Bright colors, long gowns are the hot looks for Prom 2009


Shortly after celebrating New Year’s, Pentucket Regional High School senior Andria Blandini headed out prom dress shopping.
“I made the mistake of waiting until April vacation my sophomore year, and it made it very hard to find a dress,” she said.
Andria bought her silky, red, Night Moves gown in the middle of January, and her stress-free search was over.
The busy prom season may seem weeks away. But for most high school students, prom dress shopping season is in full swing.
While it’s not too late to find a dress, Jeanine Hines, owner of Pure Bliss in downtown Newburyport, recommends that juniors and seniors wanting that special dress not wait too much longer to begin their search.
“Selection and reordering is diminishing, and prom gown manufacturing is running out,” Hines said.
Because of the high demand for dresses and the policy of many stores not to sell the same dress to more than one student going to the same prom, dress shop owners are telling students now is the time to buy if they want to find the perfect dress to fit their unique style and budget.
Sarah Selig, a junior at Pentucket in West Newbury, got her dress on March 17 at Angelique’s in Saugus.
“There were a lot of dresses in the store, but most of them had already been sold to people at my high school,” Sarah said.
As for trends for prom 2009, think color and glamor.
“Dresses with prints and the long movie star gowns are in,” Hines said.
Pastels are not as popular this year. Instead of a light color, Hines said girls are choosing bright hues, like hot pink.
Monica Calabro, the owner of Daal’s Bridal in Haverhill, agreed.
“Hot pink and turquoise are definitely the most popular colors for 2009,” she said.
So what is that special dress going to cost? At Pure Bliss, prom-goers can find a dress for anywhere from $200 to $400.
“We have three different groups of dresses,” she said. “The first group has dresses of around $189. The second group is priced around $289, and the third group has dresses around $389.”
The more you pay, Hines said, the better the fabric and the more detailed the dress.
“If you decide to go with a higher-priced dress, you can expect silk as opposed to polyester and the bead work will be more intricate,” she said.
The average cost for a dress at Daal’s is $325, but they go up from there depending on the style. Calabro said the store has already sold 100 dresses.
“If you buy a Jovani dress, they are all $500 and more,” she said.
For shoppers on more of a budget, the Bridal Stock Exchange in Seabrook offers an alternative. Owner Heidi Janson stocks lower-priced dresses, which she said is something to think about during the current economy. The average cost of a dress at Bridal Stock Exchange is $150.
“Our prices are lower because we buy overstock and sample dresses at half the cost of a regular dress,” she said. “We have everything from dresses with prints and bright colors, to slim-fitting dresses with lots of beading, and, of course, simple, shorter dresses.”
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Erica Vaughn is a senior at Pentucket Regional High School in West Newbury.

Going to the Prom
Newburyport High School: Junior Prom, April 4 at Georgetown Country Club; Senior Prom, June 4 at the Venezia Hotel in South Boston.
Triton Regional High School, Byfield: Junior Prom, May 2 at Georgetown Country Club, Senior Prom, June 2 at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston.
Amesbury High School: May 8 at Atkinson Country Club in Atkinson, N.H.
Georgetown High School: May 15 at Sheraton Ferncroft in Danvers.
Pentucket Regional High School, West Newbury: May 23 at Castleton in Windham, N.H.
Winnacunnet High School, Hampton, N.H.: Junior Prom, May 30, New England Center at University of New Hampshire.

Completing the look
Want the perfect look for the prom? Take a cue from Hollywood.
AnnMarie Lewis, hairstylist and owner of Skyy Salon & Spa in Salisbury, said the most desired hairstyles are usually a replica of what you see at the Emmy Awards and other Hollywood awards shows.
“The most popular hairstyles for prom this year are loose, casual curls, half up-half down, and side sweeps,” said Lewis, who charges $60 for any updo.
Lewis said it’s time for students to make an appointment for their formal hairstyle so they can get an opening that leaves them plenty of time to be ready for when the limo shows up at their door.
Many area salons offer specials during prom season. At Skyy, a makeup application is typically $35, but the salon is running a special for the prom.
“Our special is $20 to get your makeup done, and we teach the girls how to apply it during the half hour application,” Lewis said.

Article by Erica Vaughn