How to Shop for a Prom Dress

While clothing trends often shift every season, dress trends tend to hang around for several years.

A tell-tale sign of up-and-coming formalwear trends is to check out celebrities' red carpet appearances for award ceremonies like the Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Globes.

The prom dress industry keeps a close eye on what couture designers design and what stylist stars wear so you - the prom-goer - can wear hip, fabulous dresses.

• Prom Dress Trends of 2009

Several very important things factor into the perfect dress for you. While you should always keep your personal style in mind, your body plays an crucial part in deciding what you should choose in a dress.

Certain elements work for everyone, as long as you are armed with the knowledge of how to flatter your own figure.

• Prom Dresses That Flatter Your Figure

Walking into an exclusive boutique on Fifth Avenue and choosing your dream dress sounds like fun, but you aren't Mischa Barton and you won't be wearing Chanel couture.

Luckily, you don't have to sacrifice your wallet for a fantastic dress - and, at the same time, you don't have to sacrifice style for price.

With a little creativity, you can find a best dressed-worthy dress for debit card-friendly prices.

• Prom Dress for Less

Even if you don't want to forgo shopping at prom boutiques and trying on racks of dress, doing a little pre-shopping online will let you know what to expect as far as designers, styles, and prices go when you hit the mall.

Also, you can often snag deals on your favorite dresses on certain websites - when it doubt, "pricegrab" it.

• Online Resources for Prom Dresses