What we Know about the Long Evening Dress

Long Evening Dresses are what women wear to black tie events. For the even more formal white tie events, women are expected to wear ball gowns, which feature a full skirt. Most women much prefer regular evening gowns to ball gowns because there is more scope for originality and finding a gown with a flattering fit.

When it comes to Long Evening Dress, fads come and go. Some years shiny fabrics are in, some years crinolines are in, some years women wear long gloves, and some years they don't. In general, the key to choosing the perfect Long Evening Dress is to choose a classic style that may have a trendy detail rather than going for the full-on trend of the season.

Have you ever been to a secondhand shop and seen a rack full of cast off bridesmaid and prom dresses? Chances are the ones that stay un-purchased are the ones that incorporate the most trendiness. Bows are a detail point that come and go in style. If you purchase a gown with a bow, make sure it falls exactly where you want it to on the body, or it will either look "wrong" or emphasize the wrong body part.

While the secondhand shop can be a great place to find the dresses you shouldn't wear, occasionally, you'll get lucky and find a dress that you should wear. A classic sheath or empire-waist goddess gown flatters many figure types.

The most important thing with these classic styles is to get the perfect fit. If it only needs a little taking in here or there, consider hiring a seamstress to custom fit the gown to your body. The extra expense will be well worth it when you see how much better it looks.

There are stores and websites that specialize in selling gently used formal wear, and these can be great resources for those of us on a budget - which is most of us these days. If you are ordering online, it is very important to note the site's return policy, and when ordering, it is important to take your measurements accurately to get the best fit. Often when slightly used Long Evening Dresses are sold online, the seller will mention the height and weight or the measurements (bust, waist, hips, length) that the dress fits.

As far as color goes, there are only a few that may look dated, and then again, they may be the "hot new" colors in a year or two. You can't go wrong with black, white, ivory, or midnight blue. Rich, chocolate browns can look gorgeous, as can dark greens and rich ruby reds.

Be more cautious when it comes to pinks and lighter blues - these tend to look fabulous or fabulously wrong. Be especially careful with yellow. While some skin tones positively glow in yellow formal dress, many more will not. You should also be cautious about gold sequins or lame, or silver.

Whether your hair is short or long, you can look great in a formal Long Evening Dress. With short hair, you can emphasize your facial features, ears, and neck with makeup and jewelry. Women with short hair can almost always get away with having eyes that are "done" with shadow, liner and even false eyelashes. If you have long hair that is going to be the center of attention (say in a lovely chignon with a gorgeous rhinestone clip) then it is better to keep your makeup and jewelry simple.

Shoes can be tricky. While they should be beautiful, they shouldn't detract from the rest of your look. If your dress features gold beading, then silver shoes will clash, and vice versa. Some women avoid the problem altogether by buying translucent high heeled sandals, which won't clash with anything. With evening wear, you're wise not to let shoes have too much power. They should complement your dress, and most of all, they should be reasonably non-crippling to walk in.

The most important factor in whether your Long Evening Dress looks good is fit. Find the name of a local tailor or seamstress so that if your Long Evening Dress need alterations, they can alter it so that it fits perfectly. Oh, and remember to have fun. Confidence and a great smile are the best evening wear accessories there are.

Let Brian Garvin & Jeff West teach you more about the Long Evening Dress on our website today.