What should I wear to my Senior prom?

I’m going to my senior prom. I’m not one to wear the popular items. I bought a dress off ebay its a strapless polyester Tiffany, mermaid style. Its white with black flowers with silver beading and sequins and there are black buttons going down the back. What should I wear with it to look elegant and classy? — April W. via Facebook

Location: Pennsylvania

April,

No matter if you are going to your Senior prom with a date or a group of your best girlfriends, it is destined to be an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, pictures and dancing! Naturally, an occasion of this sort calls for one to dress to the nines.

For you, the hard part is over, as you have landed on a gorgeous floor-length gown, which is a perfect starting point of a red carpet-worthy ensemble. Now all you need to take things to the next level is a few standout excessories and a flawless beauty look.

Right when I saw your chosen black-on-white mermaid dress, I immediately thought of the Oscar de la Renta dress I styled Kate Hudson in for the Bride Wars premiere in New York City last year.

You can take a cue from her look by keeping your jewelry slightly minimal—add on a sparkling bracelet or two—as to keep the focus on your dress. However, if you do want to take advantage of the strapless structure of the silhouette—aka prime real-estate for a statement necklace—that is also a fab option! I recommend something with clear stones to nod at the Lucite trend. Try Ann Taylor LOFT’s 3-Strand Clear Stone Necklace. Just make sure to not go overkill, so if you opt for a necklace, skip out on the bracelets.

With either route, you can still add an optional pop of color via a turquoise cocktail ring. Again, if you wear the bracelets, rock the ring on your opposite hand.

Honing in on a few other crucial add-ons, I suggest choosing a solid black clutch just big enough to carry your mandatory necessities and a pair of corresponding platform heels. Since you will not see your shoes for most of the night, go for a pair that are comfortable enough to dance in, yet still stylish. You may be surprised to know that platforms can actually be easier to walk in than your average heel.

Now for the hair + makeup! To achieve your desired elegant and classic look, first secure your locks back into a beautiful, classic french braid with pieces on the front pulled out to frame your face à la Kate. Then, hairspray the hell out of it so it stays in place!

Last, but not least is your makeup, which you can never go wrong with a smokey eye, sun-kissed cheeks and subtle pink gloss. Put a sophisticated finishing touch on your look by opting for a nail polish shade in a light white or other barely there lacquer. I recommend Chanel’s Intermezzo or Essie’s Baby’s Breath.

Don’t forget to take plenty of photos before the big night to make sure everything looks just right. This way, you can leave all of the stress and worries behind you when you walk out the door…have the time of your life and dance until the sun comes up! xoRZ