Prom Dress Shopping – What to Know Before You Start

Prom dress shopping is a real milestone moment – exciting, a bit emotional, filled with Pinterest boards, saved TikToks and a LOT of group chat. But we get that it’s also a bit overwhelming. If you’re a prom-goer (or the parent of one), you’ve probably already seen just how many options there are out there.  Different colours, shapes, fabrics, sparkles…it’s a beautiful minefield of choices.   

With the right mindset and a bit of insider knowledge, we promise the experience of finding your dress can be fun, relaxed and genuinely magical.  At Lily’s, we’ve seen it all – nervous excitement, the big first try-on moment, the ‘I’ve had this saved for a year’ dresses – and we know exactly how to help you find the one.   

An open mind is the secret to success 

Let’s start with the one thing that’ll make the biggest difference: come with an open mind.  

Many girls arrive with a very fixed idea of what they want.  They’ve spent months – sometimes a whole year – collecting pictures of dream dresses, and while that inspiration is super helpful, it can also make things tricky.  Filters, camera angles, editing and model shapes can all completely change how a dress looks. And sometimes the dress you’ve been dreaming about just doesn’t have the same effect when you try it on yourself.   

It's not that your inspo is wrong, it’s that real-life trying-on is a whole different experience.  

That’s why staying open-minded is so important.  You might walk in thinking you want a fitted fishtail dress and walk out swooning over an A-line.  Or you might be sure you want full princess vibes but then discover a sleek, elegant gown that feels oh so ‘you.’  

Half the magic is in the unexpected finds.  

Try on lots of different styles (even ones you’re not sure about!)  

For most prom-goers, this is their first time trying on proper occasion wear.  It feels different, moves differently and looks different to anything hanging in your everyday wardrobe.  That’s why trying on a range of shapes and silhouettes is key – it helps you understand what flatters your shape, matches your personality and makes you feel incredible.   

A few styles worth exploring:  

• Ball Gown – big, bold and perfect for a dramatic entrance.  

• A-line – Universally flattering and a great starting point for any shape.  

• Fishtail/Mermaid – Curvy, glam and very red carpet inspired.  

• Sheath/Column – Elegant, minimal and super sophisticated.  

• Fit-and-Flare – A softer take on the mermaid shape, easier to move in.  

The goal of the first appointment isn’t to pick a dress instantly (although now and again that happens) – it’s to learn what you love on YOU.  Many girls end up choosing a style they never would’ve picked off the rack.  Once you see it on, it all clicks.  

Choosing the right colour (it matters. A lot).  

Colour is a funny thing – we all have colours we think suit us but formalwear can tell a completely different story. Sometimes the colour you’ve imagined for months just doesn’t sit well with your skin tone, hair colour or eye colour.  We often see girls arrive wanting pale blue because it photographs beautifully but, once they try it on, they realise it washes them out.   

This is where experimenting gets fun.  Try warm tones, cool tones, brights, neutrals – even real wild card colours you’d never normally pick.  You might be shocked at which ones bring out your glow.   

When thinking about colours, there are lots of factors:  

• Whether your skin tone suits warm or cool shades  

• Your natural flush (some colours exaggerate it!)  

• Your hair colour and how you plan on wearing it for prom night 

• Your eye colour – certain shades make eyes absolutely pop 

• The event location – lighting is everything! And can really affect how colours appear  

Trying a whole load of colours can completely change how you feel in a dress.  And your stylist should always help guide you based on what looks best on you (not just on Instagram).  

Practical tips for a smooth, stress-free appointment  

Prom dress shopping should be enjoyable and a little bit of planning helps massively.  

1. Start early 

We can’t say this enough: start early.  Prom dresses sell fast and once a style is gone, it’s usually gone for good.  Shopping early gives you the widest choice and plenty of time for alterations.   

2. Know your budget (including alterations) 

Prom budgets aren’t just about the dress.  Most gowns need some adjustment for perfect fit and you’ll likely need shoes, a bag, jewellery, make-up and maybe some kind of cover-up.  Knowing your full budget helps your stylist pull dresses you’ll love and suit your price range.  

3. Be flexible with availability  

Prom dresses move QUICKLY! If the exact dress you found online isn’t available, your stylist can suggest alternatives with the same vibe – similar shape, similar sparkle or similar drama.  Staying flexible might open the door to finding something even better.  

4. Bring the right people 

One or two trusted people is perfect. Anymore and you’ll get too many opinions, which can turn an exciting moment into a confusing one. Bring those who know you well and care about how you feel, not how they think you should look.  

5. Don’t forget about the actual event 

Is it formal? Is it fun? Is the venue huge or more intimate? How’s the lighting? Ball gowns, for example, can look magical in a large hall but might leave you feeling a bit too conspicuous in a small space.  And if the floor is textured, that can affect how certain skirts glide (or don’t)!  

These little details help you pick a dress that makes you feel confident from head to toe.  

Prom dress shopping isn’t just about the dress; it’s about finding something that makes you shine and sets the scene for an unforgettable prom night.  The perfect dress is rarely the one you imagined months ago, more often, it’s the one to try on ‘just to see,’ and suddenly everything falls into place.   

So go in open minded.  

Try on loads of styles.  

Experiment with colour.  

Let yourself be surprised.  

And most importantly – enjoy every moment.  

We’d love to help you find the perfect dress for you, book an appointment with us and let’s get started.