Should You Wear a Short Prom Dress?

Should You Wear a Short Prom Dress?
Kathryn Lively

The senior prom is one of the few opportunities for young women to dress up and enjoy themselves, as well as show off prom dresses ranging from elegant and demure to flirty and outrageous. This year, as you shop for a perfectly cute prom dress, you may ask yourself if you should wear a short, cocktail style dress instead of the traditional floor length gown. While a short-hemmed dress is fashionable and looks great in many colors, not every body style is suited for this type.

Which girls are best suited to wear a short dress for the prom? Take a look in the mirror and study how you look. Are you petite and short? If so, a short, strapless prom dress may work, especially if you have a slim frame and small bust. With the right pair or high heeled shoes, such an outfit can give you the impression of greater height.

For plus-sized young women, some designers do make short dresses that work to emphasize features of your body that give you a nice shape. If you prefer not to wear a long dress, choose one that comes to just below the knee. You can show a bit of leg and complement your look with some flirty heels.

Some shorter prom dresses are design with a full skirt that offers shape to young women who are essentially slim. This design gives the illusion of a fuller backside and can also emphasize the waistline.

Certain colors are more suitable with the short prom dress model. Choose bright, light colors or a dramatic sapphire or emerald green – a color that complements your eyes and hair.

A knee-length prom outfit is good to wear in warmer months, if you know you plan to spend the evening dancing and enjoying yourself. When you shop online for your perfect dress, you are sure to find a short cut that’s right for you.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on prom dresses and prom gowns.