Fashion Blogs

It was always an exciting time when prom rolled around. As a freshman and sophomore in high school, I took plenty of notes on how to pick the perfect prom dresses in uk.

Luckily, I had some practice with the winter formal dance my junior year. I couldn't exactly afford the over-the-top ball gown I always wanted, so my brother bought me a black dress for $60 at J.C. Penney. Sure, it was simple, and definitely was no ball gown, but it meant the world to me. My senior year, my grandmother bought me a lavender strapless (near ball gown) with roses across the top. It was three times the price of my first dress.

Those experiences taught me if I wanted to go all out for school dances, I was going to have to get a job and pay for it. Then, I could buy all the ball gowns I wanted.

Dresses can be pricey. But, they don't have to be if you know how to look for the right deal.

You can wear your Crocs if you want to. You can leave your friends behind. Zachary Newcott

Bobbi's HOT MESS, a formal wear and bridal shop on Main Street, offers something for everyone's budget, said Bobbi Buckholz, the owner.

In addition to the latest formal wear collection, Buckholz offers consignment dresses, a rack full of gently used formal gowns priced for a fraction of the original price. Dresses here, range from $129 and $200.

"It's great for those who are on a budget," she said.

The store also has a $100 rack and $50 rack, which are filled primarily with short or out of season dresses. Buckholz said not to discount those two racks because sometimes people find the perfect dress there.

This year's theme for the Visalia Unified School District and Tulare is: "Staring Nights and City Lights."

Buckholz said because of the theme, girls are interested in darker colors and a classier look.

"They're not wanting the over the top jewels on the dresses," she said. "They want a little bit of that, but they still want to be elegant, classy, pretty and sophisticated."

Hands down, the "sprinkler" is the most popular move on the dance floor. See it in action. Zachary Newcott

Buckholz said girls are also in search of mermaid type gowns and gowns with print.

"But still, like always, there a wide variety of tastes out there," she said.

Bobbi's HOT MESS is located at 207 W. Main St. The store is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store also has a variety of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, clutches, gloves and hair pieces.

Annabelle Chavez, the owner of Annabelle's Bridal Boutique, said although prom is less than three weeks away, there is still time to get in and order a dress. There's also time to get dresses shortened or taken in.

Chavez offered this advice for prom dress shoppers.

"They really want [dresses] to be snug, but then you can't sit down," she said. "If you're going to go in a limo, you can't get in."

Chavez also said to choose a dress to your liking, not everyone else's.

"You have to feel like a million bucks," she said. "Some girls, it's their senior prom, so this is their last dress up day. I tell them to go with the one they love… because you're the one who has to wear it and see it in pictures."

You better get your poster ready... but maybe lay off on all that glitter. Zachary Newcott

Annabelle's Bridal Boutique is located at 200 W. Main St.

For those in search of a getting a fabulous hair style to go with their fabulous dresses, Tracy Byerlee, owner of The Loft Salon, said there is still availability for May 7.

Byerlee said this year's style includes braids.

"They're putting braids in any updo possible," she said.

Whether it's a low bun with braids wrapped around it or a classy half-up-half-down look with braid extensions, it's the look girls want, she said.

Byerlee said flowers, jewels and bedazzled hair pieces are also popular and can be added to any style. She suggests to find one they like, and the stylist will work with them.

The Loft Salon, located at 111 S. Court St., Suite 101., has five stylists and one manicurist. Prices for updos range from $25 to $45. They can be reached at 471-0266.

On Monday, my co-worker Calley Cederlof and I shopped for our prom dresses at Chelsea Street Boutique. There, we found strapless cocktail-style dresses for under $200. Mine is black and gold and hers is silver. It didn't long to find a dress...well, maybe it did. Our editor gave the thumbs up and then paid. I think he took just as long shaking his head yes, or no.

We walked out happy. Thank you to the Sciacca's for making the shopping experience fun. Now all we need is a tan.

We are so excited! We will be at the Visalia and Tulare proms on May 7. Come and find us and then find your pictures online at MarieProm evening dresses

Follow the Visalia Times-Delta webpage, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for Visalia, Tulare, Exeter and Central Valley Christian school prom coverage.

Here's a look back at our photos from last year's proms.