keep these in mind when you shop for dresses later; right now, just window shop. If you do see one you like, ask the sales clerk if they carry it in larger sizes. If the store itself doesn’t carry your size, they just might be able to special order it for you. It takes guts sometimes to ask questions, but remember, it’s what the sales reps are paid for. Take along a chatty relative to do the talking if you’re shy.

3. Shop the Specialty Stores

Plus-size stores aren’t what they used to be. Now they’re carrying more and more fun and fashionable styles for young people. If you have a Torrid shop in your town, you’ll see that they stock formal dresses in larger sizes that are far from old-fashioned. Shopping at a store with large sizes means you can feel more comfortable trying on clothes, and it’s a nice feeling when you sometimes need to ask for a smaller size. Check the telephone directory, and you might discover some plus-size boutique stores you didn’t know existed.

4. Hit the Bridal Shops

Bridal stores are often underused when it comes to formal and prom wear, as people mostly associate them with weddings. Most stock an array of evening gowns and bride’s maid dresses in a multitude of styles, and in sizes much higher than traditional stores. Check to see if there’s a David’s Bridal nearby. The sales are fantastic, and they carry prom and evening wear in sizes up to 26. You can view the dresses on their website, and they even have a feature where you can see the dress in motion to see how it moves when you walk. Many of the models are plus-size too, so you can get a true idea of how the dress flatters a larger figure.

5. Shop Online

You can find dresses in any style and size online if you know where to look. Sydney’s Closet has glamorous dresses in all sizes, as well as some cute cocktail-length gowns. Talk Prom Dresses stocks larger-sized dresses in more trendy styles, including sexy goth designs if you want to heat up the room. Sites like Lane Bryant and Torrid, that also have regular stores, will even let you return the dress to the actual store if you’re unsatisfied, so you won’t have to fool with shipping if you don’t like it. With zillions of online resources to choose from, though, you’re certain to find something just right.

6. Use the Classifieds in Reverse

Lots of people comb through classifieds and Craigslist posts looking for what they want, but it’s much easier to do it backwards. Place your own ad, stating what you want and how much you’ll pay. For example: “Wanted: Prom dress, size 20, any pastel color with a corset-style bodice. Will pay $75 or more if it’s the right one.” People can then contact you if they have a used one that fits the bill, and you’re under no obligation to buy anything.

7. Try Separates

No one ever said a prom dress is required to be all in one piece. If you’re having trouble finding the right dress, or if your shape makes it hard to find a dress that fits correctly, buy two pieces. Shop for a ball-length skirt in a basic color, then top it with an evening blouse of your choosing. You might pair a black skirt with a spangly halter, or a pink one with a classy white satin wrap blouse. The choices are yours, and the possibilities are endless.

8. Make a Look With Accessories

If you still can’t find the look you want, try buying a simple, basic dress and glamming it up in your own unique way. Accessories can create a look on their own with a little imagination. If you want a more daring style, top your dress with a feather boa. Wear fresh flowers in your hair if you want a more romantic look. Add a faux fur wrap or a sheer organza scarf if you’re unhappy with the neckline. Make your look the one you want by mixing and matching with whatever pieces you choose.

9. Forget What You Know

It seems everyone has rules for what heavier girls should and shouldn’t wear. You probably even subscribe to some of them yourself. You may think that you have to wear black, or that you can’t bare your arms. Forget it! It’s your night, and if what you’ve always wanted is a hot fuschia spaghetti strap gown, then buy it, wear it, and strut your stuff. Make sure you’re comfortable, but also that you feel attractive on your own terms, not someone else’s.

10. Be Confident

It may seem like a cliche that a smile is your best accessory, but it’s true. Even the dreamiest dress looks less fab on a mopey girl. Once you find that heavenly dress, forget about sizes. Keep in mind that all girls, even the twig-shaped ones, are obsessing about their looks tonight. Laugh at them on the inside, and walk into your prom with confidence, knowing that you look –and feel– your absolute best.

It’s the best of times; it can be the most stressful of times — Prom season! Finding that perfect dress is always the highlight of shopping for Prom night. But it can be tricky staying up-to-date with the hottest Prom dress trends, even for fashionistas in the fast lane.

“For Prom 2011, the fabulous factor centers on high-voltage dresses guaranteed to pump up the fashion volume,” says Phyllis Brasch Librach, president and founder of Sydney’s Closet, a fashion company that designs, manufactures and sells plus-size Prom dresses. “Striking one-shoulder silhouettes and traffic-stopping prints are in big demand.”

This year, even Cinderella gets a fashion jolt, says Librach. “Look for classic ball gowns to get an instant update with multi-colored layers of tulle over eye-popping print skirts.”

To make shopping for a prom dress less stressful, the fashion pros at Sydney’s Closet share these top 10 dress trends for Prom 2011:

1. A Rosette-y Disposition: fabric twirled into floral rosettes adds a trendy, feminine accent for a prom dress blooming with style.

2. Prints Charm-ing: capture your Prom date’s heart wearing multi-color tulle layered over novel graphics or muted florals for an up-to-the-minute Princess look.

3. Easy Breezy: free-moving chiffon or satin dresses in relaxed silhouettes exude a soft, graceful look.

4. One-Shoulder Starlet: make a dramatic entrance wearing this Hollywood design right from the red carpet.

5. Shady Lady: eye-catching ombré fabric subtly progresses from light to dark for a super-sophisticated impact.

6. Untamed Glamour: tiger and zebra stripes, leopard and giraffe spots – oh my! Animal prints show off your wild side before you even hit the dance floor.

7. Cut it Short: whether it’s a poufy skirt or a flowing baby doll, hems above the knee show off your sexy legs and hike up the fun factor.

8. Candy Land Colors: bubblegum, grape, lemon drop: great fashion taste comes in delicious colors. Yum!

9. Painted Lady: splashy patterns fresh off a painter’s canvas create a Prom dress that doubles as a work of art.

10. Flower Power: buds bloom in all sizes and vivid colors for that very girly look perfect for Spring!

Phyllis Brasch Librach, a former journalist, traded deadlines for hemlines to launch Sydney’s Closet after she failed to find a trendy plus-size Prom dress for her curvy daughter. The company designs, manufactures and sells plus-size special occasion dresses to curvy customers across the U.S. and around the world. Sydney’s Closet sells online at SydneysCloset.com and at a flagship shop in suburban St. Louis. Also, fine bridal salons, dress shops and boutiques nationwide carry Sydney’s Closet Signature Collection.