It’s early September but I’ve already seen a mom post that her daughter was selected to be a maid on her school’s homecoming court. I wrote this for prom season, but it applies to homecoming, too.
In no way am I purporting to be an expert, but I would like to think I know what looks good, and I think it comes to me honestly. My mom loved clothes, probably because she wore a uniform in her housekeeping days, and she looked forward to expressing her style on the weekends. She wasn’t a small woman but she always knew what looked good on her, which always stuck with me.
No matter your size, there is a fit and cut that will look good on you. Here are some helpful hints for those young ladies who are about to start looking for homecoming attire, whether you are on the court or attending the dance. It occurred to me that while some of this is simple for some it may not be for others.
1. A dear friend told me this and it’s so true: foundation, or lack thereof, can make or break a dress. Parents, please make sure that your daughters have on the appropriate undergarments for their dress. This is key! For heaven’s sake, take your daughter to a store and get measured for a bra, and please do not let her wear a regular bra with a strapless gown. It has happened.
2. Understand what cut looks good on your body type. I’ve seen a lot of body-hugging dresses with splits up to the navel this season and guess what? That fit isn’t for everyone, even “skinny” girls. This isn’t prom-related, but I was disappointed in seeing a wedding gown on a young lady who would have looked better in a princess cut, only because she thought a straight cut was more flattering. The dress itself was pretty but the cut didn’t do her figure justice in my opinion.
3. If you’re unsure of what looks good on you, ask a trusted friend to go shopping with you. This goes without saying, but make sure said friend will provide honest and kind feedback and has a sense of style. If you can’t coordinate with anyone, ask the sales associate to take a picture, which as we all know will say a thousand words. There is no shame in asking! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve texted friends I trust to ask how something looks. It’s all about knowing what looks good on you and owning that style. When you know you look good, your attitude will exude that.
Parents, I hope this makes sense. (If any single fathers are reading this, take a sister, cousin or friend with you when you go dress shopping. Do not leave it up to your daughter to pick out her own dress!) When you think about it, this goes way beyond the homecoming, as there are so many layers to body acceptance and positive self-esteem. Teach your daughters to love the skin they’re in and dress it accordingly.
ksmithsays 