Spring has officially sprung, as we all know from both the beautiful flowers on campus and the runny noses that come with it. Spring also bring times for formal dresses, from beach weekends, sorority functions, weddings, and graduations. Everyone is wondering what to wear on such occasions to strike that perfect balance between classy and sassy.
Fear no more! There is just one simple rule to follow to strike the perfect balance that will catch the eye of that cute guy in your English class. Pick one asset to emphasize: bust, legs, body, or back. Any more than one and you’ll be attracting all kinds of wrong attention.
Left: Emily Kalis (’16), Caroline Hardin (’16); Right: Melinda Kurnath (’15), Taylor Brown (’15)
Bust: A lower cut, deep-v necked style, or strategic beading emphasizes you in all the right places. A brighter color on top, different colored stitching, or pleating are more subtle ways to call attention to this asset. But make sure to keep the rest of the outfit sleek and simple: longer hemlines, and a looser cut through the body ensure that you are still at your classiest.
Legs: A shorter hemline will make your legs go on for miles! It’s perfect for summer when you want to show off your tan and get a break from the heat. Short dresses get a little tricky however, because they must be somewhat tight to avoid Marilyn Monroe mishaps when a strong breeze comes by. Therefore, sleek, but not skintight, with a more conservative neckline and sleeves is always a safe bet. To avoid a Jersey Shore moment, more classic colors and even neutrals will always trump the neon minis. Large prints can also overwhelm a short dress, as there is less fabric to work with, and will be more tailgate appropriate than formal.
Body: Show off those curves that make the twenty minute wait at Forest Greens worth it! A body conscious dress looks great and feels great on, if one does not overdo it. This is the most abused asset, and is often paired with other emphasized areas that will warrant sideways glances from other individuals in attendance. Do not be that girl in the skintight dress that bends over and shows the whole party her butt cheeks. Keep the hem long enough that you don’t constantly have to tug all night to make sure it’s an appropriate length.
Back: One of the latest and greatest trends of the past few years are backless dresses. They are beautiful in so many styles and cuts, from keyhole and crossing straps, make sure not to give others sensory overload by adding a high-low hem, or a complicated pattern. Less is always more with backless. Keep the fit loose and flowy and the accessories to a minimum.
*Article by Corina Wixon